Sunday, October 24, 2021, Buenavista Banquets, Milwaukee, WI
I contemplated spending the night in Milwaukee on Saturday but decided against it as I wanted to switch out my inventory from Saturday to Sunday. I have such a huge inventory that I have the luxury of bringing out a completely different set up from one show to another.
On Saturday in Madison, I had a 10 display-case set up. On Sunday in Milwaukee, I wanted to bring out all of my binders along with four display cases. I normally get quite a few set builders in Milwaukee who want the binders. Though, one of these days, I think I will do an all display case set up in Milwaukee just to change things up.
Man, it was tough to wake up Sunday morning. The Madison show and the long drive really tired me out. Thankfully, I did not have to wake up nearly as early on Sunday as Milwaukee is much closer to home than Madison. Unfortunately, I was too tired Saturday after the show to unload my car and had to do it Sunday morning in the dark.
So out went most of the display cases and in went the bins of binders. I had a tough time fitting everything in the car but I managed. I was on the road to Milwaukee around 7:30 a.m. which is just about right. There was a lot less traffic on the roads than on Saturday. I cruised to Milwaukee arriving at Buenavista around 8:30 a.m.
Upon arrival, I observed all of the dealers standing around outside and assumed something was up. Apparently, the guys from the hall did not show up to let us in. I was told they were on their way.
It was actually kind of fun hanging out with all of the dealers in the parking lot. Eric Unglaub told me about all of the places he has lived including Colorado where, in the early 1990's, he tried to help a friend sell a vintage collection she inherited. He recommended Mr. Mint to his friend. Apparently, Mr. Mint was Mr. Creepo and flew out to Colorado and was more interested in Eric's friend than the cards. She showed him the door and did not sell him the cards. I know it is wrong to speak ill of the dead but that Mr. Mint was a scumbag in my opinion. I have never met anybody with anything good to say about that guy.
I am thankful I do not have a bad reputation like Mr. Mint. While I was hanging out in the parking lot before the Buenavista show, I received a bunch of compliments for my Oak Creek show. I work really hard on that show and it is nice to know that these guys appreciate it. Next one is November 6. You know who also works hard? Keith, who is president of the Wisconsin Sports Collectors Association, the promoters of the Buenavista show.
It is nice to commiserate with Keith about all of the headaches involved in operating a card show. I really appreciate Keith and I love the Buenavista show. Yes it is tight and not as big as Gonzaga but it has its own character which includes some phenomenal Mexican food. I don't know how many of the Buenavista shows I've done now but I do know that my sales have been excellent at them all. I will certainly be there at the November show.
I was a little run down and tired at the October show. I sold a ton of stuff but can't remember exactly what I sold. My binders were busy all day long even when the Packer game came on at noon. I was the last dealer to leave as I had sales continue up until the last customer left the room around 1:30 p.m.
On the buying front, I picked up a handful of cards from a guy I met at the first Buenavista show and who has been bringing me cards every month since. I also purchased a pile of 1959 Topps commons from Tom. Thanks Tom! Then I purchased a box of 1954 Topps from Terry. Thanks Terry!
On a somber note, my thoughts and prayers are going out to my pal Larry Larsen, who is once again battling some health issues. Larry normally sets up next to me at Buenavista and I missed him at the October show. Larry lights up a room. You know when he is there and he will keep you in stitches the whole time. I hope Larry is back behind his tables soon!
There was a lot of talk about me and my show which I think is nice but I do not want any one to forget about the Buenavista show. I am more of a card dealer than a show promoter and while there are many shows, more and more popping up every week, the Buenavista show is great for a vintage dealer like me while these new shows have few vintage dealers and customers. As a vintage dealer, I need the Buenavista show and hope Keith continues to operate it for years to come.
On that same note, at the end of the show, I observed one customer talking about me which was soooo weird. He was talking to another dealer about me like he knows me but did not acknowledge that I was standing just a few feet away. He obviously does not know me and I do not know him. He wasn't really knocking me but he was complaining that so many dealers at my show sell Pokemon cards. I do not have an issue with Pokemon cards. They are in demand right now so there are dealers with Pokemon at every show. Smart dealers bring out what sells and there are a lot of smart dealers.
It was nice to see another dealer come to my defense and state that there is much more than just Pokemon at my show, which is the truth. There is a large variety of stuff at my show -- 100 tables worth of stuff.
I remember when I first started the show in 2014 and people were complaining that there was too much vintage and not enough modern cards at the show. I guess people are going to complain about everything and if nobody was talking about my Oak Creek show then I should probably be concerned.
So I set up at a ton of shows and if you want to talk to me about the show or anything card related, please do so. I am easily accessible and want to talk to you. Part of the fun of setting up at shows is getting to know so many people... just don't bring up politics or you will see my eyes glaze over. Admittedly, I am terrible at returning phone calls, so it is best to seek me out at a show.
Anyway, I had a great time at the Buenavista show. Sold a lot of cards, bought a lot of cards, ate some amazing tacos then had an easy ride home.
After doing two cards shows each of the past several weekends, I have just one this weekend on Saturday, October 30, 2021, at the Lake Station Indiana VFW. I would actually like to set up at a show on Sunday but there are not any nearby. I'm not ready to drive five or six hours. Plus I want to be home for the trick or treaters. I love Halloween and I love dishing out candy. I remember when I was a kid and being bummed out when I came upon a house where nobody was home and nobody was giving out candy. I won't be that house!
A big thank you to Keith for another excellent show at Buenavista Banquets and a big thank you to everyone who bought cards from me at the show. I appreciate you!
I am going to do a display case set up on Saturday in Lake Station, Indiana. Let me know if you want me to bring any binders. See you Saturday in Indiana and Happy Halloween!
I contemplated spending the night in Milwaukee on Saturday but decided against it as I wanted to switch out my inventory from Saturday to Sunday. I have such a huge inventory that I have the luxury of bringing out a completely different set up from one show to another.
On Saturday in Madison, I had a 10 display-case set up. On Sunday in Milwaukee, I wanted to bring out all of my binders along with four display cases. I normally get quite a few set builders in Milwaukee who want the binders. Though, one of these days, I think I will do an all display case set up in Milwaukee just to change things up.
Man, it was tough to wake up Sunday morning. The Madison show and the long drive really tired me out. Thankfully, I did not have to wake up nearly as early on Sunday as Milwaukee is much closer to home than Madison. Unfortunately, I was too tired Saturday after the show to unload my car and had to do it Sunday morning in the dark.
So out went most of the display cases and in went the bins of binders. I had a tough time fitting everything in the car but I managed. I was on the road to Milwaukee around 7:30 a.m. which is just about right. There was a lot less traffic on the roads than on Saturday. I cruised to Milwaukee arriving at Buenavista around 8:30 a.m.
Upon arrival, I observed all of the dealers standing around outside and assumed something was up. Apparently, the guys from the hall did not show up to let us in. I was told they were on their way.
It was actually kind of fun hanging out with all of the dealers in the parking lot. Eric Unglaub told me about all of the places he has lived including Colorado where, in the early 1990's, he tried to help a friend sell a vintage collection she inherited. He recommended Mr. Mint to his friend. Apparently, Mr. Mint was Mr. Creepo and flew out to Colorado and was more interested in Eric's friend than the cards. She showed him the door and did not sell him the cards. I know it is wrong to speak ill of the dead but that Mr. Mint was a scumbag in my opinion. I have never met anybody with anything good to say about that guy.
I am thankful I do not have a bad reputation like Mr. Mint. While I was hanging out in the parking lot before the Buenavista show, I received a bunch of compliments for my Oak Creek show. I work really hard on that show and it is nice to know that these guys appreciate it. Next one is November 6. You know who also works hard? Keith, who is president of the Wisconsin Sports Collectors Association, the promoters of the Buenavista show.
It is nice to commiserate with Keith about all of the headaches involved in operating a card show. I really appreciate Keith and I love the Buenavista show. Yes it is tight and not as big as Gonzaga but it has its own character which includes some phenomenal Mexican food. I don't know how many of the Buenavista shows I've done now but I do know that my sales have been excellent at them all. I will certainly be there at the November show.
I was a little run down and tired at the October show. I sold a ton of stuff but can't remember exactly what I sold. My binders were busy all day long even when the Packer game came on at noon. I was the last dealer to leave as I had sales continue up until the last customer left the room around 1:30 p.m.
On the buying front, I picked up a handful of cards from a guy I met at the first Buenavista show and who has been bringing me cards every month since. I also purchased a pile of 1959 Topps commons from Tom. Thanks Tom! Then I purchased a box of 1954 Topps from Terry. Thanks Terry!
On a somber note, my thoughts and prayers are going out to my pal Larry Larsen, who is once again battling some health issues. Larry normally sets up next to me at Buenavista and I missed him at the October show. Larry lights up a room. You know when he is there and he will keep you in stitches the whole time. I hope Larry is back behind his tables soon!
There was a lot of talk about me and my show which I think is nice but I do not want any one to forget about the Buenavista show. I am more of a card dealer than a show promoter and while there are many shows, more and more popping up every week, the Buenavista show is great for a vintage dealer like me while these new shows have few vintage dealers and customers. As a vintage dealer, I need the Buenavista show and hope Keith continues to operate it for years to come.
On that same note, at the end of the show, I observed one customer talking about me which was soooo weird. He was talking to another dealer about me like he knows me but did not acknowledge that I was standing just a few feet away. He obviously does not know me and I do not know him. He wasn't really knocking me but he was complaining that so many dealers at my show sell Pokemon cards. I do not have an issue with Pokemon cards. They are in demand right now so there are dealers with Pokemon at every show. Smart dealers bring out what sells and there are a lot of smart dealers.
It was nice to see another dealer come to my defense and state that there is much more than just Pokemon at my show, which is the truth. There is a large variety of stuff at my show -- 100 tables worth of stuff.
I remember when I first started the show in 2014 and people were complaining that there was too much vintage and not enough modern cards at the show. I guess people are going to complain about everything and if nobody was talking about my Oak Creek show then I should probably be concerned.
So I set up at a ton of shows and if you want to talk to me about the show or anything card related, please do so. I am easily accessible and want to talk to you. Part of the fun of setting up at shows is getting to know so many people... just don't bring up politics or you will see my eyes glaze over. Admittedly, I am terrible at returning phone calls, so it is best to seek me out at a show.
Anyway, I had a great time at the Buenavista show. Sold a lot of cards, bought a lot of cards, ate some amazing tacos then had an easy ride home.
After doing two cards shows each of the past several weekends, I have just one this weekend on Saturday, October 30, 2021, at the Lake Station Indiana VFW. I would actually like to set up at a show on Sunday but there are not any nearby. I'm not ready to drive five or six hours. Plus I want to be home for the trick or treaters. I love Halloween and I love dishing out candy. I remember when I was a kid and being bummed out when I came upon a house where nobody was home and nobody was giving out candy. I won't be that house!
A big thank you to Keith for another excellent show at Buenavista Banquets and a big thank you to everyone who bought cards from me at the show. I appreciate you!
I am going to do a display case set up on Saturday in Lake Station, Indiana. Let me know if you want me to bring any binders. See you Saturday in Indiana and Happy Halloween!
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