Shows vs. Internet Buying

PaulMaul

I gotta say, even after ten years of most of my transactions being via eBay, I still miss the opportunity of regularly attending shows whose focus is buying and selling.

Today's shows (speaking both of cards and comics) are mostly huge events where the selling focus is on high profile items. So even if one can attend, it's not well suited for garden variety buying and selling.

eBay is OK, but I much prefer being able to see items before buying. I've already gotten two third party graded items this week that I paid a decent amount for which I'm totally unhappy with. PSA and CGC do a decent job, but real consistency is still a work in progress and probably always will be. No returns on such items adds an extra level of frustration.

But that's the way it is in 2016 and I guess we're stuck with it.

steel75

The internet completely changed the collecting landscape and there is no turning back the clock on that one.... Shops closed, less shows, etc.
Even these huge shows satisfy only certain collectors. I went to the National several years ago in Cleveland and it was 85% baseball........no nice Psa Steeler stuff to be found.
At least you have a chance to obtain items now through the internet that would never show up at a local show.........you have to take the good with the bad.

slum22

I agree that the internet and eBay specifically changed the way the hobby collects. I also wish I had a local shop or show that was worthwhile to attend but I have yet to find one of either. I do think eBay has helped me as a collector far more than it has hurt though. I remember growing up and going to card shops and card shows and I would try to find cards and even in a metro area like San Francisco I had a hard time finding some cards that weren't all that rare. Now I can connect to the hobby world and find multiple copies of cards in minutes that I couldn't find over months in the 90's and often times for less. For instance, I just bought the card below for $15 delivered. I don't know if I even saw this card other than in price guides in 1991. If I did find one, I would be held hostage by the one dealer in the area who had it and probably have been charged $100 or something like that. I completed a 1961 Fleer BK set earlier this year and I never would have been able to do that in the grades that I did if I were reliant solely on local shows and shops. So there is definitely some good with the bad. I do miss the human interaction of collecting and talking with fellow collectors and dealers at shows and shops. From a practical standpoint though, collecting has never been easier. .

PaulMaul

Everything positive that's been said about the Internet is true. I know I can't rely on grading companies completely. I pore through eBay auctions and reject tons of high grade cards based on things that happen to bother me. But certain things just can't be seen from scans. Like corner wear on white bordered cards. I need to be able to believe that a PSA 9 isn't going to have a major corner ding when I buy it, and while that doesn't happen too often, it does happen and it's frustrating when I know I could have caught it if only I could inspect the card up front. But it is a trade off, it's great to have access to such a wide range of items, I just wish the process could be perfected a bit more.

grote15

Nothing is perfect, David.

MULLINS5

The internet has helped this small collector in Virginia pick-up a lot of nice hockey additions that would be impossible to find at any show, shop, flea market, or yard sale. As for the human interaction, I've met some really nice dealers at shows when I was a kid, and at Chantilly, but most of them give me the creeps and kind of reminds me of the people at county carnivals trying to get me to buy a $2 ball to throw in a bottle to win a two cent comet goldfish.

PaulMaul

I really don't give a toss about human interaction, I just want to be able to inspect items I'm buying!

steel75

If you are buying something off of Ebay and are unsatisfied, why can't you return it?
You get it in hand and keep it or send it back.....I'm confused. Where is the "no returns on such items adds a extra level of frustration" thing?

PaulMaul

The seller doesn't accept returns. While I might be able to get a refund by making a sufficiently big fuss, I don't feel it's appropriate to file a SNAD when the item is as described. The seller is not at fault if PSA misgrades a card.

Stone193

I like going to shows - like the National.



But I have to say that I easily get overwhelmed by all the stuff and if I don't have a "want list" with me? It's possible I'll just walk around and look.



But, I do like getting the opportunity to inspect something before taking the plunge.



I've been re-reading old SCDs and Tuff Stuffs.



It's interesting how the hobby was affected by - first the computer/internet - and then by eBay.



Mike Berkus wrote an article on how the hobby "may" be shaped by people dealing thru an intermediary - he referred to as "the Bank" - to better insure consumer safety.



Little did he know, he was somewhat describing eBay.



The history of the National is also very interesting. We could write volumes - the turf wars - different "factions" vying for control e.g.



The one true lament for me?



How much more affordable the hobby was in the late 80s - early 90s.



In 1987 - the value of a sweet Nrmt #311 Mantle would only set ya back a few grand.

slum22

Mike, I wonder what the late 80's/early 90's bar graph would show for Dwight Gooden, Don Mattingly or even my guy Will Clark RC's? Or even staying with vintage, the cost of non high grade, non RC's? I hear you on the Mantle but there's also a lot of cool stuff now that costs way less than it did then!

grote15

Mike, if only we could travel back in time to 1979! LOL!

craig44

I look back with nostalgia on the way the hobby was 25-30 years ago. I miss the shops and shows every weekend. But, I do love the easy access to so much rare cool stuff. It is a conundrum

GoDodgersFan

In the big picture, the collector wins with selection and price. Not limited to just card shops in your town. However, there's nothing like going to a show and interacting with
other collectors/dealers.

The National and regional shows still have a place in the hobby and I hope they never go away.

Stone193

Originally posted by: GoDodgersFan

In the big picture, the collector wins with selection and price. Not limited to just card shops in your town. However, there's nothing like going to a show and interacting with

other collectors/dealers.



The National and regional shows still have a place in the hobby and I hope they never go away.

Totally agree Tom - while I enjoy the day to day contact on the net - I can't truly express how nice it was to meet people in Chicago.



I regret I'm not attending this year but will see everyone next year and the year after that.



For those attending AC? Happy hunting.