Good Luck Attending The 2022 National Sports Collectors Convention

Good luck to everyone attending the National Sports Collectors Convention this year in Atlantic City, NJ. It runs from July 27-31.

There are a lot of card shows held all over the country all year long, but in my opinion the National Sports Collectors Convention is the best. Others will argue with that thought and that’s ok. Its always had a little bit of everything for collectors. Looking for that $0.50 base card to complete a set? Need to get an item autographed? Interested in looking at museum quality cards and memorabilia? Want to voice your opinion on a topic directly to a card manufacturer or other business involved in the industry? These are all things you can do.

I will not be attending the show this year. In 2016 I went when it was held in Atlantic City, but I just decided I didn’t want to go through the travel process. Lets not forget the price of everything is through the roof as well. The Atlantic City Convention Center didn’t impress me very much either. I wasted a lot of power in my wheelchair going from the parking garage up to the area where the show was being held. Cleveland, OH will always be my favorite venue. Now that the I-X Center is back open for business, I hope the National Sports Collectors Convention considers placing them back in the rotation. The second you walk into the I-X Center the show is right there in front of you.

Content will not be in short supply. Each night I look forward to seeing what went on that specific day. Just don’t believe everything some of these “influencers” who have popped up over the last few years are telling you. They may make it look as if they’re living a high and mighty lifestyle, but so many of them are in debt up to their eyeballs just to keep their show going. Others will use undisclosed non-sports card related income to make it look as if flipping cards is their only job. Some will even arrange fake deals just for video views. A lot of manipulation can and does go on.

Cash is king. So take plenty of it. Dealers accept all types of payment methods, but cash is almost always preferred.

Topps usually holds a Q&A meeting after show hours one of the days. If you have a VIP or Media Pass I would recommend signing up for it ASAP. Typically only (150) spots are available. From my experience Media Pass holders can get in to the show well before VIPs. During this Q&A session you can learn a lot about what Topps has planned for the future. You can also voice your opinion on certain issues. At the conclusion Topps hands out a special card to everyone who attended.

If you’re looking to buy boxes and participate in some of the manufacturer’s wrapper redemption programs, I’d suggest checking out Marty’s Sports Card Exchange. I’ve always found his prices to be very decent. His booth can be located in the corporate area.

The five days will go quickly, but take time to soak it all in. Safe travels. Have fun. Good luck.

Product Highlight: 1990 Good Humor Big League Ice Cream Bar Baseball Bat Autograph Stick

Products come in some elaborate packaging today.  You have to cut, tear, rip, and occasionally use a flamethrower just to access the cards.  It can be ridiculous.  Not to mention drive the price up.

How about having to eat ice cream in order to see what you got?  That’s exactly what needed to be done with the 1990 Good Humor Big League Ice Cream Bar Baseball Bat Autograph Stick set.  The set consists of (26) sticks shaped like miniature baseball bats.  Players are listed in alphabetical order, and numbered accordingly.  Every stick has a facsimile signature on the barrel.

Here’s the checklist:

• Jim Abbott #1
• George Bell #2
• Wade Boggs #3
• Bobby Bonilla #4
• Jose Canseco #5
• Will Clark #6
• Eric Davis #7
• Carlton Fisk #8
• Kirk Gibson #9
• Dwight Gooden #10
• Ken Griffey Jr. #11
• Von Hayes #12
• Don Mattingly #13
• Gregg Olson #14
• Kirby Puckett #15
• Tim Raines #16
• Nolan Ryan #17
• Bret Saberhagen #18
• Ryne Sandberg #19
• Benito Santiago #20
• Mike Scott #21
• Lonnie Smith #22
• Ozzie Smith #23
• Cory Snyder #24
• Alan Trammell #25
• Robin Yount #26

I know what you’re thinking.  “Those are cool.  But how would I store them?”  You’re in luck.  Good Humor made a special album that was available through a mail-in offer.  That album is probably more collectible than the actual sticks because you rarely see it.

Not a whole lot of value can be found with these sticks.  They’re all over the place.  None of them sell for more than $5.  Anyone still have a box sitting in the freezer?

Topps Customer Service Makes Good On Goof

No company is perfect.  Mistakes are bound to be made.  How those mistakes are handled are what make or break their customer service department.  Ask any collector about their experience with a card manufacturer’s customer service, and you’re guaranteed to be flooded with great stories and horrific ones.  With the internet overloaded with so much negativity towards company’s customer service, I’d like to share a positive experience.

On August 21, 2017 I purchased card #504 from the 2017 Topps Now set celebrating the 1st MLB Little League Classic At Historic Bowman Field.  This was such a cool game that took place at a stadium that isn’t far from me, and I visit a few times every summer.  I had to have one of these cards.  I placed my order and eagerly awaited for my card to arrive.  When the package showed up, I dove into it like a child on Christmas morning.  But there was a little problem.  Inside was card #503 of Bartolo Colon commemorating him being the 18th player in MLB history to defeat all 30 clubs.  Definitely not the card I purchased.  The receipt had the correct card listed though.

I fired an e-mail off to the Topps Store (storehelp@topps.com) and explained to them what had happened.  That was a Friday night right before a three day holiday weekend.  The following Wednesday I received an e-mail back from a Topps customer service representative.  In the message they informed me that a replacement card had been ordered, and they supplied me with a prepaid FedEx label so I could ship the incorrect card back.  Not long after they received the Bartolo Colon card, my correct card arrived.

A big thank you to the Topps customer service team for taking care of this so promptly.  If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, I suggest following the same steps I took.

It was announced that the Phillies and Mets will play in the 2nd MLB Little League Classic next year on August 19, 2018.  We should see another Topps Now card for this.  Relics and autographs from this game would be great.  I’d also like to see a Topps Now card next year celebrating the Phillie Phanatic’s 40th birthday.  We have yet to have a Topps Now card featuring a mascot.

Card of the Day: Eric Good 2002 Leaf Rookies & Stars #372

A Good Sign

Yesturday when I visited one of my local card shops, I saw a good sign.  There are a lot of people that think the bad economy is having a big hit on the hobby, but when I walked in that door yesturday it sure didn’t look like the case to me.  The cash register up by the front door is on a table that is pretty high, and the tape reached all the way to the floor.  I asked the owner how business was going?  He replied that they are selling a ton of high-end products by the box such as 2008 Bowman Sterling football.  This bad economy doesn’t seem to be hurting the card collectors in my neighborhood.  Its great to see a card shop that has been in business for over 30 years have a register tape reach all the way to the floor, especially when its full of expensive products.  A recent report on The Cardboard Connection stated that Topps and Upper Deck both have sold out of some of their products from last year.  I’m thinking that sports card collecting provides an escape for some people from the world’s problems.  For those people that think our hobby is in the crapper, I respectfully disagree.  I think our hobby is doing good, and I can’t wait to see what surprises come next.