First time as a dealer at a show!

[dabigyankeeman]

Last month for the first time, I was on the other side of the table. I decided to condense my collection to mainly Yankee cards, and I figured I would try for to actually be a dealer for one day at a card show. In the 28 years of collecting, I have sold to dealers or friends, but never was a dealer myself.

I took a table on a Saturday in Dania Jai Alai palace near Ft Lauderdale in Florida. Its a real nice show, it runs the first saturday and sunday every month upstairs in the Jai Alai palace (kids can come in), one of the few good shows we ever get down here in South Florida.

I spent a couple of weeks putting all the cards i was taking into holders and pricing them. I did not want a single card on my table to not have a price. I hate when a dealer doesnt have prices on cards. My cards were tough to price. I was selling all Dodgers and Giants from 1959 and older, all the way back to tobacco cards. Nothing else. However, my cards are collectors cards, not investors cards. None are graded, and most are lessor condition. Its hard to price lessor condition cards, particularly since I really wanted to sell a bunch. Rather than work from a price guide, I got on Ebay and one by one looked up each card and saw what it was selling for in all different conditions. I then underpriced my cards a little so that they would move, but I left myself room to bargain as I knew everyone would want a little off.

I borrowed a showcase for my most expensive cards so they wouldnt wind up in someones pocket. I also brought my wife to watch. The rest of my table I spread out the cards, cards that are usually also in showcases, and I found that people loved the cards loose and loved to handle them, and it made for a lot of interest in my cards.

Right before the show, I had a dealer ask me what I would take for the entire table, and I told him three thousand. He said no way, and I told him I was not going to give them away to a dealer. Even the three thousand was too low, but it was appealing to move them all in one shot. We did work out a deal on some tobacco cards and 1952 commons for $200 total.

All the customers were really nice, most loved the old cards, as most of the show is more current stuff, plus so many liked the incredible number of Brooklyn Dodgers I had, thats a very popular team. I had a lot of great conversations with customers, and it turned out to loads of fun talking to these people who really appreciated what was on my table.

All in all, I sold $1300, a nice take for my first time. Then as the show was winding down, a guy asked me what I would take for the balance of the cards. Thinking of the $3000 I was originally willing to take, and deducting what I sold, I told him $1700. He was very interested, didnt buy them at the show, we kept in touch for a few days, but ultimately he didnt buy them.

So I figured that since its a 2-day show, I bet the same people always go on the same day, either Saturday or Sunday, so in December I am going to try to sell the rest of my cards on Sunday (the first sunday in December). I went thru my collection and added some other old cards from the 1960's and early 1970's that are NOT Dodgers or Giants, and I am also going to bring some Mets from that time period, so I will have a little different mix next time. I cant wait to see what happens.

Mainly it was more enjoyable than I expected. Collectors in general are very nice people, and they really enjoy talking sports with you, and a lot of them had real interesting stories about personal encounters with specific baseball players. The promoter of the show, Lou, and his helper, Cat, are super nice people, and they helped me a lot. Also, they run neat promotions, giving away shopping spree's at the show.

Overall I was nervous going into the show, and now I cant wait to do the show in December!

Anybody here ever tried to be a dealer?

[Captain Cold Nose]

Last month for the first time, I was on the other side of the table. I decided to condense my collection to mainly Yankee cards, and I figured I would try for to actually be a dealer for one day at a card show. In the 28 years of collecting, I have sold to dealers or friends, but never was a dealer myself.

I took a table on a Saturday in Dania Jai Alai palace near Ft Lauderdale in Florida. Its a real nice show, it runs the first saturday and sunday every month upstairs in the Jai Alai palace (kids can come in), one of the few good shows we ever get down here in South Florida.

I spent a couple of weeks putting all the cards i was taking into holders and pricing them. I did not want a single card on my table to not have a price. I hate when a dealer doesnt have prices on cards. My cards were tough to price. I was selling all Dodgers and Giants from 1959 and older, all the way back to tobacco cards. Nothing else. However, my cards are collectors cards, not investors cards. None are graded, and most are lessor condition. Its hard to price lessor condition cards, particularly since I really wanted to sell a bunch. Rather than work from a price guide, I got on Ebay and one by one looked up each card and saw what it was selling for in all different conditions. I then underpriced my cards a little so that they would move, but I left myself room to bargain as I knew everyone would want a little off.

I borrowed a showcase for my most expensive cards so they wouldnt wind up in someones pocket. I also brought my wife to watch. The rest of my table I spread out the cards, cards that are usually also in showcases, and I found that people loved the cards loose and loved to handle them, and it made for a lot of interest in my cards.

Right before the show, I had a dealer ask me what I would take for the entire table, and I told him three thousand. He said no way, and I told him I was not going to give them away to a dealer. Even the three thousand was too low, but it was appealing to move them all in one shot. We did work out a deal on some tobacco cards and 1952 commons for $200 total.

All the customers were really nice, most loved the old cards, as most of the show is more current stuff, plus so many liked the incredible number of Brooklyn Dodgers I had, thats a very popular team. I had a lot of great conversations with customers, and it turned out to loads of fun talking to these people who really appreciated what was on my table.

All in all, I sold $1300, a nice take for my first time. Then as the show was winding down, a guy asked me what I would take for the balance of the cards. Thinking of the $3000 I was originally willing to take, and deducting what I sold, I told him $1700. He was very interested, didnt buy them at the show, we kept in touch for a few days, but ultimately he didnt buy them.

So I figured that since its a 2-day show, I bet the same people always go on the same day, either Saturday or Sunday, so in December I am going to try to sell the rest of my cards on Sunday (the first sunday in December). I went thru my collection and added some other old cards from the 1960's and early 1970's that are NOT Dodgers or Giants, and I am also going to bring some Mets from that time period, so I will have a little different mix next time. I cant wait to see what happens.

Mainly it was more enjoyable than I expected. Collectors in general are very nice people, and they really enjoy talking sports with you, and a lot of them had real interesting stories about personal encounters with specific baseball players. The promoter of the show, Lou, and his helper, Cat, are super nice people, and they helped me a lot. Also, they run neat promotions, giving away shopping spree's at the show.

Overall I was nervous going into the show, and now I cant wait to do the show in December!

Anybody here ever tried to be a dealer?

Sounds like a good experience for you. And you are the type of dealer I like to stop and do more than just browse. A collector's dealer. I never knew there was a monthy show there. I'll have to check it out when I'm down there in March. For your sake, I hope you are able to sell all your stuff by then. But, if not . . .

[dabigyankeeman]

Sounds like a good experience for you. And you are the type of dealer I like to stop and do more than just browse. A collector's dealer. I never knew there was a monthy show there. I'll have to check it out when I'm down there in March. For your sake, I hope you are able to sell all your stuff by then. But, if not . . .


I highly doubt I will sell all or even most of my cards that are for sale, and after this show I had intended to wait until the baseball season started again to make another attempt. You can always PM me when you come down and ask me whats up with my cards.

[Captain Cold Nose]

I highly doubt I will sell all or even most of my cards that are for sale, and after this show I had intended to wait until the baseball season started again to make another attempt. You can always PM me when you come down and ask me whats up with my cards.

I may just do that. Good luck in the meantime. Glad it was an enjoyable experience for you.

[J.P]

I didnt know there was a show there, I Live in Miami, will definitely try to go to the one in December, but Sundays I gotta watch the Dolphins and go to church, so its more likely I'll be going on Saturday, therefore I'll propably miss you. Do you know of any other shows in the Miami/Ft Lauderdale area?? A few years ago I used to go to one in a bowling alley that has since been torned down and made into an Office Depot, since then I havent attended a show....

[dabigyankeeman]

I didnt know there was a show there, I Live in Miami, will definitely try to go to the one in December, but Sundays I gotta watch the Dolphins and go to church, so its more likely I'll be going on Saturday, therefore I'll propably miss you. Do you know of any other shows in the Miami/Ft Lauderdale area?? A few years ago I used to go to one in a bowling alley that has since been torned down and made into an Office Depot, since then I havent attended a show....

I used to go shows in the Miami/Ft Lauderdale area back in the 1980's and early 90's when there were great shows. Now its been a vast wasteland. Every once in a blue moon i see a show listed in the newspaper, then its just a few dealers. This is the only good show i know of down here, and you should go on Sunday, it doesnt start until noon on Sunday so people can go to church, then they have tv's around so you can follow the football games. Also on Sunday they have an incredible drawing for a chance at a $500 show shopping spree, and its free to get in the drawing, plus they have other promotions. They really do this show right. Again, its the first weekend of every month, upstairs in the Dania Jai Alai palace. You should give it a try. I really dont know of any other good regular shows. Just keep your eye on the sports sections and weekend sections of the Miami Herald and Sun Sentinel and you may catch another show now and then, but its not too often. Oh, how i loved the old days of good shows every weekend. Was that bowling alley in Kendall? If so, i went there a couple of times a long time ago. Good luck with your collecting, enjoy! Check out info on the show at: www.daniascardshow.com The pictures are from when the show was downstairs, its upstairs now in its own room which makes it more of a sports card show feeling.

[weberd72]

There is actually one other monthly show in the Miami area at Miccosukee Resort & Gaming and one in Boca at a Holiday inn. You can find them at the Beckett calendar. I just figured this out about a month ago and just haven't had the time to check one of them out yet. I do hope to check out the Dania show http://www.daniascardshow.com the first weekend in December.

[houfan]

Sounds like you had a really nice experience. Wished I could have been there.

[Captain Cold Nose]

There is actually one other monthly show in the Miami area at Miccosukee Resort & Gaming and one in Boca at a Holiday inn. You can find them at the Beckett calendar. I just figured this out about a month ago and just haven't had the time to check one of them out yet. I do hope to check out the Dania show http://www.daniascardshow.com the first weekend in December.

Boca is the closest for me. I'll have to check Beckett out for that.

[mybaseballcardspace]

Well good luck to you. It sounds like you had fun and enjoyed selling your cards and hopefully you made some money in the process. Good luck on your next show!

[dabigyankeeman]

Boca is the closest for me. I'll have to check Beckett out for that.

Its not that far from Boca to the Dania Jai Alai palace since its highway most of the way. Boca is not as far from the Ft. Lauderdale area as people think. I live south of Ft Lauderdale, and sometimes we drive to Boca to shop at the Mizner Plaza, or to go to an art festival there.

[Captain Cold Nose]

Its not that far from Boca to the Dania Jai Alai palace since its highway most of the way. Boca is not as far from the Ft. Lauderdale area as people think. I live south of Ft Lauderdale, and sometimes we drive to Boca to shop at the Mizner Plaza, or to go to an art festival there.

Oh, I know. I'll be staying in Delray and have become quite acquainted with the area between West Palm and Ft. Lauderdale over the years. I've been to Jai Alai a couple of times. That actually sounds like the better show. It's a matter of the company I keep down there. But I'm sure I could swing the little extra distance.

[J.P]

I used to go shows in the Miami/Ft Lauderdale area back in the 1980's and early 90's when there were great shows. Now its been a vast wasteland. Every once in a blue moon i see a show listed in the newspaper, then its just a few dealers. This is the only good show i know of down here, and you should go on Sunday, it doesnt start until noon on Sunday so people can go to church, then they have tv's around so you can follow the football games. Also on Sunday they have an incredible drawing for a chance at a $500 show shopping spree, and its free to get in the drawing, plus they have other promotions. They really do this show right. Again, its the first weekend of every month, upstairs in the Dania Jai Alai palace. You should give it a try. I really dont know of any other good regular shows. Just keep your eye on the sports sections and weekend sections of the Miami Herald and Sun Sentinel and you may catch another show now and then, but its not too often. Oh, how i loved the old days of good shows every weekend. Was that bowling alley in Kendall? If so, i went there a couple of times a long time ago. Good luck with your collecting, enjoy! Check out info on the show at: www.daniascardshow.com The pictures are from when the show was downstairs, its upstairs now in its own room which makes it more of a sports card show feeling.

I definitely plan to attend the one in December, cant promise I'll go on Sunday though. And yes, that was the bowling alley in Kendall.

[J.P]

There is actually one other monthly show in the Miami area at Miccosukee Resort & Gaming and one in Boca at a Holiday inn. You can find them at the Beckett calendar. I just figured this out about a month ago and just haven't had the time to check one of them out yet. I do hope to check out the Dania show http://www.daniascardshow.com the first weekend in December.

Thanks a lot fo that info, the Miccosukees are actually kind of close to me, so I'll be checking that one out.

[howiek]

I was just down there. I was in Hollywood for 9 Days. I went to watch
Jai Alai. My GF likes it.
I should have checked the for shows while I was down there. Oh well next time