Man this Philly show sucks.

JimmyAvenshola · March 12, 2010 10:45PM

I went over there yesterday and there wasn't crap. Heard stories of dealers letting certain people in early so they could get the good stuff. Figures.

MBMiller25 · March 12, 2010 10:47PM

I bought a really nice 49 Bowman Robin Roberts PSA 7 from Steve Hart at the show, from the comfort of my home. Enjoy the show

Garabaldi · March 12, 2010 11:14PM

Too bad, very dissappointing.

otwcards · March 12, 2010 11:57PM

It just isn't what it used to be. It's gone in the crapper even more quickly since the Hunt gang took control. From conversations that I've had with quite a few, the dealer selection will continue to decline as the direction of the show and the quality of the dealers continues to decline.

The show used to be a haven for vintage as many of the old-time Philly area dealers only did this show and no others. They had fresh, old material at reasonable prices. They're gone, now. Priced out, cleaned out, or buried. Replaced by slick hucksters shilling their shiny 1 of 1's and BGS slabbed cards of the hottest modern players but sadly, they couldn't tell you anything about the game other than reciting some ridiculous WHIP ratio or OPS number to justify their insane four figure price tag on some unproven player that hasn't even played 10 games in the Major Leagues. This new generation of weekend warriors play the game of hot-potato in the modern card game while the old men with quality vintage material sit idly behind their table watching the limited attendees line-up to grab cards of Jason Heyward and the newest inserts of Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Shane Victorino.

This weekend will be one of the few times I've missed (skipped is more accurate) the show since the days of the Motor Lodge. And if reports continue like I've been hearing, it may be another few before I return. Visiting friends is great, but the only money I've been able to spend consistently at the last few shows has been gas, tolls and admission!

twiley · March 13, 2010 6:13AM

Just got back from there. I went there mainly to drop off a sub w/ PSA. I went looking for a 93 SP Jeter RC PSA 9. Saw a LOT of old vintage stuff. Hardly any tables selling modern stuff. I didnt find a 93 SP Jeter psa 9, I did find a PSA 8 and a Beckett 9.5 of the card. I also found one guy selling a raw one with a terrible ding on the lower left corner for 80 bucks (Yeah right like its worth 80 LOL). I had a good time.

italianstallionyankees · March 13, 2010 8:04AM

When I go to shows I really do not get my hopes up I usually go to talk to buddies. 90% of the time it is usually overpriced over-graded material.... But 10% is usually some nice minty fresh vintage common cards that pays for the gas and time spent. Sadly i think the only show to look forward to is the Nationals.. Local shows are cool but I never buy much because of the prices people have, and you know certain people won't budge on the asking prices. Some folks will have to keep the stuff until Jesus comes back

When I enter a local show this is what I hear.... *The card is Vg/ex not nearmint but the price listed is for a Nm card, Sir I can buy this card now on ebay for x amount of dollars .... random guy pulls out a iphone or blackberry , shows the dealer the price and dealer argues how ebay prices are not real and you are buying fake cards are you will get scammed on ebay , the bs stuff that usually happens.. these people I guess for me in my local area are still around I would say 1 out 4 dealers in local shows are like this **( middle aged men that owned Bm stores or flea market junkies that still have the inventory with Beckett Hi book stickers and yellow toploaders)** The rest are Modern guys early 20's mid thirties with modern stuff of the pulls they got bustin wax of auto patch cards shiny auto patch cards / refractors .... I one time did some looking through modern cards from the dealers at my local show and saw some modern auto rookies high serial numbered and non serial numbered cards I took some notes on the prices and did some research on the bay only to find the cards were marked up 25% to a full 100% of the average ebay sales.... This is my opinion only from the local shows I have attended . Does anyone have similar results like mine?

Ryan

richtree · March 13, 2010 8:17AM

anyone sees a 1980 topps greg pryor no name., pick it up !!!!

I am sick and didn't get to the show to hand out my list

fiveniner · March 13, 2010 8:27AM

Really sad to hear that the show isnt what it used to be.I met a few great dealers there back in 88 however most are probably gone.One of the guys Tony Carafiel just past recently a year or two ago.Nice husband and wife team.Had great stuff and very reasonable,very nice folks.As one just mentioned before not much newer stuff however thats always been the case.If you want new stuff go to your local shows.

I also stayed home and Purchased a 1953 BW Bowman set and 2 Donruss Boxes of 84 Donruss from Steve Hart.I now have all the Bowman sets from 48 to 55.

Sportsamerica · March 13, 2010 8:31AM

I just got back from the show... I would say March is the best of the 3. Did see many overpriced cards. Went back to Steve to PU a '53 Paige, but he already sold it.. What I have seen is many people who have raw cards are asking SMR prices, when I see that I just move on.. There was a guy who has PSA 6-8 from the 70's looking for $10 each and stated "no price reduction for buying in Bulk."

I did talk to Steve a little bit bough a few from him..

I would say the breakdown is something like this:

30 % Modern shinny stuff
30 % overprice Raw
30 % Graded priced about 2x VCP
10 % deals...

You can find the deals there in Philly if you really look, but I am not telling my secret on how I find them..

alnavman · March 14, 2010 1:28AM

there used to be a Hunt that set up shows in the Cleveland area....is this the same person??? last info I had was he went to Florida with his job....

Slabbed · March 14, 2010 3:31AM

Just returned from the philly show and I would say it was a great show. I Purchased 1 card from 707 sportscards A vintage PSA 8 Willie Mays For $75.00 over SMR which is not bad as I viewed and inspected the card first before purchasing, Which is a lot better than buying one on E-bay and recieving a surprise on your doorstep which could be bad,good or ugly. Also you have to remember that dealers have to pay to set up at these shows. Also purchased one hell of a 1956 psa 7 Roberto Clemente which cost under SMR. So if everybody took some time to get away from their computers and go to a card show you just might give yourself the opportunity to find cards. Also you will be talking and interacting with people be it dealers or other fellow collectors.

basketballcollector · March 16, 2010 12:06AM

The show has really gone downhill. I think this show will be history within 2 or 3 years.

fiveniner · March 16, 2010 12:28AM

<< I went over there yesterday and there wasn't crap. Heard stories of dealers letting certain people in early so they could get the good stuff. Figures. >>

Certain folks pay for the privledge of getting in the night before which is included in the ticket package if you buy tickets ahead of time,at least thats the way it used to be when they had thier shows at Willow Grove.If you were looking for Modern stuff the pickings used to be slim at best.

itzagoner · March 16, 2010 1:08AM

there was nothing like opening night @ Willow Grove. NOTHING.

i had the privilege of experiencing first-hand the crowded, sweaty, overloaded high school gym and the people who frequented it......some of the craziest, most beautiful buying/selling moments happened there and of all the shows i've either attended or worked, that one was the most special.

you simply can't replicate times like these, you just remember them, the same way you remember the first time you successfully rode a bike without training wheels or convinced a girl to kiss you.

Morgoth · March 16, 2010 2:01AM

<< Also you have to remember that dealers have to pay to set up at these shows >>

So what? I should have to pay more just for the pleasure of meeting someone face to face. Retail stores also pay rent and most people shop around to get the best deal. No different than with card collectors.

I know alot of bitter old dealers who hate ebay but it has allowed the collector to buy at their leasure instead of having to make these mecca trips every few months.

It also has helped dealers out by allowing them to move old inventory if they so desire buy listing on the bay in a store.

The argument that you can inspect the card in person is somewhat valid but the majority of good sellers on ebay like BBCEX, Card Merchant, PWCC etc have a good no hassels return policy so if you don't like the card you can return it.

tedh111 · March 16, 2010 3:18AM

I was set up at the show. It was better than December, but not as good as last March. The show is going in the wrong direction and it is not because of the modern cards. Modern card dealers only represented about 20% of the dealers and I would say most of us probably had a good show. The main problem with the show is that the price of the booths are too high to justify the weekend for many dealers. Some dealers who just have an ok or bad show start to drop out and there is no one else to take their place. This goes for both modern and vintage card dealers alike. I also think card shows in general are in a weird place right now. A mixture of the econmy, lack of interest, and buyers who can find everything and anything on ebay whole sitting in their Pajamas is putting a major lag on shows and I am not sure if there is answer to the problem.

jlzinck · March 16, 2010 3:30AM

<< Replaced by slick hucksters shilling their shiny 1 of 1's and BGS slabbed cards of the hottest modern players >>

Wait a minute.... You would rather have some high quality card from 1955 of some dead guy in the Hall Of Fame over a SWEET, MOJO, SICK AUTOGRAPHED 1/1 of some kid from the Dominican Republic who might be a backup sometime?

I boggles my mind what these tings sell for today. I bought a couple packs of 09 Bowman Chrome the other day and got a refractor /150 of some kid named Starlin Castro of The Cubs. I had some studd to throw up on Ebay so I looked and a few sold at or near $100. This is all based on the fact that he is rated kind of high on something called Baseball America. I did a BIN/BO of $80 and took $70.

This is the money I will now use to get my Father-In-Law his PSA1 or 2 Ted Williams!!

otwcards · March 16, 2010 10:18AM

<< 

<< Replaced by slick hucksters shilling their shiny 1 of 1's and BGS slabbed cards of the hottest modern players >>

Wait a minute.... You would rather have some high quality card from 1955 of some dead guy in the Hall Of Fame over a SWEET, MOJO, SICK AUTOGRAPHED 1/1 of some kid from the Dominican Republic who might be a backup sometime?

This is the money I will now use to get my Father-In-Law his PSA1 or 2 Ted Williams!! >>

Bingo!

Those that do not learn from the mistakes of history are doomed to repeat them. Saying this, as I learned in the late 1980's, modern stuff is a game of hot potato. For every Albert Pujols who continues to sell well after 10 years in the majors, there are 50 other can't miss prospects and cup-of-coffee journeymen that aren't worth the paper they're printed on although they used to sell for ridiculous numbers. Anyone remember Joe Charboneau, Ron Kittle, Eric Davis, Mike Greenwell, Sam Horn, Gregg Jefferies, Todd VanPoppel, Ben MacDonald, Marc Newfield, Steve Karsay, Travis Lee, et al? Sound familiar to the latest top prospects that have flopped over the past 5 years?

As jlzinck so aptly pointed out, I'd rather have my money in some old dead guy that isn't going to be in the next PED scandle and won't have a horde of RC's on eBay as soon as he goes 3-4 in some Rookie A ball game.

Man this Philly show sucks.

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