I am surprised at how many people do not realize that the Roma Lodge show is the old Gonzaga Hall show run by the Wisconsin Sports Collectors Association (WSCA) -- an amazing group of guys and gals.
Keith, the prez of the WSCA, posted in his monthly newsletter that a breakfast buffet would be available during the show. Woot! I love breakfast buffets and was looking forward to this one all week. It did not disappoint! For 20 bucks, I was able to get all I could eat scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, boiled potatoes, hash browns, toast, and some amazingly delicious fried chicken. I also received bottomless coffee. Later in the day they added more lunch items. Apparently the breakfast buffet is available every Sunday at the Roma Lodge. Woot!
Man, it was cold, rainy and windy on Sunday. I was not prepared because the previous day was sunny and hot. So load in and load out was unpleasant. I brought all of my binders except for my older football along with four display cases.
Sales were disappointing. I think we lost some customers to the shows occurring in Schaumburg and Orland Park, Illinois. I sold a handful of cards. Robert purchased some cards. Donny purchased some 1971-72 Topps basketball. Several other guys made some purchases and that was about it. I sold nothing out of my display cases.
With not much doing, I found myself talking about this new requirement from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, which is demanding that all show promoters file a report with the agency. One guy even tried to grab me while I was setting up to go discuss it with some random guy I did not know. First of all, don't expect me to do much of anything prior to the show because I NEED TO SET UP! Secondly, I really don't know much about this new requirement. I started filling out the paperwork after my Oak Creek show but I have a lot more to go! I am not an expert and I do not fully understand it. I recommend you direct all of your questions to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, especially if you are not a dealer at my show or any other show!!
In Darien, the day before, I was discussing this thing with Mike from the Janesville show who advised that I view the video that accompanied the email from the Department of Revenue. Keith reviewed the video as well and told me it is an hour long. I need to find some time to watch this thing. In the meantime, all I can do is turn over all the forms that dealers provided me in Oak Creek and turn over a list of all my vendors, as is required under this law.
I would really like to see officials from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue hold a town hall meeting on this thing because everyone has questions. Some are freaking out about it. I recommend everyone chill out. We will figure it out eventually and move on.
While my sales were non-existent Sunday, the Roma Lodge show serves more as a place to buy. I have made excellent buys at the last several Roma shows I attended and this one was no exception. I went home with four more slabbed T206 commons. Woot!
Next Roma Lodge show is August 20. I can't attend that one as it conflicts with Orland again. I am rotating between Orland and Roma when they conflict. So I skipped the June Orland for Roma and will in turn skip the August Roma for Orland. I'll next be back for the October 22 show at Roma Lodge. I hope the breakfast buffet is still happening in October and I hope my T206 guys are there!
Anyway, I did have a nice day and enjoyed myself. I was set up behind Nelson, one of my favorites. Nelson thinks the Wisconsin Department of Revenue is coming down on us because one if its employees could not obtain a table at my show, Roma, Madison or Janesville. In the grand scheme of things, it does not make a whole lot of sense. There is not much money being made at these shows lately. I hardly made a thing all weekend and spent 10 times the amount I took in from sales. I think most of us spend more than we make because this is a hobby... not a business! I, for one, do it for fun and really enjoy it. It is a shame that the State of Wisconsin is trying to throw a wrench into a great social event and wonderful hobby.
They won't stop me! Next up for me is the Oconomowoc show on Saturday, June 17. This will be my first time setting up at this one. I plan on bringing out all of my baseball binders. I should have 1953 Topps reloaded by then. I also plan on bringing three display cases. Let me know if you want me to bring something special.
Next Oak Creek show is coming up fast on July 1. I still have some dealer spots available. Send me an email if you are interested in setting up in Oak Creek.
Thanks for following along!
Pictured below are some of the goodies I brought out Sunday to Roma Lodge. I am not bringing this stuff out again until the National. I plan on bulking it up for the National as well. I think next week I will bring out 1970's baseball along with football.