Saturday, December 29, 2023, Sheraton Hotel, Madison, WI
Never fails, at every show someone wants to know where I purchase my inventory. The vast majority of my purchases come from the shows, as I report regularly in this blog. Occasionally, I'll buy something online but rarely. I can't remember the last time I bought anything on eBay, other than supplies. It has been a while since I purchased something from an auction house as well.
Recently, I was notified of a collection for sale through Facebook Marketplace. I have purchased some furniture from FB Marketplace in the past, but never cards. The collection was nice, mostly 1956 Topps and 1957 Topps baseball. I could not help myself but reply.
The seller posted some photos of about 600 raw cards. I made a low offer, guessing many of the cards were rough and/or creased. It was tough to tell from the photos. The seller countered and I asked if I could see the cards before purchasing them. We made a date to meet at a Subway sandwich shop in Wisconsin, about two hours away from my house.
Afterwards, I started to freak myself out. What if this guy takes my money and kills me? I gave him my cell phone number but he would not give me his cell phone number. Red flag. The more I thought about it, the more I thought I was setting myself up to die.
When the day came to meet. I was feeling lousy with my blood sugar crazy high, so I cancelled, thinking I did not want to meet this guy anyway because he was probably going to shoot me and take my money. Yet, I suggested we meet at the December 29 Madison show.
I never confirmed because I was very sickly in the weeks prior to the show. Well, what do you know? The seller showed up at the show. Found me and had the cards, no gun or knife. He seemed like a nice guy, not a killer. He said he inherited the cards from his brother-in-law, who recently died.
Problem. I did not bring any money with me outside of table fee and small bills to make change. I remember that my pal Gary George once offered to cover me on a deal at a previous show where I failed to have the funds for purchase. I had the seller watch my table while I went over to Gary's table and asked for a loan. Gary is the best! He did not hesitate and gave me the money which I in turn gave to the seller and received the cards.
By the end of the day, I was able to make a down-payment to Gary. I paid him off the following week in Oak Creek. Thank you Gary!
I just love buying cards. It is so fun to obtain a nice collection. I think if I find collections again on Facebook Marketplace, I'll have the sellers meet me at a show. I feel pretty safe I won't get murdered at a card show.
Anyway, I brought out the binders this month in Madison and I was busy all day! The show was packed!! Promoter Beau is a superstar. He runs an awesome show!
My buddy Rod and his wife came down from Marathon, WI, and just about cleaned out my 1970 Topps binder. I actually owe Rod some money after purchasing a near set of 1955 Topps baseball. Thanks Rod!
Many other guys went through the binders and pulled cards. I had a really nice day both selling and buying cards. Success! It was a great way to end the year!
Unfortunately, I am still struggling with multiple health issues including diabetes, high blood pressure, and an enlarged prostate. I did not feel good in Madison but was real happy, regardless, because of excellent sales and purchases. Loading out was tough. I jammed all my stuff onto the hotel cart and made it out in one trip. I was crazy tired but made it home in one piece.
I am feeling much better as I write up this blog. I am looking forward to the next Madison show on January 27, 2024.
I have to apologize to anyone looking for me in Rockford on January 13, 2024. I was awake at 6 a.m. but observed that the street in front of my house had not been plowed. We had quite a snow storm on Friday into Saturday. I flipped on the TV and saw a news report showing that nothing was plowed in my town and the nearby towns. The newscasters also warned viewers to stay home as it continued to snow and temperature plummeted. I took their advice and cancelled. However, I did pay for my tables -- all dealers need to pay for their tables whether they show up or not. Those tables were my responsibility and I have no problem paying for them. Many folks don't realize that show promoters still have to pay the venue rental, whether dealers show up or not. So always pay for your tables!
The forecast for this upcoming weekend is sun and cold -- no snow. I'll take it! I have a double-bill weekend planned with Woodstock on Saturday, January 20, and Orland on Sunday, January 21. I am just taking one table at Woodstock. I love this show but I rarely sell much there. I am going to bring out most of my cheapy boxes to Woodstock. If you plan on attending and want to see something else, let me know!
For Orland, I will bring the cheapy boxes as well, along with baseball binders from 1949 to 1970, my older football binders, and a few basketball binders. I'll bring out a display case or two, as well, to make sure I have all three tables totally covered with cards.
I am working on my 1954 Bowman baseball binder and should have it done for Orland. I am also working on 1969 Topps baseball binder but won't have it done by this weekend. I am about a third done with that one. Hopefully, I'll finish it up soon!
I also bought another collection this week as an old friend alerted me to one of her friends who was moving to Texas and wanted to dump his cards. The collection was mostly 1974 to 1979 Topps baseball and 1977 to 1978 Topps football. There was some other stuff in there like some Hostess cards from the 1970's, some 1977-78 Topps hockey along with some oddball stuff. This was the seller's childhood collection and everything is sorted by team -- ugh! I can probably make some sets but it will take me a while to place everything in numerical order. There were some stars in there as well like a '72 Ryan, two '75 Brett rookies, a '73 Clemente and Aaron, and a smattering more. It was fun to go through it.
Next Oak Creek show is February 3. Dealer space is sold out. I am way overbooked. Ugh! I need some guys to drop out. My wait list is also growing. I can add you to the wait list if you send me an email at [email protected].
Anyway, I am looking forward to better health and to see everybody this weekend!
Thanks for all the well wishes guys!!
Never fails, at every show someone wants to know where I purchase my inventory. The vast majority of my purchases come from the shows, as I report regularly in this blog. Occasionally, I'll buy something online but rarely. I can't remember the last time I bought anything on eBay, other than supplies. It has been a while since I purchased something from an auction house as well.
Recently, I was notified of a collection for sale through Facebook Marketplace. I have purchased some furniture from FB Marketplace in the past, but never cards. The collection was nice, mostly 1956 Topps and 1957 Topps baseball. I could not help myself but reply.
The seller posted some photos of about 600 raw cards. I made a low offer, guessing many of the cards were rough and/or creased. It was tough to tell from the photos. The seller countered and I asked if I could see the cards before purchasing them. We made a date to meet at a Subway sandwich shop in Wisconsin, about two hours away from my house.
Afterwards, I started to freak myself out. What if this guy takes my money and kills me? I gave him my cell phone number but he would not give me his cell phone number. Red flag. The more I thought about it, the more I thought I was setting myself up to die.
When the day came to meet. I was feeling lousy with my blood sugar crazy high, so I cancelled, thinking I did not want to meet this guy anyway because he was probably going to shoot me and take my money. Yet, I suggested we meet at the December 29 Madison show.
I never confirmed because I was very sickly in the weeks prior to the show. Well, what do you know? The seller showed up at the show. Found me and had the cards, no gun or knife. He seemed like a nice guy, not a killer. He said he inherited the cards from his brother-in-law, who recently died.
Problem. I did not bring any money with me outside of table fee and small bills to make change. I remember that my pal Gary George once offered to cover me on a deal at a previous show where I failed to have the funds for purchase. I had the seller watch my table while I went over to Gary's table and asked for a loan. Gary is the best! He did not hesitate and gave me the money which I in turn gave to the seller and received the cards.
By the end of the day, I was able to make a down-payment to Gary. I paid him off the following week in Oak Creek. Thank you Gary!
I just love buying cards. It is so fun to obtain a nice collection. I think if I find collections again on Facebook Marketplace, I'll have the sellers meet me at a show. I feel pretty safe I won't get murdered at a card show.
Anyway, I brought out the binders this month in Madison and I was busy all day! The show was packed!! Promoter Beau is a superstar. He runs an awesome show!
My buddy Rod and his wife came down from Marathon, WI, and just about cleaned out my 1970 Topps binder. I actually owe Rod some money after purchasing a near set of 1955 Topps baseball. Thanks Rod!
Many other guys went through the binders and pulled cards. I had a really nice day both selling and buying cards. Success! It was a great way to end the year!
Unfortunately, I am still struggling with multiple health issues including diabetes, high blood pressure, and an enlarged prostate. I did not feel good in Madison but was real happy, regardless, because of excellent sales and purchases. Loading out was tough. I jammed all my stuff onto the hotel cart and made it out in one trip. I was crazy tired but made it home in one piece.
I am feeling much better as I write up this blog. I am looking forward to the next Madison show on January 27, 2024.
I have to apologize to anyone looking for me in Rockford on January 13, 2024. I was awake at 6 a.m. but observed that the street in front of my house had not been plowed. We had quite a snow storm on Friday into Saturday. I flipped on the TV and saw a news report showing that nothing was plowed in my town and the nearby towns. The newscasters also warned viewers to stay home as it continued to snow and temperature plummeted. I took their advice and cancelled. However, I did pay for my tables -- all dealers need to pay for their tables whether they show up or not. Those tables were my responsibility and I have no problem paying for them. Many folks don't realize that show promoters still have to pay the venue rental, whether dealers show up or not. So always pay for your tables!
The forecast for this upcoming weekend is sun and cold -- no snow. I'll take it! I have a double-bill weekend planned with Woodstock on Saturday, January 20, and Orland on Sunday, January 21. I am just taking one table at Woodstock. I love this show but I rarely sell much there. I am going to bring out most of my cheapy boxes to Woodstock. If you plan on attending and want to see something else, let me know!
For Orland, I will bring the cheapy boxes as well, along with baseball binders from 1949 to 1970, my older football binders, and a few basketball binders. I'll bring out a display case or two, as well, to make sure I have all three tables totally covered with cards.
I am working on my 1954 Bowman baseball binder and should have it done for Orland. I am also working on 1969 Topps baseball binder but won't have it done by this weekend. I am about a third done with that one. Hopefully, I'll finish it up soon!
I also bought another collection this week as an old friend alerted me to one of her friends who was moving to Texas and wanted to dump his cards. The collection was mostly 1974 to 1979 Topps baseball and 1977 to 1978 Topps football. There was some other stuff in there like some Hostess cards from the 1970's, some 1977-78 Topps hockey along with some oddball stuff. This was the seller's childhood collection and everything is sorted by team -- ugh! I can probably make some sets but it will take me a while to place everything in numerical order. There were some stars in there as well like a '72 Ryan, two '75 Brett rookies, a '73 Clemente and Aaron, and a smattering more. It was fun to go through it.
Next Oak Creek show is February 3. Dealer space is sold out. I am way overbooked. Ugh! I need some guys to drop out. My wait list is also growing. I can add you to the wait list if you send me an email at [email protected].
Anyway, I am looking forward to better health and to see everybody this weekend!
Thanks for all the well wishes guys!!
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