Sunday, April 28, 2024, Chicago Western Suburbs Sportscard Showcase, Willowbrook Burr-Ridge Sports Center, Willowbrook, IL
Honestly, I was a little anxious over this one with it being my first time setting up here. The show was sponsored by Ridge Cards, who puts on the Peru Mall show. I did not do very well at that show but I felt it was well attended.
I think the owners of the sports center in Willowbrook had tried to host their own card show in the past but according to everyone I spoke to, it was a disaster. Prior to the show, I thought Dave from Ridge Cards did a great job getting the word out but I still wondered who would be there and would they want vintage cards?
I set up last year once nearby in Darien and had an abysmal show. So I had zero confidence going into this one.
After three days in Strongsville with my display case stuff, it was nice to go back to the binder set up. I recently completed reloads of 1955 Bowman baseball and 1979-80 Topps hockey.
I ended up with three tables after a minor mix up with Dave. I appreciated the extra table. With three 8-foot tables to fill, I brought out most of my binders, two display cases of overflow cards, two discount boxes and some unopened wax from the 1990's. As you know, I like to shake it up. Customers do not often see wax on my tables. Though, I was not all that confident I would sell any of the wax. I brought it out last summer to the New Buffalo, MI, show and did not sell one box.
Early on Sunday morning, I plugged the address into my GPS and had a surprisingly easy ride to the show. Took me about 36 minutes to get there. Only snag was the #$%@hole that tailgated me once I exited the highway and slowed down to look for the building. The jerk was driving a Buick and turned out to be a dealer set up across from me at the show. Is it necessary to drive like such an A-hole?
Load in was kinda tough because my cart did not move well on the astroturf. It took me three trips to load everything in. I was set up next to John Boomer on one side and a dealer I had never met before, on the other. That dealer had an interesting set up focused on vintage Cubs cards and memorabilia.
Allan, who sets up in Rockford and Woodstock, was all over my wax before I even placed it out. As you know, I just love being bothered while I am setting up. I could tell he wanted a deal on a bunch of the boxes but I had just priced them from recent eBay sales and was not about to give them away. He bought my cheapest box at $15. Good start to the day! I ended up selling six or seven boxes of wax!
Other dealers I knew were Jeff P. and Jason S. I did not know any of the other dealers but did recognize some from the Peru show. I also observed that there were quite a few no shows. As you know, I just love no shows. I think it might be a good idea for all the promoters to get together and start banning these guys from every show.
Shortly after completing set up, I was greeted by the friendly smiles of Jim and Cindy Clark. I love these guys! Such nice people!!
A steady stream of folks I knew showed up at my tables. What a pleasant surprise!! Chris from Orland was there and purchased a bunch of 1966 Topps baseball. Thanks Chris! I saw Eddie and tow truck Chris. Larry from Indiana, who I also saw last week in Strongsville, made the trip to Willowbrook. Mike was there as well. He showed me a Lou Brock Rookie he purchased from another dealer. I also saw Dell, who is back in town after a long vacation. Tony D. was there as well.
There was a little flare up early on. Everyone stopped what they were doing as promoter Dave got into it with Dave Ramsey, who later came by my table and explained that he was standing at a dealer's table when a guy came up and offered to sell the dealer a slabbed 1966 Topps Mickey Mantle. I can't remember the grade. Anyway, the dealer offered $400 and Dave told the dealer the offer was too low because the card regularly sells for much more. Well, the dealer took offense to Dave butting into the deal and went and got promoter Dave and the two Daves argued, loudly.
Here is my take on the situation. Dave Ramsey was definitely in the wrong. If you are standing at a table and a guy offers the dealer some cards, it is none of your business and you need to back away. Unfortunately, everyone thinks it is their business and I personally regularly experience the same sort of situation. As a result, I try to negotiate bigger deals outside the confines of a card show where it can be done in private.
Also, it does bother me when people standing around butt in, however, it literally happens all the time, so I don't let my feathers get ruffled by it. Though, as I previously stated, Dave should not have butt in and all folks in general need to keep out of the negotiations at dealer tables.
I also think the dealer and promoter Dave overreacted. No need to cause a scene over this. Like I said, it happens all the time. The dealer could have simply told Dave to mind his own business and move on.
So that was our excitement for the day. Meanwhile, good things were happening at my tables. Willie was there and purchased a bunch of 1979-80 hockey. He also sold me some 1936 Goudey Wide Pens. Thanks Willie!! I had a bunch of new customers dink through my discount boxes. I also had some new customers purchase cards from the binders.
Then I was interviewed by a reporter from the Chicago Tribune. He said the article would run in the Trib's locally focused "Doings" newspapers. I need to get me a copy of the Willowbrook edition!
It was great to see so many awesome folks at the show! Rich was there and purchased some cards from the 1970's. The big winner today was Scott who purchased a bunch of 1951 Bowman football. Thanks Scott!
Scott also gave me a lunch tip. I was unaware that the show was located around the corner from the famous Del Rhea Chicken Basket, an old-time place with delicious food. I went there after the show and just missed their brunch buffet but did enjoy a jumbo shrimp basket.
But before I loaded out, I was surprisingly busy all day and had an excellent show! When things quieted down, I took a walk around the room and did not see a whole lot of vintage other than Dave the promoter. Seemed like most guys had one or two slabbed vintage cards in their display cases. The guy across from John Boomer had a 1933 Goudey Lefty Gomez PSA 3 (MK). He had it priced at $370. With the qualifier, I figured it was a 150-dollar card.
Also, I observed the two older dealers set up kitty corner from my tables. They stared at me all day long, seemingly giving me the stink eye. I wondered what I could have done to earn their wrath. Maybe it was because I was busy all day and there was not much action at their tables.
Later, when I walked the room, the main stink eye guy stopped me and asked if I was Fat Daddy.
"Yes," I said.
"You have a great website," he responded.
"Thank you," I said.
"It is a great reference and helps me find shows," he said.
Again, I thanked him. I guess he was not giving me the stink eye at all. I think he was just wondering if I was that handsome fella with the Fat Daddy moniker!
Anyway, it was an excellent day. Dave talked about doing another show here sometime in the future but he does not have another date set yet.
Well, it is Oak Creek week --- which means I am going to be crazy busy! I have been real lax, as usual, responding to messages. I will get to them all shortly. Hope to see everyone in Oak Creek on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at the Salvation Army Community Center, 8853 S. Howell, in beautiful Oak Creek, WI. I am going to have a bunch of new dealers as many regulars are busy with their kids' and grandkids' little league. If you don't have little league, come on out to Oak Creek and get some cards and sloppy Joe!!!
Honestly, I was a little anxious over this one with it being my first time setting up here. The show was sponsored by Ridge Cards, who puts on the Peru Mall show. I did not do very well at that show but I felt it was well attended.
I think the owners of the sports center in Willowbrook had tried to host their own card show in the past but according to everyone I spoke to, it was a disaster. Prior to the show, I thought Dave from Ridge Cards did a great job getting the word out but I still wondered who would be there and would they want vintage cards?
I set up last year once nearby in Darien and had an abysmal show. So I had zero confidence going into this one.
After three days in Strongsville with my display case stuff, it was nice to go back to the binder set up. I recently completed reloads of 1955 Bowman baseball and 1979-80 Topps hockey.
I ended up with three tables after a minor mix up with Dave. I appreciated the extra table. With three 8-foot tables to fill, I brought out most of my binders, two display cases of overflow cards, two discount boxes and some unopened wax from the 1990's. As you know, I like to shake it up. Customers do not often see wax on my tables. Though, I was not all that confident I would sell any of the wax. I brought it out last summer to the New Buffalo, MI, show and did not sell one box.
Early on Sunday morning, I plugged the address into my GPS and had a surprisingly easy ride to the show. Took me about 36 minutes to get there. Only snag was the #$%@hole that tailgated me once I exited the highway and slowed down to look for the building. The jerk was driving a Buick and turned out to be a dealer set up across from me at the show. Is it necessary to drive like such an A-hole?
Load in was kinda tough because my cart did not move well on the astroturf. It took me three trips to load everything in. I was set up next to John Boomer on one side and a dealer I had never met before, on the other. That dealer had an interesting set up focused on vintage Cubs cards and memorabilia.
Allan, who sets up in Rockford and Woodstock, was all over my wax before I even placed it out. As you know, I just love being bothered while I am setting up. I could tell he wanted a deal on a bunch of the boxes but I had just priced them from recent eBay sales and was not about to give them away. He bought my cheapest box at $15. Good start to the day! I ended up selling six or seven boxes of wax!
Other dealers I knew were Jeff P. and Jason S. I did not know any of the other dealers but did recognize some from the Peru show. I also observed that there were quite a few no shows. As you know, I just love no shows. I think it might be a good idea for all the promoters to get together and start banning these guys from every show.
Shortly after completing set up, I was greeted by the friendly smiles of Jim and Cindy Clark. I love these guys! Such nice people!!
A steady stream of folks I knew showed up at my tables. What a pleasant surprise!! Chris from Orland was there and purchased a bunch of 1966 Topps baseball. Thanks Chris! I saw Eddie and tow truck Chris. Larry from Indiana, who I also saw last week in Strongsville, made the trip to Willowbrook. Mike was there as well. He showed me a Lou Brock Rookie he purchased from another dealer. I also saw Dell, who is back in town after a long vacation. Tony D. was there as well.
There was a little flare up early on. Everyone stopped what they were doing as promoter Dave got into it with Dave Ramsey, who later came by my table and explained that he was standing at a dealer's table when a guy came up and offered to sell the dealer a slabbed 1966 Topps Mickey Mantle. I can't remember the grade. Anyway, the dealer offered $400 and Dave told the dealer the offer was too low because the card regularly sells for much more. Well, the dealer took offense to Dave butting into the deal and went and got promoter Dave and the two Daves argued, loudly.
Here is my take on the situation. Dave Ramsey was definitely in the wrong. If you are standing at a table and a guy offers the dealer some cards, it is none of your business and you need to back away. Unfortunately, everyone thinks it is their business and I personally regularly experience the same sort of situation. As a result, I try to negotiate bigger deals outside the confines of a card show where it can be done in private.
Also, it does bother me when people standing around butt in, however, it literally happens all the time, so I don't let my feathers get ruffled by it. Though, as I previously stated, Dave should not have butt in and all folks in general need to keep out of the negotiations at dealer tables.
I also think the dealer and promoter Dave overreacted. No need to cause a scene over this. Like I said, it happens all the time. The dealer could have simply told Dave to mind his own business and move on.
So that was our excitement for the day. Meanwhile, good things were happening at my tables. Willie was there and purchased a bunch of 1979-80 hockey. He also sold me some 1936 Goudey Wide Pens. Thanks Willie!! I had a bunch of new customers dink through my discount boxes. I also had some new customers purchase cards from the binders.
Then I was interviewed by a reporter from the Chicago Tribune. He said the article would run in the Trib's locally focused "Doings" newspapers. I need to get me a copy of the Willowbrook edition!
It was great to see so many awesome folks at the show! Rich was there and purchased some cards from the 1970's. The big winner today was Scott who purchased a bunch of 1951 Bowman football. Thanks Scott!
Scott also gave me a lunch tip. I was unaware that the show was located around the corner from the famous Del Rhea Chicken Basket, an old-time place with delicious food. I went there after the show and just missed their brunch buffet but did enjoy a jumbo shrimp basket.
But before I loaded out, I was surprisingly busy all day and had an excellent show! When things quieted down, I took a walk around the room and did not see a whole lot of vintage other than Dave the promoter. Seemed like most guys had one or two slabbed vintage cards in their display cases. The guy across from John Boomer had a 1933 Goudey Lefty Gomez PSA 3 (MK). He had it priced at $370. With the qualifier, I figured it was a 150-dollar card.
Also, I observed the two older dealers set up kitty corner from my tables. They stared at me all day long, seemingly giving me the stink eye. I wondered what I could have done to earn their wrath. Maybe it was because I was busy all day and there was not much action at their tables.
Later, when I walked the room, the main stink eye guy stopped me and asked if I was Fat Daddy.
"Yes," I said.
"You have a great website," he responded.
"Thank you," I said.
"It is a great reference and helps me find shows," he said.
Again, I thanked him. I guess he was not giving me the stink eye at all. I think he was just wondering if I was that handsome fella with the Fat Daddy moniker!
Anyway, it was an excellent day. Dave talked about doing another show here sometime in the future but he does not have another date set yet.
Well, it is Oak Creek week --- which means I am going to be crazy busy! I have been real lax, as usual, responding to messages. I will get to them all shortly. Hope to see everyone in Oak Creek on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at the Salvation Army Community Center, 8853 S. Howell, in beautiful Oak Creek, WI. I am going to have a bunch of new dealers as many regulars are busy with their kids' and grandkids' little league. If you don't have little league, come on out to Oak Creek and get some cards and sloppy Joe!!!
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