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Nice Show in Hoffman Estates Today

9/28/2014

9 Comments

 
Real nice show today on Sunday, September 28, 2014, at the Hyatt Place Hotel, in Hoffman Estates, IL. I made it to the hotel in about a 1/2 hour this morning. I really appreciate the short drive. Load in at the Hyatt is the easiest of all the shows I do. There is a door directly from the banquet room into the parking lot. Easy in and out. 

There was some talk about the Orland show as soon as I entered the Hyatt. I had been setting up at Orland for years but I have been bad-mouthed by the Orland promoter once too many times so I'm taking my roadshow elsewhere. I have to admit, it felt strange not driving to Orland this morning but I really appreciate the much shorter drive to Hoffman Estates. I know quite a few guys in the south suburbs are lamenting on the fact that I will no longer be at John Leary's shows. Well, rest assured my friends, I will be back in the south suburbs soon when I promote a show with Mark Smith. We're working on finding a venue then we will start to pick some dates. I still have some things to do with our Milwaukee show before I begin work on the Mark and Tony Orland show. I will keep you posted.

Set up went smoothly in Hoffman Estates this morning. I had some extra space because Beanie Don had the sniffles and did not attend. My first customers were a father and son team. The father picked up a smattering of late 1970s baseball. The son did not spend much time at my table. He was interested in modern cards. I have only vintage.

I brought out my graded cards today which I don't normally do but I figured I would be seeing a lot of the same customers from last weekend in Bloomingdale and wanted to have some new items on my tables. I also brought out my newly reloaded 1970 Topps football binder and my 50-cent box. I put at least a 100 new cards in the 50-cent box. I also had a bunch of other new cards for my display cases. 

Larry picked up a couple of PSA graded Goudeys. Thanks Larry! Bill and I did a cash and trade deal. Thanks Bill! George and Willie picked up some cards out of my 50-cent box. Thanks guys! New customers Bob and Evelyn picked up a nice stack of 1969 Topps baseball and 1961 Topps baseball. I really appreciate all the purchases everyone made today.

Bob said he has been following the Fred Copp Facebook page I set up several years ago to help promote Fred's shows. Ted Lee began helping me a couple of years ago as co-administrator and he puts in a lot of work on the Fred Copp Facebook which I appreciate. We are up to 73 likes. I think it is really cool every time we get another like or when someone posts a comment on there. Meanwhile, my lowly Fat Daddy Facebook page only has 15 likes! If you are not on Facebook, a "like" is the main activity there. You may "like" posts by your Facebook friends or you may "like" various Facebook pages such as the Fred Copp and the Fat Daddy pages. Once you like a page, whenever there is a new post on that page, it shows up in your "news feed." My Facebook newsfeed is largely baseball card related. There are a TON of baseball card Facebook pages. You can search through them to see which ones are worthy of a "like."

Ted and I were talking today about all the different baseball card pages on Facebook. I think social media has added another dimension to baseball card collecting. I "like" a dozen or so baseball card shops from around the country on Facebook. I enjoy the constant discussion of cards whether it is on Facebook or websites. I think this is a really great time to be a baseball card collector because with the internet there are more options than ever before to purchase cards, to trade cards, and to discuss cards. While I'm at work I regularly check my eBay auctions, read baseball-card related Facebook posts and check some internet forums. It is a nice break from my stressful and busy workday.

Back to the show report... I had a new customer come in who collects T206s. I rarely get T206 collectors at the Fred Copp shows, so it was nice to see someone into the old Tobacco cards. Sounds like this guy has an amazing collection. He told me he has a near set and is working on upgrades.

Minor rant... I had a guy who wanted to trade me a Brooks Robinson autographed card for my graded cards. First of all, I don't really like to trade. I spend a lot of time and money on my inventory and to keep the road show going, I need to bring home some cash. I am happy to trade with my regular customers but not with someone who rarely, if ever, purchases cards from me. Second of all, even if I was into trading, I would not trade for an autograph card that was not slabbed by PSA/DNA. How do I know the autograph is real? When I trade with my regular customers, the trades are always fair. It seems when some random guy wants to trade there is just something sketchy about the deal where he wants a good card from me in exchange for some worthless garbage -- I'm just not going to do it. End of rant.

On the buying front, I picked up some 1975 Topps football, some Man from Uncle non-sports cards from the 1960s, some 1978 Battlestar Galactica, some Topps baseball posters from the early 1970s, a 1961 Post Ken Boyer for my friend Andy, a 2014 Bowman Jose Abreu rookie, and a couple of packs of 2014 Topps Heritage baseball.  I don't really buy a whole lot of modern cards but I have been wanting an Abreu rookie. I really enjoyed watching him play this past season. I also love the Heritage. I buy a bunch of packs every year.

Overall, a very good day. If you factor in the money I saved on table fee and gas, I think I brought home more money today than I would had I set up in Orland. So upward and onward we go.

Next week, I'm setting up at the Best Western Plus in Schaumburg. I should have my 1966 Topps baseball binder reloaded and ready to go. I even have high numbers which are really tough in the 1966 Topps set. If I have time, I will price some more stuff for my display cases. I'm looking forward to next Sunday... see you then! Have a great week everybody!!
9 Comments

Gotta Love When Post Cereal Walks Into the Room!

9/25/2014

5 Comments

 
It was the wife's birthday on the night before the Sept. 21, 2014, Bloomingdale show and we celebrated at a bar with a few drinks and great blues band. Needless to say, I was a little wobbly in Bloomingdale. I was a late arrival and it took me awhile to set up. Once I completed set up, I had customers all day long. 

Randy was my first customer of the day and he purchased a bunch of 1963 Topps baseball. Adam made a rare appearance and picked up a bunch of cards from the late 1970s. A new customer purchased a bunch of '71-'72 and '72-'73 Topps basketball. A bunch of guys hit my quarter box. I was amazed that the guy from last month who asked for a discount on my discount cards was a no show. Corky picked up some '71-'72 Topps Blackhawks and a couple of early 1970s Reggie Jackson cards. Several autograph hounds hit me up for cards including a 1969 Topps Rollie Fingers rookie. Larry picked up some Goudeys. Derek made my day by purchasing my 1955 Topps Sandy Koufax rookie. Thanks Derek. I love that Koufax rookie. It's a tough card to see leave the homestead, but it went to a good home. It was nice to see Joe from the Orland shows make the trip to Indian Lakes. Joe brought his wife. I learned the pair were married at Indian Lakes Resort some 37 years ago. Thanks for coming to the show guys! A big thank you to everybody who bought cards today!! I had a really good day. 

I also had a tremendous day on the buying front. I think Chuck Thomas is watching me from above because about 175 Post cereal cards from '61 through '63 walked in and are now in my possession. I need to get those puppies priced and into my oddball binder.  I also picked up some 1961 Golden Press, some Exhibits, '70-71 Topps basketball and more odds and ends. A real nice haul today.

A lot of folks congratulated me on the successful Milwaukee show promoted by me and Mark Smith. I appreciate all the kind words. I had two new dealers reserve table space this week. So it looks like the October show will be larger than the September show.

There was also some talk of the Orland show where I am no longer setting up. I am hopeful more of my Orland regulars will truck out to see me in Schaumburg, Bloomingdale and Hoffman Estates. Plans are still in the works for my new show with Mark Smith in the south suburbs. In the meantime, I'm setting up next weekend at the Hyatt Place Hotel in Hoffman Estates. I am working on 1970 Topps Football along with a bunch of new stuff for my display cases. I also have 1966 Topps baseball in the works but I am not sure if I'll get it done by Sunday. Either way, I should have some good stuff for Hoffman Estates on Sunday. See you next week!


 
5 Comments

First Show Is A Success!!

9/14/2014

7 Comments

 
Picture
Saturday, September 14, 2014, was a great day. My first card show as a promoter was awesome! The room was terrific. The hotel placed table cloths and skirts on all the tables which gave a level of class to my rustic old sports memorabilia. I had five 8-foot tables to myself. I brought out more stuff than I ever have before and filled up all that space. The only problem was that it took me forever to set up and forever to take everything down. Mark Smith also had five 8-foots. Willie Shabas had two tables, Scott Prodzinski had two, Jim and Scott Ziegert had two, Nelson Rodriguez had one, and Bill Concair from Peoria, Illinois, had one table. The room looked really good. Customers commented on the nice selection of items.

I was hoping to create a relaxed atmosphere were collectors could peruse through all the items at their leisure. Goal achieved. The lighting was nice and bright. We had no distractions. There were plenty of comfortable chairs for customers to sit at the tables and relax. Many customers commented that they were grateful that there was no admission fee. The hotel provided a dozen pitchers of water with what looked like wine glasses. All made for a really pleasant event.

We had a nice number of customers in attendance. All my regular guys came out like Jim, Jeff, Jason, Mark, Jack and more. Some guys who didn't come out all summer at Gonzaga came out for my show on Saturday. Thanks guys! You are the best!! Mark's regulars came out as well. The other dealers seemed to have action at their tables. Though, admittedly, most of the customers came out to see me and Mark. So after the show, Mark and I decided to spend some money on advertising to get more customers for the other dealers. Since it was my first show as a promoter, I learned there are other things I need to think about like making sure the other dealers have as many customers as I do. Man, I had a terrific day! There were people at my tables from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Another thing I learned is that I need to make some signs so folks can find the room. The Clarion is a maze of banquet, conference and meeting rooms. I entered the hotel in the back by the Cork & Cleaver restaurant and had to wind my way through to the Rembrandt Room, which is at the very end of the hotel. So, I'm going get some signs made before the October 18 show giving directions to the room. 

While sales were good, it definitely was a learning experience. I think we had a good start on Saturday and created something to build on. Mark and I decided that we are going to really make an effort to create a Saturday destination card show in Milwaukee. We appreciated everyone who came out and we appreciated all the suggestions -- keep 'em coming!

One thing I did not anticipate and which was a pleasant surprise was the guys who brought cards in to sell to the dealers. I picked up a nice group of early 1950s Bowman football while Mark picked up a near-set of 1965 Topps baseball. The '65 cards were the seller's childhood collection. We were all amazed he kept the cards in such nice condition for nearly 50 years.  This just may turn into a great show for buying as well! Woot!!

A big shout out goes to Scott Prodzinski who greeted me with breakfast in the morning and after the show treated me, Mark and Willie to an awesome burger place near the hotel. Thanks Scott!! You're the best!!

Another bonus was the fact that Saturday highway traffic is nothing compared to horror of Sunday. I had a quick drive home. I can't wait until the next show on October 18!!

Next weekend, on Sunday, September 21, I will be setting up at the Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale, IL. I have been having real nice shows in Bloomingdale lately and am looking forward to another one on Sunday. I hope a lot of my Orland regulars make the drive to Bloomingdale because I am no longer setting up in Orland. This Milwaukee show has driven Orland promoter John Leary batty and he was calling up everyone and their mothers claiming I was stealing all of his dealers for a show 150 miles away! For the record, I did not "steal" any Orland dealers -- what nonsense! There is no way I am ever setting up with John Leary again. Actually, Mark and I are going to take our road show to Orland and create our own show in the Orland area. I think John is driving his show into the ground. My Orland sales have been on a steady decline for the last two-years. I am going to start looking into venues. Mark and I hope to create an Orland show with NO admission fee, we want a concession stand, inexpensive table fee, no limitation on dealers and more. Did you know that John only allows a certain number of wax dealers? Mark and I won't place limits on what types of dealers can set up. Our show will be open to anybody and everybody. I'll keep you posted as to my progress. In the meantime, I hope to see a lot of friendly faces in Bloomingdale next weekend!!
7 Comments

Milwaukee Baseball Card Show set for Saturday, September 13, 2014

9/7/2014

0 Comments

 
I have to apologize to anyone who went out to the Wilmot Mountain Flea Market on Labor Day weekend looking for me. I overslept and did not make it out there. I really do like that flea market and hope to get back there next summer. One of the nice things about setting up at the flea market is that you don't have to reserve a spot. You just show up and pay for space at the front gate. So, from a dealer's perspective, I don't have the same urgency to show up as I do to a card show where I reserved and committed to the space ahead of time. Though, I know there were some folks who were looking for me out there. Sorry!

Today I was set up at Gonzaga where I had another nice show. Gonzaga is always solid for me. My newly reloaded 1963 and 1964 Topps binders were hit hard. A big thank you to all my regulars Mark, Jason, Jack, Jeff, and to all the other guys who purchased cards today. Your purchases are greatly appreciated!!

From the WSCA concession stand, I joyously dined on some marble cake with chocolate frosting for breakfast and then had a sloppy Joe sandwich for lunch.  A big thank you to my buddy Jim for picking me up some coffee.

On the card buying front, I picked up some nice stuff today like some 1936 Goudey Fine Pens, a 1952 Bowman Football Tom Landry, and a 1954 Bowman George Blanda rookie. I was out the door by 1:15 p.m. Unfortunately, it was another two-hour drive home. This month, I completely avoided the construction-filled highway on the way home and got a little lost roaming south along the Wisconsin backroads. Again, it was a pleasant drive. I drove through some neat looking small towns that I may double back and visit again sometime.

Next week is the debut of my Milwaukee show with Mark Smith at the Clarion Airport Hotel. I plan on reloading my 1965 Topps baseball binder this week. I am also going to break out the archives and fill one or two tables of additional material that I do not normally bring out to shows. I am going to have a huge inventory out on Saturday. This should be fun!

In addition to Mark and I, other dealers include Scott and Jim Zeigert, Scott Prodzinski, Nelson Rodriquez and Willie Shabas. I suspect a few more guys will sign up this week. Though, between my expanded inventory, Mark's expanded inventory and the other guys, we should have a terrific selection of old and new sports cards along with autographs.

One of my customers today suggested I leave a table open for trading. Is anyone else out there interested in a designated spot for trading? If so, maybe you can post here as to what you have to trade and what you are seeking
. If I get several responses, I will leave a table open for guys who want some space to kick back and trade. I also appreciate any and all suggestions. My goal is to make this a unique kind of show that provides a relaxed environment to buy, sell and trade sports cards and sports memorabilia.  So please let me know what you would like out of a show.  I think we have an opportunity to create something special here.  Quite a few guys at Gonzaga today said they were planning to come out to the Clarion on Saturday. I am hopeful that everybody and their mother will make it out to the show!! Have a great week everybody and see you at the Clarion in Milwaukee next weekend!!

0 Comments

    Tony Gordon

    Vintage Sports Cards Addict

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