Toronto Expo questions

[bean7]

I have had the opportunity to go to the Toronto Expo a couple times before but I have always been on Friday - opening day. This year I think Sunday is going to fit best into my calendar and I was wondering how the Expo may be different on Sunday from what I've come to expect on Friday.

Do the dealers stay right to the "bitter end" on Sunday or do they start to pack up before 6pm with some dealers leaving early?

As well, I have heard some great deals can be had on Sunday because dealers do not want to transport inventory home if they can help it. Is this true or are prices about the same as Friday?

Answers to these questions, and any other helpful information for a "Sunday virgin" would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Chillychow]

Having been to the Expo several times on different days, my favourite is early on Saturday. I think this is the busiest day, however, the atmosphere is better as everyone is excited to be there and the dealers are looking for strong sales. The downside, though, is it can be hard to get through the crowd to a table and often the dealer is busy with other collectors so you have to wait a while for your turn. I've also found the earlier I can get there during the show, the better selection I find - especially for 'hot' cards that might not be available on Sunday. It's true that you can find some good deals on Sunday, but, the dealers do tend to pack up early and I find some mentally throw in the towel pretty early in the afternoon.

Either way, I'm sure it will be a great event regardless of when you are able to make it over.

 

[quincy]

Friday usually sets the tone for Expo. If it's a good Friday then everyone's loose and relaxed for Saturday, optimistic for a good show. If Friday's poor - for whatever reason, be it "economic downturn" or Biblical rainstorms - then Saturday invariably is a tense day, harder to haggle and deal.

Regardless, Sunday is its own beast. There's always someone who decides that the only thing he's bringing home is cash. There's dealers who decide to oblige the first guy. There's people who wanna leave early because they've made their big deals and they don't need to stick around. And so on.

 

[99goals]

Having been at the expo both as a dealer and as an attendee, the best time to hit the dealer tables is when everyone is at the redemption line ups. Especially the UPPER DECK line ups.
As Q has stated, Friday sets the tone for the rest of the weekend.

Apart from above, hitting the tables in these timeslots is ideal for giving yourself some space when at the tables.
Friday after 7
Saturday anytime during the redemption lineups
Sunday after 2 or 3 pm.

 

[gobuffalo2331]

I'm going for the first time..do autograph tickets usually sell out? I have my heart set on getting a few Hasek autographs and my guess is that the demand may be high. Also, do sellers accept on the spot paypal payments? Every once in a while a shield, or a very nice Gretzky catches my eye and I have to have it, but I don't want to carry more than about $400 cash on me. Any help is appreciated!

 

[99goals]

I'm going for the first time..do autograph tickets usually sell out? I have my heart set on getting a few Hasek autographs and my guess is that the demand may be high. Also, do sellers accept on the spot paypal payments? Every once in a while a shield, or a very nice Gretzky catches my eye and I have to have it, but I don't want to carry more than about $400 cash on me. Any help is appreciated!

I can't speak for all sellers but some def accept paypal on the spot. I did this a couple of times last expo. I know of a few other dealers who are on these boards who have done the same thing. The older dealers may not accept this quite readily. If you go to the Wayne Frazer's booth ( The Ice Box) he keeps a debit/visa machine at his table which is usually located near the food court.

A few others do this as well. I hope this helps.

As for autograph tickets, if its one of the AJ sports world autograph guests, you should get in line early. I have a few friends that go early and set up lawn chairs to wait for the signing. That being said, I always hear announcements for people with certain category tickets should go to the autograph booth to get their auto from whoever. You will also get the odd announcement that player x is leaving in y minutes, and people will rush to get some last minute auto's signed.

I have only ever lined up once and it took a bajillion hours to get my auto. There are probably board members on here who frequently get auto's and could better advise you than myself.

 

[gobuffalo2331]

Thanks for the help. I didn't realize they sold autograph tickets in letter groups, I'm assuming to keep the lines down? A/B/C/D tickets are sold and then you are called up? Thats how it was at the Stamkos signing in Buffalo last year.

 

[99goals]

Thanks for the help. I didn't realize they sold autograph tickets in letter groups, I'm assuming to keep the lines down? A/B/C/D tickets are sold and then you are called up? Thats how it was at the Stamkos signing in Buffalo last year.

They do this to keep the crowd and lines to a minimum. If you have long lines people get upset if they have to wait too long. Speaking of which they should do this for the wax redemption line ups too.

 

[The Great Zo]

The Sunday deals are not just a fable. If you find the right dealer, you'll make some awesome purchases.

There are usually a lot of announcements over the loudspeaker urging dealers to remain open until the end of the official hours on Sunday, but some of them will have packed up early, and the foot traffic will begin to die down a couple hours before closing time. Don't leave with the crowd -- there will still be plenty of dealers set up, and well enough to keep you busy, especially if you weren't there the whole weekend.

 

[gobuffalo2331]

I know this has been asked before in another thread, but what are the closest/cheaper hotels?