Trading with Dealers at Card Shows?

[sonnyu2]

Briefly, whats the best way to approach a trade with a dealer?
Ask if the dealer is willing to trade. Some will, some won't. Trading is cumbersome and many dealers will decline unless you have something they really want.

What should I expect in terms of value of my cards in a trade?
Really depends on what cards they are and their value. The more desirable and valuable a card is, the more you will get in trade value. If it is common lower-value stuff you may not get much value and/or interest in a trade.

What "book" values are most commonly used?
There are not many dealers that use book values these days. Majority will go by recent comps of actual sales.

Any specific signs to recognize in dealers dealing a trade fairly?...not so fairly?
No way of knowing until you attempt a trade. Trading is a two-way street. Just don't agree to trade if the terms don't seem fair to you.

Biggest advice is to come prepared with what you value your cards at. That will help save a ton of time when negotiating a trade.

[Vintagedeputy]

Originally Posted by sonnyu2

Biggest advice is to come prepared with what you value your cards at. That will help save a ton of time when negotiating a trade.

Love this.

[brunswickreeves]

A dealer’s primary objective is to make money, not collect cards they never intend to liquidate (or else they’d be a collector). Thus they may want to take two bites of the apple, depending on how bad you want the card they have and how rare or valuable it is. They may take your card(s) in trade at 60-90% of VCP comps, so they can turn it around and sell for profit even in a down market or if they need to hold it for a period of time. They may also over value their card to maximize its return. Just be prepared for it not to be an equitable deal if you’re trading cardboard for cardboard, vs cash for cardboard. The deal ultimately depends on many factors just try to find as common ground as possible and enjoy the process.

[Exhibitman]

Come by table 634 and say hello; I'll be there with a ton of set-building and singles inventory.

I always want to trade. In terms of what to expect, it is all about what you have and what you want. Book value is secondary to demand for the items you are selling. I have significant expenses and I am trying to earn a profit. That means that when it comes to how I assess your cards, what your cards are worth is less critical than how readily they sell. If you have a PSA 9 1987 Fleer Jordan for trade and you want a stack of lesser cards and commons, I will essentially offer you the full retail value as a trade value with my cards because I can turn the Jordan quickly and I have profit baked into the price of my cards. Conversely, if you want a PSA 9 1987 Jordan and you are offering 1970s commons for it, I won't make the deal except at an extreme advantage for me because it will take me a whole lot of time and effort to liquidate the commons and I am giving up a readily sold high demand card. Another factor is how I price examples of your cards. Your card may 'book' at $10 but if it is common and I am already selling three of them at $5 and they aren't moving, my valuation is going to be about fifty cents or a buck at most.

[D. Bergin]

Yup, I was gonna say, you're not going to find too many dealers willing to trade their fairly liquid $2000 card for 10 $200 cards, but you might be able to find one to trade their 10 $200 cards for your $2000 card.

[raulus]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Come by table 634 and say hello; I'll be there with a ton of set-building and singles inventory.

I always want to trade. In terms of what to expect, it is all about what you have and what you want. Book value is secondary to demand for the items you are selling. I have significant expenses and I am trying to earn a profit. That means that when it comes to how I assess your cards, what your cards are worth is less critical than how readily they sell. If you have a PSA 9 1987 Fleer Jordan for trade and you want a stack of lesser cards and commons, I will essentially offer you the full retail value as a trade value with my cards because I can turn the Jordan quickly and I have profit baked into the price of my cards. Conversely, if you want a PSA 9 1987 Jordan and you are offering 1970s commons for it, I won't make the deal except at an extreme advantage for me because it will take me a whole lot of time and effort to liquidate the commons and I am giving up a readily sold high demand card. Another factor is how I price examples of your cards. Your card may 'book' at $10 but if it is common and I am already selling three of them at $5 and they aren't moving, my valuation is going to be about fifty cents or a buck at most.

As usual, Adam brings up some really great points, and this seems like what you should expect when approaching dealers who are interested in trades. Obviously, some dealers won’t be interested in a trade, so you can just move along.

You didn’t ask, but I’ll volunteer anyway…On the flip side, I’m not a dealer. But I do hold some cards for trade. Typically it’s obscure and hard to find stuff where I have duplicates, or picked it up not for my own collection but for trade bait, and I’m primarily looking to trade it for other obscure and hard to find stuff that I need to complete my collection. Most everything else can just be bought or sold for cash. But the rare and obscure stuff often requires being willing to give up something equally rare and obscure.

[pclpads]

Simply, bend over and grab your ankles. It's like going to a car dealer and expecting a fair price on your trade in. Seriously, negotiate only with cash.

[parkplace33]

Trading with a dealer?

Sounds good, doesn’t work.