What is the best day for deals at the Expo?

[habscards]

Simple question. As a buyer what is the best day to find deals at the Expo?

Friday-does the early bird get the worm?

Saturday-middle day which is the busiest so I am guessing no.

Sunday-dealers more willing to dump their stuff so that they do not have to bring it back.


Just curious as what you guys think.

Jeff

 

[spooner9ball]

It will vary from dealer to dealer, but a couple of guys I spoke to made bulk or whole case offers, and followed them by saying " I don't want to go much lower, because I can always blow it out to other dealers at the end of the show".

 

[habscards]

I have often wondered that. I figure that with cases Sunday would be the best day. Especially if the product is something from the previous year or before.

 

[joshpackham]

I will say Sunday, only because dealers know the traffic won't be their the next day, so if they get a decent offer I find they take it, I was only their on the sunday and I didn't feel like I overpaid for anything

 

[spooner9ball]

By cases I meant display cases.

 

[GoalieFan89]

I only ever go Friday and most of the dealers don't seem very willing to budge on price and give deals. I couldn't believe the prices on some of the stuff at the Fall '14 EXPO. Most of the dealers were asking full BV when I asked for prices on showcase items. I mainly collect items from 1980- 2004.

An example would be the 1995-96 Playoff Ultra Rare Bronze (gold) Wayne Gretzky. I saw two in showcases, one the seller was asking for $150 and the other the seller was asking for $50. I kept looking and managed to find one for $7!

 

[Triple B]

Historically, I have found some solid deals during the last two hours of the show on Sunday. Guys are about to start packing up and those who have done well have done well and I find some who haven't are trying to make up ground and are willing to deal more than they were the first two days.

Still, there are others who are stubborn and go home with what they came with only to show up with that same display six months later.

 

[habscards]

Thanks for all of the help guys. I have not been to an Expo in about five years. I do plan on going to the next one (barring my back is well enough) and I am just trying to gauge what the best day to go is.

If anyone has any more tips or hints or tricks please do share with everyone else.

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[spooner9ball]

Another thing I would say is create a rapport. When a table guy say "how you doing", give him a genuine response and see how the show is going for him. Maybe even spend a few bucks. LOOK IN HIS CASE, don't just scan it. If you see something you think you'll buy no matter what, write it down and the table name, tell him you'll be back.....and then actually GO BACK. They really appreciate the honesty and may throw you a deal. I went back for a two dollar card and he gave it to me for a loonie ( I gave him the toonie regardless), and another 30 dollar purchase became a 28 dollar purchase an hour later, along with a handshake and a " thanks for coming back".

 

[99goals]

I have to say over the past few years the best time slot has varied. I got my best deals on Friday between 2 to 3 pm. Sunday around noon was good too..

who am I kidding.. I haven't had an issue finding a deal but its all about negotiation and knowing your audience.

 

[Mack]

I don't know but really depends on what you are looking for. I saw some steal of a deals on Friday that if you did not get them they were gone. I think it really also depends on the item you are looking for. If its rare then there is no special time, if it is a dime a dozen card like say young guns or SP A not name Stamkos or Crosby then some will say opening couple of hours and closing couple of hours. Some say the dealers are either trying to get a start to a great day or end a day by selling a few cards. Really it does not matter what day, make sure you have your wants and needs figured out cause there are a lot of great deals out there.

 

[piper1]

When I can make it I go for all three days to make the trip worth it and based on about 20 Expos I can tell you that it is Sunday without question. Dealers start making offers instead of the buyer and in some of the dealers slash prices as the show goes on. You can even see the progressive drops for yourself, but the trick is trying to keep enough cash for all those great Sunday deals.