What are the top 12 tips you need to know before you attend your next card show?

Image: NSCC 2023

Participating in a sports trading card show can offer collectors an exhilarating and fulfilling experience. For residents in North America, there's a high probability of finding a card show nearly every weekend within a short drive.

Whether you're engaged in buying, selling, trading, or simply browsing, these events provide a variety of activities and hours of fun for people of all ages. However, attending unprepared is not advisable. To optimize your experience and maximize your efforts, consider these 12 tips you need to know before attending your next card show:

1. Plan Ahead! Plan Ahead! Plan Ahead

Take a few minutes before the next card show to get the lay of the land. This will help you save valuable time before you get to the show. Research the card show in advance, including the participating vendors, number of tables, special autograph guests, keynote speeches and any scheduled events or activities. Having a plan will help you prioritize your time and focus on the aspects of the show that interest you the most. You’ll only have a few hours to get through the show so make every second count!

2. Have your price comp technology ready

We all want to know what the last comps of a specific card are. Because there are so many variables in pricing a card, you need to be prepared. Put together a wish list of the cards or sealed hobby boxes you’re seeking and have the comps jotted down. You can use websites like 130point.com to easily check for the latest eBay comps. Waxstat is a free pricing tool to find the market rate of all things sealed like hobby boxes, cases, blaster boxes, megas boxes, and cello packs to name a few. You can quickly search or a scan a UPC on Waxstat to find the market rate of 2023 Panini Phoenix Football Hobby Box or 2024 Topps Series Baseball Jumbo Box.  Either website will allow you to create more leverage when negotiating pricing of the stuff you want.

3. Have your Digital AI Grading App ready to go

Most of the cards you’ll see at the show will be raw. What does “raw” mean in the trading card world? Raw is the condition of a card that has been pulled from a pack or wax box such as a 2022-23 Panini Flawless Basketball Hobby Box, and it has not been graded. Because the card’s value can change based on its condition, it’s wise to have the power of Card Boss. It’s a fast, accurate AI grading solution available for any smart phone. You can scan your card using the Card Boss app and within a short period of time, the Card Boss’s Artificial Intelligence will give you a grade based on four sub-grades: edges, centering, corners and surfaces. From there, you can make a decision as to whether to buy, hold or trade.

4. Set a Budget

We all get carried away! Establish a budget for the card show and stick to it. What may be better is to just bring cash and leave your credit and debit cards at home. There’s so many cool things to buy at a card show, so stay disciplined with a list.

5. Bring Cash

Cash is always the best method of payment, but many dealers are accepting digital payments such as Paypal, Zelle or Venmo. Bring a mix of cash and payment options for flexibility.

6. Wear Comfortable Clothes

Card shows can involve a lot of walking and browsing, so wear comfortable clothing and footwear. We’re there to buy, sell and trade our cards in the limited time that a show may be open, so comfort is greater than style in most cases. Leave the fancy kicks at home - nobody will care as much as you think.

7. Bring a Bag or Backpack

You won’t find many opportunities to buy or find a bag at the card show, so bring your own. I like bringing my backpack and storing my checklists, slabs, snacks, drinks and raw cards.

8. Arrive Early

Get there early! You’ll find the best inventory and maybe win a door prize for being an early bird. Some shows, like the Front Row Card Show will run raffles and door prizes for those that get there early, so show up early!

9. Network with other buyers and sellers

Network!  Network!  Network!  Your next favorite card could be a conversation away. I’ve seen people hand out cards or hold up signs showing which cards they’re chasing. It sounds silly, but it’s an effective way to find that next card for your personal collection.

10. Inspect your Cards before and after you buy

When considering a purchase, inspect the condition of the cards carefully. Don't hesitate to ask the seller questions about the card's condition and authenticity. Use Card Boss to help you find those little blemishes that can take your card down from a gem mint 10 to a 9.

11. Be Open to Trades

Trading can be a fun way to enhance your collection while connecting with other collectors.  Trading is also very important when you may not have enough liquid funds to acquire that next grail.

12. Have Fun and Share your collection

Don’t forget to have fun! A card show is not always about leveling up with that next Kobe or Jordan or adding a box of 2020 Panini Prizm Football or 2018 Topps Update Series Baseball. It’s about having fun, meeting new people and enjoying this awesome world we call The Hobby.