Card Shows

ababsktbll

Are the big shows still out there? Maybe its the part of the country I live in now. When I was living in Ohio (Cleveland & Columbus) 1-2 times a year would be a huge card show, dealers from all over the US would come to it. Now that I'm in the South (first Atlanta, now Charlotte), its always the same 15 or so dealers with the same stuff, same shows, and there doesn't seem to be the big annual shows.

I don't know if ebay has killed the big shows, or if cards just aren't popular in this area.

bengineno9

It's the same way in my part of the world.
I just got back from one today. The same 10 dealers at the same show that takes place every three months. A friend of mine went with me and he remembers the same dealers from the 70's. Funny enough they still have the same stuff from the 70's for sale.
I don't complain about it though. I've become pretty good people with a dealer their and he hooked me up with a Bob Gibson Auto. Baseball today for a good price. It's nice to have people looking out for you and your collection sometimes.
Ben

Stone193

There's always talk about the show deal in SCD which may go the way of the dinosaur. It's expensive to put on a good show and the players that they can afford to bring on for free or for low fees are not in demand by the younger people who have never seen them play.

It's time for them to think of a way to reinvent themselves - think outside the box or something.

As of today, the "big show" is Ebay. Good to some and not so good to others.

mike

boggs

Same ole same ole here in AZ, that is why I am going to some show in CHICAGO in late JULY.


James

knglerxt

<< <i>Same ole same ole here in AZ, that is why I am going to some show in CHICAGO in late JULY.


James >>




Yeah. I wish I could go to the National, but I live too far away. Plus, I just don't have the funds to get the type of cards I want. I'm your typical "starving" college student.

goudeygold

All I know is the national in Chicago better be significantly better than the sportsfest shows in chicago twice a year. Those shows are decent, but it always seems like i'm back at joe and levis tables fighting with pride and overpriced cards...

GG

Vintagegolfcollector

I lived in Charlotte for 18 years and there hasn't been a decent show there, that I recall, for the past 15 years or so. I used to collect comics extensively and Charlotte had all sorts of shows, large and small, but other than the Heroes Convention, they are pretty lame now too. I can't say Ebay is to blame for the poor showing of card shows in Charlotte. I don't think they've ever been a big deal down South like they are up North.

Stingray

I live in Michigan and there are two big indoor/outdoor markets called Gilbarltor Trade Centers in the Detroit area. Each place has regular weekend vendors and another indoor area for weekend shows, like computer, antique, etc. They hold baseball card shows at each place about once a month. There are 200+ dealers at the shows. 80% of the stuff is new material though, it is nice to go to them to see what new material has come out, but limited for vintage collectors. There use to be a nice show back in the late 80s early 90s that was held at some hotel in Plymouth, Michigan. It had dealers from all over the country and you could barely walk through the show it was so crowded. They moved the show to a hotel in Dearborn and it went down hill from there.

Stingray

yankeeno7

I live in upstate NY (Albany) and its the same here too. Pretty much all of NY is. White Plains used to have one of the best shows in the country from what I hear and now its no big deal. Once or twice a year they have a show at the State Fairgrounds in Syracuse. I hear that isnt too bad. I dont go to NYC for shows because driving it is a pain in the azz.
I still love the card shows though even if I rarely buy anything. Sometimes I drive to Connecticut to see some different stuff.

larryallen73

I am in Sacramento and there is NOTHING here. We get an occasionl mall "baseball card show" which has more Beanie Babies, Star Trek, and other CRAP. It's really pathetic. I sometimes wonder if I am the only collector in all of Nor Cal!

A761506

I'm also in Michigan, and the bi-weekly Gibraltar shows that Stingray referred to are pretty good. There is even a tiny Wednesday show every week here. But, much of the top material at that show has been exhausted, although, I've been pretty lucky on occasion finding some nice stuff there.

I'm going to fly into Chicago for the National for the day. Fortunately, I'm close enough that it's only an hour flight, $100 round-trip, so I'll just leave in the morning and fly back that same evening. I'm debating which is the best day to attend, and I'm sure Saturday will be packed, so I'll probably go then. Often times, the best deals can be made in the food court with other attendees, especially if someone is bringing cards that they are trying to sell, I can pay a lot more than any dealer would for them and still get a great deal.

RipublicaninMass

I am in the Boston area, and like everywhere else there is 1 or 2 good shows per year. One is the Greater Boston Sports colelcotrs club at the Shriner's auditorium. I also stumbled across a small show every 3 moths at the hoiday inn. A lot of Ryan oddball stuff and older singles. Course I never find anything, but at least it has more than just modern stuff.

envoy98

In MN we have one good show IMO. That's the Har-Mar mall show. About 45 tables and that's it. But a great selection. We also have Twins Fest which the MN Twins put on for their charity. That show gets close to 200 tables (give or take) and a ton of current and former Twins come to sign autographs. I have had great luck with the Tri-Star show in Kansas City twice a year (actually Overland Park, KS). They usually have some great autograph guests and the people that put on the show are great to me when I set up. The autograph guests have waned a bit the last two or three shows, part of that was a couple big name cancellations. This last time Charles Woodson and Al Kaline both cancelled. But, they did have the Steel Curtain members there though, that was a big hit. That show usually runs in the 225 table range, but I will say it was probably closer to 170 this last time...kinda dead, and 90+ degree weather didn't help things either.

I've heard great things about Sportsfest and the Sun Times shows in Chicago. I'll be at Nationals and I hope it's everything I've been dreaming about, I've never been able to make it to one, so I am VERY excited about it. That reminds, have to mark my time off on the company calendar for end of July.

The only other great shows I've heard about are the Ft. Washington show (I forget who puts it on) and the Houston Tri-Star show is supposed to be good as well. I haven't heard much in the way of good feedback on the Naxcom shows, but I know they do them.

RipublicaninMass

We have a tri-star show here in Mass. I heard it isn't really too good of a show. Also, at the Shriners' show I meet up with Con40 and packcollector and I believe it is the only show they go to as well. I wish there were some better shows. I think I need to travel to connecticut or Ny to see a great show.

ldferg

nothing in TN since the late 80's - i remember decent shows in 89 when upper deck hit the market. all we have here are flea markets and most of the stuff is picked over or EX junk that people want MT prices for.

SlangNRox

<< <i>I am in Sacramento and there is NOTHING here. We get an occasionl mall "baseball card show" which has more Beanie Babies, Star Trek, and other CRAP. It's really pathetic. I sometimes wonder if I am the only collector in all of Nor Cal! >>



I"m in Stockton and theres nothing here either.
Although this is where that Topps Pope auto was pulled.

Boopotts

Stingray-


Where in Michigan? I live in Ypsilanti. BTW, I grew up in Plymouth and have very fond memories of those big card shows you're talking about. They were held up at the Radison.

kingraider75

The Los Angeles area has the Hollywood Park casino show. That show has about 200 tables, and is fairly large. The same dealers are there each time, so I am not sure how much "new" stuff there is each time. It's mainly geared toward vintage baseball, or vintage in general. Very fews dealers, maybe 10, have any new wax. It's a decent show that is worth the hassle of going to usually.

There are some other smaller shows in the LA area also, so I guess the shows aren't dead here yet. However, it's not what it use to be.

ctsoxfan

<< <i>We have a tri-star show here in Mass. I heard it isn't really too good of a show. Also, at the Shriners' show I meet up with Con40 and packcollector and I believe it is the only show they go to as well. I wish there were some better shows. I think I need to travel to connecticut or Ny to see a great show. >>



I went to the Tri-Star show in Mass this past weekend - it was the worst show I have been to in years. Very depressing, actually. Hardly any vintage, not many dealers at all, nothing worth mentioning. Seems like the people there came only for the autographs...

As far as Conn goes - there's nothing here either. And, NY isn't much better. The White Plains show has fallen on hard times in recent years, a Long Island promoter just bought the rights to it and plans to revamp it a bit. Who knows? The only show worth attending anymore for me is the Fort Washington shows.

boggs

THere was a TRI-Star show here in AZ in March. Dont know how it was , I had to wash my hair that day.

gregm13

I live in Chicago and there are three big shows a year plus several smaller ones ranging from twice a month to every three months. In my opinion, the best are the Sun Times shows which are held in Nov and March. Good autographed guests and around 200 tables w/ all the large dealers. The Sportsfest is held in June and is hit and miss. The auto guests last year were brutal (only a couple HOF's) but the list this year is awesome. There are a lot of cheap ($30 and less) football HOF's signing.

I've met a lot of great dealers and usually find something to spend my money on

Regards,

Greg M.

Fabfrank

I go to the best card show every day. It's called Ebay. Tons of items to choose from and I don't have to worry about parking

RipublicaninMass

Then^ Where do you get your custom auto's that you had to wait in line up hill both ways in the dirving snow...

OSClabs

Can someone post info about the National in Chicago? (Date, location, who is signing, show fee, hotel info, etc.)

Also, where can I get show cases for card shows? What are the best tpyes and pricing?


Thank you,
Danny

ctsoxfan

National Site

dakota

Fabfrank,
You forgot the best part about the ebay show you go to......the hours 24/7 365!!!!

OSClabs

ct,

Thank you!

yankeeno7

Anyone here actually set up at shows? I havent done the "weekend warrior" thing in years.
Just curious to see what other people think sell at shows. I have also seen an increase in vintage dealers. The guys who have decent prices really kick butt.

OSClabs

Barry,

I haven't participated or attended a card show in some time. However, I have alot of "excess" cards that I'd like to sell to earn cash for my collection, grading fees, etc. Since I don't have time to sell and monitor Ebay, I'm thinking about selling at a card show. There isn't a card show scheduled here (Birmingham, Alabama) so I'm looking at Tampa, Florida area sometime this summer. I'm looking for show cases. If you have any leads, I'd appreciate it.

Thank you.
Danny

Ahmanfan

multiple hockey guests and no basketball guests? hmm...

also didnt see any huge names, kind of suprised. I guess they will still be adding to the list?

goudeygold

Don't forget the table alone at the nationals is $900. So i'm sure the prices will be high everywhere. I really don't care just as long as I can find somebody with some 38 Goudeys besides the 3 Joe has and the 15 or so 707 has but I don't need!!!

anybody got any leads?

GG