A conversation with a couple veteran dealers at a card show

[smallpaul2002]

Well, I'm old school and i do not have a cell phone. Never had a cell phone, and never will. I do have a laptop, and often purchase on Ebay and through auction houses. The interesting thing I find when chatting with dealers at card shows is it appears there are people who want to actually sell their items and others who just want to display what they own. Most collectors just enjoy the hunt for items they covet, so if you can't get what you want today, it will likely appear later...patience is the key. Regardless, you meet all types in this hobby, that's why it works for me, and my friends and family could care less.

[SAllen2556]

I mostly use paper checklists, and I didn't buy a card on eBay until 2013. I guess I consider myself a very late graduate of the old school. These days I still have my lists, but I have my phone with me as well to check prices. A dealer actually said to me that it was dangerous to have my checklist on my phone because I could get hacked.

Sadly, I do not think I'll ever go back to the show I've been attending, despite the interesting characters I've met. I'm tired of walking in with $500 and walking out with $490. It's just not for me anymore. And I've often had the same problem of trying to find the dealer whose card I'm staring at - makes you wonder how common thievery is.

I've been to the most recent National in Cleveland and hope to make a trip of it this year to Chicago with a couple friends. At least there you see cool stuff - that I can't afford!