Anyway, here’s a lengthy however thrilling recap of what I’ve been as much as:
I used to be arrange Sunday, November 17, 2024, in Orland Park. The present was effectively attended. Gross sales have been okay. I bought some 1930’s hockey playing cards from Willie which can be very cool. I additionally picked up a bunch of stuff from Walt. Jim provided me a pleasant stack of playing cards from the 1970’s which I turned down. I’ve an enormous stock of 1970’s playing cards proper now and can solely buy extra if they’re dust low cost or are available in lots with some older playing cards that I would like. Steve Trout stopped by my desk. I really like how he’s an everyday customer to this present. I will be establishing once more in Orland this Sunday, December 15, 2024. The sort people that run this present are doing a toy drive and could have Santa obtainable for images. I’m leaning in the direction of bringing out show circumstances. I’ve priced a bunch of recent stuff for the reason that Sports activities Spectacular and have no binders reloaded since final week in Oak Creek. I’m presently engaged on reloading my 1960 Topps baseball binder however do not suppose I am going to have it achieved by Sunday.
After Orland, I spent all week pricing playing cards for the Chicago Sports activities Spectacular which was held November 22 via 24, 2024, on the Donald A. Stephens Middle in Rosemont, IL. So, the worst present for load in and cargo out in some way has gotten even worse. It’s so unhealthy that I’m pretty sure somebody goes to get significantly injured.
The issue began after the Pandemic when demand for tables at this present, and most reveals, went via the roof. So that they expanded the present however within the course of took away half of the loading area. The place you as soon as may match 60 or 70 automobiles, now solely suits 20 or 30 which is a whole cluster$&#@ when a whole lot of sellers are converging on the area directly.
With so many individuals in such a small area, you may’t see different sellers pulling in or out or strolling round. It’s so scary. I used to be terrified I used to be going to strike somebody’s automobile and even worse an individual with my car.
It is a tragedy ready to occur. These people must get this straightened out. One suggestion I’ve is to permit sellers to load out and in via the entrance circle drive.
Anyway, I arrived Thursday round 3 p.m. and was directed to a hazardous location blocked within the entrance by a supplier sales space, blocked on my left by one other supplier’s car, and blocked on my proper by a gentle stream of sellers pushing carts stuffed with playing cards and show circumstances. It sucked! I had two perilous journeys to my sales space. I set it up as rapidly as I may then received on the market with out in some way killing anybody or smashing into one other automobile. Not a great expertise for somebody with hypertension!
I returned Friday round midday and spent a pair hours loading up my show circumstances. As soon as once more I used to be in a brand new location, by my request. I’ve been establishing at this present for the reason that late 1990’s and have been everywhere in the room throughout that point. I’ve by no means arrange on this row however have arrange behind it. I used to be subsequent to the jersey man from Jersey — Paul. What an awesome man! Paul saved providing to assist me arrange. I had enjoyable goofing round with him all weekend. One in all his workers made some chocolate chip cookies that have been out of this world. Paul saved feeding them to me all weekend.
One of many perks of establishing subsequent to Paul is that his sales space goes extraordinarily deep, so I used to be capable of unfold my sales space means again. I positioned the 8-foot desk, offered by the promoters, again a great 14 to 16 toes. Then I used to be capable of run two 6-foot tables alongside the alternative aspect of Paul, alongside a sales space manned by Greg from Waukesha Sports activities. I then positioned a skinny 4-foot desk up in opposition to Paul’s arrange. I had a very nice little walk-in area.
Each Paul and Greg expressed their happiness that I used to be their new neighbor and so they favored my arrange. Apparently, the earlier neighbor solely used the 8-foot desk and didn’t create a walk-in sales space and anticipated Paul and Greg to offer him an entrance to the area behind his desk by decreasing the scale of their cubicles. It do not work that means! I do know, like I stated, I have been there for the reason that 1990’s. You get 8-feet of frontage. You need an entrance into your sales space, you present the area, not your neighbors. I’ve had neighbors bitch to me about this prior to now claiming I pinched their area by not offering an entrance — which is full BS as a result of all you get is 8-feet of frontage per sales space. Your neighbor isn’t required to shrink their sales space and offer you additional area. You get some actual dickheads at this present. Because of this, as grateful as Paul and Greg have been that I used to be their neighbor, I used to be simply as grateful that they have been my neighbors. We had a good time and so they took care of me and watched my sales space so I may take lavatory breaks. Thanks guys!
I used to be capable of place out 13 show circumstances. No binders. I do not carry binders to Rosemont after one was stolen on the 2010 Nationwide. I additionally maintain my show circumstances locked the entire present. There are too many thieves right here and they’re going to go proper into unlocked show circumstances. Fairly a number of playing cards have been stolen at this previous present. Sellers, you gotta maintain these circumstances locked!
Thefts apart, previous to the present, I used to be fearful I might not have sufficient playing cards to fill 13 show circumstances so I actually hustled pricing playing cards. Seems, I had means too many playing cards and was unable to put out a considerable amount of them. I really feel like I misplaced gross sales as a result of I couldn’t get all of my playing cards out. For the March present, I’m going to go away some of these things at house like my Exhibit playing cards, which bought nice on the Nationwide however not right here. The Displays take up a full show case.
Total, gross sales have been a lot slower than the March present — which occurs right here. My gross sales on the Sports activities Spectacular are sooo inconsistent. I by no means understand how it will go. I believed attendance was wonderful. Perhaps the most effective attended Sports activities Spectaculars ever. Plenty of people didn’t stroll into my sales space, they only walked by. I’ve at all times felt like a number of those who attend this present don’t accumulate playing cards however are there for the autographs or for man-cave gadgets. My neighbor Greg who had two or three areas stuffed with memorabilia and man-cave stuff did very well. Although, Paul, on the opposite aspect was dissatisfied as effectively along with his gross sales. Regardless, he appeared fairly busy to me.
On the shopping for entrance, considered one of my greatest Sports activities Spectaculars shortly. I bought a pleasant stack of 1959 Fleer Ted Williams playing cards which I actually wanted. I additionally bought a stack of graded playing cards together with a 1960 Topps Warren Spahn together with another odds and ends.
On Sunday, I turned in my contract for the March present the place I shall be in the identical spot between Paul and Greg. I’d simply load in from the parking storage as a result of it’s simply too freakin’ scary to load in from the poorly designated loading space.
I used to be completely exhausted after the Sports activities Spectacular and had a tough week however discovered time to complete reloading my 1959 Topps baseball binder in time for the Madison present on November 30, 2024.
As drained as I used to be, I discovered the vitality to place collectively Thanksgiving for my household. Each my spouse and daughter labored on Thanksgiving, so it was as much as me to select up my son from the prepare station and procure our dinner from Entire Meals with some dietary supplements from Heinen’s and Sundown Meals. I do not cook dinner for Thanksgiving. I buy precooked stuff and warmth it up.
I used to be nonetheless heating up the meals when my people arrived. The boy went and picked up the woman from work. Lisa arrived later and we had a very nice Thanksgiving dinner. Hope yours was good as effectively!
Then on Saturday, I mistakenly set my alarm for five:30 p.m. as a substitute of 5:30 a.m. I wakened at 6:47 a.m. in a panic. I didn’t have time to wash so I threw on some cologne and further deodorant. Hope I did not stink on the Madison present!
Madison is a two-hour drive from my home. I arrived there simply earlier than the present opened at 9 a.m. There was already a crowd within the room. I needed to hustle loading in then establishing my binders. Sorry if I used to be impolite to anybody however I used to be not prepared to talk at that second. I wanted to arrange! I used to be capable of get it achieved rapidly however had no time to get any espresso from the fake Starbucks within the lodge foyer. Ugh! I can not perform with out espresso. Fortunately, considered one of my common prospects went and received me a cup of espresso. Thanks!!!
Not like the Sports activities Spectacular the place there is no such thing as a sample by any means to my gross sales, the Madison present is at all times constant. I get a pleasant group of set builders within the morning then not a lot motion within the afternoon. The remainder of the day went in keeping with plan. Gross sales have been good however not fairly nearly as good as October the place I completely rocked it. On the shopping for entrance, nada. I used to be provided some 1980’s and 1990’s playing cards. No thanks.
I used to be completely ravenous after I left the present. Usually, I arrive early sufficient to buy some breakfast on the fake Starbucks. Not this morning. I hustled my means out of the present round 2 p.m. and headed straight for the Golden Corral in Janesville. I completely love the Golden Corral whereas my spouse and children hate it. So I can solely go there when they aren’t with me. I had an exquisite meal, as regular. Positioned subsequent to the Golden Corral is a gasoline station with a few of the greatest costs round. I crammed up and had a pleasing journey house.
No relaxation for the weary! I needed to work my tail off to arrange for the December seventh Oak Creek present. I had 13 of my common sellers take the month off, so I needed to fill their spots from my ready record. I’ve to contact two or three individuals on the ready record to get only one to commit. It at all times boggles my thoughts after I depart a message for somebody on the record and so they do not trouble to reply.
I labored all week on getting the correct quantity of sellers. I had a number of cancellations through the week, together with a pair on the night time earlier than the present. Ugh! Then there have been the cancellations on the morning of the present which at all times drives me nuts. I had one man present up searching for some area and was capable of plug him within the gymnasium. Sellers who usually are not regulars at this present and are searching for area — arrive at 9 a.m. together with your stuff, I’ll greater than doubtless have a spot for you. At the least there weren’t any chilly no-shows. I had 4 sellers contact me that morning stating they have been unable to attend. I used to be capable of fill one of many spots however the different three went empty — which drives me nuts when I’ve greater than 125 individuals on my ready record!!!
So I had a complete bunch of recent sellers which is at all times fascinating. I couldn’t depart my tables to see what that they had. All the brand new sellers did actual effectively. We had 1,095 via the door, considered one of our greatest attended reveals of the 12 months! All the brand new sellers wish to come again. Sadly, with 13 regulars returning, I do not suppose I’ll have area for them. Sorry guys!
I had an awesome day! Gross sales have been wonderful. Buys have been implausible. I bought a field of 1959 Topps baseball commons. Then considered one of my sellers within the Chapel directed a man to me who was promoting playing cards that had belonged to his brother, who had just lately handed away. I do not know who directed the man to me however I’m in your debt. I bought a pleasant pile of stuff that included a 1956 Topps Willie Mays, Ernie Banks and Al Kaline. Great things!
One of the best a part of the present was that I received to spend all day with former Brewers pitcher Don August. I really like that man. He couldn’t be any nicer and any extra entertaining. We had a gentle stream of parents searching for his autograph and buying his e book. I cherished watching him give pitching tips that could youngsters. I additionally completely loved his infinite tales. He advised me George Brett was the hardest hitter he went up in opposition to. He additionally had many tales of adventures enjoying abroad in Taiwan and Italy — you may discover these tales in his e book!
Man, what a enjoyable day!!!
Subsequent Oak Creek present is January 4, 2025. Subsequent present for me is that this Sunday in Orland. Hope to see you there!!!
Now for some images:
That is Paul from Jersey within the grey hoodie. I actually loved establishing subsequent to him on the Sports activities Spectacular.
No person in my sales space. I watched my neighbor Greg make gross sales all weekend. Although, I do not suppose he bought any of these 1989 Topps units.
Good crowd on the November Madison present.
Glorious crowd in Oak Creek on December 7.
Me, Don August and my empty soccer binders.
One of many pulls from a free pack I gave away in Oak Creek.
One other free pack pull.
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