Sunday, July 10, 2022, Woodfield Hyatt, Schaumburg, IL
I love this show for the sole fact that it is 20 minutes from home. After waking up at 4 a.m. then driving three hours to Fort Wayne on Saturday, it sure was nice to sleep in until 6:30 a.m. then just hop, skip and a jump to Schaumburg.
Today the show was located by the front door, in two rooms and a hallway. I was located in the second, smaller room. The show is normally located in the basement which I don't really like because I have to cart my stuff in an elevator to get down there. It is so much easier to load in and out on the first floor.
Nice crowd though it seems like they stayed in the hallway and the other room. Our room was dead most of the day.
I was set up next to my pal Tony Schaefer who has some of the best vintage cards around. I love looking through his display cases. Tony was set up on Saturday at the new show at the Skyline Room in Rosemont. I did not set up at the Rosemont show because I already committed to Fort Wayne.
Looks like this Skyline Room show is sponsored by four or five different groups. I learned that one of the sponsors is this real dickhead who I have had problems with in the past. He hides the large green carts that the folks at the Orland show provide to the dealers to use to load in and out. So, he'll sit there at the end of the show and not let anyone use the cart. I once asked him to use the cart and he said no. It is not HIS CART! Super A-hole. So you won't ever find me at the Skyline show, EVER!
Tony said the Skyline Room show had a nice crowd but hardly any vintage buyers. I figured there would not be much in the way of vintage dealers or buyers at that show since Mr. Dickhead is a modern card dealer. Usually if it is a new show and the promoter is a modern card dealer there is not much vintage at the show.
I received flyers at the Schaumburg show for two more new shows. I won't set up because I know there won't be any vintage buyers at those shows.
I felt bad for Tony who had a rough show in Rosemont then a rough show in Schaumburg. I don't know why I set up at the Schaumburg show because there are very few vintage buyers there. I had a lousy show as well.
The thing is that Tony's set up is freakin' phenomenal!! There is no reason he should not kill it every time he sets up. The quality of my set up pales in comparison to Tony's. I brought out some 50-cent boxes, sold a little; all of my baseball and football binders, sold a little; and my display case of sets and lot which did not sell at all.
Tony had T cards, Goudeys, and big name post-War galore. Just an amazing set up.
A big thank you to Randy, Rich and a couple of new customers who did make some purchases with me.
I did make some nice buys. I bought a Bob Griese rookie off of Junior. Then a random guy had about 200 1964 and 1965 Philadelphia football cards with a handful of stars which I purchased for $100. I was really happy with the football cards.
Even though I kind of really sucked it on my sales, I had a real nice time. I don't get to see Tony that often so it was fun to hang out with him. Then on my other side was Tom Mularz who I always enjoy hanging out with. It was also real nice to see Lou and Donny, who were set up out in the hallway. Then I got to chat with Dell, Jeff P. and Jeff T., Ed and John. All good guys who I enjoy hanging out with.
So I went home with a few pennies but a smile on my face because I had a good time.
I have to mention Joe the promoter of the Schaumburg show who is just an outstanding dude who gave me a break on my table fee when he learned that I bombed out. Super nice guy. I was willing to pay full price. It wasn't Joe's fault that my sales were poor. He does an excellent job bringing in a large crowd.
Joe's kindness is one of the main reasons I am coming back on August 7. I am not sure what to bring out, though. I won't bring out the football binders. I don't think I sold any football cards. I'll bring out the hockey and basketball and see how it goes. If you are planning on attending the August 7th Schaumburg show and want me to bring out something particular, let me know.
In the meantime, I have another double bill weekend scheduled with Woodstock on Saturday, July 16, and Root River on Sunday, July 17. I think I am a little burnt out on the binders after having three lousy shows in a row with them. I won't bring them out until I finish reloading my 1961 Topps baseball binder. I am bringing out the hockey binders next weekend as I had a request for them.
But for the most part, I will be bringing out some display cases next weekend, along with some cheapy boxes. I might bring out some 1980's and 1990's wax after watching my neighbor in Fort Wayne sell out of his wax on Saturday. I also might give the publications another try. Then I haven't brought out my vintage baseball gloves in a while. I might dust them off and bring them out next weekend. I gotta improve my sales which are in steep decline these past three shows.
I think the problem is there are just too many shows and too few vintage buyers. It is a modern card world. Tony was commenting on Sunday that when he started setting up at shows it used to be 80 percent vintage, now it is like 5 percent vintage. It is a strange new world, especially for us vintage guys.
Even though there are more and more new shows popping up, I am probably going to cut back on my show schedule real soon. The sales just are not there for me.
However, I have been tossing around this idea for a while -- how about a vintage-only show in beautiful Palatine, Illinois. Anybody interested? There is a community center down the street from my office in Palatine that would be ideal for a vintage-only show. If I can get enough interest, I'll go ahead and book the show. Let me know if you would be interested in setting up as a dealer or attending a vintage-only card show.
UPDATE: So after I wrote this blog, I started thinking more about a vintage-only show in Palatine. I decided to resurrect my Pop-Up Shop at my law office. Folks really liked those when I ran them last year. I am going to change it up and allow other vintage dealers to set up with me. I can probably fit 11 or 12 tables in my office. One or two tables per dealer. Just 25 bucks per table. I am going to run the first one on September 25. If I get an overwhelming response from dealers, I'll move it to a larger location nearby. If you are a vintage dealer and want to set up at my Vintage-Only Pop-Up Shop, let me know. You can email me at abrandongordon@hotmail.com
Speaking of vintage, there is always a TON of vintage at my Oak Creek show. Next Oak Creek show is August 6.
See you soon!
I love this show for the sole fact that it is 20 minutes from home. After waking up at 4 a.m. then driving three hours to Fort Wayne on Saturday, it sure was nice to sleep in until 6:30 a.m. then just hop, skip and a jump to Schaumburg.
Today the show was located by the front door, in two rooms and a hallway. I was located in the second, smaller room. The show is normally located in the basement which I don't really like because I have to cart my stuff in an elevator to get down there. It is so much easier to load in and out on the first floor.
Nice crowd though it seems like they stayed in the hallway and the other room. Our room was dead most of the day.
I was set up next to my pal Tony Schaefer who has some of the best vintage cards around. I love looking through his display cases. Tony was set up on Saturday at the new show at the Skyline Room in Rosemont. I did not set up at the Rosemont show because I already committed to Fort Wayne.
Looks like this Skyline Room show is sponsored by four or five different groups. I learned that one of the sponsors is this real dickhead who I have had problems with in the past. He hides the large green carts that the folks at the Orland show provide to the dealers to use to load in and out. So, he'll sit there at the end of the show and not let anyone use the cart. I once asked him to use the cart and he said no. It is not HIS CART! Super A-hole. So you won't ever find me at the Skyline show, EVER!
Tony said the Skyline Room show had a nice crowd but hardly any vintage buyers. I figured there would not be much in the way of vintage dealers or buyers at that show since Mr. Dickhead is a modern card dealer. Usually if it is a new show and the promoter is a modern card dealer there is not much vintage at the show.
I received flyers at the Schaumburg show for two more new shows. I won't set up because I know there won't be any vintage buyers at those shows.
I felt bad for Tony who had a rough show in Rosemont then a rough show in Schaumburg. I don't know why I set up at the Schaumburg show because there are very few vintage buyers there. I had a lousy show as well.
The thing is that Tony's set up is freakin' phenomenal!! There is no reason he should not kill it every time he sets up. The quality of my set up pales in comparison to Tony's. I brought out some 50-cent boxes, sold a little; all of my baseball and football binders, sold a little; and my display case of sets and lot which did not sell at all.
Tony had T cards, Goudeys, and big name post-War galore. Just an amazing set up.
A big thank you to Randy, Rich and a couple of new customers who did make some purchases with me.
I did make some nice buys. I bought a Bob Griese rookie off of Junior. Then a random guy had about 200 1964 and 1965 Philadelphia football cards with a handful of stars which I purchased for $100. I was really happy with the football cards.
Even though I kind of really sucked it on my sales, I had a real nice time. I don't get to see Tony that often so it was fun to hang out with him. Then on my other side was Tom Mularz who I always enjoy hanging out with. It was also real nice to see Lou and Donny, who were set up out in the hallway. Then I got to chat with Dell, Jeff P. and Jeff T., Ed and John. All good guys who I enjoy hanging out with.
So I went home with a few pennies but a smile on my face because I had a good time.
I have to mention Joe the promoter of the Schaumburg show who is just an outstanding dude who gave me a break on my table fee when he learned that I bombed out. Super nice guy. I was willing to pay full price. It wasn't Joe's fault that my sales were poor. He does an excellent job bringing in a large crowd.
Joe's kindness is one of the main reasons I am coming back on August 7. I am not sure what to bring out, though. I won't bring out the football binders. I don't think I sold any football cards. I'll bring out the hockey and basketball and see how it goes. If you are planning on attending the August 7th Schaumburg show and want me to bring out something particular, let me know.
In the meantime, I have another double bill weekend scheduled with Woodstock on Saturday, July 16, and Root River on Sunday, July 17. I think I am a little burnt out on the binders after having three lousy shows in a row with them. I won't bring them out until I finish reloading my 1961 Topps baseball binder. I am bringing out the hockey binders next weekend as I had a request for them.
But for the most part, I will be bringing out some display cases next weekend, along with some cheapy boxes. I might bring out some 1980's and 1990's wax after watching my neighbor in Fort Wayne sell out of his wax on Saturday. I also might give the publications another try. Then I haven't brought out my vintage baseball gloves in a while. I might dust them off and bring them out next weekend. I gotta improve my sales which are in steep decline these past three shows.
I think the problem is there are just too many shows and too few vintage buyers. It is a modern card world. Tony was commenting on Sunday that when he started setting up at shows it used to be 80 percent vintage, now it is like 5 percent vintage. It is a strange new world, especially for us vintage guys.
Even though there are more and more new shows popping up, I am probably going to cut back on my show schedule real soon. The sales just are not there for me.
However, I have been tossing around this idea for a while -- how about a vintage-only show in beautiful Palatine, Illinois. Anybody interested? There is a community center down the street from my office in Palatine that would be ideal for a vintage-only show. If I can get enough interest, I'll go ahead and book the show. Let me know if you would be interested in setting up as a dealer or attending a vintage-only card show.
UPDATE: So after I wrote this blog, I started thinking more about a vintage-only show in Palatine. I decided to resurrect my Pop-Up Shop at my law office. Folks really liked those when I ran them last year. I am going to change it up and allow other vintage dealers to set up with me. I can probably fit 11 or 12 tables in my office. One or two tables per dealer. Just 25 bucks per table. I am going to run the first one on September 25. If I get an overwhelming response from dealers, I'll move it to a larger location nearby. If you are a vintage dealer and want to set up at my Vintage-Only Pop-Up Shop, let me know. You can email me at abrandongordon@hotmail.com
Speaking of vintage, there is always a TON of vintage at my Oak Creek show. Next Oak Creek show is August 6.
See you soon!
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