Orland Park Civic Center, Orland Park, Illinois, April 22, 2018

Upon arrival around 8 a.m., I observed that my neighbor Phil had purchased an extra table which resulted in my normal three tables being pushed down one. I was thrown off and not sure how to do my normal set up. Normally I start by placing my display cases on my first table next to Phil's last table. I noticed that the first table today, normally my second table, would not work with the display cases because there is a little wall that jets out and would block my access to the display cases. I was a little dumbfounded for a while. 

I decided that instead of putting my five display cases in a row like normal, I placed two next to Phil's last table and three on my last table. I have three tables total. I did not really like this set up but I could not put all the display cases in a row because the wall blocked my access to them. I filled up the  rest of the space with binders. I did not bring out the majority of my football binders because I knew I would not have the space for them. Well, during set up, I realized I did not have enough space for all of my baseball, basketball, and hockey binders. I also brought out some cheapy boxes. I was dumbfounded again by the lack of space.

It did not look like anyone was taking the open table to my left (Phil is set up to my right). I asked the promoter Rich if I could purchase the open table. Rich is a superstar and said he had someone scheduled for that table but would move him elsewhere and give me the table. After a while, I was able to put out all my wares.

Before long, my four tables were mobbed with customers. I normally don't get concerned manning my tables but I was a little overwhelmed dealing with four tables surrounded by an onslaught of customers. It was a little hairy there for a few hours. I had customers in front and behind the tables. I was trying to help eight to 10 people at once. Thankfully, everyone was patient with me. I don't think I've ever been so overwhelmed at a show before.

I was selling cards, trading cards, and buying cards all at once in the middle of this mob scene. It all happened so quickly, I don't know if I can even recall exactly what occurred but I will try. There was my long-time regular customer Larry, one of many customers of mine named Larry. Larry used to live in Berwyn but I think he moved out to Plainfield. He has a funky last name which I have no idea how to spell. When he says it, it sounds like Boo-Shawn. French, I think.

Larry always brings me a stack of cards. I usually trade him some cards and give him a little cash for his stack. I can't even remember what he brought me this time. We did our deal and had a conversation while I was working with several other customers on transactions. Whew, it was tough.

Rick was there as usual and dug through my 1972-73 Topps basketball. Dave F. was there! I hadn't seen Dave in a year or so then I see him twice in one month!! Dave pulled out quite a few cards from my 1975 Topps minis. Thanks Dave!

Another customer named Larry, spent some time in my 1973 Topps baseball binder. This Larry is a retired Chicago firefighter and lives nearby.  Hopefully, I can remember to bring out my entire backstock of '73s for Larry to go through at the June show.

Along with dealing with multiple guys name Larry, I had multiple guys named Chris at my tables today. Chris from Lombard and Chris from Orland. Both guys purchased a bunch of cards. Thanks guys! 

Will purchased just about all of my 1973-74 Topps hockey. Gil purchased some 1958 Topps. I had many, many, more sales but it was such I frenzy that I can't remember who purchased what. Quite a few regulars purchased cards along with some new customers. It was crazy! I had a great show!!

On the buying front, I bought some stuff from Junior, as usual. A good customer named Neil offered me some graded cards at the price he paid for them. Unfortunately, he paid too much for the cards. I could not make the purchase because I would not be able to sell them at that price or above. Neil is such a good guy that I felt bad not buying the cards but I got to be able to turn my purchases into profit. Sorry Neil!

I was so busy that I forgot that there was a political button show on the opposite end of the building and that my dad was set up there. As I was loading out, I saw my dad in the other room. When I finished loading up, I went to help my dad load out. 

After loading up my dad's car with buttons, I went to meet Will and Joe at the Sub shop to cap off a perfect day.

A huge thank you to everyone at Orland Park, from Rich to all the great folks that mobbed my tables. That was fun!

​Come see me at the next Orland show on June 24th! Also, my next Four Points show is July 7th!!

Four Points Sheraton, Milwaukee, May 5, 2018

Prior to the show, I figured the May 5th show would be my last show at the Four Points Sheraton. I had gone back and forth with hotel manager Stefanie Wilcott who would not agree to allow me to hold my June 2nd show as originally contracted back in November. I played phone tag with another manager who suggested in his messages that he had an alternative for my June 2nd show. I responded to him in a message that if I can't hold my show at the hotel on June 2nd as I had been promoting for months and months that there was no alternative that would satisfy me.

I started to get the word out that the May 5th show would be the last one. I was so fed up at that point that I did not want to look for a new location and was ready to let the show die. Folks were very supportive on Facebook and on various sports card message boards creating a dilemma -- I did not want to go on with the show if it was going to be stressful. I have enough stress at my day job and do cards for stress relief. But the outpouring of support was a motivator to start looking for a new location. 

Leading up to the May 5th show, I was steaming mad. I had a lawsuit prepared and was just waiting for my damages to vest after June 2nd then I was going to file a lawsuit against the hotel in Lake County Illinois Circuit Court in Waukegan. I also prepared a press release to announce the end of the show due to the hotel's breach of contract. As a former newspaper reporter and currently an Illinois lawyer, you get a double whammy when you mess with me.

Once at the hotel on May 5th, load in and set up was easy. We were the only event in the hotel that morning, as usual. As the dealers arrived, I made sure they all knew this would be the last show. Most guys had seen my internet posts and were aware of the situation.

We had a nice crowd early and I was busy with customers when Stefanie asked me to meet with her in a neighboring conference room. Dave agreed to watch my tables while I met with Stefanie. Once in the conference room, there was another manager who I had met earlier that morning. This hotel has so many dang managers. It seems like every employee is some sort of manager. 

Stefanie informed me that she removed the stack of press releases I had placed on a table in the show. I responded that I would use her illegal act to add another count in my lawsuit. My damages were increasing.

She then suggested we hold the June show in the hotel's restaurant -- which was my original suggestion to her when she first told me back in April that I can't hold the June show!  She said she needed to confirm it with upper management and would get back to me by the end of the day. I went back into the show and announced that the show just may go on.

Back at my tables, I was busy. Sales were good. I also bought a stack of Bowman baseball cards from 1949 through 1955.

Later, Stefanie came back and asked that I return to the conference room. Again, the other manager was seated at the conference table and Stefanie put the regional manager on speaker phone. He started off by saying the hotel never cancelled my June show. I asked if he was willing to make that bullshit statement under oath. He offered the hotel's restaurant for the June show. I agreed. Some small talk ensued, he suggested we have lunch sometime. I thought maybe this nonsense was over.

Back in the show, I announced the show was back on. Seemed everyone was happy. An hour or so later, Stefanie brought me a new contract. Wow! The contract gives the hotel the right to cancel my show for any reason at any time. It also makes me responsible for anything that could possibly go wrong in the hotel or in the parking lot during my show. 

I already have a contract, the one I signed in November. I was not going to agree to ANYTHING in this piece of trash Stefanie gave me. Based on this so-called new contract, I do not believe my troubles with the Four Points Sheraton are over. It is obvious that I need a new location to host the show next year. I have started the hunt. If anyone belongs to a local group, association or church that has space to host the show, please let me know.

In the meantime, I held the June 2nd show which will be the subject of a future blog. The rest of my 2018 shows will go on as planned on the first Saturday of every month. The hunt for a new location continues. Come see me June 24th in Orland Park!