Card Shows
Wabittwax
Posts: 1,984 ✭✭✭
I was sorting through my email yesterday and I noticed several emails from the National and other shows. All of them were "announcing" all the Autograph guests that were scheduled to appear. It got me thinking. I really believe these show promoters are missing the whole boat on what creates a great card show. They see the Auto guests as money in the bank for them but it serves almost no purpose to all of us that are hard core card guys. I think it actually hurts a show because so much potential spending money is being dumped on overpriced autographs instead of cards.
I set up at shows for years and I can't count how many times I've been at a really crappy show and I see a line 300 people deep of suckers forking over $80 for an autograph that would sell for about $5 on ebay. The promoter is generally running around with his head cut off, the whole time thinking what a great show it is. Meanwhile, the dealers are taking another loss and eventually, after enough losses, the good dealers go away.
If I was involved in promoting shows, I would focus on things that would help long term to keep the dealers involved. Great collectors will find the shows with the great dealers. Let's take the National for an example. Here's a couple ideas:
For Dealers:
-Reasonable lodging deals. I remember a "dealer special" of about $120 a night when I did a National. Don't they understand that a profit needs to be made and this is not a vacation? I found my own room for $50. Not a great room, but I was there to make a profit, all I needed was a bed and a roof
-Reasonable table costs. $800-$1000 for a table pretty much rules out anybody who isn't on the same level as 707, BMW, etc. Without a variety of dealers, you wind up with the same grossly overpriced cards and serious lack of good raw, that are common at big shows nowadays.
-Parking. This really gets me. $800 for a table and they can't sport $5 for parking? Not a big deal, just the principal of the matter.
For Collectors:
-Get rid of Admission Fees or lower them to like $1 or something. They are already gouging to crap out of the dealers, give the collector's a break. $12 to get in and your passive collector will avoid the show. Hard core collectors will pay whatever it takes to get in but an average guy who wants to look around and "possibly" spend a couple bucks, will just stay home.
-Parking. Again pisses me off. Another reason for collector's to stay home. Give people a reason to come, not a reason to spend the day fishing.
-Food. Good Lord. Are we at a Baseball game? Nothing like $4 sodas and $6 Nachos while your looking through cards.
-How about a possible flight deal for collectors and dealers? If your show is drawing in 25,000 people, wouldn't an airline want to secure that business? Maybe I'm wrong, just a thought.
-How about a reasonable lodging deal for collector's? It would help to bring in travelers.
Bottom line is, I feel that many promoters are concentrating too much on filling their bank accounts in the short term and not producing a great show that will be around for years. Most shows are dead nowadays. National is good but on the way down too. It will be gone too someday at this rate. I confirmed my table 2 weeks before the show. Used to be a waiting list. Help make sure that dealers make a profit and they will keep coming. Keep the dealers coming and the collectors will fill the place up. Send the 80 year old ballplayers home and work on making a great show.
Any thoughts or more ideas?
I set up at shows for years and I can't count how many times I've been at a really crappy show and I see a line 300 people deep of suckers forking over $80 for an autograph that would sell for about $5 on ebay. The promoter is generally running around with his head cut off, the whole time thinking what a great show it is. Meanwhile, the dealers are taking another loss and eventually, after enough losses, the good dealers go away.
If I was involved in promoting shows, I would focus on things that would help long term to keep the dealers involved. Great collectors will find the shows with the great dealers. Let's take the National for an example. Here's a couple ideas:
For Dealers:
-Reasonable lodging deals. I remember a "dealer special" of about $120 a night when I did a National. Don't they understand that a profit needs to be made and this is not a vacation? I found my own room for $50. Not a great room, but I was there to make a profit, all I needed was a bed and a roof
-Reasonable table costs. $800-$1000 for a table pretty much rules out anybody who isn't on the same level as 707, BMW, etc. Without a variety of dealers, you wind up with the same grossly overpriced cards and serious lack of good raw, that are common at big shows nowadays.
-Parking. This really gets me. $800 for a table and they can't sport $5 for parking? Not a big deal, just the principal of the matter.
For Collectors:
-Get rid of Admission Fees or lower them to like $1 or something. They are already gouging to crap out of the dealers, give the collector's a break. $12 to get in and your passive collector will avoid the show. Hard core collectors will pay whatever it takes to get in but an average guy who wants to look around and "possibly" spend a couple bucks, will just stay home.
-Parking. Again pisses me off. Another reason for collector's to stay home. Give people a reason to come, not a reason to spend the day fishing.
-Food. Good Lord. Are we at a Baseball game? Nothing like $4 sodas and $6 Nachos while your looking through cards.
-How about a possible flight deal for collectors and dealers? If your show is drawing in 25,000 people, wouldn't an airline want to secure that business? Maybe I'm wrong, just a thought.
-How about a reasonable lodging deal for collector's? It would help to bring in travelers.
Bottom line is, I feel that many promoters are concentrating too much on filling their bank accounts in the short term and not producing a great show that will be around for years. Most shows are dead nowadays. National is good but on the way down too. It will be gone too someday at this rate. I confirmed my table 2 weeks before the show. Used to be a waiting list. Help make sure that dealers make a profit and they will keep coming. Keep the dealers coming and the collectors will fill the place up. Send the 80 year old ballplayers home and work on making a great show.
Any thoughts or more ideas?
0
Comments
You should take up a marketing career. All good ideas that I agree with - as a collector/sometimes dealer. Although the scenario you paint is fantastic, $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ is the driving factor for promoters. Take the National for example, what's the price of admission this year? Close to $20.00? And it's such a massive event, you will pay for all day parking, food at the event, the gas to get there and home (if you are close enough to drive), travel, lodging and meals (if you are not close enough to drive). Someone could spend close to a grand and haven't even purchased one collectable yet.
Like you, I don't get the draw for autographs. I never have/never will pay for an autograph. I was at the National in Cleveland (1999?), Chicago and Atlantic City. I was dumbfounded with the lines for autographs. The promoters are so prude they even put up curtains so those not buying autographs couldn't even see the players/entertainers. Although, when I was at the national in AC, KISS was there walking around in their 9 inch boots and complete get-up - that was pretty cool.
It'd be nice if promoters for the shows saw past the current $$$$$$$$$$$$$ revenue for that the show they are currently promoting. There will be more shows and to cater to the regulars (dealers and collectors alike) they would be setting themselves up for much more revenue in the future. I like it when someone like you see's the bigger picture. Great thread, I will be looking for other replies that provide valuable insight.
Mike
Collecting:
Brett Favre Master Set
Favre Ticket Stubs
Favre TD Reciever Autos
Football HOF Player/etc. Auto Set
Football HOF Rc's