Lessons Learned First Time Card Show Pokemon Vendor!

[@TKKCollector]

Sealed rarely does well in a vending scenario . I think people are bashful about buying sealed because it’s indulgent. Singles in person ‘makes sense’ and it’s also the only chance to see what you are getting.

[@oyamastrading]

Super valuable video thanks for sharing your learnings. From buyer perspective sealed is a hassle to carry around at a show. Have to come with a backpack and empty acrylic cases - without the intention of buying specific boxes it probably mostly leaves impulse buyers who want to open a single cheaper ETB that day.

[@PokemonFamClub]

Thanks! That makes sense. I guess in my mind I figured I'd be willing to walk around with boxes if the deals were good, but I could see that playing a huge factor in what drives purchases at shows, and people may just set their minds on singles before even walking in.

[@westonr7051]

Very informative video. I vendor in the St.Louis area. I've done about 25 shows so far and i'd say the first time or two will really be getting a feeling for who shows up and what they are looking for. Like a vendor meta or something. I usually bring a mix of sealed/singles and it works pretty well. In my experience having a $1 binder for the kids is usually a pretty good idea so there'll be something for anybody. Having cases of the same sealed product is usually a no go, unless you've got something with evolving skies. Looking back at your table I would say add some slabs. People will literally get sucked into buying something if you have a few rows of slabs. Also, ive had pretty good success leaving more expensive raw cards in top loaders on the table instead of in the binders. I think you shouldnt give up as it takes several shows worth of experience to start turning large profits. It is definitely a large time investment and I think I wouldnt be able to do it if I didnt leave enjoying it so much each time. Good luck!

[@jimwilson2375]

After several shows as a vendor myself, the "collection box" sealed product only took up space on the table while binders with singles and slabs were in a display case. Older loose packs sold well for me. Overall, I do not take ETBs or collection boxes anymore. Great vid!

[@shiektal]

Hey you came by my table in Raleigh a month or so back! Good advice. Some things for people who know a lot and some things for people who don't know much seems to be a good mix. It's a lot of fun in the hobby to be able to make connections and a good place to make content. Congrats on the show!

[@MarketScraper]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I've only attended, but am thinking about going in on a table with some friends at some point.

[@scottrogers2186]

I learned a lot my fist couple of shows. Binders, Raw and bargain bins work the best. Don't give up on sealed though - I sell a few sealed items every show but just be selective (151, crown zenith, cheap SV/SWSH boosters).

[@oldmanjake6541]

It’s nice to see your point of view as a vendor. It’s all about trying new things and learning. 🙂👍 You’ve got great prices on your website. You just need more traffic to your site. 🙂👍 Pokemon business is tough! I wish you all the best! 🙂👍

[@hgcadg21]

Very cool. as with everything, you try, you learn and you do better next time. As long as you have time to reflect, you can see how you’ll make it a better experience next time

[@Mr_Mikey022]

Ayee my goat always cool to step your foot into new things, love vendor POVs !!

[@PokemonFamClub]

Thanks! Who do you like to watch most for vendor pov? I know coop and bulbasaur channels mostly.

[@Mr_Mikey022]

@@PokemonFamClubthose guys vids are always good but some smaller guys are nice to watch to like MMD cards, everything J&J, ditto dudes, feel like the smaller vendors are always good to learn from too

[@PokemonFamClub]

Awesome, thank you! Subbed to them all and I'll get into their vids.

[@fernp628]

Thank you for sharing your experience, great information 👍

[@jasonvtsportsguy2692]

Lets go! Happy collecting fam! EPic vid!

[@PokemonFamClub]

Appreciate it!!

[@samersalama6275]

Your prices are phenomenal. If there is a vending and you are ever in Az please announce and I’ll be there!

[@KyleFahey-i4t]

I would had love to been there, I would had probably buy quite a bit of the sealed stuff. I just started getting back into pokemon, wish i had kept my old stuff back then but i traded it for yugioh card, then again I didn't have a lot of pokemon cards back then. Since I live in Canada seal is more expensive mainly due to the currency exchange and also because sellers like Amazon Canada, and local stores like to sell for more then what US sells for.

[@Houndshobby]

I use to vend at a flea market! I had so much fun doing it. Good luck next time!!

[@PokemonFamClub]

Thanks, any tips?

[@Houndshobby]

@@PokemonFamClub I always had 1 item (priced right) so I know it would sell to cover my costs for my spot. I always had the same location. Eye catching neon cardboard signs. (I saw you had some). Free water bottles…and I always had 1 or 2 big ticket items as a draw (they were not for sale). I put sold signs on them. Lol

[@StaMaKiWeekly]

I was waiting on this update, it definitely was a learning experience. It seems like the thing that works the most are slabs and singles. Being nice and paying market price is cool but at the end of the day there's always a card you want or not coming in and going. Vendors seem to be stern on buying at about 75%. Constant trades at 75% also seem to be important since every transaction would be a profit even if it's just a trade. Selling sealed product is a nice bonus just in case someone wants. Imagine if all transactions were done at 75% trade. It would be all profit, whether it's in cash form or upgrading your singles and slabs by just having cards that they wanted more available. Hopefully I expressed my thoughts properly, I know if you do this again you can knock it out of the park. Give slabs a try!

[@JorgesPokémonJourney]

You did a stellar job ;)

[@PokemonFamClub]

I see what you did there. 😁 thanks!

[@heribertobarahona7695]

You could probably use Costco yellow boxes 4:47 Maybe because of the type of event. I think if you sell at collecta con or other big convention/event then you will be able to sell better, even pricy seal product, like really old product too:) 16:43 Yup, you gained really lots of things that don't see so obvious

[@matthewtriplett45]

I'm looking to vend for my first time here soon. Cool to see someone make a video going over the pros and cons of their experiences. Great video. What area are you in by the way? Maybe I'm local and we can set up together.

[@PokemonFamClub]

I'm near Raleigh, NC. I'm sure every show is different, but that's how ot went for me. Hopefully you have a great experience!

[@mobagary512]

Thank you for sharing your experience! I’m doing my first show early next year so hopefully to be prepared! Also where did you get your table sign stands (amazing rates)?

[@PokemonFamClub]

Thank you! For the signs, I made my own inserts, just 8.5x11 sized images and printed on paper. They are in acrylic 8.5x11 stands like these. www.amazon.com/Acrylic-Display-Desktop-Suitable-Restaurants/dp/B09CCL44D3/ref=mp_s_a_1_12?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ikqNdyLZC-Tbv_MhBVYxGf9LrbppIPtuhrAf-oqmT0QDq6UIFDGvAADkj2EEHF6MPUkdgJ0_9ZFUK8LsPdhMDVMgYxhHDbBajZIf6Rp6BRmbeqsltvUy8HhMV976jfbPVfYuDkBT3a94IQuXhek62-VytFMqjfGuOD61XJ2ykYsHFk0ph3SNf61UZyeT5U_9e_HU_ytuFHGOWmnFPCll2A._uZaq3iH2qizZrQy1eNFMBuib4QfvAc0-41VrIMbCs8&dib_tag=se&keywords=Acrylic+sign+stands&qid=1725295305&sr=8-12

[@mobagary512]

@@PokemonFamClub thank you so much!

[@sambanks1425]

Everybody has to start somewhere good job

[@PokeTroy1]

Singles and booster boxes is what most people look for at card shows in my experience

[@g0d53nd]

Man if I lived near you and saw 35 ETBS at a show I would have snatched them up real quick.

[@PokemonFamClub]

I thought it was a great deal, but honestly if I sold them for 30, probably wouldn't have sold many either; people just didn't seem interested in sealed. 🤷 Next time I'll focus even more on singles somehow.

[@juanlopez0808]

Research the community….. i vend but different product and always research the community.

[@PokemonFamClub]

Can you tell me what you mean by that? Like just ask other vendors what sells there?

[@Poketeatime]

I live in the Bay Area I can SF to San Jose Pokémon flies off the shelves like hot cakes def the spot to be at to be a vendor

[@goHAM4pokemon]

What state are you in? Maybe make a friend in your state/ nearby to set up with you and bring some product as well to help one another? I sell a lot of singles online and have seen so many videos of people stealing at card shows so id be scared to leave as well. Im paranoid about shady people the way it is.

[@PokemonFamClub]

I'm in NC. Ya, you can't leave without someone watching over your stuff. Will definitely team up with someone before doing it again.

[@bbq1040]

If more people knew about your site you'd be sold old on most of your stuff pretty quickly. Your prices are very good. I'd jump on sealed product at great prices at a show. Depends on the crowd I suppose. If people don't know what a good deal is then the deal is wasted on them