Saturday, March 30, 2024, Sheraton Hotel, Madison, WI
What do you do when there are two shows on the same day and you want to set up at both of them? Both the Madison and Rockford shows were scheduled today. I chose Madison over Rockford because my sales in Madison have been strong and consistent while my Rockford sales seem to be fading. Though, I'll be back in Rockford eventually. I have had many good shows in Rockford over these past several years.
I seem to get a lot more set builders in Madison than I do in Rockford lately. As usual, the set builders were out in force today. I was busy all morning then things died out around noon, which seems to be the pattern for me in Madison.
So, for a good three hours today, I was swamped, trying to help several people at once. My discount boxes got a heavy work out today. A new customer just about cleaned out my two 50-cent boxes. Later I talked with dealer Harry L. who advised that discount boxes are a must these days. I agree! Folks love those discount boxes.
I also brought out two display cases and filled them with my graded cards and some raw Exhibits. Eddie made the drive up to Madison from Orland and purchased two T206s. Thanks Eddie. My pal Kevin was there as well and purchased one of my 1936 National Chicles. Kevin also found some cards out of my 1966 Topps baseball binder. Thanks Kevin. The father and son team that are usually way too early, actually arrived at my tables after I completed set up. The father did not purchase any cards but the son found a few.
I was off and running today! A new customer pulled a nice pile of 1953 Topps baseball. Ken purchased some 1965 Topps baseball. A new customer purchased a huge pile of 1969 and 1970 Topps baseball. One of my regular customers pulled a large pile out of the 1966 binder. John purchased some of my non-sports cards. I sold some 1971-72 Topps basketball. I sold a handful of football cards. Kevin and Tina were there and they purchased some cards. Thanks guys! Then everyone and their mother were pulling cards out of the discount boxes.
Honestly, I was a little worried that Rockford would affect my sales. Turns out I was worried for nothing as sales topped last month.
On the buying front, it was a weird day. Several guys showed me some cards but wanted to trade, not sell them. I don't trade. Then several more guys showed up with cards to sell but wanted above comps. Really? Don't they know I can look up the recent sales of these cards? Why offer me a card for more than it is selling for? I won't buy it and I doubt anyone in the room will buy it! Then there were two teenagers that came repeatedly to my tables. They started out by offering me a 1990 Donruss Cal Ripken. I declined. The last time they came by they had the 1958 Topps Mantle-Aaron card, but it was beat. I got on my phone and saw that beaters of this card were selling around $75. They initially said I could have the card for $60 but when I started to dig some twenties out of my wallet, they took the card and said they want to show it to their grandpa first -- that was the last I saw of them. Why show me a card, give me a price then walk away when I pull out some money? Weird!
The end result was that I did not buy any cards. I even brought extra cash with me today so I could do some buying. Seemed like everybody wanted retail or above retail for their cards. I tried to explain to them that I only buy for resale and I need to make a profit on the deal. The profit does not have to be huge but there must be a profit. One guy offered me three 1968 Topps test football team cards. Two of the cards were VG, the third was Poor. I looked them up and saw that cards in like condition recently sold for $43 to $44. The seller wanted $50 a piece!
Another seller showed me a box of cards with retail price tags on them. No discounts. I passed on the cards. Then he wanted one of my more expensive cards at a huge discount. Not gonna happen.
In the end, I was very happy with my sales but disappointed with my lack of buys and dooshy guys who kept offering me over-priced cards.
Overall, a pretty great day in Madison. I saw Troy from Mears Auctions. I also ran into Nick, who used to set up next to me in Orland. I always enjoy talking with other dealers like Mark and Eric. Kudos to Beau for another excellent show in Madison.
Next Madison show is April 20. Unfortunately, I cannot make that one as I'll be in Strongsville, OH, for the annual vintage show. I will set up at the May 25 Madison show which Beau said runs simultaneously with Brat Fest. Woot! The dealer set up next to Mark today, whose name is Ray, plays in a band that will be performing at Brat Fest -- they open for the Village People!
Up next for me is Oak Creek, home of the crazy long waiting list. There were guys in Madison asking me for tables today. You guys got to get on my list!
See you in Oak Creek on Saturday, April 6!!!
What do you do when there are two shows on the same day and you want to set up at both of them? Both the Madison and Rockford shows were scheduled today. I chose Madison over Rockford because my sales in Madison have been strong and consistent while my Rockford sales seem to be fading. Though, I'll be back in Rockford eventually. I have had many good shows in Rockford over these past several years.
I seem to get a lot more set builders in Madison than I do in Rockford lately. As usual, the set builders were out in force today. I was busy all morning then things died out around noon, which seems to be the pattern for me in Madison.
So, for a good three hours today, I was swamped, trying to help several people at once. My discount boxes got a heavy work out today. A new customer just about cleaned out my two 50-cent boxes. Later I talked with dealer Harry L. who advised that discount boxes are a must these days. I agree! Folks love those discount boxes.
I also brought out two display cases and filled them with my graded cards and some raw Exhibits. Eddie made the drive up to Madison from Orland and purchased two T206s. Thanks Eddie. My pal Kevin was there as well and purchased one of my 1936 National Chicles. Kevin also found some cards out of my 1966 Topps baseball binder. Thanks Kevin. The father and son team that are usually way too early, actually arrived at my tables after I completed set up. The father did not purchase any cards but the son found a few.
I was off and running today! A new customer pulled a nice pile of 1953 Topps baseball. Ken purchased some 1965 Topps baseball. A new customer purchased a huge pile of 1969 and 1970 Topps baseball. One of my regular customers pulled a large pile out of the 1966 binder. John purchased some of my non-sports cards. I sold some 1971-72 Topps basketball. I sold a handful of football cards. Kevin and Tina were there and they purchased some cards. Thanks guys! Then everyone and their mother were pulling cards out of the discount boxes.
Honestly, I was a little worried that Rockford would affect my sales. Turns out I was worried for nothing as sales topped last month.
On the buying front, it was a weird day. Several guys showed me some cards but wanted to trade, not sell them. I don't trade. Then several more guys showed up with cards to sell but wanted above comps. Really? Don't they know I can look up the recent sales of these cards? Why offer me a card for more than it is selling for? I won't buy it and I doubt anyone in the room will buy it! Then there were two teenagers that came repeatedly to my tables. They started out by offering me a 1990 Donruss Cal Ripken. I declined. The last time they came by they had the 1958 Topps Mantle-Aaron card, but it was beat. I got on my phone and saw that beaters of this card were selling around $75. They initially said I could have the card for $60 but when I started to dig some twenties out of my wallet, they took the card and said they want to show it to their grandpa first -- that was the last I saw of them. Why show me a card, give me a price then walk away when I pull out some money? Weird!
The end result was that I did not buy any cards. I even brought extra cash with me today so I could do some buying. Seemed like everybody wanted retail or above retail for their cards. I tried to explain to them that I only buy for resale and I need to make a profit on the deal. The profit does not have to be huge but there must be a profit. One guy offered me three 1968 Topps test football team cards. Two of the cards were VG, the third was Poor. I looked them up and saw that cards in like condition recently sold for $43 to $44. The seller wanted $50 a piece!
Another seller showed me a box of cards with retail price tags on them. No discounts. I passed on the cards. Then he wanted one of my more expensive cards at a huge discount. Not gonna happen.
In the end, I was very happy with my sales but disappointed with my lack of buys and dooshy guys who kept offering me over-priced cards.
Overall, a pretty great day in Madison. I saw Troy from Mears Auctions. I also ran into Nick, who used to set up next to me in Orland. I always enjoy talking with other dealers like Mark and Eric. Kudos to Beau for another excellent show in Madison.
Next Madison show is April 20. Unfortunately, I cannot make that one as I'll be in Strongsville, OH, for the annual vintage show. I will set up at the May 25 Madison show which Beau said runs simultaneously with Brat Fest. Woot! The dealer set up next to Mark today, whose name is Ray, plays in a band that will be performing at Brat Fest -- they open for the Village People!
Up next for me is Oak Creek, home of the crazy long waiting list. There were guys in Madison asking me for tables today. You guys got to get on my list!
See you in Oak Creek on Saturday, April 6!!!
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