The Show at The Oaks in Philly- a Disaster!

[skelly]

I have to think the customer base is still there, it just needs to get some momentum back. I used to go to the Show when it was in Reading. It was an awesome show. My buddies who aren't even really collectors loved to go and look at the stuff with me, etc.. Honestly, I think that the Hunt show falling apart has also hurt this show as for better or worse, some collectors are going to lump them together. The bottom line is that the empty tables just kill it for me. It's like going to a football game, and you walk in and no one is sitting anywhere but between the thirty yard line.... You drive all the way down to the show, and you walk in, its dead, and your like what is wrong with me for driving all the way down ( and your wife who comes with you wonders the same )... I would still go despite the fact the prices are high, if I really felt there was going to be a lot of stuff to look at, etc...

[Simmons Nation]

i'd like to echo some of the comments by mordecaibrown and 7nohitter....
i too was at the CSA show and most (although not all) of the prices were insane. if it wasn't for a last minute purchase of an E95 for a good price, it would have been a waste of time.

as mordecaibrown was saying, buyers are more educated then ever with internet access on cell phones, ebay, multiple online auctions... you know what a card is going for. the fact is, i don't have unlimited resources and am not going to overpay for a card just because.

one example in particular... i won't give the specifics, but there was a card that had just sold the week before at an online auction for around $100. i found the same card... same grade... similar condition... and the seller was asking $250. he came down to $200.

bottom line is if i won powerball, i'd be happy to pay extra to dealers to keep the shows going. but until that happens, i'm on a budget, and i can't afford to pay double at a show compared to what i can pay online.

[autograf]

@Kcohen.............hilarious comment about Obama and BB cards.......

[ullmandds]

So basically...BB card collecting has followed the same path as shopping for most other items!

If you go to best buy...or the wiz looking for a tv...you will most likely pay a bit more than with shopping online...also paying taxes...but you get the benefit of seeing the item...and it's picture quality.

Same has happened with cards...it seems. If u want to see it...hold it...examine it with a magnifier...then you now pay a premium...save the taxes in most cases...vs buying an item online...site impaired?!

[Frank A]

My problem with the show was not dealer prices. Dealers can put what they want on their items, it's their right and all will deal to some extent. My problem with the show was lack of dealers. When I went in on friday, about half of the tables were empty. I figured a lot of dealers must only show up on saturday or sunday. Then I saw a dealer with about 14 tables of $1, $2 and $5 stuff and realized some of the dealers there were spreading it out to make it look better. No way that dealer spent for 14 tables. I think the show is cooked. Frank

[danmckee]

I had a gentleman come to my table and grab a zeenut with a coupon. I think I had $550 on it cause I paid $400. I always leave room to haggle on most items.

He said this is worth about $100 why is the price so high

I said you may be correct but I paid too much for it.

Back in the 80s and 90s, zeenuts with coupons were super tough on the East Coast and commanded good money.

I think a few recent finds with the coupons have saturated a few of the zeenut years.

Yes I will probably lose money on this one but I lose sometimes. The idea is to try to win more than you lose in the sales game, that way I can save up a little to buy something neat I like for myself.

I try to carry oddball rare stuff that you won't see on several other tables in the same show. And I enjoy talking to the customers usually.

Oh well, like I said, looks like the Philly area is in trouble for shows.

Dan

[Rich Klein]

I had wanted to rant about this for a while.


http://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com...-for-everyone/

Rich