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For the first time, I'm going to be on the other side of the table. It's at a tiny local show next month, like 10 tables. I've read old threads about basic setup info, but I was wondering if anyone who has worked a show has any good info on what to expect. And more particularly, how to deal with other dealers.
The promoter is a guy I've known for a long time and I just decided kind of on a whim to sign up for a table. I've been wanting to thin out my insert monster boxes and bulk/semistar boxes for years. But one interesting thing I've heard was to be careful of "financial politics." That is, at shows where it's mainly weekend warrior/collectors-supporting-their-habit kind of shows, which this one is, don't bring high-dollar cards. Selling one $250 card to a person is bad form, better to have low-dollar cards so buyers will spread dollars around to all tables. I sort of understand that, but on the other hand, it's a free country, and I don't imagine I'll be doing this all the time, if ever again, so my bridges don't really care if they're built or burnt. I only have one 6-foot table to work with, but I'm planning to bring a few monster boxes of stuff broken out in .25/.50/1/2+ cards. Then I'd have a small display with higher-dollar cards to draw eyeballs. I don't think $250 cards would move, but you never know. Maybe keep some really nice stuff available behind the table.
Also, what about buying? I'd only buy what I want, not to resell, unless an obvious great card presents itself. It seems like dealers who buy know what they can sell stuff for, but I have long since passed the point of knowing what every card sells for. I've not looked at a Beckett in years, and don't want to waste the $10 or whatever it is. I feel like looking up prices on my phone and then offering half what it sells for is cheesey. On the other hand, that's what being a dealer is, buying for less than market price, and the seller doesn't need to know I'm the end-user for it.
The promoter is a guy I've known for a long time and I just decided kind of on a whim to sign up for a table. I've been wanting to thin out my insert monster boxes and bulk/semistar boxes for years. But one interesting thing I've heard was to be careful of "financial politics." That is, at shows where it's mainly weekend warrior/collectors-supporting-their-habit kind of shows, which this one is, don't bring high-dollar cards. Selling one $250 card to a person is bad form, better to have low-dollar cards so buyers will spread dollars around to all tables. I sort of understand that, but on the other hand, it's a free country, and I don't imagine I'll be doing this all the time, if ever again, so my bridges don't really care if they're built or burnt. I only have one 6-foot table to work with, but I'm planning to bring a few monster boxes of stuff broken out in .25/.50/1/2+ cards. Then I'd have a small display with higher-dollar cards to draw eyeballs. I don't think $250 cards would move, but you never know. Maybe keep some really nice stuff available behind the table.
Also, what about buying? I'd only buy what I want, not to resell, unless an obvious great card presents itself. It seems like dealers who buy know what they can sell stuff for, but I have long since passed the point of knowing what every card sells for. I've not looked at a Beckett in years, and don't want to waste the $10 or whatever it is. I feel like looking up prices on my phone and then offering half what it sells for is cheesey. On the other hand, that's what being a dealer is, buying for less than market price, and the seller doesn't need to know I'm the end-user for it.