Major card shows vs buying online...

akuracy503 · March 21, 2010 1:29PM

I have never gone to a national or major card show at least not since 1989.
What are the benefits of attending one of these major shows in todays hobby? Couldnt I buy most of the stuff online through these dealer websites, ebay, auction houses etc..

I'm not looking for the experience (i'm sure its heaven) I just want to know if there are benefits to access more material or get better prices.

Thanks.

MULLINS5 · March 21, 2010 1:38PM

Shows are still good, not as great, but good. Advantage is you can score a good find for your collection w/o having to bid with another eBay member...tons of other pros and cons...too many to list.

The internet (for me) has made collecting easier and at the same time ruined the hobby. I can go to eBay and get any card I want...when I was a kid Gretzky's rookie was sacred, when found in a dealer's display case my heart would stop...now they're all over eBay, ruining the wow factor.

A lot of good for the internet too...those truly rare items are more available...

That's just my take on it.

Patrick

JVette · March 21, 2010 2:00PM

Shows have less product, but you can examine the condition first hand.
the Internet has much more product, but you have to be careful about over-grading.
Obvious answer, but there is a reason it is obvious.

Best of luck - Jack

Griffins · March 21, 2010 3:51PM

Shows are good for seeing raw cards that you might not trust on ebay, buying supplies, finding oddball items that an ebay search might not turn up, and meeting people you've dealt with online and setting up future deals.
They are not good for buying graded cards you can find anytime on ebay- '56 Mantles, '65 Koufax's, '33 Ruths. Those will be way, way higher at shows.

Blacklabelsociety · March 21, 2010 7:59PM

Higher than the ridiculously priced BIN's on ebay right now? Good lord.

fkw · March 21, 2010 8:16PM

At a Major Show.... You can trade, also see it and hold it in person, also walk away with item (lower risk)

Neg about shows is your usually going to pay 25+% more at a show for a commonly found card (ie Topps) compared to eBay where the supply is far greater. Bigger supply = less bid wars and not paying dealer fixed prices.

At shows your dealing with Dealers looking for a profit....eBay your dealing with some dealers, but most are just everyday collectors or some noncollectors getting rid of stuff.

Major Auction House = high quality, but you will pay big usually

Great thing about eBay is you can bid very low on items and every once in a while you can score a "great deal"
Besides the normal $100-$500 stuff I win sometimes.....I also put in dozens of under $20 snipes a week and win all the time. I bid about 20% of their value usually, never more than 50%.

quick example.....In the last week Ive won a 1954-70 Red Heart Bob Lemon (clipped corners) for $1.51 and a 1950 Remar Billy Herman (HOFer) in EX for $2.35, and 9 different PSA graded 1953 Canadian Exhibits for $2.50 ea. (Grading fees alone are 4+ times that Im sure)

Im fairly poor nowadays so cant walk into a show with big $$ in my wallet anymore. But still have fun playing eBay.

Plus Im over 2000 miles from the nearest show, big or small

byronscott4ever · March 21, 2010 10:56PM

At a card show, you can pick up commons easier and cheaper and when you see the price on something, you know that's it. There is no shipping question, no tracking worries, you get the item right away in your hand.

divecchia · March 22, 2010 3:57AM

<< <i>Shows are good for seeing raw cards that you might not trust on ebay, buying supplies, finding oddball items that an ebay search might not turn up, and meeting people you've dealt with online and setting up future deals.
They are not good for buying graded cards you can find anytime on ebay- '56 Mantles, '65 Koufax's, '33 Ruths. Those will be way, way higher at shows. >>

This pretty much sums it up for me...Donato

Morgoth · March 22, 2010 4:30AM

If you establish relationships at card shows with dealers you get better deals.

I bought a 57 Aaron PSA 8 at the recent Chicago show for $650 from a dealer I had a good relationship. On ebay sometimes they sell for much more and no one else had one for under $800. On ebay the last went for over $1100 and the one before $617. Centering was the reason for the difference. My card was closer to the $1100 card than the $617 card.

akuracy503 · March 22, 2010 4:49AM

<< <i>

<< <i>Shows are good for seeing raw cards that you might not trust on ebay, buying supplies, finding oddball items that an ebay search might not turn up, and meeting people you've dealt with online and setting up future deals.
They are not good for buying graded cards you can find anytime on ebay- '56 Mantles, '65 Koufax's, '33 Ruths. Those will be way, way higher at shows. >>

This pretty much sums it up for me...Donato >>

That Nolan Ryan RC is Superb, very nice.

UlyssesExtravaganza · March 22, 2010 6:25AM

If you're not looking for the experience, it might not have much to offer. I like the experience even though I don't end up finding a ton of things I'm looking for. Probably depends on what you're targeting. I think the online experience is much more convenient and you end up finding what you're looking for. But I still like to poke my head in and look at some tables, get an auto if there's anyone interesting signing, pick up some unopened material, etc. Just cool (possibly not the right word) to walk into a large room with a lot of people who don't think you're from another planet because you collect cardboard rectangles.

dzolot · March 22, 2010 10:22AM

I used to go to shows with the mind-set that I would never buy anything b/c I can always find it cheaper on eBay. In the past few years however, I have scored some pretty good deals at shows. Even if you find a card for the same price or 5% - 10% more expense at a show, the convenience and peace of mind being able to touch the card and shake the dealers hand makes it worh it, IMO. It is important to be well prepared when going to a show (i.e. bring a price guide, research recent eBay sale prices for key cards you're looking for, etc.).

The other good things about going to a show is you can pick up LOTS of supplies cheap, and I find it a good venue to buy a variety of packs at reasonable prices (with the alternative buying a FULL box on eBay, where you obvisously get a better price, but don't get the variety and are forced to spend more than you want on only one product)...

Shows are also good for trading if you have cards you're looking to get rid of. Plus I think shows are good for the hobby in general, so I try to support them and the dealers whenever possible... Anyway, didn't mean to ramble -- I think you get the point!!

Major card shows vs buying online...

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