Using Trade At Card Shows

[mrreality68]

I noticed those things but actually thought it was either dealers bring stock to their tables or people using them to bring carry there purchases home.
I have seen many collectors sit for hours at tables going card by card and walk out with piles.
Pretty interesting and sometimes the cards they find that they have been looking for years for and they are beyond excited.

[Johnny630]

It’s my belief that attendees are using trade in because they’re low on funds from the FOMO Late Feb-July Run. Or they way overpaid for their cards and want to trade around their losses.

[ClementeFanOh]

I've been to a couple live shows in the past 5 months. I take trade material
with me that is legitimate. If I ask about trades and the seller doesn't even
express curiosity ("what do you have"?), it's not likely I'll buy from him. I
went to a show in August and told a seller I had a graded Christy Mathewson
I'd be willing to trade. He told me "not many people know Christy Mathewson".
I looked at him like he had rocks in his head and walked away...

Finally, I don't propose trades because I lack money. I propose trades for
two reasons. First, I may like a card but it doesn't fit my specific wants, so I'll
propose a trade rather than a buy. Second, the seller's asking price may be so
far off that even negotiation won't make it right- so, I ask if he'll trade. Some
say yes, some say no

Trent King

[packs]

I've always brought cards with the intention of trying to make a trade but I haven't actually pulled off a trade at a show. It's too difficult to negotiate when you're not working with a collector.

[parkplace33]

I think most collectors bring cards to trade with other collectors. Dealers probably don't want to deal with the hassle of trading and would only buy outright for items they can sell.

[ClementeFanOh]

Packs- definitely agree it's tough to trade with someone who is merely a
dealer, not a collector; specifically, the dealers who have a limited
knowledge of the hobby itself. I've done it successfully at shows with good
folks, though.

Parkplace33- I think you're illustrating a point for me. Any dealer who thinks
it's a "hassle" to look at a handful of cards- at a card SHOW- is part of the
problem. Lots of savvy collectors know dealers expect to come out ahead in
trades to make it worthwhile and, like me, are willing to take the financial
loss to acquire a card they want more. So if, for example, I'm willing to
trade a $150 card that a dealer can sell, for his $120 card that I need, I'd
say it's not a hassle. It's away for both to win. Too many dealers close off
this possibility from the start at shows, despite being voluntarily present at a
venue where the behavior is historically normal and valid. Trent King

[jcmtiger]

Been going on since the 70’s.

[notfast]

Originally Posted by ClementeFanOh

Lots of savvy collectors know dealers expect to come out ahead in
trades to make it worthwhile and, like me, are willing to take the financial
loss to acquire a card they want more.

This couldn’t be further from the truth. While YOU may understand this, the majority does not.

[samosa4u]

You trade with a dealer, then you're gonna' lose badly, period!

[CurtisFlood]

Originally Posted by parkplace33

I think most collectors bring cards to trade with other collectors. Dealers probably don't want to deal with the hassle of trading and would only buy outright for items they can sell.

Yes, and a lot of traders want to trade a bunch of unsellable cards for your quality items.

[Johnny630]

Originally Posted by CurtisFlood

Yes, and a lot of traders want to trade a bunch of unsellable cards for your quality items.

Exactly

[soxinseven]

Originally Posted by mrreality68

I noticed those things but actually thought it was either dealers bring stock to their tables or people using them to bring carry there purchases home.
I have seen many collectors sit for hours at tables going card by card and walk out with piles.
Pretty interesting and sometimes the cards they find that they have been looking for years for and they are beyond excited.

Most collectors are actually part time dealers now. It seems like every collector has a trade or sale pile and they aren't just going in a different direction. The cards were bought to hopefully turn a profit and acquire something else.

[Piratedogcardshows]

Trades are the way to go. Unfortunately for me they are few and far between. Had a nice one about 6 months ago.

[JeremyW]

Trades are the way to go. I even started a thread a while ago. Unfortunately, trading usually requires talking to people, which people don't like to do anymore.

[Johnny630]

Let me know when a major auction house takes trade....wonder if I could trade cards for my winnings.

[ClementeFanOh]

The topic was trading at shows...Trent King

[icurnmedic]

Concerning not having the $$, sometimes isn't that what the cards represents?

I like to trade occasionally.

If it is a big time acquisition that I really want , I am more than willing to "lose" some $$.

A 1952 Topps Mantle I traded for around 6 years back, I probably lost $2500 in trade at the time. Well worth it , sold 2 years later for $5k more than the "trade" and now ,of course, wish I had it back.

Trading is fun , but be realistic , sometimes you may lose for a card you really want, but in the end , do you really "lose"?

[midmo]

I've made plenty of trades at shows as a customer (and as an occasional dealer) over the years. I always try to bring a pack of stuff. Been doing it since the 80's, nothing new.

I've also made a few here on Net54. A memorable one is when I traded a 1954 Bowman set for a T206 red Cobb. It was a great deal that worked out for both of us.

[Snowman]

Originally Posted by Johnny630

Let me know when a major auction house takes trade....wonder if I could trade cards for my winnings.

PWCC accepts trades sometimes.

[Directly]

Question which one of these two cards graded a 3 would a dealer rather want in trade for resale?--A tough decision--

1) T205 Cobb

2) 1940 Playball Joe Jackson

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Snowman

PWCC accepts trades sometimes.

But the cards seem to lose weight once in their possession. Trades are always easier with collectors.