Your First Card Show: How to Buy, Sell and Trade

Before you go

• Check the date, hours and admission on the show page, and add it to your calendar.

• Make a want list, and look up recent sold prices for those cards so you know a fair number.

• Bring cash in small bills; many dealers also take e-Transfer or tap, but not all.

• Selling or trading? Bring your best cards in top loaders or a binder, not loose in a box.

On the floor

• Walk the whole room once before you buy. Prices for the same card can vary a lot from table to table.

• Ask before you handle a dealer’s cards, and hold them by the edges.

• Making an offer is normal. Bundling several cards from one table usually gets a better price.

• Early is best for selection; the last hour is often best for deals, when dealers would rather not pack cards up.

Selling and trading

• Dealers buy below what they sell for. Show your best cards to several tables and compare offers.

• When trading, agree on what each side’s cards are worth using sold prices, not sticker prices.

• Many shows have a dealer who buys whole collections. Big lot at home? You can also ask for an offer before the show.