Chicago Sporsts "Spectacular" - My Pick Ups and Hot Takes

[Promethius88]

Haven't been to a bigger show in years. Used to go to the national's every year, other big shows in Chicago and the Midwest but nothing in maybe 20 years. So, since I have to drop my daughter off at O'Hare for a flight to Europe, I figure go couple hours early, drop off three subs to PSA to save the shipping and scour the floor for some Jell-O cards. Well, I wait in line at the PSA table for nearly an hour and a half....all to just hand them some cards that I have already filled out the online forms. After the first 20 minutes I just go up and ask a guy if I need to wait in line since I have everything filled out and just need to give them to someone. "Yep". As the minutes go by and my daughter is looking at the time I get more and more furious. Finally when there were still 2 people in line in front of us....and there was only about 10 when we got in line to begin with, I lost it and I think loudly said "eff" this, I'll just spend the money to send them in, they'll get there quicker." I get that everyone has to wait their turn and if I'm there to have something authenticated at the show, yeah, I'll wait But, why make the customers that are only going to take 5 minutes of your time wait so long?? So this gives me maybe 15 minutes before we have to get over to the airport to get her checked in so I'm mad dashing from table to table asking for 62 Jell-O. I didn't run into many but got a Bill Virdon that was decent and a Don Zimmer that is crap but it fills a hole for now. I did happen across a 62 Topps Uecker rookie. I pick them up whenever I can. So those 3 cards I spend $52. Would have loved to have spent a lot more.
But, if anyone else goes, please let me know if you felt the show to be very disorganized. Again, I haven't been to a bigger show in years and this just seemed cluttered all over the place. I will say, there was a decent amount of nice vintage stuff. Unfortunately I didn't get to enjoy it. Anyhow, after a 3 hour drive back home, I feel better and I will tuck my tail between my legs and get my cards ready to submit to the grading Gods. FYI, walked past Beckett's booth a couple times...not a soul there. Ok, thanks for reading thru that garbage, if you did. Now I will try to post a scan of the cards I got.

[Leon]

Thanks for the review. At least you picked up some cards for yourself. You would think the PSA folks would figure out how to make it where you don't have to wait an hour in line to turn in paperwork. Whenever I can, and I am in that kind of situation, I tell the company that is screwed up I am going to help them by making them less busy, goodbye.
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[rats60]

It is smaller than the March show. Many of their better vintage dealers weren't there. I was able to sell some cards, but didn't buy anything. In March I spent all the cash I brought and had to use my credit card for some others. It was mainly an autograph show with people coming for Cubs autographs. I would suggest trying the show in November when there are more vintage dealers.

[Promethius88]

Originally Posted by rats60

It is smaller than the March show. Many of their better vintage dealers weren't there. I was able to sell some cards, but didn't buy anything. In March I spent all the cash I brought and had to use my credit card for some others. It was mainly an autograph show with people coming for Cubs autographs. I would suggest trying the show in November when there are more vintage dealers.

I would it that one but it is the first weekend of deer season(shotgun) here in Illinois and I've already committed to that. I need to find a better show. What would be nice, and this is no hit on modern collectors, but a show that is vintage only. A show where you don't have to skip by 5 tables with modern game used/autographed cards to find some old guy stuff.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by Promethius88

I would it that one but it is the first weekend of deer season(shotgun) here in Illinois and I've already committed to that. I need to find a better show. What would be nice, and this is no hit on modern collectors, but a show that is vintage only. A show where you don't have to skip by 5 tables with modern game used/autographed cards to find some old guy stuff.

Then how about the March show? Otherwise it will be the National in late July or early August.

[keithsky]

My brother and I went to that show a couple years ago and was disappointed. Was figuring it was going to be like there Nov and March shows but it wasn't. There was hardly any dealers and what they had was more modern stuff and I was looking for older items, autographs and game used stuff which there was absolutley nothing on that. It definitely is an autograph show and if your looking to get autographs it would be fine if you can afford the cost of those anymore, but if your looking for a show with alot of dealers probably not the show to be at at least it was a couple years ago.