Philly Show this weekend....see you there ?

[Peter_Spaeth]

Mebbe they don't want Texans.... understandable if that is the case ....

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Mebbe they don't want Texans.... understandable if that is the case ....

Hey, our money is green!!

[Rich Klein]

I have not beed to that show since 2005; but I suspect there are many problems beyond our control

1) Shows are just not the same -- other than the National -- we don't see as many dealers, customers, etc

2) Bob S sold the show a few years ago to Hunt Auctions. Hunt is a part of Upper Deck, and they by their nature are more attuned to new cards then new cards. And they do not run the show (I would wager) with the same passion that Bob did

3) No next generation of dealers who really want to set up at shows. They would all rather be at their keyboards rather than meeting and greeting. And when you deal with public, you can be put off by that 5 percent

Regards
Rich

[glynparson]

The show is still way more a vintage show then a modern one when going by dealer inventories. The problem for buyers is that many of them still have cards priced high for 2005-8 when the market was hot. Yet alone now for a down market. I saw some items one can routinely pick up on eBay for 15-30 dollars on dealers tables with prices like 150-250. They would of course be complaining about how horrible the show was blah blah and I'd think No wonder your prices are nuts. Heck the guy set up diagonally behind me had a number of items from a recent local auction and had the items priced upto 10-20 times what he paid. Another guy complaining of no sales. I know the markets down so I brought cheap stuff low grade beaters etc. Cheap graded cards and I missed what I wanted to make to call it a real good show by $20. Some of these guys are unwilling to adapt to the times and will end up going the way of the dinosaur.

[peterose4hof]

Most of the dealers who have huge overpriced inventories most likely are into their stuff for way too much and not willing to lower prices because that would mean they have to take a "loss". Once the economy, and in turn the hobby, improves their prices will be more on par with fair market value and we will be praising these dealers for having such great inventories.

Alas, they will still keep their best stuff under the table and moan and groan every time you ask to see something.

[danc]

I was there Friday and it was DEAD. Pockets of the room missing with regular dealers. Hunt over in the corner with no one around. Spaced out somewhat weird to make it appear grander. Saturday, it picked up some. Overpriced cards (one guy there, out of his mind and you can tell he was sick of people asking the price and groaning in silence) with the police making appearences as items were stolen from tables. Watched a handful of people pay $70 to meet Joe Blanton and basically made the seven hour trek to see Phil, Graig and Doug and try and fill a few holes, which I did. Will skip December and hopefully by 2011, Hunt figures out how to bring life to this show as Friday defines the word "pathetic". How much longer can this grand show survive?

DanC

[judsonhamlin]

I have always liked the Friday after work time slot. First, I felt like I was getting first crack at the vintage cards (and was even a dues-paying EPSCC member for a while to get in at 400) and it was crowded but manageable. Now, with kids' sports and other weekend obligations, Friday is the best option for me for other reasons. But the last few shows dating back to Reading have been pretty dead on Friday, so I'm not sure it makes a great deal of sense to keep it open. Maybe by cutting it back to two days, Hunt can reduce the rental cost and charge less to the dealers for tables, which might stimulate more interest and reinvigorate the show.