Sunday, March 10, 2024, Civic Center, Orland Park, IL
One lesson that I learn over and over is to never have expectations prior to setting up at a show. My sales in Oak Creek are usually excellent but my sales were off this past show on March 2, even though 1,100 attended the show. Then on March 9, I was set up in Kane County where 1,300 people attended the show -- again my sales were off. Then on Sunday, March 10, I was set up in Orland with maybe just 300 people through the door but my sales blew away Oak Creek and Kane County combined.
Actually, I do come to expect a good show in Orland which is generally consistent for me and has been consistent for the past 25 years. However, after poor sales in Oak Creek and Kane County, I was a little nervous for Sunday in Orland. Silly me!
Oh my, was it difficult to wake up Sunday morning after losing an hour to day-light savings time. With my car still loaded from yesterday at Kane County, I had an easier time getting on the road. I was out the door around 7:30 a.m. and made it to Orland around 8:15 a.m.
With more space at this show than Kane County, I added an extra display case, another discount box, and one bin of football binders and all of my basketball binders. When I arrived, I observed that my tables were kind of mashed together and overlapping each other, so I asked the dealer on my left, who had a huge open space to his left, if we could move his tables down a few inches. He was a bit hesitant but complied. Unfortunately, he did not realize that he had a box of cards on the crack between two of his tables and they spilled to the ground when I went to move his end table. He was pissed at me. I apologized and was truly sorry and helped him pick up the cards.
Later, I overheard him bitching to his buddies about me. I did not intend to knock over his box. I knew one of his buddies who told the guy it was no big deal. I did notice that the box contained a handful of 1986 Sportflics. I don't think he appreciated my comment on those.
As the show progressed, he seemed to mellow out and even joked with me as I chimed in when the buddy admitted that he accidentally mistook a 50-dollar bill for a 5-dollar bill and gave it away to a customer as change, thinking he was handing over a fiver. That customer sucks for not returning the 50. I did not admit it then but I have done the same thing, maybe even a few times.
It took me a little while to set up and I had customers at my table before I could complete set up. As you know, I just love that. Once, I completed set up, I noticed that there were guys at my discount boxes. Man, those things have been such a hit this year. I may have to make those a permanent feature to my set up.
Some of my favorite regulars helped get things going like Andy, Mike, Gil, Chris, Will and Tony. A few other guys showed up with lists in hand (my people!) and pulled cards for their sets. Quite a few guys went through my 1969 Topps baseball binders. I sold a few cards out of the display cases. My sales surpassed yesterday in Kane County in the first hour. I love Orland Park!
I enjoyed meeting Jerry, a Chicago Public School teacher. I found Jerry digging through my discount boxes. He told me he gives out the cards to his students. I wish my teachers gave me baseball cards back in the day!
On the buying front, I purchased a few more 1929 Kashins from Willie. Thanks Willie. As I told Willie, I recently discovered a pile of them in a shoe box buried in the card bunker. In the same box, I had some that depicted actors and actresses. I'll price them all and get them out at a show soon. Then I purchased some 1954 Bowman football from Jim. They are still asking about Jim in Oak Creek!
Like I said, attendance was down in Orland, which I found odd. Where was everybody? I did enjoy seeing the Easter Bunny hop around the show. I wanted to get a photo with him but I was just too busy.
It almost felt like a Sunday during football season because the crowd just about emptied around noon. I packed up early and Will, Joe and I went over to the sub shop which was open! Yes!
Apparently, they were closed for some remodeling last month. I ordered a steak sandwich that was very tasty. So glad to be back at Sub City! I love that place!
Another excellent show in Orland Park! A huge thank you to everyone who purchased cards from me and who stopped by to chat. A big thank you to Rich, Karen and crew for putting on another excellent show.
Next Orland Park show is slated for Sunday, April 21, 2024. Unfortunately, that show conflicts with Strongsville and I will have to miss it. I HATE missing the Orland show. I wish I could leave Strongsville on Saturday night and hit Orland on Sunday but the folks that operate Strongsville do not allow vendors to leave early. Some of those three-day shows like Strongsville and the Sports Spectacular are dead on Sunday and it is such a waste of time to remain set up. I wish they would reduce the show hours to just Friday and Saturday. Anyway, I have to miss the April Orland show but will be back in May. This will probably be the only Orland show that I have to skip for the rest of the year.
Up next for the Fat Daddy road show is the Sports Spectacular from Friday, March 15 through Sunday, March 17, 2024, at the Stephens Center in Rosemont, Illinois. I will be in booth 338, next to PJ, in the same location as the November show, across from the concession stand. I am going to head over Thursday afternoon to set up. I think I will put out a case or two of cards during set up, as some folks start conducting business on Thursday, I might as well join them! So if you will be around there Thursday and want to see something, let me know.
Next Oak Creek show is coming up on April 6, 2024. Once again I will have 185 tables. I need to start working on it this week and will start contacting the folks on my waiting list shortly. Tables are currently sold out. I am taking names for the waiting list. You can place your name on the list by sending me your contact info at [email protected].
Wow! What an enjoyable weekend between Kane County and Orland! Please come see me this upcoming weekend in Rosemont. I have been a busy beaver pricing cards for my display cases. I will have some good stuff in Rosemont! Gibson rookie anyone?
Have a great week everybody! Thanks for all the kind comments on the blog. I appreciate you!!
One lesson that I learn over and over is to never have expectations prior to setting up at a show. My sales in Oak Creek are usually excellent but my sales were off this past show on March 2, even though 1,100 attended the show. Then on March 9, I was set up in Kane County where 1,300 people attended the show -- again my sales were off. Then on Sunday, March 10, I was set up in Orland with maybe just 300 people through the door but my sales blew away Oak Creek and Kane County combined.
Actually, I do come to expect a good show in Orland which is generally consistent for me and has been consistent for the past 25 years. However, after poor sales in Oak Creek and Kane County, I was a little nervous for Sunday in Orland. Silly me!
Oh my, was it difficult to wake up Sunday morning after losing an hour to day-light savings time. With my car still loaded from yesterday at Kane County, I had an easier time getting on the road. I was out the door around 7:30 a.m. and made it to Orland around 8:15 a.m.
With more space at this show than Kane County, I added an extra display case, another discount box, and one bin of football binders and all of my basketball binders. When I arrived, I observed that my tables were kind of mashed together and overlapping each other, so I asked the dealer on my left, who had a huge open space to his left, if we could move his tables down a few inches. He was a bit hesitant but complied. Unfortunately, he did not realize that he had a box of cards on the crack between two of his tables and they spilled to the ground when I went to move his end table. He was pissed at me. I apologized and was truly sorry and helped him pick up the cards.
Later, I overheard him bitching to his buddies about me. I did not intend to knock over his box. I knew one of his buddies who told the guy it was no big deal. I did notice that the box contained a handful of 1986 Sportflics. I don't think he appreciated my comment on those.
As the show progressed, he seemed to mellow out and even joked with me as I chimed in when the buddy admitted that he accidentally mistook a 50-dollar bill for a 5-dollar bill and gave it away to a customer as change, thinking he was handing over a fiver. That customer sucks for not returning the 50. I did not admit it then but I have done the same thing, maybe even a few times.
It took me a little while to set up and I had customers at my table before I could complete set up. As you know, I just love that. Once, I completed set up, I noticed that there were guys at my discount boxes. Man, those things have been such a hit this year. I may have to make those a permanent feature to my set up.
Some of my favorite regulars helped get things going like Andy, Mike, Gil, Chris, Will and Tony. A few other guys showed up with lists in hand (my people!) and pulled cards for their sets. Quite a few guys went through my 1969 Topps baseball binders. I sold a few cards out of the display cases. My sales surpassed yesterday in Kane County in the first hour. I love Orland Park!
I enjoyed meeting Jerry, a Chicago Public School teacher. I found Jerry digging through my discount boxes. He told me he gives out the cards to his students. I wish my teachers gave me baseball cards back in the day!
On the buying front, I purchased a few more 1929 Kashins from Willie. Thanks Willie. As I told Willie, I recently discovered a pile of them in a shoe box buried in the card bunker. In the same box, I had some that depicted actors and actresses. I'll price them all and get them out at a show soon. Then I purchased some 1954 Bowman football from Jim. They are still asking about Jim in Oak Creek!
Like I said, attendance was down in Orland, which I found odd. Where was everybody? I did enjoy seeing the Easter Bunny hop around the show. I wanted to get a photo with him but I was just too busy.
It almost felt like a Sunday during football season because the crowd just about emptied around noon. I packed up early and Will, Joe and I went over to the sub shop which was open! Yes!
Apparently, they were closed for some remodeling last month. I ordered a steak sandwich that was very tasty. So glad to be back at Sub City! I love that place!
Another excellent show in Orland Park! A huge thank you to everyone who purchased cards from me and who stopped by to chat. A big thank you to Rich, Karen and crew for putting on another excellent show.
Next Orland Park show is slated for Sunday, April 21, 2024. Unfortunately, that show conflicts with Strongsville and I will have to miss it. I HATE missing the Orland show. I wish I could leave Strongsville on Saturday night and hit Orland on Sunday but the folks that operate Strongsville do not allow vendors to leave early. Some of those three-day shows like Strongsville and the Sports Spectacular are dead on Sunday and it is such a waste of time to remain set up. I wish they would reduce the show hours to just Friday and Saturday. Anyway, I have to miss the April Orland show but will be back in May. This will probably be the only Orland show that I have to skip for the rest of the year.
Up next for the Fat Daddy road show is the Sports Spectacular from Friday, March 15 through Sunday, March 17, 2024, at the Stephens Center in Rosemont, Illinois. I will be in booth 338, next to PJ, in the same location as the November show, across from the concession stand. I am going to head over Thursday afternoon to set up. I think I will put out a case or two of cards during set up, as some folks start conducting business on Thursday, I might as well join them! So if you will be around there Thursday and want to see something, let me know.
Next Oak Creek show is coming up on April 6, 2024. Once again I will have 185 tables. I need to start working on it this week and will start contacting the folks on my waiting list shortly. Tables are currently sold out. I am taking names for the waiting list. You can place your name on the list by sending me your contact info at [email protected].
Wow! What an enjoyable weekend between Kane County and Orland! Please come see me this upcoming weekend in Rosemont. I have been a busy beaver pricing cards for my display cases. I will have some good stuff in Rosemont! Gibson rookie anyone?
Have a great week everybody! Thanks for all the kind comments on the blog. I appreciate you!!
RSS Feed