My memory is failing but I think I was last set up at this show in October of 2020. I stopped doing it because it is always scheduled on the day after my Oak Creek show and I'm usually pooped out. However, I now need to justify all the money I have been spending buying cards so I have been setting up at as many shows as I can until I get a handle on my inventory. You would not believe how much stuff I have accumulated! It is getting ridiculous.
At the Oak Creek show, the day before Schaumburg, I came home with far more cards than I arrived with. I need some serious help!
Back in the fall, I recall that the Hyatt Woodfield Hotel was quiet because of COVID. On this Sunday morning, the hotel was jam packed. I was disappointed at seeing the long line at the Starbucks inside the lobby.
Anyway, I was able to load in on one cart. I went with a display case set up. Nine cases and one bin of cards. The day before in Oak Creek, I went with a display case set up as well and put out baseball cards from 1909 through 1964. The next day in Schaumburg, I put out my baseball cards from 1965 to 1983 along with my football, basketball and hockey. That way, anyone who saw my display in Oak Creek the day before would see a completely different display in Schaumburg.
One of the benefits of a huge inventory is being able to switch it up from show to show. Next week I am setting up in Rockford and am leaning toward a binder set up as I did display cases there last month.
Funny, I saw the guys that accused me of being racist while I was setting up. The one guy was nice and shook my hand. I probably did the right thing by letting them back in the show.
It was so nice just being a dealer and not the promoter. I much prefer setting up as a dealer than promoting shows. A lot less stress and more opportunities to have fun. Joe is the Hyatt show promoter and he placed me out in the hall by the front door of the show along with Eric, Dell and Tom. We were all busy all day.
I had a surprisingly great day. Back in the fall, my sales were slow at this show. It just did not seem like there were many vintage collectors. On this day, however, there were a lot of vintage collectors and I sold a ton of cards, all sports.
I saw a couple old friends in T.J. and Randy who purchased cards. Thanks guys! Great to see you! I think I recognized a bunch of the other guys who purchased cards but it was tough to tell since they were all wearing face masks.
I sold a bunch of Hank Aarons, Ernie Banks, Sid Luckmans and Kareem Abdul Jabbars It was a really nice day.
On the buying front, I picked up a tough 1956 Topps baseball checklist, the tough 1957 Topps baseball advertising card, along with a pile of other stuff, including a 1958 Harlem Globetrotters program.
I waited out the crowd at the Starbucks and got some coffee and snacks. Overall, it was a great day! So great that I will set up again on December 5.
Up next for me is the Rock Church on Saturday and Buenavista Banquets on Sunday. I am a little road weary, so these will be my last shows until my next Oak Creek show on December 4. Hope to see you this weekend!