How to setup at a card show 💰TIPS and TRICKS to SUCCEED,👍 lessons learned

I learned a lot setting up a card show for the first time. I break down the tips, tricks, and lessons learned from an EPIC day as a dealer setup at a card show. This video is intended to show a new dealer how to setup at a card show and succeed. I hope you enjoy. It is the culmination of my series as I headed to my first card show as a dealer. I will be setting up more regularly and intend to continue to give stuff away to kids, make friends, sell cards, make deals, and increase my role in this hobby to cultivate the community.
Timecodes:
0:00 - Card show dealer let’s go!
0:20 - Scouting a sports card show
1:33 - Organization as a sports card dealer
2:19 - Player Bags
3:10 - Value boxes at a card show
4:03 - Mystery Packs
5:06 - Only cash at a card show
5:30 - Pricing your cards as a dealer
6:46 - Set realistic expectations
7:29 - Make sure you have change as a card show dealer
8:05 - Know your acquisition costs
==========================================================
Affiliate links: Feel free to support the channel. I will never share something I do not personally use
Card Show Setup Equipment I Use
My Showcases - amzn.to/3PSwCf9
Table Cover - amzn.to/48vaZsz
3 Row Value Boxes - amzn.to/3Zzpmbf
Graded Card Value Boxes - amzn.to/3RTjrfJ
Wireless Microphone - amzn.to/3Fdoyjj
Webcam - amzn.to/45777vg
==========================================================
Subscribe for more Sports Card Tips, Tricks, Dealer Perspective, and Laughs / @sportscardcollectorch...
Recommended Playlist - Card Show Dealer Setup and Experience - • Card Show Dealer Setup...
==========================================================
My 8-Year-Old Daughter Made me start this channel. If you do not like it, its her fault! Just kidding, she is an angel and all of you would be lucky to have her as your daughter
Brand/Slogan/Quote Merch
Spreadshop - sports-card-collector-chronic...
Let’s connect
Instagram - / sportscardcollectorchr...
TikTok - / sportscardcollectorchron
Ebay - www.ebay.com/usr/nystateofmin...
COMC - www.comc.com/users/nystateofm...
I hope you enjoy and if you see me around, please say hi!
#sportscardcollectorchronicles #thehobby #cardshows

[@SportsCardCollectorChronicles]

Hey folks. Here is a breakdown of tips and tricks I learned setting up at my first sports cards show. The metrics will change after the first show but the original setup is to see if this is really something you want to do going forward. I hope you enjoy. I documented the whole experience and made a playlist that you can find by click kzbin.info/aero/PLYoZ5QBOF6TtWSpRf0r5j_-h5AhwXuuFh . Enjoy!

[@mkbruck9113]

Nice to hear things I planned to do for my first table. Makes me feel like I'm on the right track. Thank you

[@SportsCardCollectorChronicles]

Awesome!! Good luck and I hope it goes well. Reminds me, I am do for an updated version of this with further information.

[@danswarthout5999]

totally agree with you on pricing cards

[@SportsCardCollectorChronicles]

Seems like the move to me. Thanks for the comment and hope to see you around the channel.

[@StevenRecknagelMusic]

Been watching a few videos on this, trying to figure out ways to be effective in moving my lower end items. I think your video was the most informative of anyone I’ve seen. Thanks for the info great work

[@SportsCardCollectorChronicles]

Thank you so much. I appreciate that and good luck!

[@BaseballCardIllustrated]

Thanks for doing this video. I enjoy the dealer perspective and wish more would discuss their experiences from that side of the table. I wish you continued success at shows and with the channel and look forward to more observations as a dealer

[@SportsCardCollectorChronicles]

Thanks so much. After going to shows for 20-30 years and deciding to try the other side of the table, I thought a real and genuine perspective of how things go might be helpful to some. I appreciate the comments. Only time and effort will tell if this channel every becomes a thing. Not sure if I am on track, way off etc, after about 5 months. I know it is a good time!

[@mitchellpearce5552]

Preciate you making this video. I'm about to do my 2nd table ever and got a lot of helpful tips from this video

[@SportsCardCollectorChronicles]

Not a problem. I'm happy to help. Good luck, and I hope you have a great fay!!!! C9me back and let us know how it went

[@simonssportscards2901]

Pragmatic and sound advice thanks I’ll let you know how it goes

[@SportsCardCollectorChronicles]

Awesome! I can't wait to hear! Thanks for coming by.

[@te2edgesportscards177]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and wisdom brother.

[@SportsCardCollectorChronicles]

Thank you kindly. I appreciate that. Hope to see you around the channel and thanks for the comment.

[@Ep_Sports_CardsPaul]

Thank you! This really helped

[@SportsCardCollectorChronicles]

Happy to hear it. And thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment.

[@brianadams6204]

New sub here this was a GREAT video you made it clear and to the point PERFECTLY. I think putting the prices on the cards is the best way to go.

[@SportsCardCollectorChronicles]

Hi Brian, thanks for the kind words. I found that (at least where i go) that pricing makes everything so smooth. Actually, I was setup at a show yesterday and countless folks kept talking about having the pricing on my cards and how they could see I had soem of the best prices in the room. That really helped for me. Thanks for the comment and see ya around the channel.

[@theatticctc]

Love your video, good info

[@SportsCardCollectorChronicles]

Thanks so much! i appreciate the kind words and the comment. Hope to see ya around the channel.

[@mynuttyfamilyadventures]

Great video, thank you for the advice

[@SportsCardCollectorChronicles]

Thanks a bunch. I appreciate it. Just trying to help. Hope to see you around the channel.

[@BobBoozle]

Great tips. As a buyer, I skip tables that don't have pricing.

[@SportsCardCollectorChronicles]

Thanks a bunch. I think a lot of people do the same thing . Hope to see ya around the channel

[@ryans5571]

Good video. Subscriber number 300 right here. 👍

[@SportsCardCollectorChronicles]

Well thanks for the comment and checking in at the round 300!!! Much appreciated.

[@chrisstarr4523]

I hate mystery pacts and basketball but great idea on the mystery packs.

[@SportsCardCollectorChronicles]

Yeah I ran them that time and made sure there was over value in them. Since then I have stopped and will not produce another one except I may do a Christmas time one (I was thinking about it this last year but time did not allow) where they are basically Christmas gifts thanking folks for a good year (If I have one.. haha). To many mystery packs are pure crap card dumps etc and I decided I did not want to be associated with that. Thanks for stopping by the channel and leaving the comment. It is apprecaited always. Hope to see ya around.

[@teddy_bear7191]

Great Video! Doing my first show in few weeks, and went to the show 3 times before setting up. My thoughts were similar to all your points!! Just glad to have confirmation of my thoughts!

[@SportsCardCollectorChronicles]

Smart moves. Good luck at your first show and would love to hear how it goes! I have another show this weekend. FIngers crossed. Thanks for the comment and hope to see you around the channel.

[@teddy_bear7191]

@@SportsCardCollectorChronicles I will let you know about show. I doing Mystery packs @ $12 a pack or 2 @$20. I put RC Elway, Marino, Sanders, plus newer rookies too. No graded cards, but good quality cards would grade mid level and have 2x-3x times packs. Most are $10-$20, few around $30, then 3 better pulls out of 50 packs. But I will let you know in few weeks!

[@SportsCardCollectorChronicles]

@@teddy_bear7191 that's a cool idea for mystery packs.. good luck!

[@teddy_bear7191]

@@SportsCardCollectorChronicles Past weekend was my card show and it was successful!! Mystery Packs still not sure! 1 pack for $20 and 2 for $35. Sold 6 packs and was 3 good packs, 1 okay and 2 on low side. It was good mix, but many rather buy cards than packs. Same thing for me was the setup was good compared to those around me. My 8 hours went fast. Value Boxes were like you $1, $2, $3, $5, $10 and one with mix of $20 to $80. 4, 2 row boxes. Now 2 and a half boxes. Need to re-stock. Best thing was Rookie base slabs from 80's through early 2000's. Had 2 boxes and sold 30%. Good way to move inventory That go into someone's PC. Thanks for tips!

[@SportsCardCollectorChronicles]

@@teddy_bear7191 Awesome! Sounds like you had a ton of fun and learned a but more about your local market on what works and what doesn't!! I actually just released a sellers experinence video of my latest show kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2nMdJ-Cg7qNi9U

[@aarondavidsmith208]

This is great. I am preparing for my first time getting a table at a show coming up in May. Great insight. Thank you.

[@SportsCardCollectorChronicles]

No problem. Hopefully it helps, even a little. And good luck!!

[@mofomoco]

How many cards does someone need to own to setup their own table at a show? How small are the smaller tables?

[@SportsCardCollectorChronicles]

Pricing depends on the show size and promoters, but usually 40-125 for a local show single table.. you can just bring whatever you have. Could be 10 cards or 100 or boxes of cheap commons... just have realistic expectations

[@timothyswauger3984]

I only collect vintage and prices don’t change like modern cards do so cards MUST be priced or I walk on by.

[@SportsCardCollectorChronicles]

That could not make more sense. Spot on. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.

[@GVolker1108]

I did exactly what you did with the player package bags I didn’t move any! There are great cards in there and nothing!

[@SportsCardCollectorChronicles]

Weird right? I thought those would have been easy to move. Wow was I wrong. I just gave a bunch of them away this last weekend. And I thought it was a great idea. Thanks for the comment and hope to see you around the channel.

[@OGCanadaCards]

Proper preparation prevents poor performance

[@SportsCardCollectorChronicles]

That is a saying that NEVER gets old. It always rings true! Thanks for the comment and hope to see you around the channel.

[@sabresfanpat]

To many scammers out there using money apps. Can't go wrong with cash.

[@SportsCardCollectorChronicles]

Makes a ton of sense in my book

[@davebolaton7639]

If your paying $100 for a table, you need to be clearing at least $1000 in sales. Your spending the entire day plus travel expenses. Even if your time is only worth $15 an hour your now into the day for $300.

[@SportsCardCollectorChronicles]

I made a blanket assumption that the first show someone sets up at is not one that they are going to travel to etc. In my opinion it would not be a logical play to travel and add all those expenses to "see" if you like setting up and have the kind of cards people are looking for. But yes, if you are talking about travel the return would need to be higher. Again, this about someone setting up for the first time and seeing how things go. There is most definately a difference. I greatly appreciate the comment.

[@jamesesslinger1976]

I pay $50 for a table at my local card show and the show is 6 hours long so I hope to make at least $200 is sells and hopefully picking up inventory to sell online to make a profit as well. Making profit on sports cards is almost impossible in the long run so if you do not enjoy it then it is probably not for you...

[@SportsCardCollectorChronicles]

I think this mindset is more the normal thought process overall. Oh course there are others and that is perfectly fine and in that view then the OC is pretty spot on but when hitting the local show I think you are pretty spot on.

[@mattjackson8983]

Id buy the shit out of your 30$ value packs

[@SportsCardCollectorChronicles]

Mighty kind of you but I just parted with most this past Saturday. I appreciate the comment and hope to see you around the channel.

[@talkoftheyoc]

Effort in life…. By the melting face of glob.

[@SportsCardCollectorChronicles]

Umm. huh? You got me on this one:)

[@rav_cards]

The other plus with pricing the cards in the showcase is that many potential buyers will look at your showcase and continue walking because they do not want to engage in haggling. If they see prices, then they can decide what kind of seller you are and are more open to interaction....and with that said, If your prices are way over comps they will know that it's probably not even worth asking about any cards. If they see that your near comps or slightly under as you said you are, then they are definitely more open to make deals with the seller. As far as the cash only option, I would open up the PayPal friends & family or cash app options for the $500 and up category and keep the just cash rule for anything under that amount. Many buyers don't really feel comfortable carrying around huge amounts of cash on them at shows. I get the whole tax thing with cash over PayPal and cash apps, but you might be closing the door to possible bigger deals in the future. Mentally it's easier for a buyer to give up more money through paypal then it is from their pocket. Just something about handing out all those bills makes people think that they are buying too much as opposed to just pressing some buttons on your phone. Similar to using a credit card over cash. People will spend more as long as the cash isn't leaving their pocket.

[@SportsCardCollectorChronicles]

Absolutely great response!! I feel like being open and showing the prices is the right thing to do and your added points are awesome. I regards to cash only. I have thought about opening up to paypal but I will only do G&S. I refuse to do F&F do to horrible experiences with scams on F&F. If i go that road I would have to consider the 3 percent charge for G&S. But I agree, I need to look at it more. This weekend is another show so that might be my decided date! haha Thanks for the thoughful resonse. Hope to see you around the channel

[@jamesesslinger1976]

When I see a showcase with unpriced cards I always think they are to expensive for me and 99% of time I will not ask price either.

[@SportsCardCollectorChronicles]

That is why I price them. I believe that concern is more common than we realize and a few might not like my cards priced but I do not think that is a major distractor. Epspecially since my case has cards from $30- thousands so there is something for everyone.