Things I learned from the show...

Guru · February 11, 2007 8:05PM

Hello everyone! Well, I thought I'd start a new message instead of having everyone scroll through the old one. Thanks to everyone who helped me get prepared for my first show this past Saturday. Below are a few things that I learned...

1. I took too much stuff!
2. When it's really cold outside, not a lot of people show up.
3. Be prepared for hardcore collectors.
4. I learned how to not back down when it came to a final price.
5. A lot of people just don't want old wax and cello.
6. I should have broken cards down into teams and players.
7. The people here love the Reds, Cubs, and Cardinals. They also love Ripken Jr., Craig Biggio, and Jim Edmonds.
8. Not to be discouraged by other sellers bad attitudes.
9. Don't judge a book by its cover.
10. I need to buy a dolly.

So, let me tell you about #9. Around the end of the show, everyone but me was packing up. I learned a long time ago not to pack things up with anything until it's really over. An older gentleman came walking in and looked around. He saw my table was the only one still up selling. He approached me with these...

We've got a meeting this week to help him sell his stuff. He's got several hundred more and wants me to sell them for him for a really great commission. Thanks everyone for your help and the next show is in 4 weeks.

Chris

scooter729 · February 11, 2007 9:12PM

Those are a couple of sweet looking cards! I'm sure you could get some good cash for him for those cards - it'll be hard to not just want to buy them all yourself! Would any of these be cards you'd get graded first? The Robinson looks like there's some corner wear, so it might not be worth grading, but hard to tell for sure. Good luck with these!

MeteoriteGuy · February 12, 2007 12:04AM

Looks like your contact will more then pay for the show. That has been my experience many times.

Keep us update, should you do show #2/

Mark

onlyanumber · February 12, 2007 12:08AM

Hey Chris--did you make any money at the show?

Guru · February 12, 2007 12:21AM

No, I didn't make any money this time around. I was in the red by $8 at the end of the day. The cold weather kept everyone away from the show. Although, funny story, some guys came in trying to pawn their "cards that never were" as actual real cards. They got booted out. But, a fight almost broke out between them and a dealer. So that was cool.

ajw · February 12, 2007 12:27AM

<< <i>

6. I should have broken cards down into teams and players.

>>

I agree. I'm a hardcore player collector, and I hate it when someone says, "yeah, I have some Will Clarks. Look in these sixteen binders." I know there are set collectors out there, too, but once a set is over a year old, I think you're better off breaking it down into players (and teams for the lesser players). I'm thrilled if I walk out of a show with 15 new cards, but I'm probably not going to look through all your binders of new sets to find them.

It sounds like you had fun and learned a lot. That's the key for your first show, I'd imagine. Thanks for the update. (Any chance you took a picture of your table set-up? You could get lots of suggestions from it, I'm sure.)

KyleBicking · February 12, 2007 1:30AM

Dollar boxes are good too. $1 each, or 11 for $10, 23 for $20, etc... I did a show when I was like 13, and the dollar box was the best part. A guy came by and nearly bought all the cards we had in there.

Cubby · February 12, 2007 3:40AM

"10. I need to buy a dolly." Forgot about that one. I have an
inexpensive dolly (around $30) that serves the purpose.

onefasttalon · February 12, 2007 4:06AM

1. I took too much stuff!

Man I've been there! I'll tell ya though, you'll get better at NOT taking too much stuff, but no matter what, you'll always have
one of those buyers that comes along looking for something you decided not to bring this time.... DOH!

Most shows I've done are real seasonal... I don't do much Football, so picken's have been slim for me lately... BUT.... my times' a'comin!

Stone193 · February 12, 2007 7:56AM

Chris

Nice first start!

Good luck in the future.

I used to do a sat/sun once a month thing back around 1992 - we always made money but nothing to write home about.

I priced cards at Nm from Beckett - then gave them a break - I had some regulars.

mike

lilmule · February 12, 2007 8:04AM

You werent by chance at the Columbus card show this weekend were you Guru?

Guru · February 12, 2007 9:02AM

No, actually I was at the Louisville Slugger show.

RipublicaninMass · February 12, 2007 9:20AM

I keep telling my g/f to put cards in penny sleeves, and then into my DRAWER of deals. I tell her "one day, when I retire they will go in my 5 for 1.00$ box." She thinks I am ludricrous!! YEAH!! I took her to her first show in November and went over to Levi's table. she couldn't believe much much people pay for an ole piece paper. Also, she though Ted Willaims was a handsome guy back in the day

bishop · February 12, 2007 9:30AM

What was the location of the Louisville Slugger show...at the Museum, or elsewhere ?

Guru · February 12, 2007 2:51PM

It was at the museum. Were you there?

bishop · February 12, 2007 9:12PM

H&B shareholder. Was not aware of the show. Will check . Show was 2-9 ?

Ironmanfan · February 12, 2007 10:06PM

This may be a bit OT, but weren't you the same guy who posted about his wife being very sick on Friday & then on Saturday you turn around & set up at a card show??

martyogelvie · February 12, 2007 10:33PM

<< <i>This may be a bit OT, but weren't you the same guy who posted about his wife being very sick on Friday & then on Saturday you turn around & set up at a card show??

>>

You have to have priorities...
"A man rushes his wife to the emergency room after beaning her in the head with a golf ball. The drs. treat her for a concussion and then remove a golf ball from her rectum. The drs. ask the man how a golf ball got in her rectum to which he replied, that was my mulligun!"

Guru · February 12, 2007 10:55PM

Listen, I'm not sure if you're criticizing me or what you're doing. I'm going to take it lightheartedly because for my wife and I, the show has been the only positive thing in our lives in the last couple of weeks. She was there with me. I didn't want to do the show after what happened on friday, but she was the one who insisted that I did. She came with me and supported me all the way. So, before we go passing judgement, take a couple steps back.

martyogelvie · February 12, 2007 11:27PM

Guru,
I certainly was not passing judgement. The previous comments reminded me of an old golf joke so I threw it out there. If it was in poor taste or you took it offensively, I apologize!

Ironmanfan · February 12, 2007 11:33PM

Chris...don't get me wrong. I'm happy to read that she is doing better, but from the tone of your post just one day before ("she is very, very sick") it just sounded a bit odd to me that you were both set up at a card show the next day..

http://forums.collectors.com/messageview.cfm?catid=11&threadid=568135

TJMAC · February 13, 2007 3:37AM

No offense, but I don't see you wishing him well in that post either. Yet, you jump in to call him out when he goes to a show to get his mind off his problems. Why start a controversy? What harm is there in asking someone to pray for you and your family? It wasn't like he was asking people to send him money.

Chris, I am glad to see you and your wife were able to get out and have a good time at the show. God Bless and stay strong!!!

Guru · February 13, 2007 6:19AM

Thanks again to those of you who prayed. Saturday was a time that was well spent with each other. It brought a lot of smiles to my wifes face and also to mine. We enjoyed each others company and was able to take our minds off of what has been happening in our lives over the last few months. So, thanks again to everyone who sent a positive note.

Things I learned from the show...

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