Saturday, September 17, 2022, KI Convention Center, Green Bay, WI
As you may recall, I was scheduled to set up at this show, which is quarterly, back in the spring and my car broke down on the way up. I have since purchased a new car, though, I was awfully nervous when I drove by the spot where my old car broke down.
I was up before dawn for the drive which took about two hours and a half. Load in was easy. My tables were located next to Scotty P. My diabetes was acting up and I spent a lot of time in the bathroom. Thanks Scotty for covering my tables while I was gone!
After setting up, I went over to the hotel restaurant and ordered some breakfast. In line, I talked with a former Packer, I am not sure exactly who but he was definitely a football player. Apparently, quite a few former Packers were roaming around and fans were following after them to get autographs.
Slow arriving crowd. I was a little worried early on as no sales came in the first hour. Then the crowd arrived and it was steady all day. I had an excellent day!!
For the most part, just about all of my customers were folks seeing me for the first time. It has been years since I last set up in Green Gay and I never really had any regular customers in these parts.
I had flyers for my Oak Creek show on my table and when the new customers saw the flyers, to a man, they all asked about the Gonzaga show. Only a handful were aware of the Oak Creek show. I hope some of them make the trek to the October 1 show.
The KI Convention Center show is run by Matt Lambrecht who did a phenomenal job. He hustled to get the word out prior to the show. Matt was also a gracious host. He checked with each dealer to see if they were okay. He brought me a couple of diet Cokes, which was awesome. Thank you Matt!
I also have to thank Jason Galleske who ran across the street to get me a cup of coffee first thing in the morning. Thanks Jason! I need my coffee! Jason also sponsored a trade night on Friday night that I hear went extremely well.
After 10 a.m., sales were steady all day. I had one guy come by my tables at least six times before he finally purchased something. The first visit was while I was setting up. He was interested in my 1958 Topps Ted Williams. On the second time he brought me a small box of 1958 Topps commons that he wanted to trade for the Williams. I guess he did not read my last blog where I was pretty clear that I do not like to trade. Surprisingly, I told him I was not interested in trading my Ted Williams for a bunch of crappy commons.
The third time he came by, he asked for my best price on the Williams. I offered a slight discount. He did not pull the trigger. At this point, I thought this guy was a mope. About the sixth time, he asked to see my 1964 Philadelphia football stars. He asked for a price on just about all of them. I was amazed when he pulled the trigger and handed me some $100 dollar bills. I take back that mope assessment.
Quite a few guys came by several times. I met one guy who said he grew up in Rockford and now lives in Green Bay. He purchased a pile of stuff. He also showed me some photos of his collection -- pretty great stuff! The two guys I know from the Oak Creek show, who regularly shop with my buddy Dave, purchased a bunch of cards. Then I chatted with Rex who said he attends all of the Oak Creek shows. He purchased a pile of stuff.
Sorry, I can not remember exactly what everyone purchased. I was too tired to take notes, having woken up at 4 a.m. I brought out display cases and by the end of the show there were quite a few empty spaces in the cases. I was really pleased.
At least four or five guys were set builders and showed up at my table with their lists in tow. I love the set builders!
On the buying front, only one person offered me anything. It was a small box with a weird assortment of cards. There were about 40 or 50 1973-74 Topps basketball cards, including a Pete Maravich and a Dave Cowens. Then the rest of the box had baseball from 1975 to 1983, including a 1976 Topps George Brett. I offered $30 for the box and the seller accepted.
I had some down time in the afternoon and walked the show. The room was huge and there were dealer tables in the hallways as well. I am not sure how many dealers or tables total but there was easily over 150 tables. As a vintage guy, I always like to check out the vintage dealers. I think I may have been the only dealer that was solely vintage. Several others had a hybrid modern-vintage set up. I did not see any deals.
This is definitely a modern card show. I don't think I would do well with my binders. I had a real nice day with the display cases.
Load out was just as easy loading in. The drive home was rough. I should have brought some insulin with me. I suffered through a four-hour drive home. The extended time was due to my high blood sugar and a constant need to pull over and hit the bathroom. Next time I do this show, I will bring along some insulin.
I think I paid $3.35 a gallon for gas as I was leaving Green Bay. That may be the cheapest gas I have seen in two years.
Next show at the KI Convention Center in Green Bay is slated for December 10, 2022. Unfortunately, I have a conflict because the Rock Church show is also slated for December 10. It is a shame I can't do both shows! I will probably set up at Rock Church because it is sooo much closer to home. Hopefully, I can make it back to some of the Green Bay shows next year.
A huge thank you to Matt, Jason, Scotty along with everybody who purchased cards. Except for my stupid diabetes, I had a really great day and fun time.
It was a double bill weekend, once again. I was set up in Orland on Sunday. Orland blog coming soon.
I have another double bill weekend coming up with Madison on Saturday and my Vintage Pop-up Shop on Sunday.
Next Oak Creek show is October 1 and dealer tables are SOLD OUT!
Have a great week everybody!!
As you may recall, I was scheduled to set up at this show, which is quarterly, back in the spring and my car broke down on the way up. I have since purchased a new car, though, I was awfully nervous when I drove by the spot where my old car broke down.
I was up before dawn for the drive which took about two hours and a half. Load in was easy. My tables were located next to Scotty P. My diabetes was acting up and I spent a lot of time in the bathroom. Thanks Scotty for covering my tables while I was gone!
After setting up, I went over to the hotel restaurant and ordered some breakfast. In line, I talked with a former Packer, I am not sure exactly who but he was definitely a football player. Apparently, quite a few former Packers were roaming around and fans were following after them to get autographs.
Slow arriving crowd. I was a little worried early on as no sales came in the first hour. Then the crowd arrived and it was steady all day. I had an excellent day!!
For the most part, just about all of my customers were folks seeing me for the first time. It has been years since I last set up in Green Gay and I never really had any regular customers in these parts.
I had flyers for my Oak Creek show on my table and when the new customers saw the flyers, to a man, they all asked about the Gonzaga show. Only a handful were aware of the Oak Creek show. I hope some of them make the trek to the October 1 show.
The KI Convention Center show is run by Matt Lambrecht who did a phenomenal job. He hustled to get the word out prior to the show. Matt was also a gracious host. He checked with each dealer to see if they were okay. He brought me a couple of diet Cokes, which was awesome. Thank you Matt!
I also have to thank Jason Galleske who ran across the street to get me a cup of coffee first thing in the morning. Thanks Jason! I need my coffee! Jason also sponsored a trade night on Friday night that I hear went extremely well.
After 10 a.m., sales were steady all day. I had one guy come by my tables at least six times before he finally purchased something. The first visit was while I was setting up. He was interested in my 1958 Topps Ted Williams. On the second time he brought me a small box of 1958 Topps commons that he wanted to trade for the Williams. I guess he did not read my last blog where I was pretty clear that I do not like to trade. Surprisingly, I told him I was not interested in trading my Ted Williams for a bunch of crappy commons.
The third time he came by, he asked for my best price on the Williams. I offered a slight discount. He did not pull the trigger. At this point, I thought this guy was a mope. About the sixth time, he asked to see my 1964 Philadelphia football stars. He asked for a price on just about all of them. I was amazed when he pulled the trigger and handed me some $100 dollar bills. I take back that mope assessment.
Quite a few guys came by several times. I met one guy who said he grew up in Rockford and now lives in Green Bay. He purchased a pile of stuff. He also showed me some photos of his collection -- pretty great stuff! The two guys I know from the Oak Creek show, who regularly shop with my buddy Dave, purchased a bunch of cards. Then I chatted with Rex who said he attends all of the Oak Creek shows. He purchased a pile of stuff.
Sorry, I can not remember exactly what everyone purchased. I was too tired to take notes, having woken up at 4 a.m. I brought out display cases and by the end of the show there were quite a few empty spaces in the cases. I was really pleased.
At least four or five guys were set builders and showed up at my table with their lists in tow. I love the set builders!
On the buying front, only one person offered me anything. It was a small box with a weird assortment of cards. There were about 40 or 50 1973-74 Topps basketball cards, including a Pete Maravich and a Dave Cowens. Then the rest of the box had baseball from 1975 to 1983, including a 1976 Topps George Brett. I offered $30 for the box and the seller accepted.
I had some down time in the afternoon and walked the show. The room was huge and there were dealer tables in the hallways as well. I am not sure how many dealers or tables total but there was easily over 150 tables. As a vintage guy, I always like to check out the vintage dealers. I think I may have been the only dealer that was solely vintage. Several others had a hybrid modern-vintage set up. I did not see any deals.
This is definitely a modern card show. I don't think I would do well with my binders. I had a real nice day with the display cases.
Load out was just as easy loading in. The drive home was rough. I should have brought some insulin with me. I suffered through a four-hour drive home. The extended time was due to my high blood sugar and a constant need to pull over and hit the bathroom. Next time I do this show, I will bring along some insulin.
I think I paid $3.35 a gallon for gas as I was leaving Green Bay. That may be the cheapest gas I have seen in two years.
Next show at the KI Convention Center in Green Bay is slated for December 10, 2022. Unfortunately, I have a conflict because the Rock Church show is also slated for December 10. It is a shame I can't do both shows! I will probably set up at Rock Church because it is sooo much closer to home. Hopefully, I can make it back to some of the Green Bay shows next year.
A huge thank you to Matt, Jason, Scotty along with everybody who purchased cards. Except for my stupid diabetes, I had a really great day and fun time.
It was a double bill weekend, once again. I was set up in Orland on Sunday. Orland blog coming soon.
I have another double bill weekend coming up with Madison on Saturday and my Vintage Pop-up Shop on Sunday.
Next Oak Creek show is October 1 and dealer tables are SOLD OUT!
Have a great week everybody!!
RSS Feed