From: stcroix@Cadence.COM (Bill St.Croix)
Subject: Re: Question about Card shows
Organization: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1992 15:45:52 GMT

In article <25156@oasys.dt.navy.mil> dlee@oasys.dt.navy.mil (David Lee) writes:
>In rec.collecting, ds7n+@andrew.cmu.edu (David D. Schwartz) writes:
>>I do not understand the "sympathy" that some people have for dealers.  I
>>don't intend to stereotype them all, but you have to keep in mind that
>>dealers are there for one purpose and one purpose only . . . to make
>>money!  You can argue with me all you want, bring up point and
>..etc..
>>make enough and turn a profit.
>
>Exactly,... if they didn't make a profit, then they couldn't stay in
>business.. then who would you buy your cards from?? Dealers are like
>anybody else; there are good ones and bad ones.. Some charge more
>than others. You are not forced to buy from anyone.

Well, I guess we'd be forced to buy from grocery stores and big chain
stores (like Target, etc.).  You are wrong when you say, we are not
'forced' to buy from anyone.  We are forced to buy from the dealers
at the shows, otherwise you go home wasting your $2-$25 entrance fee.

>Why don't you try and take some vegetables from your garden to your
>local grocery store and set up shop in their aisle?? You wouldn't do
>that, would you?? What's the difference?? 

I've NEVER paid to go into a grocery store to look around at their
merchandise.  If I don't see want I want their, it still hasn't cost
me a thing.  I can then go to the next store, etc....

>You pay to enter a show to
>buy and sell to dealers; not to other collectors. These dealers pay
>for the right to buy and sell at the show; you as a collector, didn't.
>BTW, $25 for a table is cheap!! In this area, even for small shows, it's
>at least $25 or $30 for a table and often $50 to $75 for most shows.

I pay to enter a show to look for the best deal on the certain items that
I'm looking for.  If a dealer is selling a box of "X" cards for $50 and
a guy wants to sell them and the dealer offers $30 for the cards and the
guy refuses, why am I wrong for offering $35 or $40 for the box??  The
dealer made his "offer" and it was refused, I make an offer (that can
be accepted or refused) that is mutually beneficial to me and the guy
selling the box of "X" cards.  The dealer loses out on a possible sale
(if I were 'willing' to pay $50 for a box of "X" cards).

And just how long do you think it takes a dealer to make back his $50
to $100 he spends??

>Buy from a comics store if you don't like shows; but shows are cheaper,
>right??  You don't have to go into ANY show that you don't want to; fee
>or no fee. It is a free market; even when you go into a show, you can buy
>and sell to any dealer you choose, or not choose. If you want to buy
>and sell to anyone,. then have a garage sale. It is a business; what
>about the business license and other expenses that dealers have. Are
>you ready to assume the same expenses?? But, you are ready to assume
>the other benefits of bargaining with other collectors at shows that
>they organize.. BTW, I'm not a dealer; and I have had my share of good
>and bad transactions with them.

When I pay my entrance fee to a show, I think of that as a hunting
license, per se. I go with a certain 'prey' in mind (typically cards
by the box).  I choose who I will by from based on price and quality.
I can choose to 'shoot' or to not shoot.  Sometimes I go home empty
handed.  Those are the breaks.

As for the dealers costs, those are costs that they incur WILLINGLY, 
because they have the potential of making a profit.  Do you think that
they would spend $50 on a table for a show if it had no potential of
being worth their while to be there?  They are not stupid and neither
are we.

>You're right; but I couldn't resist.. This is NOT a flame and I hope
>you and others don't take it as such...

I think many people have this image of, litlle Johnny going to a dealer
trying to sell his cards and over walks someone else and barges in and
counter offers the dealers offer.  I have, personally, never seen this
happen.  Or the other scenario of a guy wheeling in a bunch of stuff
and setting up shop.  Again I have never seen this happen.  But, I don't
think it is wrong to offer someone for a card(s) at a card show, even
if they aren't a dealer.

BTW, I have never walked into a card show and seen "rules" posted about
what can and can't be done.  Am I alone on this??

	Bill

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