Dealing at shows...

[HaloFan]

I've been setting up at a local show hosted by my local card shop, and after three experiences of setting up, you really have to lower your expectations if you want to sell anything. I read on boards where guys have tons of PSA graded cards at reduced prices that do not sell. I don't find casual collectors to be too enamored with graded cards even if it's a $1. I've actually been surprised at how many VG 80s and 90s cards I've sold at 10 cents a piece but that's what you will see at these shows. These shows are more a gathering place for local fans(mostly Angels in my area) to meet and intermingle than turn a profit.

It appears(in my area) that players of the local teams, all the auto and relic cards, vintage cards under $5(condition does not matter), and memorabilia will sell. Beanie Babies, Starting Lineups, those plaques with the players card on them seem to be everywhere and they don't appear to sell. The table fees at these shows are really low and most of the stuff I bring are unwanted crap from my childhood. I've talked with the other "dealers" and we agree that if we were paying $50-$100 a table, we could not sell what we've been selling.

I don't make much selling 10-cent cards, but I'm there to meet people/collectors and even educate new ones. A kid about 11 years old offered me a Derrick Rose RC card for my two $5 beaten up 1952 Topps cards and I did the trade because the $$ didn't matter too much at that point and I might have turned him into a future vintage card collector as a result of that.

Craig