The difficulties of getting kids to collect

[commishbob]

The talk about the cost of shows struck a chord with me. I went to the latest TriStar show here in Houston. $12 to park and $15 to get in. I'm down $27 before I even see a table. I used to take my two sons to the big shows in town and even with the prices slightly lower in those days I was out $40 or so before walking in the door. Kids are scarce at the big shows, at least in my view.

OTOH I hit the hotel shows that a local dealer puts on once or twice a month (Hi Darryl) and all it costs me is gas money. I see young kids at those shows. In fact, I stood at a table and overheard a dealer practically give a graded card of the kid's favorite player to him. The youngster (and his hobby-novice Dad) were pretty excited. That dealer may have lost a few bucks on the card but he almost certainly made hobbyists out of that young family.

[Rich Klein]

Originally Posted by commishbob

The talk about the cost of shows struck a chord with me. I went to the latest TriStar show here in Houston. $12 to park and $15 to get in. I'm down $27 before I even see a table. I used to take my two sons to the big shows in town and even with the prices slightly lower in those days I was out $40 or so before walking in the door. Kids are scarce at the big shows, at least in my view.

OTOH I hit the hotel shows that a local dealer puts on once or twice a month (Hi Darryl) and all it costs me is gas money. I see young kids at those shows. In fact, I stood at a table and overheard a dealer practically give a graded card of the kid's favorite player to him. The youngster (and his hobby-novice Dad) were pretty excited. That dealer may have lost a few bucks on the card but he almost certainly made hobbyists out of that young family.

Darryl has come up to do Kyle's Frisco shows the last couple of months and he is a good guy -- and what Tri Star does is good for their business. Thankfully there is room for both types of promoters in the hobby. I could go into a long-winded version of why Dallas is not as good for Autograph shows as Houston, but that's better done on a long-form email or on a phone call.

Rich

[commishbob]

Originally Posted by Rich Klein

Darryl has come up to do Kyle's Frisco shows the last couple of months and he is a good guy -- and what Tri Star does is good for their business. Thankfully there is room for both types of promoters in the hobby. I could go into a long-winded version of why Dallas is not as good for Autograph shows as Houston, but that's better down on a long-form email or on a phone call.

Rich

And you're right of course. I understand TriStar's model and I usually don't gripe (much) but I thought this last show was lacking in terms of dealers (I don't do the autographs). But all that is better discussed in a separate thread as you said. I hope to get up to the shows in the Dallas area one day soon.

[Rich Klein]

Originally Posted by commishbob

And you're right of course. I understand TriStar's model and I usually don't gripe (much) but I thought this last show was lacking in terms of dealers (I don't do the autographs). But all that is better discussed in a separate thread as you said. I hope to get up to the shows in the Dallas area one day soon.

BTW -- Darryl came up to Kyle's show again and Leon dropped by (Hi Leon!) and we discussed lightly this thread. He said something interesting in that he sets up at Tri-Star for 2 purposes

1) To make money

2) To promote his own shows and he says there is always a bump after a Tri-Star show because then as you mentioned, the whole experience goes from gas money and $27 before you step in the door to gas money only.

And he gets pretty good dealers.

And yes, we'd love to see you in Dallas, subtle plug -- the next show I run will be Labor Day Sunday and Monday for the Adat Chaverim brotherhood. We give everyone who comes in and pays the $1 suggested donation -- 100-200 cards in a bag and a prize slip. You might as well get some reward for your trip up

Rich