In this episode Jordan wanted to get some killer items for Chiller, a major collectibles show on the East Coast. With his buddy Steve they visited three parties for thoses elusive pieces. The first person they visited was another dealer looking through his stash of items. One item I was surprised that Jordan passed on was the great Garloo. He felt the price too high but did not offer to try to sell it for the party. The next two parties were collectors where they found a AHI Lost in Space Robot and Alien blaster Set. These items seemed too convient, while it is possible that you could find items like this in your hunts, usually it takes weeks or longer to find so many killer pieces.
The Chiller show was given short shift. There is much more to it other than the collectibles part. The main event is the stars that showed up to meet their fans and sell their autographs. There will be close to a hundred stars from movies, television, etc at a Chiller. This is additional competition for money of the attendants and makes for a hard time for the dealers of collectibles. I have been at this show and heard dealers only breaking even on Sunday. Still some dealers can do great while others are hurting. From the indication of the show Jordan did well.
One thing if show goes into another season they get better writiers.
You’re right about Chiller, Paul. We’ve done them since day one and as the autograph guest list has grown sales have dropped. The guest list focus has changed, bringing in many stars that have nothing to do with horror/fantasy/exploitation b-movies, and the fans they attract have no interest in the dealer room offerings. People like May Pang, Tom Wopat, Audrey Landers, etc. It’s still a good show- though I think new dealers are paying $400 a table now!- and most of the money goes to the autograph guests. I prefer having one or two BIG autograph draws, bringing people in but not emptying their pockets. Plus the days when you could score some great toy buys during set-up are gone (but that’s the story almost everywhere). I got a nice Allstate Iwo Jima set there once for $200, a MIB Ideal Haunted House game for $30, a sealed original Aurora Creature for $100… I better stop, or I’m going to cry!
Sean
You are right on the price of a table for Chiller is $400.00. That gives you a high overhead to break even. With the people having limited dollars it is even tougher. We saw the problem a few years back as we waited in line for Leslie Neilson. There was a person who was trying to figure out how he was going to pay for all the autographs he wanted. I knew he did not bother to go into the dealers room.
Shows are tough anymore. My friend John is doing Allentown Toy show and he is wondering what it will be like. Another dealer I know gave up his booth. Certain people will do good because they have the cilentele, but it is hard to get that occasional buyer.
Sean let us know where you are set up as we will stop by and say hello. We will be there Saturday and we will stopping in at our friend Marcus Boas’ table.
Hi Paul- I sell posters and smaller prints. Mostly commercial US and European ones, SF/fantasy, TV, comic book, etc. Mostly current stuff, $8 to $15 range. I’ll have 3 tables on the wall but I don’t know where what with the new venue and all.
I used to mainly sell toys at Chiller, but not in years- the internet rendered the middleman obsolete, unless you have the time to hit estate sales, flea markers, etc. (where the pickings are slim to none, anyway). I haven’t found a good toy at Chiller in years.
Sean
Laurie and I will be looking for you. We will be stopping at our good friend Marcus Boas’ room which TR176. Finding toys is hard. I have been working a mid week market and it has been drips and draps. The market has been worthwhile, but no home runs. I do not figure on finding any toys at Chiller. The last time I saw something I was interested they did not have a price and the person was not there to give a price. I got the item on the internet a month later. I will be doing a lot of observing as I have other shows where I can pick up items.