Saturday, May 11, 2024, Kalamazoo Expo Center, Kalamazoo, MI
I have been eyeing Kalamazoo for years. I tried a few times to reserve tables at the regular Wings Event Center show but was never successful. My interest in Kalamazoo piqued when I sold quite a few cards to Kalamazoo collectors who attended the show in South Bend last fall. When I observed one of promoter Anthony Nichols many online posts about the expo center show, I jumped on it and was able to land two tables. Woot!
As with most of the shows I attend in Michigan and northern Indiana, I spent Friday night at my folks' place in New Buffalo, MI. I had an easy drive to Kalamazoo Saturday morning -- about an hour and fifteen minutes.
Once at the expo center, I had difficulty finding the building housing the show. The first building I entered was gearing up for a flea market. I went to the main entry to the expo center where I found all the doors locked. I then saw a couple of older Michigan sports card guys I have known for years, so I knew I was in the right place. Though, I was a little worried that they did not know which building houses the card show.
Eventually, I found the right spot in the back of the complex. The building housing the card show was four times the size of the one housing the flea market. However, I made a mental note about the flea market and want to come back sometime and check it out. I love flea markets. It is tough to find a good indoor flea market and this one looked pretty good.
I parked near one of the loading docks, which was a mistake as I noticed after the show that someone dinged my passenger door. Sucks!
Anyway, Anthony had my table labeled and it was easy to find. Load in went smoothly. I went with the display case set up because I am still working on my 1971 Topps baseball binder. I don't like to bring out the binders when I do not have a new reload ready to go. I have been pricing cards for my display cases since returning from Strongsville last month.
I placed out nine display cases and was able to put out all of my baseball cards and about a dozen or so football cards. I did not know any of the dealers around me. There was a young guy to my left with modern sports cards. His dad later arrived and swiped one of my chairs and essentially sat behind one of my tables most of the show. Customers asked him about cards in my cases. I did not really mind him swiping the chair though I felt he should have asked me first. I did mind him sitting behind my table. There was plenty of room behind his son's table. Why didn't he sit there?
To my right was a guy with a mix of modern and vintage sports cards. A super nice guy. I chatted with him most of the show. He is a high school principal somewhere north of Kalamazoo.
Across from me was a daughter and dad team, who also had a mix of modern and vintage sports. Next to the daughter and dad was an older guy whose table was filled with Topps Heritage baseball. Nice guy. I chatted with him for a while.
The show was huge. Looked like 200 tables. There was a nice mix of stuff there. Quite a bit of vintage. There was also a concession stand. Woot! I grabbed a cup of coffee and a doughnut after completing set up. I promptly burnt my tongue on the coffee. Ugh!
I had a lot of interest early on. Seemed like four or five people were intently viewing my display cases at all times.
My first sale was to a young guy who purchased four different Ron Santo cards. I observed quite a few Cubs fans, though, Tigers fans definitely dominated the day. Quite a few guys picked out various Tiger cards from my display cases. One of the older guys that I saw earlier outside, purchased a pile of 1960 Topps baseball for his set. The other guy is a lowballer. I used to dump some stuff on him prior to the pandemic but no longer need to do so. Also, I just can't purchase cards as cheaply as I could in the old days and can no longer deal with these types of lowballers. Time to pony up buddy!
Sales were pretty steady the first hour of the show. Then a husband and wife team who had a couple of very young kids in tow, purchased my 1957 Topps Mickey Mantle. I think this was around 10 a.m. and I felt I could have gone home after that sale. Glad I stayed because sales continued all morning into the afternoon and up until the very end of the show. Needless to say, I had my best show of the year. Woot!
I had quite a few vintage set builders. My people! However, I noticed that many of them were very picky on condition. I carry a mix of condition. I am not a big fan of the picky folks. I know the flaws on the cards. I consider the flaws when I price them out. I really dislike snotty comments. Regardless, I had an awesome day!
On the buying front, nada, nothing. I only purchased some supplies. Quite a few kids offered to sell me modern cards. A few months ago, I decided to stop explaining to them that I only purchase vintage because they do not seem to understand. Now, I just politely decline their offers.
A mother and daughter offered to sell me a Hartland Hank Aaron statue for $150. The price seemed reasonable but I was not 100 percent certain that the Aaron was original. Also, I already have an Aaron Hartland. The mother gave me some spiel on how she was selling it to obtain funds for dental work.
A young guy offered to sell me a 1953 Topps baseball common and some sort of Allen Iverson card. I declined. Two older guys, who looked like brothers, offered to sell me a box of 1968 Topps Tigers. I did not ask for a price. I have a huge inventory of 1968's and do not need any more... other than a Ryan rookie. Then a middle-aged guy had three random vintage cards, one was a fake 1968 Mantle. I told him the card was fake. He responded that he could not remember where he originally obtained the card. I hope no one purchased that fake. I walked the room looking for some deals but none were to be had. I am always a little bummed out when I leave a show without making any purchases.
I saw a few guys walking the show that I knew like Duke, Jason G., Mitch LaRock, and the two guys who were set up across from me at the Willowbrook show. Several guys, who I did not know, said they read this blog. Thanks guys!
Overall, a tremendous day with lights out sales. I am not sure when Anthony is running another show but I definitely want to set up in Kalamazoo again!
In the meantime, I have a double bill weekend coming up. The Woodstock show, originally scheduled for May 18, has been cancelled due to graduation at the high school. In its place, I booked the FOP Lodge show in Michigan City for May 18. I was set up there with my dad last summer and we both bombed. I always like to give shows a second chance. I am hoping for better results this Saturday. I am planning to bring out binders. Come on out!
Then on Sunday, May 19, 2024, I am returning to Orland Park after missing the April show due to Strongsville. I love the Orland show and am looking forward to it!
On a sad note, my good friends Jim and Scott Ziegert lost Jim's wife of 58 years. I am so sorry. I have known Jim and Scott for 25 years now. I first met them at the old Gonzaga show in Milwaukee. They have become such good friends. They are some of my favorite people. My thoughts and prayers are with them and their entire family.
After the Kalamazoo show, I had time to kill so I decided to take off roads back to New Buffalo instead of driving I94 which is filled with trucks clogging the lanes. I had a tough time winding my way out of Kalamazoo and got lost a few times. I eventually made it to the highway and drove 20 minutes west before hopping off on a state road that ran south. What luck! The road was beautiful. It was extremely hilly and I drove by a dozen or so lakes, through some forests and along many farms. I did not know how rural it is in this part of Michigan.
I eventually reached Highway 12 which goes through the heart of New Buffalo. I took 12 about 30 miles until I reached New Buffalo. I observed that 12 was flatter than the previous road and filled with farms. Overall, an enjoyable ride and a great way to cap off an enjoyable day!
Hope to see you next week in Michigan City and Orland!!!
I found this YouTube video, click link below, from a customer I met at the Kalamazoo show. He was at my tables a long time and made some purchases.
So, I Went to a Card Show Today + a Lot of Other Pickups (youtube.com)
I have been eyeing Kalamazoo for years. I tried a few times to reserve tables at the regular Wings Event Center show but was never successful. My interest in Kalamazoo piqued when I sold quite a few cards to Kalamazoo collectors who attended the show in South Bend last fall. When I observed one of promoter Anthony Nichols many online posts about the expo center show, I jumped on it and was able to land two tables. Woot!
As with most of the shows I attend in Michigan and northern Indiana, I spent Friday night at my folks' place in New Buffalo, MI. I had an easy drive to Kalamazoo Saturday morning -- about an hour and fifteen minutes.
Once at the expo center, I had difficulty finding the building housing the show. The first building I entered was gearing up for a flea market. I went to the main entry to the expo center where I found all the doors locked. I then saw a couple of older Michigan sports card guys I have known for years, so I knew I was in the right place. Though, I was a little worried that they did not know which building houses the card show.
Eventually, I found the right spot in the back of the complex. The building housing the card show was four times the size of the one housing the flea market. However, I made a mental note about the flea market and want to come back sometime and check it out. I love flea markets. It is tough to find a good indoor flea market and this one looked pretty good.
I parked near one of the loading docks, which was a mistake as I noticed after the show that someone dinged my passenger door. Sucks!
Anyway, Anthony had my table labeled and it was easy to find. Load in went smoothly. I went with the display case set up because I am still working on my 1971 Topps baseball binder. I don't like to bring out the binders when I do not have a new reload ready to go. I have been pricing cards for my display cases since returning from Strongsville last month.
I placed out nine display cases and was able to put out all of my baseball cards and about a dozen or so football cards. I did not know any of the dealers around me. There was a young guy to my left with modern sports cards. His dad later arrived and swiped one of my chairs and essentially sat behind one of my tables most of the show. Customers asked him about cards in my cases. I did not really mind him swiping the chair though I felt he should have asked me first. I did mind him sitting behind my table. There was plenty of room behind his son's table. Why didn't he sit there?
To my right was a guy with a mix of modern and vintage sports cards. A super nice guy. I chatted with him most of the show. He is a high school principal somewhere north of Kalamazoo.
Across from me was a daughter and dad team, who also had a mix of modern and vintage sports. Next to the daughter and dad was an older guy whose table was filled with Topps Heritage baseball. Nice guy. I chatted with him for a while.
The show was huge. Looked like 200 tables. There was a nice mix of stuff there. Quite a bit of vintage. There was also a concession stand. Woot! I grabbed a cup of coffee and a doughnut after completing set up. I promptly burnt my tongue on the coffee. Ugh!
I had a lot of interest early on. Seemed like four or five people were intently viewing my display cases at all times.
My first sale was to a young guy who purchased four different Ron Santo cards. I observed quite a few Cubs fans, though, Tigers fans definitely dominated the day. Quite a few guys picked out various Tiger cards from my display cases. One of the older guys that I saw earlier outside, purchased a pile of 1960 Topps baseball for his set. The other guy is a lowballer. I used to dump some stuff on him prior to the pandemic but no longer need to do so. Also, I just can't purchase cards as cheaply as I could in the old days and can no longer deal with these types of lowballers. Time to pony up buddy!
Sales were pretty steady the first hour of the show. Then a husband and wife team who had a couple of very young kids in tow, purchased my 1957 Topps Mickey Mantle. I think this was around 10 a.m. and I felt I could have gone home after that sale. Glad I stayed because sales continued all morning into the afternoon and up until the very end of the show. Needless to say, I had my best show of the year. Woot!
I had quite a few vintage set builders. My people! However, I noticed that many of them were very picky on condition. I carry a mix of condition. I am not a big fan of the picky folks. I know the flaws on the cards. I consider the flaws when I price them out. I really dislike snotty comments. Regardless, I had an awesome day!
On the buying front, nada, nothing. I only purchased some supplies. Quite a few kids offered to sell me modern cards. A few months ago, I decided to stop explaining to them that I only purchase vintage because they do not seem to understand. Now, I just politely decline their offers.
A mother and daughter offered to sell me a Hartland Hank Aaron statue for $150. The price seemed reasonable but I was not 100 percent certain that the Aaron was original. Also, I already have an Aaron Hartland. The mother gave me some spiel on how she was selling it to obtain funds for dental work.
A young guy offered to sell me a 1953 Topps baseball common and some sort of Allen Iverson card. I declined. Two older guys, who looked like brothers, offered to sell me a box of 1968 Topps Tigers. I did not ask for a price. I have a huge inventory of 1968's and do not need any more... other than a Ryan rookie. Then a middle-aged guy had three random vintage cards, one was a fake 1968 Mantle. I told him the card was fake. He responded that he could not remember where he originally obtained the card. I hope no one purchased that fake. I walked the room looking for some deals but none were to be had. I am always a little bummed out when I leave a show without making any purchases.
I saw a few guys walking the show that I knew like Duke, Jason G., Mitch LaRock, and the two guys who were set up across from me at the Willowbrook show. Several guys, who I did not know, said they read this blog. Thanks guys!
Overall, a tremendous day with lights out sales. I am not sure when Anthony is running another show but I definitely want to set up in Kalamazoo again!
In the meantime, I have a double bill weekend coming up. The Woodstock show, originally scheduled for May 18, has been cancelled due to graduation at the high school. In its place, I booked the FOP Lodge show in Michigan City for May 18. I was set up there with my dad last summer and we both bombed. I always like to give shows a second chance. I am hoping for better results this Saturday. I am planning to bring out binders. Come on out!
Then on Sunday, May 19, 2024, I am returning to Orland Park after missing the April show due to Strongsville. I love the Orland show and am looking forward to it!
On a sad note, my good friends Jim and Scott Ziegert lost Jim's wife of 58 years. I am so sorry. I have known Jim and Scott for 25 years now. I first met them at the old Gonzaga show in Milwaukee. They have become such good friends. They are some of my favorite people. My thoughts and prayers are with them and their entire family.
After the Kalamazoo show, I had time to kill so I decided to take off roads back to New Buffalo instead of driving I94 which is filled with trucks clogging the lanes. I had a tough time winding my way out of Kalamazoo and got lost a few times. I eventually made it to the highway and drove 20 minutes west before hopping off on a state road that ran south. What luck! The road was beautiful. It was extremely hilly and I drove by a dozen or so lakes, through some forests and along many farms. I did not know how rural it is in this part of Michigan.
I eventually reached Highway 12 which goes through the heart of New Buffalo. I took 12 about 30 miles until I reached New Buffalo. I observed that 12 was flatter than the previous road and filled with farms. Overall, an enjoyable ride and a great way to cap off an enjoyable day!
Hope to see you next week in Michigan City and Orland!!!
I found this YouTube video, click link below, from a customer I met at the Kalamazoo show. He was at my tables a long time and made some purchases.
So, I Went to a Card Show Today + a Lot of Other Pickups (youtube.com)
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