tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108520133795628754.post785974969383313782..comments2023-10-29T10:11:53.672-04:00Comments on Battlin' Bucs: Card Show RecapMarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04854315904173219584noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108520133795628754.post-64640167845314782952015-03-30T18:11:56.003-04:002015-03-30T18:11:56.003-04:00I was interested in Showdown from the day it came ...I was interested in Showdown from the day it came out, but have never played a single inning. Most of my friends and I were into Magic: The Gathering then and played constantly, but none of them were baseball fans. The mechanics are largely the same. I may get a starter deck and see if I can con Kate or one of my friends into playing a few games. <br /><br />I've seen some custom "Update" sets to Showdown, so those possibilities alone are pretty intriguing.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04854315904173219584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108520133795628754.post-25302659697225498072015-03-30T17:11:50.730-04:002015-03-30T17:11:50.730-04:00I have this same experience with my LCS. I see the...I have this same experience with my LCS. I see the same exact cards every time I go there (which isn't often), all at wildly overpriced rates. You'd think people would get the hint after years of sitting on the same card with no buyers. Looks like you got to dig through a decent dime box, though! And that Real One auto is terrific.<br /><br />P. S. -- You're never too late to the MLB Showdown party!Nickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13508921644099472101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108520133795628754.post-4822875124721365022015-03-30T15:42:37.525-04:002015-03-30T15:42:37.525-04:00I've seen similar stuff - freebies for kids, d...I've seen similar stuff - freebies for kids, dealers that gave me discounts when I was a teenager that I looking back they almost had to be taking a loss on, etc. I always try to pay that kindness forward in the hobby as well. There were/are a lot of really great people who used to do shows around this area, but it seems like they either don't set up anymore or I hear they've gotten out of cards completely.<br /><br />It gets frustrating seeing people trying to squeeze every nickel out of buyers, and then at the same time groaning about how the hobby is dying and kids don't want to collect cards. But it's not all bad - I have a story from my flea market trip that was the complete opposite of this card show.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04854315904173219584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108520133795628754.post-78240472347779088772015-03-30T14:58:11.693-04:002015-03-30T14:58:11.693-04:00Once again, I must be lucky. The people at the sho...Once again, I must be lucky. The people at the show I go to will always talk pricing, and the guys that do the best are the ones that give cards away to kids. <br /><br />There is one vendor who is a year younger than me who also went to Vanderbilt who has a container of junk wax to give away for free to young kids to give them something to rip. I watched the guy who runs the shows on the South side of town let a young kid pick 25 cards out of his Braves boxes to do the same thing -- keep kids interested.<br /><br />I guess I'm luckier than I thought when it comes to shows. And, if I were in your position, Mark, I'd probably just go to those big shows once or twice a year instead.Tony L.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01349226671097456632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108520133795628754.post-71778315415327629912015-03-30T13:31:06.604-04:002015-03-30T13:31:06.604-04:00I guess these guys just count on some random Mom t...I guess these guys just count on some random Mom to buy cards for their kids without knowledge of what they are buying. Back when I was active going to shows I would often see some pretty sleazy price gouging on unsuspecting people. <br /><br />I'm just hoping nothing pops up that prevents me from going to this show. Look forward to hopefully meeting you in person. Maybe some in person trading!BobWalkthePlankhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16011292576523365641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108520133795628754.post-19494773690151902252015-03-30T12:54:19.961-04:002015-03-30T12:54:19.961-04:00II usually just steer clear of the guys who are pr...II usually just steer clear of the guys who are priced well above what I consider fair value, but this time that was 4 of the 6 guys set up. The thing that gets me more than anything is the lack of inventory turnover. I'll pay or even a little above ebay if you bring something I can't easily find online. But it ends up looking more like the autos you can find for under $2 on COMC priced at $8-10. At some point I start to wonder whether some of it has to do with the promoter and the way the tables are being priced or the show is promoted if these guys are the only types who will set up.<br /><br />I think Robert Morris will be enough to change your view. It's a lot of out of towners or guys who only do larger shows. The selection is a lot better, and the prices are the best you'll find when it comes to vintage. I think I have writeups from the past two shows on the blog, if you want to read back and get some idea of selection and pricing. Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04854315904173219584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108520133795628754.post-37065414924574460042015-03-30T12:37:59.150-04:002015-03-30T12:37:59.150-04:00I remember getting so frustrated with shows in the...I remember getting so frustrated with shows in the mid 2000's that I just stopped going. It is their cards and they can price them how they want, but sometimes you just feel like getting on the computer and showing the completed auction listings. Some people haven't realized that eBay is pretty much our price guide for better or worse. <br /><br />I'm hoping to come out of card show retirement for the Robert Morris show so maybe that will change my viewpoint. BobWalkthePlankhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16011292576523365641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108520133795628754.post-30901594051966936502015-03-30T11:59:57.308-04:002015-03-30T11:59:57.308-04:00There's definitely a disconnect somewhere. Bu...There's definitely a disconnect somewhere. But for a town that is as sports crazy as Pittsburgh is, I just can't believe there isn't still a hardcore collecting base here.<br /><br />The pickups I found at the flea market right before this more than made up for the subpar show. But I'm starting to think maybe I'll just take a longer trip to somewhere like Canton or Columbus a few times a year to a bigger show than waste gas and time driving out to these rinky dink mall shows every month. Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04854315904173219584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9108520133795628754.post-90278433597141592782015-03-30T11:41:02.141-04:002015-03-30T11:41:02.141-04:00The shows here in Atlanta often have the same card...The shows here in Atlanta often have the same cards back from month to month, but we tend to get folks who do keep their inventory up to date. <br /><br />It sucks when you don't have folks keeping up. And yet, that Hogue auto made the trip worthwhile. <br /><br />Sometimes, card collecting feels like golf to me. I struggle to hit good shots, and I tend to get upset with myself when I try to play. But, there's always one thing -- one shot, one hole or, here, one card -- that will keep me coming back for more.Tony L.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01349226671097456632noreply@blogger.com