Card Shows-what you like

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Mack

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I just curious on all of your opinions on what do you like at card shows you go to.

1. Booths vs Tables
2. Auto guests yes or no. If yes what kind of price range? $20-40 vs big names at $75-300. Of course all depends on the guests.
3. Venues- Sports Hall, Casino ballroom or Community center
4. Silent auctions- yes or no
5. Parking- do you care if you have to pay to park?
6. Food vendors
7. Grading drop offs or on site grading
8. Manufactures and their give aways.
9. Times- 2 day or 3 day?
 
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Me personally, my answers are:

1. Booths- more space and you have your own space
2. Mix bag, I have only every got 2 autos before at a show, so it does not drive me to a show.
3. Love the Sports halls cause that is usually what supports booths.
4. Rarely seen but I like them.
5. Does not both me to have to pay for parking if it is somewhere I am planning on being for most of the day.
6. Beef jerky is always a good snack, breakfast and lunch
7. I have never graded a card.
8. Like them.
9. Both as long as the Friday and Sunday are not stupid long days.
 
1. Booths
2. Doesn't really matter to me as I have never gotten an autograph, but if it draws in more people than absolutely.
3. The bigger the space the better, whatever that may be.
4. Not a draw for me personally.
5. Don't care if I have to pay to park.
6. Yes, I love food, and I love cards, preferably stuff that isn't prone to messes.
7. Grading services would be cool.
8. Absolutely
9. 3 day
 
Mack said:
I just curious on all of your opinions on what do you like at card shows you go to.

1. Booths vs Tables
2. Auto guests yes or no. If yes what kind of price range? $20-40 vs big names at $75-300. Of course all depends on the guests.
3. Venues- Sports Hall, Casino ballroom or Community center
4. Silent auctions- yes or no
5. Parking- do you care if you have to pay to park?
6. Food vendors
7. Grading drop offs or on site grading
8. Manufactures and their give aways.
9. Times- 2 day or 3 day?
Click to expand...

1) Doesn't matter. I just wish that vendors would leave out more chairs for people to sit if they plan on going through box after box. It's a stress and strain for buyers to have to stand at tables for hours on end. I've passed my chair over the aisle to a buyer more than once.

2) Don't care. I rarely get an autograph from auto guests. I'm there for the cards.

3) Don't care. A show is a show. As long as the parking's good out front, you could have it under a bridge for all I care.

4) Unless they're for a good cause, they don't really add to the show experience for me.

5) It depends on the parking rates. A couple bucks a day? No big deal. Downtown parking prices? No thanks.

6) Yes. There have got to be some sort of food vendors on-site, whether it's for snacks and refreshments or meals. It's pretty easy if you're just there for the show to head out and grab food if you need to, but pretty difficult on the sellers themselves. There has been a lot of "Can you pick me up X if you're going out?" in past years.

7) Depending on who it is, yes. KSA will only go so far nowadays. It's definitely nice to have.

8) Yes...but there's really got to be some sort of concrete support from the manufacturers for the big show. A lot of people in Vancouver were bummed here last year, for example, when Bossa announced Upper Deck was going to have a partnership giveaway last year, and they showed up to nothing but some Panini sticker books. Panini's been good for long distance stuff with sticker books and such, but I think people are looking for pack/box incentive giveaways like the Expo with the manufacturers on-site. People still have really fond memories of ITG coming here a couple years back and running a BTP promotion.

9) Whatever it takes to get through the weekend depending on the size of the show. Smaller shows don't need more than 2 days. Larger ones need that 3 day show.
 
My hometown used to have a card show at the local mall. It consisted of about four or five mix sport card dealers. None of them were actually local dealers and all of them were asking at or well above BV for cards, even commons.

Just to fill up space in their locking displays they would feature older cards that were for all intents and purposes worthless and in a lot of cases not even a true rookie card.

I think they made a lot of money off rubes that couldn't see past a players name and knowing "older cards are worth money". My mom was even one of those rubes, one dealer sold counterfit autographs. I realized this much later on but my mom bought me an autographed Bure Starting Lineup figure. Wasn't even close to his actual signature, no COA, etc.

With all that being said I've never been to an actual card show regrettably. The closest actual card shop is 80 miles away.
 
1. No preference.
2. Today, it doesn't matter. Years ago when I collected Baseball, yes. Back then prices weren't like they are nowadays.
3. Doesn't matter, as long as there is quality and variety. I went to a show in my area last year and there was 3 tables, what a waste.
4. Sounds like a cool idea. Never seen one at a show.
5. Prefer free, more money for me to spend. I've never been to one with paying for parking.
6. No preference.
7. It's a plus.
8. Would be nice.
9. Depends on the show. 3 days is nice, but I've heard that dealers like to leave early on Sun. Sunday should be free.
 
1. Booths vs Tables - I'm not really picky, as long as they are organized!

2. Auto guests - Yes. My only issue is being herded along like cattle, and the signer doesn't even look up, let alone personalize. I believe the auto is the memento of meeting the player. Give them enough time to say hello, and maybe pose for a picture. Bossa used to do this, Expo, forget it! Of course all depends on the guests.

3. Venues - Sports Hall, Casino ballroom or Community center - doesn't matter, as long as there is adequate space, and you're not tripping over people trying to get through with their hockey bags!

4. Silent auctions- Yes, and lots of 'em!!

5. Parking - prefer free parking, but not a deal breaker, as long as it's reasonable

6. Food vendors - absolutely, just not in the show area

7. Grading drop offs or on site grading - not into grading, but there are lots who are, so bring 'em along!

8. Manufacturers and their give aways - redemption programs as well

9. Times- 2 day or 3 day? 2 days are plenty, unless there are a greater number of vendors

I agree there need to be more shows in Alberta. Judging by the numbers who turn out at Calgary trader nights, I'm sure there's plenty of interest!!
 
Mack said:
I just curious on all of your opinions on what do you like at card shows you go to.

1. Booths vs Tables
2. Auto guests yes or no. If yes what kind of price range? $20-40 vs big names at $75-300. Of course all depends on the guests.
3. Venues- Sports Hall, Casino ballroom or Community center
4. Silent auctions- yes or no
5. Parking- do you care if you have to pay to park?
6. Food vendors
7. Grading drop offs or on site grading
8. Manufactures and their give aways.
9. Times- 2 day or 3 day?
Click to expand...

1) Doesn't matter to me as long as the spread is classy and organized.

2) Yes. I always enjoy a good auto signing to break up the monotony of walking around and flipping through card after card in those white boxes. Price range doesn't completely matter as long as the signer is good, however when we start getting into the $100+ range, things are getting extreme. I like to meet the player, get a picture taken with him and have a personalized autograph and not be treated like a criminal and prevented from doing so like AJ Sports does to its ticket buyers at the Expo.

3) Venue doesn't matter as long as it's large enough to hold everything and is free of cigarette smoke.

4) I never really get into the silent auctions myself, but I am always interested in seeing the pieces available and how much they go for.

5) As long as there is lots and lots of parking and I don't have to drive to the centre of downtown and parallel park in the middle of traffic, I am happy paying or not.

6) Not necessary. I am there to buy or sell, not eat. I bring a sandwich and snacks with me if I am a seller, and I man-up if I am a buyer and wait until I leave to eat.

7) Makes no difference to me.

8) Always helps because it stimulates my urge to bust a box, and I get more bang for my buck.

9) Big show should be three days, smaller local show should only be a twofer.
 
1. Booths vs Tables
1) booths are good but hard to watch all areas at once and its sad but you just cant trust everyone. so tables

2. Auto guests yes or no. If yes what kind of price range? $20-40 vs big names at $75-300. Of course all depends on the guests.
2) autos yes. The more unusual the better. you get tired of seeing the same players at every show. ex: always has a good mix of players

3. Venues- Sports Hall, Casino ballroom or Community center
3) either but all depends on lighting lighting lighting is a key.

4. Silent auctions- yes or no
4) dont matter to me

5. Parking- do you care if you have to pay to park?
5) i rather not pay:)

6. Food vendors
6) nice to have food vendors but sill be able to bring in out side food as a option.

7. Grading drop offs or on site grading
7) i dont grade so i guess it would be a preference thing.

8. Manufactures and their give aways.
8) A must if possible. it really helps the sell of wax and really makes it fun to crack knowing you can really hit something really nice.

9. Times- 2 day or 3 day?
9) either 2 or 3 days just depends on what extras are invloved such as autos and give aways.

..... just on another note. I have been to a few different card shows in the eastern US and a lot of them did a draw at the door where every hour they gave a spending vouthcher to spend at a certain table that was drawn seperately.
also be nice to have something like a group break or a pack war area. adds fun to the show.
 
I'll answer based on local shows. Expo is a total other animal

1. Booths vs Tables - Tables. Booths are too enclosing, not as easy for eye traffic
2. Auto guests yes or no. - Yes, and this is my biggest complaint in Winnipeg at the Grant Park shows. When the promoter cared we'd have amazing guests, now he doesn't. Heck, just bring in a Jet and you'll get more traffic for a dying show.

As for charge? Screw the $20-50. Get a local and do 10 bucks a pop with proceeds going to charity. CHL, NHL, AHL, it doesn't matter.


3. Venues- Sports Hall, Casino ballroom or Community center - Community center or bingo hall. Keep the focus.

4. Silent auctions- yes or no - yes

5. Parking- do you care if you have to pay to park? - Very much. Paying to park just adds to the expense and detracts from interest in going to a show.

6. Food vendors - Rather not. Why take any risk in messing with the product on tables? (well, aside from the Expo meat sticks)

7. Grading drop offs or on site grading - don't care about grading at all so I'm going to ignore this one.

8. Manufactures and their give aways. - Good if you can get them.

9. Times- 2 day or 3 day? - 1 day is all you need on a local level.
 
Mack said:
I just curious on all of your opinions on what do you like at card shows you go to.

1. Booths vs Tables
2. Auto guests yes or no. If yes what kind of price range? $20-40 vs big names at $75-300. Of course all depends on the guests.
3. Venues- Sports Hall, Casino ballroom or Community center
4. Silent auctions- yes or no
5. Parking- do you care if you have to pay to park?
6. Food vendors
7. Grading drop offs or on site grading
8. Manufactures and their give aways.
9. Times- 2 day or 3 day?
Click to expand...

I'm not picky on booths vs. tables. I just like a diverse selection of goods to search over. I'm not big on the guests thing so it doesn't matter to me. Any venue that is clean and spacious works for me. Silent auctions aren't my thing but again, whatever suits people's fancy. I would hate to pay for parking especially if there is a fee to get in. Food vendors...again, whatever. Grading and giveaways aren't a big draw for me. It's nice, but not necessary.

I prefer tables that are well set up with a mindset of selling...not showing off.

And the big one for me....I want vendors who are ready to rock when the doors open and who don't pack up early. That's huge.
 
Mack said:
I just curious on all of your opinions on what do you like at card shows you go to.

1. Booths vs Tables
2. Auto guests yes or no. If yes what kind of price range? $20-40 vs big names at $75-300. Of course all depends on the guests.
3. Venues- Sports Hall, Casino ballroom or Community center
4. Silent auctions- yes or no
5. Parking- do you care if you have to pay to park?
6. Food vendors
7. Grading drop offs or on site grading
8. Manufactures and their give aways.
9. Times- 2 day or 3 day?
Click to expand...

1. Either or. AS long as there is room enough in the aisle to move around.

2. Indifferent. It brings in some people. Something to think about. Include the price of admission with the autograph charge..

3. Either works. The biggest concern for me is, excellent lighting.

4. Indifferent. As long as it is benefiting a well known cause.

5. Free all day long. Leaves more money to drop on a vendors table.

6. Some sort of reasonably priced sustenance that is quick, easy and not messy.

7. Meh...

8. If you're purchasing boxes to rip. Then this is an added bonus.

9. The two day works best in my opinion.

This sums it up for me:

bamlinden said:
And the big one for me....I want vendors who are ready to rock when the doors open and who don't pack up early. That's huge.
Click to expand...
 
1. Don't care - looking for selection and reasonable prices
2. Don't collect IP Autos
3. Don't Care
4. Not interested
5. Yes
6. Yes as long as they don't charge 3x the normal price for that dog or slice of pizza.
7. Not a fan
8. Yes, and for redemptions I especially like the unique cards made for an event.
9. It doesn't matter
 
2-3 days? Wow how big are the shows you guys go to? I can dig every discount box at the halifax show in 3-4 hours haha
 
1. Booths vs Tables
Either is fine by me
2. Auto guests yes or no. If yes what kind of price range? $20-40 vs big names at $75-300. Of course all depends on the guests.
It does all depend on the guests. If it were the right guy, I might pay it. Unlikely though - even for $20
3. Venues- Sports Hall, Casino ballroom or Community center
Any or all would be fine by me
4. Silent auctions- yes or no
Like the auto guests - doesn't really matter. If you've got something for sale that I like, I may participate... but I don't usually do silent auctions becuase I find most of them VERY overpriced.
5. Parking- do you care if you have to pay to park?
Cost of Parking + Cost of Entry = Cost of going to the show. The show has to be worth the cost. The Toronto Expo costs me $12 / day, with free parking. I would probably still go if it were a couple of bucks more. The local show to me costs $2 with free parking... and the last couple of times I went, that was the only $2 I spent. I might go as high as $5 to get in though. If you're going to charge $10 for parking though.... the cost to get in had better be $5 (or less) or it needs to be the most amazing show ever! If it's $10 + $10, I think the higher cost is going to turn people away quickly.
6. Food vendors
I like them, but only necessary if your show is big enough for me to spend a day at. If 3-4 hours is all I need there, I'm not getting food.
7. Grading drop offs or on site grading
Don't care, wouldn't go to them anyway
8. Manufactures and their give aways.
Like them, so long as the lines are reasonable
9. Times- 2 day or 3 day?
2 days is enough for me. I've never done all 3 @ the Expo (usually do Friday from 6-9, and then most the day Saturday). If you've got so many vendors that it takes 3 days to get through, all power to you!
 
Mack said:
I just curious on all of your opinions on what do you like at card shows you go to.

1. Booths vs Tables (Either as long as the dealers there are pleasant to work with)
2. Auto guests yes or no. If yes what kind of price range? $20-40 vs big names at $75-300. Of course all depends on the guests. - Auto guest are good for the dealers because it brings people through the door.
3. Venues- Sports Hall, Casino ballroom or Community center - Yes as long as there is a show. Our current show is held in a hotel conference room. It is small but it has a tightknit community feeling to it.
4. Silent auctions- yes or no
5. Parking- do you care if you have to pay to park? It depends on how big the show is. If it is 10 vendors yes, if it is 100 vendors then I do not care if I have to pay to park.
6. Food vendors - Once again depending on the size of the show. Our local show doesn't need food vendors because it is only about 15 vendors. If I am planning to spend more than half a day at a show (50 or more vendors) then a food option would be good.
7. Grading drop offs or on site grading (Size of the show)
8. Manufactures and their give aways (Size of the show)
9. Times- 2 day or 3 day? (Size of the show)
Click to expand...

Hope this helps
 

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