Saturday, June 1, 2024, Salvation Army Community Center, Oak Creek, WI
Traditionally, this is a difficult time of the year for card shows with competing graduation parties and youth sports. We have done surprisingly well so far at the Oak Creek Card Show with 801 people through the door on June 1.
My biggest problem in operating the show at this time of year is the large number of dealers who take a show or two off then I have to hit the wait list to fill their spots. Quite a few dealers took off the April and May shows then came back for June which created a dilemma because I added many new dealers while they were out and most of the new guys came back for June as well. So I ended up with 192 tables reserved about a week before the show when I only have space for about 185.
I was able to get it down to 187 tables by Friday before the show. Then Friday night, three dealers cancelled. One more cancelled Saturday morning and one just did not show up after confirming earlier in the week.
Luckily, quite a few guys showed up with their cards in tow looking for tables. So I was able to plug a bunch of guys in and even found some space I didn't realize I had. I think we had 188 tables on Saturday! Woot! Special thanks to Kevin, Juan, Omar, Randy and Terrance who showed up ready to set up and helped me fill the spots vacated by the cancellations.
Everything went smoothly on Saturday. No reports of theft, thankfully. I did go out and purchase a security camera, I just haven't figured out how it works yet. Once I get an understanding of how to operate it, I'll start purchasing a bunch of them to see if we can combat all the thefts and arrest some of these criminals.
So, I wear two hats at the Oak Creek show. One as show promoter and the other as card dealer.
I placed myself in Josh Brothers' spot in the back hallway as Josh was not feeling well. Feel better Josh! I brought out seven display cases and filled them with my graded cards, high-end Exhibits, my overflow raw cards and a few other odds and ends. Normally, I bring out binders to this show but I was not able to reload any of them this week and figured a lot of the customers in Oak Creek saw them last week in Madison.
Big mistake. My sales were abysmal. One of my worst shows ever in Oak Creek, after killing it last month. I will definitely be bringing out the binders to the July 6 show!!
I made up for my lack of sales with some really nice buys featuring names like Mantle and Berra.
Overall, a really fun day. I really appreciate all the dealers and all the customers who attended the show! THANK YOU!!
Next one is July 6. The July show presents in own set of problems. A lot of my regular dealers will miss the show for vacations. I will add a ton of guys from the waiting list which is ever-growing. I find in remarkable that I get calls, texts and messages for tables every single day, seven days a week. Crazy!
In the meantime, I have a crazy, crazy weekend coming up. I am setting up at the Midwest Monster in Fishers, IN, on Friday and Saturday, June 7 -8. Looking forward to seeing my buddy Mark Smith, who is setting up as well. Then Sunday, I am setting up in Janesville. I am bringing out display cases this weekend and those attending the Midwest Monster and Janesville will get a preview of my inventory I have been squirrelling away for the National. I'll have some great stuff this weekend! If you want to see any binders, let me know before I hit the road for Fishers on Thursday.
Hope to see you this weekend!
Traditionally, this is a difficult time of the year for card shows with competing graduation parties and youth sports. We have done surprisingly well so far at the Oak Creek Card Show with 801 people through the door on June 1.
My biggest problem in operating the show at this time of year is the large number of dealers who take a show or two off then I have to hit the wait list to fill their spots. Quite a few dealers took off the April and May shows then came back for June which created a dilemma because I added many new dealers while they were out and most of the new guys came back for June as well. So I ended up with 192 tables reserved about a week before the show when I only have space for about 185.
I was able to get it down to 187 tables by Friday before the show. Then Friday night, three dealers cancelled. One more cancelled Saturday morning and one just did not show up after confirming earlier in the week.
Luckily, quite a few guys showed up with their cards in tow looking for tables. So I was able to plug a bunch of guys in and even found some space I didn't realize I had. I think we had 188 tables on Saturday! Woot! Special thanks to Kevin, Juan, Omar, Randy and Terrance who showed up ready to set up and helped me fill the spots vacated by the cancellations.
Everything went smoothly on Saturday. No reports of theft, thankfully. I did go out and purchase a security camera, I just haven't figured out how it works yet. Once I get an understanding of how to operate it, I'll start purchasing a bunch of them to see if we can combat all the thefts and arrest some of these criminals.
So, I wear two hats at the Oak Creek show. One as show promoter and the other as card dealer.
I placed myself in Josh Brothers' spot in the back hallway as Josh was not feeling well. Feel better Josh! I brought out seven display cases and filled them with my graded cards, high-end Exhibits, my overflow raw cards and a few other odds and ends. Normally, I bring out binders to this show but I was not able to reload any of them this week and figured a lot of the customers in Oak Creek saw them last week in Madison.
Big mistake. My sales were abysmal. One of my worst shows ever in Oak Creek, after killing it last month. I will definitely be bringing out the binders to the July 6 show!!
I made up for my lack of sales with some really nice buys featuring names like Mantle and Berra.
Overall, a really fun day. I really appreciate all the dealers and all the customers who attended the show! THANK YOU!!
Next one is July 6. The July show presents in own set of problems. A lot of my regular dealers will miss the show for vacations. I will add a ton of guys from the waiting list which is ever-growing. I find in remarkable that I get calls, texts and messages for tables every single day, seven days a week. Crazy!
In the meantime, I have a crazy, crazy weekend coming up. I am setting up at the Midwest Monster in Fishers, IN, on Friday and Saturday, June 7 -8. Looking forward to seeing my buddy Mark Smith, who is setting up as well. Then Sunday, I am setting up in Janesville. I am bringing out display cases this weekend and those attending the Midwest Monster and Janesville will get a preview of my inventory I have been squirrelling away for the National. I'll have some great stuff this weekend! If you want to see any binders, let me know before I hit the road for Fishers on Thursday.
Hope to see you this weekend!
RSS Feed