my card show experience today...

BigDaddyBowman

Talk about disappointing! I figured I would stray from ebay and go to our local mall who had a card show today. I didn't expect much vintage football..especially graded vintage, but I was hopeful that something would pique my interest. First of all, there were only about 15 dealers! I have never been to a show...especially a mall show that was so poorly attended with dealers. Is it a sign of the economy? I figured there would be alot out due to the holiday shoppers. Only one or two dealers had any vintage football.with no graded. Only one guy had any vintage bowman football stars...looked like a kid chewed most of them! Most of the show was autographs and "shiny" cards. A few dealers looked like they hadn't set up at a show since the 90's with some of teh 90's crap they had displayed. Then I figured, well I will at least make the drive worth it, and pick up some graded card protective sleeves....couldn't find any either. So I walked towards the exit all bummed out...then stopped and watched a few kids meet Santa Claus which cheered me up. Are local shows dead???

Beck6

Seems like there are too many shows around here. All at malls and when you talk to dealers they do not seem to want to come out because they keep seeing the same people. Why set up every weekend and see the guy you sold to last week at the other mall. I think you are in the Cleveland area correct? That is where I am from.

BigDaddyBowman

<< <i>Seems like there are too many shows around here. All at malls and when you talk to dealers they do not seem to want to come out because they keep seeing the same people. Why set up every weekend and see the guy you sold to last week at the other mall. I think you are in the Cleveland area correct? That is where I am from. >>


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Yes, I live in Parma. The show was at Parmatown mall. There is a show at Strongsville Holiday Inn in a few weeks..maybe I will try there. Where do you live?

TheHun

I still like shows ... instant purchases - no waiting for mail or feedback or paypal fees.

They should also bring in former athletes to sign. It might bring more people to the shows. OHIO should have plenty of great ex-pros to appear.

Sorry to hear this happened to you.

BigDaddyBowman

<< <i>I still like shows ... instant purchases - no waiting for mail or feedback or paypal fees.

They should also bring in former athletes to sign. It might bring more people to the shows. OHIO should have plenty of great ex-pros to appear.

Sorry to hear this happened to you. >>



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oops..I forgot to mention that..they did have a Browns "Legend" sign...Felix Wright.

Felix who?? you might ask??

nam812

I cant feel bad for you Ryan since you're getting the National AGAIN this year, and practically in your backyard.

Beck6

I am in Avon Lake. The best shows around here that I have been to are the ones at the Holday Inn. Those shows seem to have more vintage stuff. Not tons, but enough to keep my interest.

benderbroeth

i used to love to go to shows cause they would have some vintage cards that my local shops did not have...that being said what i collect now...t205's t206's are sets that i have never ever seen at a show.....

Beck6

I have always thought if you could find 10-15 guys on a board like this and meet every couple of months with want lists and stuff for trade it would be better than any show you could go to. I always have stuff sitting around here that are projects that I started and stopped or I picked up because it was a good price that really does not fit my focus. Has anyone ever done that before?

BigDaddyBowman

<< <i>I cant feel bad for you Ryan since you're getting the National AGAIN this year, and practically in your backyard. >>




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I know I shouldn't whine!
It is great having the National 10 minutes away..but..
the National bleeds every penny from you though.....parking, admission...way overpriced cards...etc. I did pick this up last year at the National though...



I just think back to the early to mid 90's when I would go to a local show and have table after table of vintage. Of course that was at the infancy of grading...and every card was Nearmint!

scooperqpr

try living in Vancouver Canada,I went to a "show" today. one dealer!!!!!!!!!!!! Still managed to spend a $100 though.

leadoff4

My nearest local show(30 miles away) has is terrible now too. The one older guy who had some decent(fair at best) vintage buys has been sick for the last 6-8 months and I kid you not, there are only 4 dealers with one being the show promoter who mostly only sells supplies.

GoDodgersFan

I am in the DC metro area and the shows have sucked for a while now. A lot of them are now selling fake
signed collectibles. This was told to me first hand by a former dealer who doesn't do shows for the very
reason.

However, I do have the Chantilly VA show, which is a big regional show scheduled 2/3 times a year.

TheHun

I wonder how many would be up for a trading convention - get e hotel in a sunny place during the middle of winter - spend a few days trading and meeting members ?

Would it be worth doing ?

Salinas

That Chantilly show is good. But I do admit, it seemed better (more attendance and dealers) a couple of years back. When is the next one?

leadoff4

Hey TheHun, that seems like a good idea, don't know how it'd work but sounds good!

GoDodgersFan

Next Chantilly show - March 20-22, 2009

BobS

you should have mede the two hour drive to Columbus this weekend.

The show at the vet's memorial is going on.

At least 150 dealers, maybe 300 tables. free admission, I think parking is like $3.

guarenteed to find something worthwhile.

Still going on today (Sunday).

Details can be found at the beckett/show calander site.

Goes on about every-other month.

TheHun

<< <i>Hey TheHun, that seems like a good idea, don't know how it'd work but sounds good! >>



I have a few ideas ...

It like a convention without dealers - just traders.

- A 2 day stay at a hotel (hopefully discounted)
- a trader's buffet luncheon
- prize mini golf tournament
- an appearence by Chuck Knoblock's card
- other contests
- midnight trading room
- booze or cards giveaway
- fishing contest

Maye we can name the annual CU convention by honoring one of our own .... Rub-a-con, or Lawnmower-con ... or CU trad-a-thon


or we could hold it up North and have a snow shoveling contest ?

WinPitcher

Why schlepp to a mall and do a show when the internet reaches millions?

The only reason I'd do a show in this day and age is if I could buy from the public.

You never know what might come in thru the door. Even that is prolly nil though.


Steve

stevek

The big shows are great - a lot of fun, even if you don't buy a thing.

The mall shows? a waste of time and life - these dealers, most of them likely weasels, are just hoping some parent with their brat kid strolls by and insists his parent buy them some cards no matter if they're a value or not, either that or the dealer just hopes some little old lady strolls in with her recently deceased husband's collection of '52 Topps, and sells them to him cheap.

WinPitcher

The mall shows? a waste of time and life - these dealers,




most likely guys who are wanna be dealers who have no storefront, no internet presence and are likely to have crap.

The type of guys that buy on ebay one day, say they are collectors then within 2 weeks they are spamming these very boards
and trying to flip the item over at the BST. Yep Weasels they are

That is why I would not go to nor do a 'mall' or hotel lobby type show.


Steve