I get plenty of feedback that I’m nuts for driving everywhere in the nation for exhibits. In my opinion, you might be all nuts for NOT driving everywhere in the nation for exhibits as a result of it’s enjoyable!
It’s positively extra enjoyable once I promote plenty of playing cards and/or make a pleasant purchase at a present. The Marion present was not all that enjoyable however you reside and be taught.
The promoter Jerry Hoss is a brilliant good man who handled me very properly however this present simply doesn’t draw a lot. I do not suppose greater than 30 or 40 folks attended the present. I can really do properly at these exhibits typically however I’ve to do them each month and construct a buyer base. Marion is just too far of a drive to arrange month-to-month.
I made a decision to arrange on the Marion present after seeing it listed usually on Fb. Just a few years in the past, Wisconsin supplier Eric Unglaub informed me he had arrange at this present and didn’t do very properly. I’m the sort of one that usually has to attempt a present out for myself.
Marion is round a four-hour drive from my home in Northern Illinois, so I made a decision to interrupt it up and spend Friday evening at my of us’ place in New Buffalo, MI. My GPS learn that Marion is about two hours from New Buffalo. Man, it certain appeared prefer it was nearer to a three-hour drive.
Lengthy drive apart, the toughest a part of doing exhibits east of Chicago is that I lose an hour as a result of time change. So, I needed to get up at 4 a.m. Central Time, 5 a.m. Japanese Time, to make it to Marion earlier than the present opened.
I arrived on the present at 8:45 a.m. Japanese Time. The present opened at 9 a.m. I used to be anxious that I used to be late however noticed fairly a couple of empty tables. Drawback was that not one of the tables had my title on it.
Jerry noticed me wandering round. I gave him my title and he apologized for failing to go away me a desk. I wasn’t anxious. As a present veteran, I figured that somebody wouldn’t present up.
Jerry rearranged some tables and form of made me a spot. I used to be appreciative.
Load in was powerful. There is no such thing as a ramp for the entrance step. Somebody hanging out entrance informed me to go to the aspect. I discovered a aspect door labeled restroom. Then went round again and noticed an open door and carted in. Not a lot house to get in as a result of it was blocked by another supplier tables.
Later, I observed a storage door and questioned why it was not open for load in. On the finish of the present, I loaded out that aspect door which was powerful as a result of folks and tables had been in the best way.
After loading in and establishing, I walked the room and noticed a extremely nice group of sellers. I used to be shocked on the quantity of classic on a few of these tables. No less than 5 tables had strong classic inventories whereas many others had a smattering. One supplier had some drool-worthy 1957-58 Topps basketball playing cards however nothing was priced. I’ve realized through the years that if a card shouldn’t be priced meaning it should price method an excessive amount of. Whereas, I liked seeing all of the classic, it was all priced too excessive for me.
One of many classic sellers was my greatest buyer. What a pleasant man. Sadly, he had a pretend 1964 Topps Mickey Mantle in his show case. I do not suppose he was attempting to rip-off anybody. I feel he really obtained scammed and has no thought the cardboard is pretend. I did not have the guts to inform him. I see pretend classic playing cards in sellers’ circumstances occasionally, I’m by no means certain what to do. I do not need to begin any fights with anyone however it’s a bummer to see the fakes.
I acknowledged a number of sellers from the Fort Wayne present. My solely different buyer of the day acknowledged me from the Fort Wayne present and bought some 1960 Topps baseball.
Finest a part of the present was the free espresso (which I promptly spilled) and the free doughnuts. Thanks Jerry!
Previous to partaking within the free espresso and doughnuts, I had an attention-grabbing drive to Marion. I went via a city known as Wabash which seemed prefer it was out of a Charles Dickens novel. I like Victorian cities and plan on heading again to discover. Marion, then again, was sort of dumpy and run down. Although, I did see an indication for James Dean’s birthplace. I would head again a while to test that out.
I’m not certain what Jerry can do to get extra folks to attend this present. Marion looks like it’s in the course of nowhere however I do not suppose it’s all that removed from Indianapolis. Props to Jerry for not charging me for my tables — a lot appreciated. I additionally noticed him going across the room and buying playing cards that I’m certain he didn’t want or need however was simply attempting to assist the sellers out.
Despite the fact that my gross sales had been awful and I didn’t purchase something, I nonetheless had fun. Everybody was extraordinarily pleasant. I like speaking playing cards. A number of of us had by no means seen Goudeys and I loved explaining a couple of issues about them. I feel in the event you reside anyplace close to Marion, this present is an efficient choice as a result of there is a wonderful stock of playing cards there from classic, fashionable and Pokémon. As an out-of-town supplier, not price it due to the small crowd.
On Sunday, I used to be again on dwelling turf on the Orland present. I will attempt to get a weblog carried out about Orland.
Subsequent up for me is the Sports activities Spectacular on the Stephens Heart in Rosemont, IL, from Friday via Sunday, November 22 to 24, 2024. I’ve a brand new sales space location this time round. I’m nearer to the center of the room in Sales space No. 45. I’m bringing out show circumstances to the Spectacular. If you wish to see any binders, let me know and I’ll carry them. I’ll have numerous new stock in my show circumstances. Needs to be enjoyable!
Subsequent Oak Creek present is developing quick on December 7. As standard, I’m offered out of desk house. My ready checklist is getting loopy. For brand new of us on the checklist, will probably be months and months earlier than I can get them house on the present. Sorry!
I’ve some attention-grabbing information to report — my good good friend Mark Smith contacted me and requested if I knew of any exhibits on February 2, 2025. We each noticed the Bridgeview present and determined to arrange collectively. Of us in each Milwaukee and Chicago have been asking me about Mark, properly right here is your likelihood to see him! Come out to the present on the Bridgeview Neighborhood Heart, 7900 S. Oketo Ave., in Bridgeview, IL, on February 2nd. Needs to be a enjoyable!!
Within the meantime, hope to see you this weekend in Rosemont!!
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