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07-20-2009, 03:55 PM #1
Chicago Fansedge Show Review
Hey all, I was at the show Friday and Saturday, I wasn't set up but had a bunch of friends that set up and spent some time with them as well as walking around. I also got baseballs (I know) signed by Pete Rose and Billy Williams.
Overall show grade: C
The reason for this grade; Too close to the Nationals and lack of modern card dealers. Free admission, autograph price rollbacks Friday were great.
I thought Fansedge and Mounted Memories didn't plan this very well as the National is 2 weeks away. Every dealer I talked to mentioned timing of this show was poor and the crowds just weren't coming. I think its due to the economy and the National, this show has been going on every summer (used to be Sportsfest) for as long as I can remember. There is usually a month or more between the 2 shows. Hopefully the organizers take this into consideration next time.
The amount of modern card vendors was extremely low, plenty of vintage and memorabilia vendors though. PSA, BGS, JSA were there among others, so grading companies were present. There were the normal amount of wax folks there as well. The free admission was nice on Thursday, but parking kills you at $13 a pop.
There were massive amounts of empty spaces that in the past were filled with dealers. They filled that space with blowup rides for kids, a mini golf course, and boxing ring where they held a wrestling exhibition on Sat. Wow, talk about brutal, although the kids section was great for parents, although my buddy couldn't get his son off the slide !!
Autograph guests: A
I thought autograph lineup was exceptional. Guests included Gordie Howe, Brian Urlacher, Peyton Manning, Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Jim Brown, Dick Butkus, Bill Russell, and Ernie Banks just to name a few. A great variety of big names from all 4 major sports.
The only thing that prevented this from an A+ was that Bob Sanders didn't show and Matt Forte's signing time changed on Sat. from 3-4 PM to 12-1 PM. If you didn't show up before 1 PM, you were screwed.
Friday's prices were rolled back and it was a massive hit, I overheard the folks at the ticket booth say they made a killing with autographs, sold over 800 for Pete Rose alone.
Dealers: C
As I said before, not enough modern card dealers, I think the Nationals kept them away, and I heard that from dealers as well. Every dealer I spoke to said it was a horrible show for them sales wise, although they did quite a bit of buying. Prices were high as usual for a show, but I managed to find some good deals here and there.
Card Manufacturers: F
Razor was it, no UD, Pannini, Topps, nothing. In the past they have participated and didn't expect them to come because of the economy. You'd think they could afford a table at what is normally one of the larger shows of the year in big card market and a city and venue with easy access.
With that said, I hope that collectors aren't discouraged if they attended and didn't like it, its usually a great show. If the timing is right next year, sounded to me like the dealers would be back, and one can only hope the economy will improve. I think this show will be back to form if the organizers make a few changes and improve the dates of the show.
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07-20-2009, 04:15 PM #2
I was really unimpressed with the show also. I liked the free admission (since $10 is insane) and the roll back prices. I wasn't a fan of the guests (Luis Aparicio was the only one I wanted to get) definately not a fan of the vendors booths. Dacardworld came out smelling like a rose since it had lots of boxes and a good amount of memorabilia.
Are there any shows coming up here in Illinois?
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07-20-2009, 05:06 PM #3
That show was weak. For auto's it was great, if you're into that sort of thing. The owners of the show are idiots, next year it's scheduled during the SAME time as the National. Just stupid!
Joe
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07-20-2009, 05:16 PM #4
yea it was really bad, not many modern cards at all, did mange to pick up a few romo autos and some boxes. The next show is in November Chicago Sun Times Sporst Collectible Convention. Last Year it was pretty big and busy.
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07-20-2009, 05:40 PM #5
the suntimes shows are great, I setup at everyoe of those!
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07-20-2009, 10:35 PM #6
The Suntimes is a good show, hopefully they improve this one next year.
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07-21-2009, 07:04 AM #7
I don't think it can be improved, they scheduled it for the same weekend as the national.
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07-21-2009, 09:58 AM #8
If that's the case, I think they'll move it because it will be worse than this year's.
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07-21-2009, 02:35 PM #9
nice review. All you have to do attend is steal pics from someone elses bucket and put them in your pc
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07-21-2009, 02:54 PM #10
no howard that isn't the only thing you have to do. If you hadn't noticed I went there to take photos of cards to also put in my bucket
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Originally Posted by BU54CB 
