Going to local card shows: Will I get scammed?

KeepItWarm

I'm not sure if many of you have read my other posts, but I collected cards starting in 1975 up until 1990 or so. Gave it up for beer, marriage, kids and bikes. Now, 20 years later, I've got the bug to complete two of my most favorite sets (see the wanted in my signature).

This weekend, there is a local card show. I'm going to stop in.

Being 20 years removed from collecting and seeing all the threads on here about fakes, ripoffs, scammers, etc, I am wondering: is this happening right down at the local level too? Do I need to worry about getting ripped off when buying raw 1956 Topps commons at a local VFW Hall show?

Any commons scams techniques used by knuckle-dragger dealers that I should be on the lookout for?

jeffcbay

In my experience with shows, you're less likely to be scammed, but dealers seem to want graded card prices for their raw cards. I've always had to pay more for raw cards in-person, than online. That's just my experience though.

Good luck with your sets! This forum likes to have group rips with 1975 Minis, so maybe you can get in the next one.

itzagoner

i might add that it's unlikely somebody would try to rip you off over a handful of 3 dollar commons.

but, i know where i'm posting.

scrutinize and ask questions....you will notice that if a dealer has something to hide, he/she will probably try to distract you by altering the conversation the same way they do the cards.

ShootyBabitt

The product is usually legit, but many of those dinosaurs think it's still 1990. Be prepared for them to talk about "book value" while thumbing through their August issue of Beckett.

KeepItWarm

I figured I'd try to distract them with some carefully-placed banter about how Schlitz was always better than Blatz and how kids are wimps nowadays for smoking cigarettes with filters.

itzagoner

i'll send you my list.

Cumberland

I think you are much more likely to get ripped off on eBay than you are a local card shows. Most VFW show dealers set up for fun.

jimrad

Make sure you carry a 56 topps card with you that you are certain is good and you can use it to double check the size on any you are considering.
I thought I picked up some decent cards at a show once and when I got home they were a wee bit smaller than they should have been
This just happened to be when I was working on my 56 topps set!

KeepItWarm

great idea

MULLINS5

Well, it depends. How much does it cost at the door?

KeepItWarm

$1.00

fkw

Good practice...... from set you are looking for, bring a common card with you in a toploader or cardsaver, and pull it out to measure up the cards you want to buy.

This is good especially if you are looking at sharp corner NRMT++ cards, which have a higher % of being doctored.

edited to add: Jimrad beat be to it I need to starting reading before I post

ferris182

Good points.

Yes, some dealers still think its 1990 and follow "book" values and charge the same price for raw vintage cards as the graded pricing. If you are buying less expensive cards don't worry about scamming.