Preparing To Attend A Postcard Show!
- Jason Kleinhenz
- Aug 1
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 2
Postcard shows are a great way to meet other postcard enthusiasts and collectors! On our website, we have a section showcasing upcoming Postcard Shows. If you know of any others we don't have listed and you would like for them to be added, email bluelakemercantilecompany@gmail.com
Bring Cash!
Make sure to bring plenty of cash! This is our biggest tip! Most dealers do not accept any type of card payments since they don't have any card readers. Also- very few dealers will accept electronic payments by Venmo or PayPal. Many postcard shows are held in areas that may not have an ATM on location. Bringing plenty of cash can help you be prepared for your postcard purchases!
Bring a Postcard Cheat Sheet!
Before we go to a postcard show we update our BOLO list and print it out in a 4x6 dimension, then we slide the printout into a hard shell postcard sleeve. This helps ensure it stays safe and is easy to fit in a pocket or bag. Our BOLO list is separated by state with locations from our BOLO Map. Most dealers have their stock separated by state and sometimes city so this helps narrow down the search for the places on your BOLO list- especially if you are on a time crunch! Dealers know their stock the best- if they ask you what you collect or are interested in buying show them your cheat sheet and they may know if they have anything of interest.
Go in with a strategy!
Do you want to focus on buying high end but more expensive postcards to resell or for your collection? Do you want to buy in bulk? Or, do you want buy bread & butter postcards for cheaper? Knowing this can help get a plan together of how you want to shop. Some dealers have "dollar bins" or stock where everything is a dollar. Going thru these can be more time consuming but can be rewarding if you find hidden gems or things the seller didn't value as much as you do. Usually if a show is two days long we try to separate how we buy. Dollar cards tend to be picked over on day two of the show so we try to focus on those on day one of the show. Day two we hone in and focus on our BOLO list and go state by state.
Bring food & drink!
We typically spend all day (or as much as we can) at shows! Check ahead to see if the show has food on site. If not, consider bringing some food to eat so you can take a quick break. Packing a picnic lunch, drinks and snacks in a cooler helps us stay energized while maximizing our postcard buying time!
Don't Forget Supplies!
We usually bring a lightweight bag we can fill with our purchases. This helps them stay safe and all together. It is a good idea to bring sleeves or hard shell sleeves as well if you buy cards you want to protect right away or prevent further damage.
Use a headlamp!
Using a headlamp like this is very helpful (this is the exact one we use!) We have been at shows where the lighting is very dim and it can be hard to read what is on the postcard or see damage. Having a headlamp ready is useful for these low-lite ballrooms or convention areas.
Do a walk around!
Do a quick walk thru the whole show. It can be tempting to dive into the first table you see, but it's important to walk thru the whole show. It can help orient yourself with where you want to begin looking- maybe there is a new dealer you haven't met or shopped with before you want to check out first. Some dealers may only specialize in certain postcards like holiday or certain geographcial areas. Seeing all dealers within the first 5-10 minutes allows you to establish where you want to start.
Talk to the dealers!
Most of all the dealers we have met have been very nice! Usually they will give you a certain discount (10-20% off) once you have met a certain purchase threshold (like $100 or more). Unfortunately, many dealers are leaving or selling their stock due to their age. Many are currently willing to sell in bulk. Don't be afraid to ask if they have any boxes they are willing to sell.
Comments