Is selling at a local Baseball Card Show worthwhile?
Engineer
Posts: 78
I've been considering setting up a table at a local baseball card show (I've never done this and haven't attended many shows in recent years) to unload some of the stuff that is harder to sell on ebay or really just a bit of a pain to post. It's not all late 80's or 90's overproduced items but does include some of this as well as 70's and 80's non-graded stars and rookies, smaller miscellaneous and minor league sets, some graded, some pretty well sorted lots of stars/semi-stars and just a lot of lower value star cards that might go in 5, 10 or 25 cent boxes. Also have some vintage items that are in ex condition or lesser and some basketball and football and hockey from the same general time frame. In general just items that don't seem to do as well as I might want on ebay (fortunately, I've already unloaded the commons) or have dropped quite a bit in value and apparent interest over the years. Is it worth pursuing this or should I just bite the bullet and put together some larger lots on ebay. Appreciate your thoughts.
Adam
Adam
0
Comments
I'm clueless since every area is different.
First, have you visited one of the shows in your area recently?
Might be a good idea to attend one - walk around and take notes.
See what's selling and stuff.
Good luck
mike
EDIT.....Plus, you need to consider the time it takes to prepare for a show. I'm a buyer that won't even give your table a look if I don't see that you marked each card with asking prices.
Rich
<< <i>and you normally make $50 per hour at your normal job >>
Wow Rich
I want one'a them jobs!
On the show thing - I agree about spending time vs. what you make.
Haven't set up anywhere since 1993 - I will tell you - the fun of talking with other collectors, selling some vintage and wax is worth the price of the table - even when ya break even.
mike
They can be expensive, and most of the time
you will find it safer and more-fun if you have
someone do it with you. That increases
the "man-hours" involved.
If you live in a big-town/city, you may have
better luck at "general collectible shows,"
than at card shows. Also, some of the
stuff you describe might be good at fleamarts
and "antique-malls;" less competition, and
often plenty of traffic.
Shows are really good once you learn the
ropes; the first few times are tough but
once you get the hang of it, you will find
them to be a blast.
eBay is usually the path of least resistance,
depending on what value you place on your
time.
storm
<< <i>Shows are hard work, and a lot of fun.
They can be expensive, and most of the time
you will find it safer and more-fun if you have
someone do it with you. That increases
the "man-hours" involved.
If you live in a big-town/city, you may have
better luck at "general collectible shows,"
than at card shows. Also, some of the
stuff you describe might be good at fleamarts
and "antique-malls;" less competition, and
often plenty of traffic.
Shows are really good once you learn the
ropes; the first few times are tough but
once you get the hang of it, you will find
them to be a blast.
eBay is usually the path of least resistance,
depending on what value you place on your
time.
storm >>
Why are your posts always formatted so funny? I'm not trying to be a smart ass, I'm just curious.
<< <i>
<< <i>Shows are hard work, and a lot of fun.
They can be expensive, and most of the time
you will find it safer and more-fun if you have
someone do it with you. That increases
the "man-hours" involved.
If you live in a big-town/city, you may have
better luck at "general collectible shows,"
than at card shows. Also, some of the
stuff you describe might be good at fleamarts
and "antique-malls;" less competition, and
often plenty of traffic.
Shows are really good once you learn the
ropes; the first few times are tough but
once you get the hang of it, you will find
them to be a blast.
eBay is usually the path of least resistance,
depending on what value you place on your
time.
storm >>
Why are your posts always formatted so funny? I'm not trying to be a smart ass, I'm just curious. >>
Boo
It's very....
Poetic
be a smart ass, I'm just curious. >>
Boo
It's very....
Poetic
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
One of my orbs works better than the other, and it is faster and easier for me to do it that way. I cannot as easily read long horizontal posts.
And,
it
is
very
poetic.
storm
I set up at a show and it took quite a bit of preparation time, some of the buyers were rude, but I had fun. I didn't make much money, but I am glad I did it.
Good luck and have fun!
JoeBanzai
Shows used to be the way to go; they really aren't anymore, what with ebay, but setting up at show affords you the opportunity to purchase walk-in material. I'd put a sign on my table saying "Buying!"
Plus the contact with other collectors is great. If you can sell enough crap to cover your costs, you'll probably not regret having set up. That being said, it also has a lot to do with where you're located. You didn't mention that.
By the way - you might appreciate this (if you haven't already heard it): An optimist says a glass is half full, a pessimist says the glass is half empty, an engineer says the glass is too damned big.
"All evil needs to triumph is for good men to do nothing."
"If you can sell enough crap to cover your cost, you probably would not regret setting up."
I'm not sure about you, but I would prefer to make money (not break even). Plus, if I think it would be hard to make enough money to validate my time spent, I'm sure in the heck not going to do it!
Rich
Mike
<< <i>Morrell fan:
"If you can sell enough crap to cover your cost, you probably would not regret setting up."
I'm not sure about you, but I would prefer to make money (not break even). Plus, if I think it would be hard to make enough money to validate my time spent, I'm sure in the heck not going to do it!
Rich >>
Come on now Rich - it's Saturday nite - let's have fun.
The point of shows for a lot of people is the "experience" - seeing people you know - maybe a little buying and stuff.
Ya can't measure some experience by the profit - if you know what I mean.
I agree with Mark - he said shows are a hard road to hoe - he was illustrating the consolation of doing a show - which I totally concur - human contact.
Ya can't shake a hand or see a smile of gratification on ebay.
mike
<< <i>I have found that at local shows higher end items are tough to sell, smaller inexpensive items can do well. I've done show's where I had two tables of unopened material from the 70's and 80's and my best seller would be the 3 boxes of $1 cards I always set out. If you have a bunch of star cards and inserts laying around put them in toploaders, organize them and make a deal, $1 per card, 6 for $5, 13 for $10. Many people like walking away from a table with a stack of cards and it only cost them $10 or $20.
Mike >>
Mike
I agree.
If ya got a ton of 3-10$ cards - inserts, gu's, etc. - if someone can get like 100+ dollars worth for 10 bucks, they feel like they got a bargain and you just unloaded stuff that would just collect dust.
mike
Ok, I'll agree that if someone sets up at a show without expecting to make money but instead just expecting to have fun, then all this person has to do is have fun to consider it a productive day. However, I had the feeliong that the original poster was not looking to have fun but instead was looking for the best way to sell his cards. Either way, I do see what you're saying.
have a great night
Rich
I, like a few others, I believe, were just tryin' to let him down easy.
The little show has lost all it's luster IMO.
The odds of making money? Not good - unless you have some great bargains I think.
Or, if you get lucky - occasionally someone will come in with cash and a wantlist - when 92L was hot with the black card parallel set or something - I sold a guy 150$ worth of that crap! And that was at half Beckett! Now? He couldn't get a buck for all of it! I'm serious.
mike
Having set up at smaller shows I can tell you that's not where you are destined to make alot of money. However, it is a place where you can create valuable friendships, network, and learn some things about our hobby you might not have known. The mindset you take into the show will determine its value to you. Also, have you ever watched a ten year old open a $1 wax pack (that you just sold him) and find his favorite player-quite cool!
You don't know me very well, but one thing I don't do is sugar coat things. My employees always know what I'm thinking and where they stand with me. On the other side of the coin, my tell it like it is style has gotten me in some hot water over the years, but I don't regret any of it.
Rich
BUT...the best way to be successful in the summer is flea markets for sure! People buy almost anything at those markets. Much less hassle with cranky collectors wanting you to drop the price 25 cents too.
What ever you do, just have fun!
I have become a firm believer in the theory that you do not make money selling the item, but you make it buying the items
Adam B.
I recommend you consider what you like and don't like at shows in preparing.
E.g., I like it when everything is plainly marked with prices.
I also recommend what was told to you about possibly "lots" of cards or singles for a buck - 7 for 5$ or something - include all those 5-10$ insert cards that no one can sell - plainly mark that all cards in this bin are: Nmmt - 5-10$ Beckett Valued cards - or something like that?
Make up some team sets of popular teams - your area e.g.
Altho they are disgustingly cheesy - grab bags do really well at malls - where there are "hidden" valued items like a certificate for an autographed picture of something - this works best in high traffic areas - I have found.
Do you have a display case? Nice thing for higher priced cards.
Good luck
Let us know how you do?
mike