Saturday, July 9, 2025, Salvation Army Community Center, Oak Creek, WI
When I say the July show was hot, I mean it literally was hot. Stifling hot.
Sorry!
I had no idea that the air conditioning would be out in the gym. Ugh!
I was there Friday night for set up and there was no issue with the AC. Though, shortly after I got home after set up, a crazy lightning storm hit that lit up my whole backyard. Apparently lightning hit the Salvation Army and knocked out the air conditioning -- it took us a while to realize it.
I was receiving complaints about the temp in the gym around 8 a.m. Saturday when the AC was not on anywhere in the building. I talked with Ken, who makes our wonderful sloppy Joe and manages the concession stand, who told me the AC is set on a timer and will probably kick in around 9 a.m. Well, at 9, the AC kicked in everywhere except the gym.
Then Major Dana, who is in charge of the whole place, stepped into action. Unfortunately, the AC system in the building is rather complicated. It is not like the AC in my house where I just have to flip a switch and it kicks in. At the Salvation Army, you have to plug a laptop into the system and do some computer functions to get it going.
Major Dana plugged in her laptop and attempted to ignite the AC. Unfortunately, it would not turn on, so she called her AC repair guy to come on out. The technician was able to determine that lightning had knocked out the system the night prior. He was able to get it on in the gym around 11 a.m. but the doors to the gym were open and it took a while for it to cool off.
Unfortunately, it was absolutely horrible in the gym most of the day -- hot and humid.
Major Dana went around the gym and passed out some cold bottles of water. Not much else we could do. Sorry everybody!!!
It was a tough day for the folks in the gym. I was afraid to go in there 'cause I thought I'd get yelled at.
I felt guilty in the comfortably cold Chapel where my sales were excellent. I sold a ton of cards. Jeff purchased a pile of 1961 Fleer Greats of the Game and some 1961 Post Cereal. One of my Madison guys came down and purchased a pile of 1960 Topps baseball. I sold all sorts of other stuff as well.
I brought out all of my baseball binders and two display cases. I was surprised that I only sold a couple of cards out of the display cases.
I quickly turned all the cash into cards. It was a buying frenzy at my tables. Eddy started things off by selling me some 1953 Bowman football. Thanks Eddy! Someone sold me a bunch of 1967 and 1968 Topps stars, I can't remember who! I also can't remember who sold me the stack of 1958 and 1959 Topps baseball!! I blame my lack of memory on the heat in the gym.
I do remember that Phil sold me a box of 1973 Topps baseball. My guy who sells me slabbed cards had a whole stack of stuff for me this month. I actually haven't seen him in a while.
Then John sold me a near set of 1968 Topps baseball. Thanks John! I also worked out a deal with Shawn for some 1954 Bowman football cards. Thanks Shawn.
Quite a haul!! Thanks everybody. So fun to buy cards!!!
I kind of felt bad for having so much fun in the Chapel while everyone suffered in the gym. I am so sorry guys! I hope the AC works for the August 9 show!!
I think the heat set off some tempers in the gym. There were a few conflicts between dealers. Hopefully, we can all go forward and be kind to one another!
Speaking of hotheads, I do have a few rants...
I have been having a problem with newer dealers setting up then leaving without paying me for their space. To nip it in the bud, I put out a newsletter last month noting that any dealer that leaves without paying will be banned from the show.
Well, what do you know? One numbnut left last month without paying for his space. He showed up this morning wondering where his spot was. I told him there was no spot because he did not pay me last month. He gave me all sorts of crap arguments. I told him that he must be responsible enough to pay me before he leaves the building and if he can't do that, he can't expect space at the next month's show.
I was nice to him and found him a spot. I had one n0-show dealer this month and was able to insert numbnut into the no-show spot. I expect an argument from no-show guy next month when he sees his spot occupied by someone else. Still not sure if I will have space for numbnut next month. I expect further arguments from him.
Another problem I observed occurred when I arrived at the building around 6:45 a.m. and saw customers already in the building. Not cool. Show opens at 9 a.m. and customers should not be in the building prior.
There are a couple of problems with early arrivals. I, for one, hate dealing with customers while I am setting up. It slows down my set up and sometime prevents me from having all my wares out when the opening bell rings, resulting in lost sales.
Second problem -- if there are any early morning thefts while dealers are setting up, these early-arriving customers will be the first to be accused. So please do not arrive to the show before 9 a.m. if you are not a dealer with a spot reserved at the show.
Another issue at this month's show was the large number of new show promoters raiding my show. Seems like new show promoters are growing like weeds and they attack my show like flies to shit.
I have a few rules for new promoters trying to ride my coattails. First, they have to ask my permission to promote their event at my show. If they are set up as a dealer, then I don't mind if they leave flyers on their own table -- if they want to leave them anywhere else, they need to ask. Second rule is that they must take some of my flyers and distribute them at their show. If you are going to come into my show to promoter your event, it is only fair that I get something in return, like simply leaving my flyers at your show. Is that too much to ask?
Most show promoters have a degree of common sense and courtesy and ask me prior. I did see one show promoter this morning walking around without my permission and promoting his event. This dude was walking around my show at 7 a.m. trying to recruit dealers. What a dickhead move!!
It amazes me all the bullshit I have to put up with.
In the 11 years I have been operating my card show, I have watched dozens of other card show promoters come and go. I strongly suspect this dooshbag, who was there at 7 a.m., won't last very long.
Now, I have nothing against other shows. Anyone can promote a show if they want. I might even set up. I really like when other show promoters ask me to set up. Actually, I love setting up at shows but some weekends I can't find a show. So there is room for more shows -- just don't be a dickhead about it is all I ask.
Speaking of new shows, I was set up at a new show on Sunday. The promoter of this new show in Kildeer, Illinois, is a stand-up guy. Young Costa Sampras contacted me months ago and asked that I set up at his show. I agreed. He asked if he could hand out flyers in Oak Creek. No problem. Then he announced my September 20 MegaShow over the loud speaker in the middle of his show -- much appreciated.
There is a right way and a wrong way to do things. Those that have success, do it the right way.
Another show promoter that I absolutely love is Lake Country Cards. I am setting up at their Peewaukee Show on Saturday, July 19. Then there is Rich, Karen, and the crew that operate the Orland Park show. I can't tell you how much I appreciate and love those guys. I will be set up at their show on Sunday, July 20, at the Orland Park Civic Center.
Next Oak Creek show is August 9. Once again we will be on the second Saturday of the month due to the National being down I94 during the first Saturday of August. Come find me and my pal Scott Ziegert in booths 3816 and 3717 at the National from July 30 through August 2 at the Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL.
I really don't know how to get the word out to everybody that the July and August shows are the second Saturday, instead of the usual first Saturday. Several older guys told me that they came on out on July 5 expecting the show. Sorry!
Hopefully, they will come to some of my new shows. I have a unique show scheduled for August 23 in Oak Creek -- an all vintage show. No modern, no Pokémon allowed. My cut-off for vintage is 1986 Fleer basketball. No one should have anything newer on their tables. Dealer tables are available, send me an email at [email protected].
Tables are also available for my 450-table MegaShow slated for September 20 at the Milwaukee County Sports Complex in Franklin, WI. Send dealer table requests to the above email.
Sorry again about the horrible heat in the gym. We should be good to go next month. Thanks for attending the July 9 Oak Creek show. We had 1,055 through the door. Much appreciated.
Now for some photos from the July 9 show:
When I say the July show was hot, I mean it literally was hot. Stifling hot.
Sorry!
I had no idea that the air conditioning would be out in the gym. Ugh!
I was there Friday night for set up and there was no issue with the AC. Though, shortly after I got home after set up, a crazy lightning storm hit that lit up my whole backyard. Apparently lightning hit the Salvation Army and knocked out the air conditioning -- it took us a while to realize it.
I was receiving complaints about the temp in the gym around 8 a.m. Saturday when the AC was not on anywhere in the building. I talked with Ken, who makes our wonderful sloppy Joe and manages the concession stand, who told me the AC is set on a timer and will probably kick in around 9 a.m. Well, at 9, the AC kicked in everywhere except the gym.
Then Major Dana, who is in charge of the whole place, stepped into action. Unfortunately, the AC system in the building is rather complicated. It is not like the AC in my house where I just have to flip a switch and it kicks in. At the Salvation Army, you have to plug a laptop into the system and do some computer functions to get it going.
Major Dana plugged in her laptop and attempted to ignite the AC. Unfortunately, it would not turn on, so she called her AC repair guy to come on out. The technician was able to determine that lightning had knocked out the system the night prior. He was able to get it on in the gym around 11 a.m. but the doors to the gym were open and it took a while for it to cool off.
Unfortunately, it was absolutely horrible in the gym most of the day -- hot and humid.
Major Dana went around the gym and passed out some cold bottles of water. Not much else we could do. Sorry everybody!!!
It was a tough day for the folks in the gym. I was afraid to go in there 'cause I thought I'd get yelled at.
I felt guilty in the comfortably cold Chapel where my sales were excellent. I sold a ton of cards. Jeff purchased a pile of 1961 Fleer Greats of the Game and some 1961 Post Cereal. One of my Madison guys came down and purchased a pile of 1960 Topps baseball. I sold all sorts of other stuff as well.
I brought out all of my baseball binders and two display cases. I was surprised that I only sold a couple of cards out of the display cases.
I quickly turned all the cash into cards. It was a buying frenzy at my tables. Eddy started things off by selling me some 1953 Bowman football. Thanks Eddy! Someone sold me a bunch of 1967 and 1968 Topps stars, I can't remember who! I also can't remember who sold me the stack of 1958 and 1959 Topps baseball!! I blame my lack of memory on the heat in the gym.
I do remember that Phil sold me a box of 1973 Topps baseball. My guy who sells me slabbed cards had a whole stack of stuff for me this month. I actually haven't seen him in a while.
Then John sold me a near set of 1968 Topps baseball. Thanks John! I also worked out a deal with Shawn for some 1954 Bowman football cards. Thanks Shawn.
Quite a haul!! Thanks everybody. So fun to buy cards!!!
I kind of felt bad for having so much fun in the Chapel while everyone suffered in the gym. I am so sorry guys! I hope the AC works for the August 9 show!!
I think the heat set off some tempers in the gym. There were a few conflicts between dealers. Hopefully, we can all go forward and be kind to one another!
Speaking of hotheads, I do have a few rants...
I have been having a problem with newer dealers setting up then leaving without paying me for their space. To nip it in the bud, I put out a newsletter last month noting that any dealer that leaves without paying will be banned from the show.
Well, what do you know? One numbnut left last month without paying for his space. He showed up this morning wondering where his spot was. I told him there was no spot because he did not pay me last month. He gave me all sorts of crap arguments. I told him that he must be responsible enough to pay me before he leaves the building and if he can't do that, he can't expect space at the next month's show.
I was nice to him and found him a spot. I had one n0-show dealer this month and was able to insert numbnut into the no-show spot. I expect an argument from no-show guy next month when he sees his spot occupied by someone else. Still not sure if I will have space for numbnut next month. I expect further arguments from him.
Another problem I observed occurred when I arrived at the building around 6:45 a.m. and saw customers already in the building. Not cool. Show opens at 9 a.m. and customers should not be in the building prior.
There are a couple of problems with early arrivals. I, for one, hate dealing with customers while I am setting up. It slows down my set up and sometime prevents me from having all my wares out when the opening bell rings, resulting in lost sales.
Second problem -- if there are any early morning thefts while dealers are setting up, these early-arriving customers will be the first to be accused. So please do not arrive to the show before 9 a.m. if you are not a dealer with a spot reserved at the show.
Another issue at this month's show was the large number of new show promoters raiding my show. Seems like new show promoters are growing like weeds and they attack my show like flies to shit.
I have a few rules for new promoters trying to ride my coattails. First, they have to ask my permission to promote their event at my show. If they are set up as a dealer, then I don't mind if they leave flyers on their own table -- if they want to leave them anywhere else, they need to ask. Second rule is that they must take some of my flyers and distribute them at their show. If you are going to come into my show to promoter your event, it is only fair that I get something in return, like simply leaving my flyers at your show. Is that too much to ask?
Most show promoters have a degree of common sense and courtesy and ask me prior. I did see one show promoter this morning walking around without my permission and promoting his event. This dude was walking around my show at 7 a.m. trying to recruit dealers. What a dickhead move!!
It amazes me all the bullshit I have to put up with.
In the 11 years I have been operating my card show, I have watched dozens of other card show promoters come and go. I strongly suspect this dooshbag, who was there at 7 a.m., won't last very long.
Now, I have nothing against other shows. Anyone can promote a show if they want. I might even set up. I really like when other show promoters ask me to set up. Actually, I love setting up at shows but some weekends I can't find a show. So there is room for more shows -- just don't be a dickhead about it is all I ask.
Speaking of new shows, I was set up at a new show on Sunday. The promoter of this new show in Kildeer, Illinois, is a stand-up guy. Young Costa Sampras contacted me months ago and asked that I set up at his show. I agreed. He asked if he could hand out flyers in Oak Creek. No problem. Then he announced my September 20 MegaShow over the loud speaker in the middle of his show -- much appreciated.
There is a right way and a wrong way to do things. Those that have success, do it the right way.
Another show promoter that I absolutely love is Lake Country Cards. I am setting up at their Peewaukee Show on Saturday, July 19. Then there is Rich, Karen, and the crew that operate the Orland Park show. I can't tell you how much I appreciate and love those guys. I will be set up at their show on Sunday, July 20, at the Orland Park Civic Center.
Next Oak Creek show is August 9. Once again we will be on the second Saturday of the month due to the National being down I94 during the first Saturday of August. Come find me and my pal Scott Ziegert in booths 3816 and 3717 at the National from July 30 through August 2 at the Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL.
I really don't know how to get the word out to everybody that the July and August shows are the second Saturday, instead of the usual first Saturday. Several older guys told me that they came on out on July 5 expecting the show. Sorry!
Hopefully, they will come to some of my new shows. I have a unique show scheduled for August 23 in Oak Creek -- an all vintage show. No modern, no Pokémon allowed. My cut-off for vintage is 1986 Fleer basketball. No one should have anything newer on their tables. Dealer tables are available, send me an email at [email protected].
Tables are also available for my 450-table MegaShow slated for September 20 at the Milwaukee County Sports Complex in Franklin, WI. Send dealer table requests to the above email.
Sorry again about the horrible heat in the gym. We should be good to go next month. Thanks for attending the July 9 Oak Creek show. We had 1,055 through the door. Much appreciated.
Now for some photos from the July 9 show:
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