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!!
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!!
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