Saturday, November 5, 2016, Clarion Hotel, Milwaukee
After more than two years of running the show, my Clarion show is smooth sailing. I get there are 7 a.m. and always have to arrange the tables. Then the dealers mosey on in. Gary has been bringing doughnuts which is much appreciated. I had a full house of dealers with Phil taking five tables along the back wall. We had a nice mix of modern and vintage cards in the room.
Jerome and Mark are always the first customers in the door. I always look forward to seeing these guys. Jerome pulled out a nice group of cards from my newly reloaded 1962 Topps baseball binder. We had a steady flow of customers. I purchased a 1969 Topps Mickey Mantle, so I was happy.
I ended up having an excellent day with both buying and selling.
Sunday, November 6, 2016, Wyndham Garden, Schaumburg, Illinois
I am starting to get used to the tight space in the middle of the room with Don. We had a nice show. I sold a bunch of stuff and picked up a 1962 Topps Yaz and a 1975-76 Topps Moses Malone rookie. I also nabbed some breakfast buffet.
Sunday, November 13, 2016, Gonzaga Hall, Milwaukee, WI
Another typical great Gonzaga show.
Friday to Sunday, November 18 to 20, Fanatics Show, Stephens Center, Rosemont, IL
I arrived Thursday night for set up. We were in a new spot next to the hockey guy who covers his tables in a large clear plastic sheet and across from the guys from Detroit who dress up in costumes.
I had to work Friday and did not arrive at the show till late in the afternoon. A bunch of Cubs players were scheduled to sign autographs. The place was an absolute mob scene. Apparently, there was a huge line to get into the place. The folks that run this show changed the way they let people into the room, causing a huge delay and people were pissed off. Some waited an hour or more to get in. This show has been going on for 30 years or so, there has NEVER been a wait to get in. Somehow the Fanatics people did not get the memo stating -- if it ain't broke, don't fix it!
After more than two years of running the show, my Clarion show is smooth sailing. I get there are 7 a.m. and always have to arrange the tables. Then the dealers mosey on in. Gary has been bringing doughnuts which is much appreciated. I had a full house of dealers with Phil taking five tables along the back wall. We had a nice mix of modern and vintage cards in the room.
Jerome and Mark are always the first customers in the door. I always look forward to seeing these guys. Jerome pulled out a nice group of cards from my newly reloaded 1962 Topps baseball binder. We had a steady flow of customers. I purchased a 1969 Topps Mickey Mantle, so I was happy.
I ended up having an excellent day with both buying and selling.
Sunday, November 6, 2016, Wyndham Garden, Schaumburg, Illinois
I am starting to get used to the tight space in the middle of the room with Don. We had a nice show. I sold a bunch of stuff and picked up a 1962 Topps Yaz and a 1975-76 Topps Moses Malone rookie. I also nabbed some breakfast buffet.
Sunday, November 13, 2016, Gonzaga Hall, Milwaukee, WI
Another typical great Gonzaga show.
Friday to Sunday, November 18 to 20, Fanatics Show, Stephens Center, Rosemont, IL
I arrived Thursday night for set up. We were in a new spot next to the hockey guy who covers his tables in a large clear plastic sheet and across from the guys from Detroit who dress up in costumes.
I had to work Friday and did not arrive at the show till late in the afternoon. A bunch of Cubs players were scheduled to sign autographs. The place was an absolute mob scene. Apparently, there was a huge line to get into the place. The folks that run this show changed the way they let people into the room, causing a huge delay and people were pissed off. Some waited an hour or more to get in. This show has been going on for 30 years or so, there has NEVER been a wait to get in. Somehow the Fanatics people did not get the memo stating -- if it ain't broke, don't fix it!
My sales were typical for a Friday night but I wonder if I missed sales because so many people were stuck in the hallway. In the end, this was one of the largest crowds I have ever seen at this show on a Friday night.
I also observed that there were more dealers than I have seen in a good decade. Another new item, a cash bar which turned out to be a great time saver because I was able to purchase my diet Cokes at the bar instead of waiting at the long line at the concession stand. A new item at the concession stand was chili, which was pretty good, though a tad greasy. Dave brought sandwiches as usual.
I was up bright and early Saturday. Another good crowd. A lot of guys stopped off at my table like Jerome, Brent and his family, Jason, TJ, and Larry. My sales were okay. I bought a few Mantles, so I was happy.
It was a typical Sunday at the show. Not much going on. Overall, I was pleased with the attendance all weekend but sales were down. Purchases were great.
Sunday, November 27, 2017, Indian Lakes Resort, Bloomingdale, IL
A pretty typical Bloomingdale show. All the regulars were there.
Up next is my February show at the Clarion, 5311 S. Howell, Milwaukee, on Saturday, February 4th, 2017, from 9am to 3pm. I am bringing out a newly reloaded 1964 Topps baseball binder. I also have a new dealer that is planning live box breaks. Come on out!
Below is one last photo from the Fanatics show.
I also observed that there were more dealers than I have seen in a good decade. Another new item, a cash bar which turned out to be a great time saver because I was able to purchase my diet Cokes at the bar instead of waiting at the long line at the concession stand. A new item at the concession stand was chili, which was pretty good, though a tad greasy. Dave brought sandwiches as usual.
I was up bright and early Saturday. Another good crowd. A lot of guys stopped off at my table like Jerome, Brent and his family, Jason, TJ, and Larry. My sales were okay. I bought a few Mantles, so I was happy.
It was a typical Sunday at the show. Not much going on. Overall, I was pleased with the attendance all weekend but sales were down. Purchases were great.
Sunday, November 27, 2017, Indian Lakes Resort, Bloomingdale, IL
A pretty typical Bloomingdale show. All the regulars were there.
Up next is my February show at the Clarion, 5311 S. Howell, Milwaukee, on Saturday, February 4th, 2017, from 9am to 3pm. I am bringing out a newly reloaded 1964 Topps baseball binder. I also have a new dealer that is planning live box breaks. Come on out!
Below is one last photo from the Fanatics show.
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