BigBarracuda
Verified Trader,
Hey all:
This thread is more of a “tell” since the show will be part of the next Green Train of Happiness.
FRIDAY
I started the show on Friday, at opening hours, and made a beeline for the COMC station to submit my first-ever box of cards for listing on their site. We got a 20% off coupon if dropped off at the EXPO, so I had to give a whirl. Thanks to Ameet for the early guidance on the best way to prepare. I was so prepared that I literally handed them my cards, and they said thank you. Now I wait for them to let me know they are ready for pricing, and we are off to the races.
I met up with a childhood buddy and we had arranged somewhat of a mega-deal between Expos. It turns out he had kept all the hockey cards we used to trade back in the day. The key set was the 1970-71 OPC, and he had about 60 of them for me. What’s really cool about these specific cards is that these would have been cards I held as a 9 or 10yr old, and traded to him for who knows what. These are cards I bought, I owned, and I traded. I find it fun to think about!
He and I stopped at Marcel Dionne’s booth because I had made 3 copies of the Triple Crown Line Hockey Matches and asked him to give the other two guys a copy as well (all 3 were there for an autograph session). Marcel said, “no way are they getting these” and we all laughed……soooooooo I have no idea if they got them lol.
I also had to see Q to wrap a deal from months ago, including a personalized custom card, made to appeal specifically to the new owner. If Steve decides to share, you’ll be able to see it. I didn’t keep any images (head slap). The card I received will be in the next Green Train of Happiness thread. These are insane to try to find, thank you Steve!
Then we roamed a bit, but soon found ourselves at Norm’s booth. Thank you for the kind words in the other thread Norm, I’m hoping I didn’t overstay my welcome. Your kindness went a long way with this retired body lol. I had brought a box of customs to show people, and to get opinions from folks I respect as hobbyists, and Norm allowed me to keep them at his booth while I roamed like a puppy in field full of chew toys. Little did I know how much attention those customs would get. At one point I also saw Spooner9Ball walking the aisles. We share a table at the Hamilton shows so we didn’t need to chat much at the Expo, but it’s always nice to see people you know!
Early in the afternoon, I got a call from Mr. Price (we had pre-arranged a meeting) for me to hand him a one-of-one I had purchased from him (you’ll see this Gordie Howe card in the Green Train thread). Since I had his attention, I showed him my Hockey Matches concept. I think it would be fair to say he was impressed, and fascinated. Well see if it goes anywhere…
I was also able to locate a possible needed Whalers card on Friday, the seller was kind enough to reserve it until Saturday (so I could get home and confirm if I needed it). Again, Greet Train material as I did need this card, and was able to land it!!
While at the back of the Hall, talking with Ameet first, then with Jeremy, I let them know I wanted to find a way to help encourage donation activity for the website. They felt my idea had merit, so hopefully you will see more details on that in the coming weeks!
My childhood buddy and I then went on our vintage search (he’s doing 71-72 and I’m doing 70-71). I don’t do a ton of vintage, but I need to say, I find vintage sellers far more pleasant and more approachable, it really was one of the highlights for me.
Also on Friday, Norm got caught up in the Hockey Matches cards, and ended up grabbing “a few”, eh Norm? It was right around this time, that some stranger wearing a Whalers jersey walked up to me, and started chatting me up. I was embarrassed that I did not recognize you Geoff (Ironman Indy), my apologies again! Man did we talk, and talk, and talk. It was fabulous!!!! So much so that his two travel buds (Avs20 and MaverickSports) and the two of us all went out for dinner and pints. It was a great outing, with loads of smack talk, laughs, and cheers. Thanks guys, it was GREAT!
SATURDAY
This day was a blur, holy smoke was it crazy busy. Geoff and I were looking for Dan Mercer much of the morning, we finally met up, it was good to catch up for a while! Thank you, Dan, for the care package! There were a few cards in there that I needed!!!
I took this day to try to connect with several of my new Facebook hobby contacts, really enjoyed putting real faces to pictures. I also ran into Tim of SlabStrong so we chatted for quite some time. He now works with BCW so he walked me over there and met one of their product managers. Real nice guy, so with the two of them there, I pulled out the old Hockey Matches for opinions. They were also VERY interested in the product. While demonstrating them the card, it turns out one of the people in the booth was connected with (crap I forget the company name) a Group Break sponsor, and he spoke with me at length about him acquiring a regular supply of Match Sticks as part of a promotion they want to run on their site. I need to do some thinking LOL. He took my business card and might reach out to me (time will tell).
I found a few more 1970-71 cards on Saturday, leaving me only about 7 or 8 cards left to finish the entire set. This has been about a 3 year project, so no need to rush. I was also able to find 4 more jersey patches (I need these for the Hockey Matches cards). I grabbed the Lightning, Wings, Bruins, and new Canucks. I remember there used to be a guy that was at every Expo with multiple tables full of patches…. not so this year.
I wrapped up mid-afternoon on Saturday, knowing that the marathon had one more day in it.
SUNDAY
Sunday was all about bin diving. I found some decent deals, but the reality is I was merely seeking shiney cards for my show case in Hamilton. I can’t say any of my pickups were legendary, however I do have one closing story. I was literally on my final booth, checking my pockets for keys, etc, when I heard someone yell out my name (no, it wasn’t a porn star)! A very nice young guy said he had a Whalers card that I might be interested in. So he opened up his backpack. When I saw the card, we agreed perhaps we could go and sit down to discuss a possible sale. I knew what he paid for it, and he we incredibly kind to offer it to me at that same value (no profit). I couldn’t say no. I have so many cornerstone cards that my foundation could be a duodecahedron, but this card really is a cornerstone! Again, watch for the green train thread!
Over the 3 days, I had many people approach me asking if I was the Whalers guy from IG, which was cool. Certainly it was a nice icebreaker for conversations.
Now back to customs, I have some important Christmas deliverables to get at!
Thanks for taking the time to read.
(if this post sounds like a scrambled, disorganized array of randomness, then you truly see how my Expo went, too much fun!!)
Glenn
This thread is more of a “tell” since the show will be part of the next Green Train of Happiness.
FRIDAY
I started the show on Friday, at opening hours, and made a beeline for the COMC station to submit my first-ever box of cards for listing on their site. We got a 20% off coupon if dropped off at the EXPO, so I had to give a whirl. Thanks to Ameet for the early guidance on the best way to prepare. I was so prepared that I literally handed them my cards, and they said thank you. Now I wait for them to let me know they are ready for pricing, and we are off to the races.
I met up with a childhood buddy and we had arranged somewhat of a mega-deal between Expos. It turns out he had kept all the hockey cards we used to trade back in the day. The key set was the 1970-71 OPC, and he had about 60 of them for me. What’s really cool about these specific cards is that these would have been cards I held as a 9 or 10yr old, and traded to him for who knows what. These are cards I bought, I owned, and I traded. I find it fun to think about!
He and I stopped at Marcel Dionne’s booth because I had made 3 copies of the Triple Crown Line Hockey Matches and asked him to give the other two guys a copy as well (all 3 were there for an autograph session). Marcel said, “no way are they getting these” and we all laughed……soooooooo I have no idea if they got them lol.
I also had to see Q to wrap a deal from months ago, including a personalized custom card, made to appeal specifically to the new owner. If Steve decides to share, you’ll be able to see it. I didn’t keep any images (head slap). The card I received will be in the next Green Train of Happiness thread. These are insane to try to find, thank you Steve!
Then we roamed a bit, but soon found ourselves at Norm’s booth. Thank you for the kind words in the other thread Norm, I’m hoping I didn’t overstay my welcome. Your kindness went a long way with this retired body lol. I had brought a box of customs to show people, and to get opinions from folks I respect as hobbyists, and Norm allowed me to keep them at his booth while I roamed like a puppy in field full of chew toys. Little did I know how much attention those customs would get. At one point I also saw Spooner9Ball walking the aisles. We share a table at the Hamilton shows so we didn’t need to chat much at the Expo, but it’s always nice to see people you know!
Early in the afternoon, I got a call from Mr. Price (we had pre-arranged a meeting) for me to hand him a one-of-one I had purchased from him (you’ll see this Gordie Howe card in the Green Train thread). Since I had his attention, I showed him my Hockey Matches concept. I think it would be fair to say he was impressed, and fascinated. Well see if it goes anywhere…
I was also able to locate a possible needed Whalers card on Friday, the seller was kind enough to reserve it until Saturday (so I could get home and confirm if I needed it). Again, Greet Train material as I did need this card, and was able to land it!!
While at the back of the Hall, talking with Ameet first, then with Jeremy, I let them know I wanted to find a way to help encourage donation activity for the website. They felt my idea had merit, so hopefully you will see more details on that in the coming weeks!
My childhood buddy and I then went on our vintage search (he’s doing 71-72 and I’m doing 70-71). I don’t do a ton of vintage, but I need to say, I find vintage sellers far more pleasant and more approachable, it really was one of the highlights for me.
Also on Friday, Norm got caught up in the Hockey Matches cards, and ended up grabbing “a few”, eh Norm? It was right around this time, that some stranger wearing a Whalers jersey walked up to me, and started chatting me up. I was embarrassed that I did not recognize you Geoff (Ironman Indy), my apologies again! Man did we talk, and talk, and talk. It was fabulous!!!! So much so that his two travel buds (Avs20 and MaverickSports) and the two of us all went out for dinner and pints. It was a great outing, with loads of smack talk, laughs, and cheers. Thanks guys, it was GREAT!
SATURDAY
This day was a blur, holy smoke was it crazy busy. Geoff and I were looking for Dan Mercer much of the morning, we finally met up, it was good to catch up for a while! Thank you, Dan, for the care package! There were a few cards in there that I needed!!!
I took this day to try to connect with several of my new Facebook hobby contacts, really enjoyed putting real faces to pictures. I also ran into Tim of SlabStrong so we chatted for quite some time. He now works with BCW so he walked me over there and met one of their product managers. Real nice guy, so with the two of them there, I pulled out the old Hockey Matches for opinions. They were also VERY interested in the product. While demonstrating them the card, it turns out one of the people in the booth was connected with (crap I forget the company name) a Group Break sponsor, and he spoke with me at length about him acquiring a regular supply of Match Sticks as part of a promotion they want to run on their site. I need to do some thinking LOL. He took my business card and might reach out to me (time will tell).
I found a few more 1970-71 cards on Saturday, leaving me only about 7 or 8 cards left to finish the entire set. This has been about a 3 year project, so no need to rush. I was also able to find 4 more jersey patches (I need these for the Hockey Matches cards). I grabbed the Lightning, Wings, Bruins, and new Canucks. I remember there used to be a guy that was at every Expo with multiple tables full of patches…. not so this year.
I wrapped up mid-afternoon on Saturday, knowing that the marathon had one more day in it.
SUNDAY
Sunday was all about bin diving. I found some decent deals, but the reality is I was merely seeking shiney cards for my show case in Hamilton. I can’t say any of my pickups were legendary, however I do have one closing story. I was literally on my final booth, checking my pockets for keys, etc, when I heard someone yell out my name (no, it wasn’t a porn star)! A very nice young guy said he had a Whalers card that I might be interested in. So he opened up his backpack. When I saw the card, we agreed perhaps we could go and sit down to discuss a possible sale. I knew what he paid for it, and he we incredibly kind to offer it to me at that same value (no profit). I couldn’t say no. I have so many cornerstone cards that my foundation could be a duodecahedron, but this card really is a cornerstone! Again, watch for the green train thread!
Over the 3 days, I had many people approach me asking if I was the Whalers guy from IG, which was cool. Certainly it was a nice icebreaker for conversations.
Now back to customs, I have some important Christmas deliverables to get at!
Thanks for taking the time to read.
(if this post sounds like a scrambled, disorganized array of randomness, then you truly see how my Expo went, too much fun!!)
Glenn
