Intresting topic of discussion

Sets

Is ebay really the marketplace for sportscards or would you rather go to a card show? If you are at a show and you see something you need, do you say to yourself, he/she is wacked (let's be politically correct), I saw that same piece on ebay for x. If it is a weekend show (like most are) will you research price on ebay that night and go back to show next day and purchase, if price is right. If I had the time I could find a show within 1-2 hr drive almost every weekend, some better, some worse, they are available again, if I had the time. Not just graded cards but high end inserts/rookies/game pieces/patches/auto's etc. or when you go to a show do you look for stuff you can't find on ebay, or stuff to resell on ebay?Just wondering what general perception is.

MuckyMutt

So far everything I've seen in card shops is over-priced for the condition. I don't understand why so many shop owners "don't know anything" about grading. At least that's what I've heard them say - probably because they know the condition of the vintage cards they have will not look good under close scrutiny. I have not been to a card show yet - not really anything in my area. So for me, there would be no market if it wasn't for the internet.

lawnmowerman

I agree with Muck. Nothing really around here either. The only shops sell everything way too high. I would guess that is a common theme anywhere you go. Ebay and bbce is where I do my shopping.

matt

iamthegreatcornholio

EBAY

I've been to 5-10 small card shows - overpriced stuff and limited selection.

I did go to the '98 National since it was only 30 miles away. I remember everything was way overpriced. I'd go again if it was in my backyard, but paying for plane tickets, hotel room, etc. for the hope to save money is too much of a gamble for me.

Stone193

Good question

Let me just say, I hate golf but I wouldn't mind walking the course with my friends.

The same with shows...even if I didn't buy one thing...if I could go with a few friends...talk to a few dealers...touch and feel a few items....have a pretzel and Bud....

Well you get the picture
mike

Axtell

Shows are fun (for me at least) once in a great while...nice to see all the stuff on display, but I agree with the others. Prices are way out of line, and I can't help but feel they are trying to sucker those who don't know or are afraid of eBay or internet sites for shopping.

I went to a show in SF a bit over a year ago and was fascinated with the prices these guys were asking for cards in really rough condition...same pricing could be found in graded material.

divecchia

I agree with Mike. Most of the time when I go to a local card show more times than not I come out with nothing, but I really enjoyed the last card show I was at because I met Keith (Con40) and Duncan (Packcollector) from the boards and I had a hell'ava time just talking with them and seeing how and what they collected. If everything goes as planned I will be joining Keith and a couple other collectors and taking a trip down to the Fort Washington show next month. I just can't wait.

Donato

Bosox1976

I concur with all of the above; Living in Chicago makes it easy for me to hit some pretty big shows without much expense (I don't even drive to the National - can take the El).

90% of the dealers seem to believe:

1) All of their merchandise is nm/mt (most stuff out in sheets or common boxes seem ex/mt)
2) Everybody is a semi-star, nobody is a common
3) It is ok to ask for graded prices on ungraded material
4) It is ok to ignore SMR for any graded material (which it is if it is high end or low pop, but on a UD Griffey RC?)
5) Not putting price tags on items is good business
6) "One and Done" sales strategy - ignoring the value of potential loyal customers to grab a quick buck

The other 10% are mentioned all of the time on these boards - in glowing fashion.

I remember a thread on these boards wherein someone proposed an all PSA show - which was sort of ridiculed. I went to the last Sportsfest show here and couldn't find the last 5 1954 Topps cards I needed in PSA 4,5,6, or 7! For those of us who like graded stuff these shows border on a wasteland.

So, when I go it is like websurfing/windowshopping. I may have a pocketful of cash, but rarely do I find anything I want/need at a fair price (let alone a good deal).

Sorry to rant, but there isn't too much to rave about. Haven't been to a good card shop in years either. I for one am tickled with ebay - it has really opened up the marketplace.

fiveniner

Even though I live just minutes away from the Gibralter trade centers Card shows I do not go to them any more.After attending several Nationals and the Philly Shows(formerly Willow Grove) they are the only shows I can get excited about.In the mid 70s to early early 80s when the shows were still in the growing stage they were exciting.
I guess I am just too old school.Now if I want to see a good non national show I have to go to Chicago or PA.

Stingray

Fiveniner were are you from?? I go to those shows about one every 3 months or so. A lot of other graded stuff there at those Gilbraltor shows.


Stingray

baseballfanatic

Nothing can beat the hands on experience of a large show. Plus, while looking at a card, you dont have to worry about the dealer "saying 10 more seconds bud", making an offer on the card and then someone jumping out of nowhere to raise your offer and having the dealer accepting it while telling you "You were outbid"

Pharber

I recently re-joined the hobby, putting together the 1958 Topps baseball set and for the first time in 20 years I went to a card show in Cranston, R.I. , in hopes of upgrading my set from g-vg-ex to ex-nm. There were 120 tables with many of them offering 1958 cards.

As much as I enjoy EBay -- you have to admit there is a rush winning a bid for a good price in the last seconds of an auction -- there are times I'm unhappy with the condition of cards I receive.

What I enjoyed about the show (and I'll go to the next big one in the Boston area) is that:

1. I could see the card and make my own judgment concerning their condition.

2. I could dicker for a price. Many of the dealers want to move merchandise and you could talk them down on prices if you buy several cards.

3. You didn't have to wait for the postman, you didn't have to give feedback, you didn't have to worry if the cards would ever arrive.

gosteelers

I haven't been to a big card show in about 8-9 years. I've only attended the little mall shows by me, which is the same stuff every time. I'm planning on going to the March Ft. Washington show in Philly. Even if I don't come home with much, I'll really enjoy looking at all of the quality items. If it's anything like it was 8-9 years ago, there's some really nice stuff there. But, I agree, usually overpriced, though.

larryallen73

I have been unimpressed with card shows and the few local card stores left. I thus buy on the Bay, BBC, etc.... However, I have not tried making any big purchases at shows or stores in years. Maybe they would negotiate down to a reasonable price if I offered to buy a few cards? Maybe at the next show, if there ever is another one in Sacramento, I will try!

A761506

I have had great success buying at shows and on eBay. I actually prefer shows for a number of reasons, mainly you can see the item, inspect it thoroughly, and there is instant gratification - you walk away with it on the spot. The other thing I like about the shows is that it's a one-on-one deal and you can negociate directly. No competition for the item, just a straight-up deal. I pay little to no attention to the prices the dealers have marked on the cards unless they have a card they don't know the true value of way underpriced. All prices are negociable or I won't deal with that dealer except under rare circumstances.

RonBurgundy

I agree with the post above. I like going to shows because there is quality material there and I can always walk away and say no at anytime. Many dealers are still the money grubbing characters they always were, so some still will make a deal with you. I also look for lazy dealers, expecially with commons. Dealers get lazy sometimes grading commons so I look for instances where they undergrade. Doesn't happen often, but it sometimes does.

Ebay is Ebay. It's where you find deals and I use it too.

Card shops are mostly a timewaste unless you find a guy who cares more about new material than old, and has gotten lazy with his vintage stuff.

Stone193

My summation:

Ebay for dinner.

Card shows for desert.

mike

Kurtman9

No card shows here in Atlanta and card shops with vintage are slim to none so internet is about the only option.

1420sports

I like card shows better than eBay, mostly based on what Stone already pointed out, but there are dealers who are priced right - either with SMR or current market conditions. Sure there are dealers who still expect to get 200 hundred for an UD Griffey, but there are also dealers who ask for 100 on a HOF Caramel - which may go for 300+ on eBay. Many dealers I stay away from, but there are many I seek out because they change their inventory. Plus, a dealer like Shoeless Joe will have a bunch of cards that I never thought about buying, so there is that surprise factor of seeing something new (who has time to search for everything on eBay) as well as the "instant gratification" factor that eBay can't offer ...

Steve1124

Based on my own experience, it's hard to pass up a card at a show, especially if it's one of those hard-to-find items that you may or may not find on eBay. I'd rather pay a little more to find something i really want, and walk away with it right then and there--and not face the frustration that 'baseball fanatic' spoke of! I've sometimes gotten home after a show, kicking myself that i DIDN'T snap up a card when i had the chance!

wolfbear

For anyone who has never attended the National card show, I highly recommend doing so.

# 1 - There's no way to put a price tag on getting to meet with your fellow collectors face to face.
# 2 - What could be better than to actually hold a card in your hand and look at it before you buy it ?
# 3 - It's like a giant easter egg hunt. You can spend days there and never see everything.
# 4 - The people watching experience is worth the price of admission alone and the sellers can be a lot of fun.

Other tips if you plan on attending :

# 1 - Don't take your wife or girlfriend unless you only want to spend about 15 minutes each day actually looking at cards.
# 2 - see # 1
# 3 - see # 1
# 4 - see # 1

Stone193

<< <i>For anyone who has never attended the National card show, I highly recommend doing so.

# 1 - There's no way to put a price tag on getting to meet with your fellow collectors face to face.
# 2 - What could be better than to actually hold a card in your hand and look at it before you buy it ?
# 3 - It's like a giant easter egg hunt. You can spend days there and never see everything.
# 4 - The people watching experience is worth the price of admission alone and the sellers can be a lot of fun.

Other tips if you plan on attending :

# 1 - Don't take your wife or girlfriend unless you only want to spend about 15 minutes each day actually looking at cards.
# 2 - see # 1
# 3 - see # 1
# 4 - see # 1 >>



Well put Wolfie
BTW, my wife has a "situational" restraining order dealing with card shows!

mike

fiveniner

Stingray,You are right there is a lot of graded stuff at Gibralter and some quality stuff at that.Most of the dealers seem to handle more of the recent stuff at Gibralter and of course some vintage is also found there but the percentage of dealers selling vintage which I consider pre mid 60s is very small in comparison to what yoy see at the Rosemont(Chicago) or in Pittsburg or Philly.
It is very possible that this trend may have changed as I have not been at any of the Gibralter shows in over two years.

Sets

wow, very intresting comments and perception so far. I love the Philly show, in fact, I set up there as well. Those of you coming stop by and say hello.