My Love and Hate for Card Shows
Dealers could make more money treating everyone the same
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I’ve been going to card shows for decades. I’ve gone by myself, with friends, with family. I love card shows. I love the feel of them and being around people who love cards as much as I do. Before the pandemic, I probably bought 90% of my cards at shows.
And even with all of the changes to our industry in two-plus decades that I have been going to shows, one thing still remains the same:
Dealers say dumb things to me.
I know I am not the only one, but it’s a constant thing. I usually brush off the comments because it’s not worth the energy but, man, it’s exhausting.
When I first started going to shows, it felt like every table I walked by the dealer would ask me if I was looking for WNBA cards.
While I have nothing against the WNBA (and do own a couple cards), why was the first and only thing they would ask me? Another popular comment happened when I looked at Chrome cards and a dealer would say, “these are the shiny ones.”
Oh, are they?
At another show, I had been looking at a card and the dealer explained the card in a condescending tone. I put it down and just walked away. My husband looked at him and said, “She made that card.”
Here are more common comments.
“That’s short printed. It means there are just a limited amount of copies.”
“That’s a parallel. It’s a different color than the base card and there are fewer copies.”
“That’s a photo variation. See how it has a different picture than the base card.”
These are just some examples. Usually, I just smile and nod. I know what kinds of cards they are and I don’t need an explanation. I know what I’m looking for and I know what I want.
I have asked other male collectors about their interactions with card show dealers, and and it turned out dealers don’t usually speak to them like this. Instead of getting a physical detailed description of what the card is the dealer simply says, “Let me know if you need anything.”
Twenty years I’ve been going to shows and this is not something I hear often. Sadly, when I speak to other female collectors, the comments they hear are even worse than these.
I went to my latest show this past weekend. I was there with my husband, Dan, and 5-year-old son. While Dan spoke to a friend, I walked the floor with Dean and spotted a case with several Derek Jeter autographs.
Here’s how the exchange went.
Me: *Eyeing a 1998 Donruss Signatures Jeter Autograph*
Dealer: What are you looking for?
Me: Jeter, but not sure if I am picking up any autos today.
Dealer: Obviously.
Why was it obvious? Because I’m a woman? Because I was walking around with a 5 year old? Did I not look like someone who buys autographs?
I responded with: “Well, I have about 15 of his autographs and another 2,600 different Jeter cards in my collection. I just wasn’t sure what I planned to get today.”
Him: *Stares blankly*
After decades of this, it’s just a little tiring. Let’s make the card collecting experience better for everyone and stop jumping to conclusions about a collector's expertise. There are ways to ask questions without making the potential customer turn away and never want to shop at your table again.
Those that make me feel good about collecting, continue to get my repeated business.
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That's rough with what you deal with at card shows. The few times I have set up I always actually try to be more welcoming and attentive for female collectors and younger collectors. A lot of this I feel is in reciprocation to the way I'm approached. A lot of guys just walk up and don't say anything or even have this serious look like "don't bother me". In your opinion, is that also not a good idea? Would I really be better off just saying "Hello, let me know if you have any questions or there is anyone in particular you are looking for." as I do for my standard greeting at shows?
Great Article! Spot on examples! I have similar interactions when I am at a Card show as well.