How to Prep for Card Show Season

Card show season hits different when you're prepared. The sellers who crush it at shows aren't just lucky - they planned ahead. Here's how to get your inventory, setup, and systems ready before the first table opens.

1. Audit Your Inventory (2-3 Weeks Before)

Before you pack a single card, know exactly what you have:

• Update your prices - Check comps on your top 20-30 cards. Markets shift fast and you don't want to be selling $80 cards for $40 because your prices are 3 months old.
• Flag your show inventory - Separate what you're bringing vs. what stays home. Use categories or locations in your system to mark "Show Box" items.
• Pull dead weight - Cards sitting for 90+ days? Mark them down. Shows are where you move stale inventory at a discount.
• Count your stock - Know how many total cards you're bringing. This helps with setup planning and insurance.

2. Price Everything

Every card at your table needs a visible price. Buyers won't ask - they'll just walk to the next table. Options:

• Sticker labels - Small price stickers on penny sleeves or top loaders.
• QR code labels - Link to your inventory detail page. Tech-savvy and professional.
• Dollar box signage - Clear signs for bulk bins: "$1 each", "$5 each", "3 for $10".
• Showcase pricing - Tent cards or small stands next to high-value slabs.

The #1 reason buyers walk past a table: they can't tell how much anything costs without asking.

3. Set Up Your POS System

Cash-only tables lose sales. People carry less cash now and expect to pay with cards or apps. Before the show:

• Charge your card reader (if using Square, Stripe Terminal, etc.)
• Test your POS app on your phone/tablet
• Make sure you have cell service at the venue (or download offline data)
• Bring a cash box with change ($1s, $5s, $10s, $20s)
• Set up Venmo/PayPal/Zelle as backup payment options

4. Plan Your Display

Your table is your storefront. First impressions matter:

• Vertical displays - Card stands and risers let people see more without flipping through boxes.
• Organize by sport or price - Don't make buyers dig. Sections should be clear.
• Tablecloth - A simple black cloth looks 10x more professional than bare table.
• Banner or sign - Your business name visible from across the room.
• Well-lit showcase - LED strip lights make slabs pop.

5. Pack Your Show Kit

The night before the show, pack everything:

• Card inventory (sorted and priced)
• Display supplies (stands, risers, tablecloth)
• POS device + charger
• Cash box with change
• Business cards
• Penny sleeves, top loaders, team bags (for purchases/trades)
• Painter's tape and markers (for signage)
• Water bottle and snacks
• Phone charger / battery pack

6. Post-Show Tasks

After the show, don't just dump your boxes in the corner:

• Log your sales - Record what sold, for how much, and to whom.
• Update inventory - Mark sold items, adjust quantities.
• Count your cash - Reconcile physical cash against your POS records.
• Follow up - Text or DM anyone who asked you to hold something.
• Note what worked - Which cards got the most attention? What price points moved fastest?