What a card show is
A card show is a room full of vendor tables selling sports cards, Pokémon, other trading card games, sealed boxes and graded slabs. Most shows in Canada run on a Saturday or Sunday, usually from about 9 or 10 in the morning until mid-afternoon. Some are free to walk in, and some charge a few dollars at the door.
What to bring
- Cash in small bills. Many tables are cash-only or prefer it, and $5s and $20s make deals easier. Not every venue has an ATM.
- Your phone, charged. For e-transfer, and for checking recent sold prices before you buy.
- A want list. Players, sets or Pokémon you're hunting, so you don't get distracted by everything else.
- Penny sleeves and top loaders. To protect anything you pick up. See our supply list.
- Your trade binder or box, if you plan to trade. Keep it organized so vendors can flip through quickly.
- A bag or backpack that closes, for sealed product and supplies.
Supplies for your show bag
A few cheap supplies keep your new cards safe on the way home. These are the basics most collectors carry.
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Paying: cash, e-transfer or card
Cash is still the most common way to pay. Lots of vendors also take Interac e-transfer, and some take card with a tap reader. If you want to use e-transfer, ask before the deal and wait until the vendor confirms the money arrived before you leave the table.
How buying works
Prices on cards are usually a starting point. It's normal to ask "what's your best on this?", especially if you're buying more than one card. Be polite, have a number in mind, and check recent sold prices (not asking prices) on your phone. If a deal doesn't work, a simple "thanks, I'll think about it" is fine.
Selling and trading
Vendors buy cards too, but they need to make money when they resell, so expect offers below what the card sells for online. Trades are usually valued the same way. Know what your cards are worth, keep your best cards sleeved and easy to show, and ask the vendor if they're buying before you lay everything out.
Graded cards
Graded cards ("slabs") have been checked and sealed in a case by a company like PSA, BGS, SGC or CGC, with a grade from 1 to 10. Some shows have a grading company or a submission service on site where you can drop off cards. Check the slab's certificate number on the grading company's website before you pay big money.
Show etiquette
- Ask before you touch cards that are out of their cases, and handle them by the edges.
- Don't block a table if you're just browsing and someone is trying to buy.
- Don't negotiate on a card while another person is still dealing with it.
- Keep food and drinks away from the tables.
- Kids are welcome at almost every show. Keep an eye on small hands near the display cases.
Tips to get the most out of it
- Go early for the best selection, or late for the best deals as vendors try to avoid packing up stock.
- Walk the whole room first before buying anything big.
- Follow the show and vendors on Instagram to hear about deals and the next date.
Have a question we didn't cover? Check the FAQ.