Sports card shows are becoming quite popular today. Everyone from sports card dealers to the casual collectors are setting up tables and selling their sports cards and memorabilia. These shows sometimes offer the visitor a chance to meet a sports star and get autographs, and also offer special cards that can only be gotten at that show. The shows also offer a number of sports related games and the like. The number one question about every sports card show is, “How do I sell my cards?” There is a certain way to go about doing it, and this article will show you how.
The first thing you should do is to look at your sports cards before leaving. Get a price guide and become familiar with the actual values of your cards first. If you have a large amount of sports cards that are very valuable, then it may be a good idea to set up a table. This will allow you to get dealer prices for the cards, rather than selling them going table to table a the show as a collector. Be realistic in pricing your cards.
If you plan to set up a table, then make sure you have the proper supplies. You will need a large number of bags, plenty of top loaders and soft sleeves, and your price guides at a minimum. This will give you the basics and any other related items will be helpful as well. These sports card shows go on for hours at a time, so make sure you bring yourself a chair to sit down.
The vast majority of collectors will end up just paying admission and going around to the tables to sell their cards. There are some sports card selling etiquette to follow when you attend a show. For example, you should never ever interrupt a sale at a dealer’s table. If you are selling, then you should wait until all buying customers have finished before approaching the dealer. This is because they are there to make money, and you are not buying. It is only fair to give the dealer the best chance to make money, and they will be much more receptive to buying your stuff if you do.
Another common mistake collectors make a shows is to try to sell to other collectors. In the parking lot this is fine. In the building of the card show itself, this is not good. The dealers will do anything they can to get you kicked out if you start taking their customers away without having bought a table. Only sell to the dealers inside, and if someone wants to buy your stuff they can wait outside for you.
Finally, do not take the first offer made for your cards. You are likely get a much better deal if you shop the cards to all the dealers and then take the best deal available. No dealer is going to try to give you absolute top dollar the first go round. Take your time and pay attention to the hot cards at the show. If you have one of the cards that is flying off the shelves you are likely to get a premium. Treat the men and women dealers equally as well when it comes to selling your cards. The women often are more shrewd than the men and will put you in your place if you try to take advantage. Selling your sports cards at shows is actually a pretty easy thing to do if you are patient and respectful.
