The 2023 Show of Shows - Louisville, Kentucky - February 22-26

[Brian Dentino]

12 minutes ago, Allan H. said:

I'm not going to be able to make it this year, but would like to provide some information to the group for those of you who are getting to your first SOS.

For starters, the show is HUGE! You cannot fathom how big 1,500 tables is until you have seen it. There is virtually everything in the realm of militaria there, so you need to come with some focus. 

 

No matter how much money you bring, you are probably going to spend what you have. Yes, there are ATMs on site, but if I recall correctly, the fee is something like $10 and there is always a line for them. The machines run out of cash too. Bring what you can afford to spend and plan on stopping at a certain dollar amount. That being said, remember that money talks and BS walks. Dealers are far more likely to deal with a cash buyer than someone with a credit card. Some dealers take cards, but know you will probably be expected to pay the processing fee and don't count on a price break when you are buying with a card.

 

There are show programs that have a map inside and list the sellers. This is great if you are wanting to be sure to hit certain dealers' tables. You can also use it to mark where items are that you are interested in if you choose to do so.

 

I will tell you that if you are looking for certain high end items, if you find them, you had better go ahead and buy them when you find them. Unless they are terribly overpriced, those items will not still be there when you go back looking for them later.

 

In most cases, the first day and the morning of day two are pretty busy with tons of buyers out there. Don't think that you're going to be able to get a dealer to cut significant deals on these first couple of days. You may not be willing to pay the asking price, but there are a lot of guys behind you that probably will. This is especially true on elite unit related items. Remember that there will be buyers flying in from Europe and Japan. They are motivated to be buying items for their collections or to take back home and sell. On day one, figure that the price quoted is the price and decide yes or no when it is quoted.

 

Carry a shoulder bag with you. You can put your purchases in the bag and carry trade items with you to sell or trade. Figure it is going to be a long day and a long way to the parking lot. You are not going to want to be walking out to the car to drop items off and then to try to get back into the show. I'm always amazed by the number of people that I hardly know who ask me if they can leave things under my table. Unless you are close friends with someone, or you just bought the big trunk group that he sold you, do not presume that you can dump your stuff under someone's table. Tarbridge for example, is a great guy, but he really doesn't want to watch your stuff while you walk the show. 

 

Food is typically at a premium at the show. Two hard rules should be followed here- 1) Eat a big, hearty breakfast before the show. This will give you energy to attack the aisles and will keep you from running to the concession stand. 2) a couple of candy bars will help you a lot. Remember though that chocolate bars in the big show will melt. keep that in mind as nobody wants you handling items with dirty hands.

 

While I am on the subject of sticky fingers, every year some dealer gets ripped off. Know that they are watching you. Doing something stupid like trying to palm a piece of insignia is a very dangerous game. besides getting arrested and banned for life, you will never survive having been branded as a thief. Dealers take care of each other- know that the penalty for theft can be quite draconian, so much that you might welcome arrest by law enforcement to keep you from an rump beating.

 

Be friendly and courteous. Treat others with respect and as colleagues and not as the enemy. You'll be amazed with what other collectors find for you when you treat them well and share your wants lists if they ask. Say excuse me if you bump in to someone and take turns going through stacks of Riker mounts. Ask permission before opening a Riker mount and say thank you when you are finished.

 

Nobody needs a know it all. We don't need to know the history of the item you are looking at. The dealer already knows what he is selling. Most other people are also educated on the finer points you are wanting to share. 

 

Making the deal- do not ever try to buy an item while another collector is holding the item. Keep your mouth shut and be patient. If the item is placed back on the table, it is free game, unless the buyer is putting it down to reach for his wallet. Do not interrupt the deal. Let the dealer finish and then you can have your turn. 

 

I know this is a long read, but hopefully it will get some of you moving in the right direction.

 

Allan

And don't forget to wear comfortable shoes, because like you said above Allan........this is a HUGE show with miles of walking.  Last year I had to break it up and walk half the show on Friday and the other half Saturday.  If it is your first, prepare to have your mind blown!   Have fun and good hunting to all attending this year.

[Vanderbilt]

6 minutes ago, Brian Dentino said:

And don't forget to wear comfortable shoes, because like you said above Allan........this is a HUGE show with miles of walking.  Last year I had to break it up and walk half the show on Friday and the other half Saturday.  If it is your first, prepare to have your mind blown!   Have fun and good hunting to all attending this year.

.....sounds like a walking stick wouldn't be terrible idea either!

[CombatEng44]

Sticky fingers: Don’t ever assume that it is safer when it is open only to vendors. You have many people who are not vendors roaming around during setup time. If you have several tables it can be chaotic the first couple of hours. With you setting up and certain people getting to come in during this time it is prime time for thieves. I hate to have to say this about people but we have been a victim at this show. And, they are VERY good at it. 
I’ve never understood why vendors and table helpers can’t be left alone for even hour before ANYONE not associated with the show is let in. Sorry, it’s just a pet peeve of ours. 
 

[BigDogMilitaria]

I'll be in town on Tuesday evening. Will be loaded up with some really great stuff again this year. New table location than ive had for the last 6 years, so if you are looking for me, check the program or send me a message!

[Ronnie]

11 hours ago, CombatEng44 said:

Sticky fingers: Don’t ever assume that it is safer when it is open only to vendors. You have many people who are not vendors roaming around during setup time. If you have several tables it can be chaotic the first couple of hours. With you setting up and certain people getting to come in during this time it is prime time for thieves. I hate to have to say this about people but we have been a victim at this show. And, they are VERY good at it. 
I’ve never understood why vendors and table helpers can’t be left alone for even hour before ANYONE not associated with the show is let in. Sorry, it’s just a pet peeve of ours. 
 

I agree sticky. I tell the folks who start worrying me while I’m trying to set up that nothing is for sale right now. Come back when the table is set up!

[tdogchristy90]

Question regarding bringing things to sell or trade. Is bring something to sell/trade if  one needs a quick influx of cash/money during the show a good strategy? 

[Allan H.]

19 minutes ago, tdogchristy90 said:

Question regarding bringing things to sell or trade. Is bring something to sell/trade if  one needs a quick influx of cash/money during the show a good strategy? 

There are two schools of thought here, the two types of items selling at SOS are rare items and bargain items. Trying to sell cased Bronze Stars at $75 a  pop is not going to be an easy proposition. They will sell quickly in the $40-50 range because everyone buying is looking to make money. Selling a paratrooper jump jacket ought to be relatively easy to sell and at a price around retail. Trying to sell your collection of Brazilian navy rates is going to be nearly impossible as the number of buyers is going to be quite limited. 

 

If you are planning to augment your purchases by selling other items, I would tell you that trying to work trades is not a bad strategy as things slow down, but no dealer is going to want to take the time to wheel and deal when the table is surrounded by ready buyers. 

 

One suggestion if you are going to try to sell some items, is to try to advertise on Face Book as an example saying that you are bringing some extra high end wings, Nazi badges, or whatever and for potential buyers to meet you prior to the show in order to raise some of the cash. If you don't want to sell until you are sure that you've bought some better pieces, then you will just have to see what deals you can make later in the show.

 

Allan

[manayunkman]

10 hours ago, Ronnie said:

I agree sticky. I tell the folks who start worrying me while I’m trying to set up that nothing is for sale right now. Come back when the table is set up!

Don’t leave me alone!!

 

I love selling while I unpack, dealers are my best customers.

 

Unfortunately I won’t be attending the show.

[tthen]

Not going to be able to make it this year. Would love it if time allows if someone could let me know what the current price of WWII Patton hilt section Sword Knifes are. Pictures if possible.

Thanks and enjoy.

[Shenkursk]

I know full well that as collectors (and dealers, for that matter), we all want to maximize the amount of $$ we have to spend on shiny things at the show.  That's just who we are.  I know more than a few of you will engage in marathon drives to get to town for the show.  At the end, when that magic 3:00 hour hits on Saturday, I hear plenty of folks bragging about how if they pack up quickly they can get loaded and drive all the way home, arriving in the wee hours of the morning.. all to save the need to pay for an extra hotel room or take an extra day off from your 'real' job.  I would urge you all to think for a second and weigh the options: an extra $150-$200 spent on lodging one more night either in Louisville or somewhere close along your route, v/s saving that $150-$200 and potentially nodding off and crashing.  One aspiring young collector / dealer was telling me last year how he drove straight through to SOS with his wife and infant child, catching short naps in rest areas in favor of putting that extra few $$ into buying stuff for the collection.  Guys and gals, there is no need to go to and from the show on Icarus Airlines.   We want to see your smiling faces at this and other show for many years to come!!  Remember, it's a marathon, not a sprint.

[Brig]

I will not be there...I am currently in the middle of the PCS process...but if anyone wants to give me a buzz if they see any good pre-WWI USMC items or Norwegian Nasjonal Samling items, I'll be replying to PMs

[Mr.Jerry]

Sorry you can't be there Allan- but all great points!

[Dirk]

14 hours ago, Brig said:

I will not be there...I am currently in the middle of the PCS process...but if anyone wants to give me a buzz if they see any good pre-WWI USMC items or Norwegian Nasjonal Samling items, I'll be replying to PMs

Brig contact me off line

[MAW]

On 2/15/2023 at 10:17 AM, tdogchristy90 said:

Question regarding bringing things to sell or trade. Is bring something to sell/trade if  one needs a quick influx of cash/money during the show a good strategy? 

 

Always!

 

Bring a few things that you want to sell.....then also bring a few things that you "might" sell if you need a cash reserve.  You never are obligated to sell any of it, but it gives you options.

[CNY Militaria]

Some items I'll have for sale at the show ( Tables should be H-44/H-45): WWII Governor of PA/Major General 28th ID Uniform jacket, large WWII 102nd Infantry Div. Infantry group with German Bringbacks, WWII 15th AAF Named Medal group to a Gunner, WWII Letter groups, WWII paperwork & photos, WWII - Korean War Brigadier General DSM/Silver Star Medal Group, WWII Pacific USN Gunner's Trunk Group with Japanese Bringbacks, WWII 1st Cavalry Paper & medal group, WWII ETO Medal and Paper group with German Bringbacks, headgear, helmets, edged weapons, lots of quality patches, $5 & $10 BARGAIN bins and much more!

[usmcdoc67]

Heading there Wednesday morning. Will be hanging out at P28. Will have some nice stuff. Stop by!!

[Persian Gulf Command]

I joined OVMS as a mew member. Can anybody here on the FORUM assist me to enter the SOS earlier than 12:00 pm on Thursday?

 

Please send me a PM.

 

Any help would be appreciated and thank you in advance!

 

John

[CNY Militaria]

38 minutes ago, Persian Gulf Command said:

I joined OVMS as a mew member. Can anybody here on the FORUM assist me to enter the SOS earlier than 12:00 pm on Thursday?

 

Please send me a PM.

 

Any help would be appreciated and thank you in advance!

 

John

I believe that’s only possible by being a table holder or helper. I don’t think they will issue more helper badges this late but  I’ve heard they occasionally have extra tables that were cancelled that they will sell to those who inquire. 

[stratasfan]

Can't wait to hear how it goes! Sounds amazing! If any of you take pics, would love it if you'd post some for those of us who aren't able to go. Would be so amazing to see, I'm sure!

[LYONSJ9]

I'll be there! looking forward to seeing everyone!

[CombatEng44]

Would love to have another helper but probably impossible now. Wife may not be able to go due to illness. Heck, if you go to enough shows it’s bound to happen.

I heard the announcement at the last show that a friend nearby had not picked up his paperwork and “he knows better”. Yeah, well he had a stroke. 
Things happen. Be safe my friends. 

[militbuff]

Flying out tomorrow am.  Can’t wait!

[CDWells]

Will be attending for the first time! Finally, I live literally three COUNTIES away and haven't made it until this year. It was a surprise. I don't drive and Mom isn't big on city driving, so it was out for us. I've been helping a friend of Mom's, as she's had some hip problems, and the three of us were at the zoo in Cincinnati Monday and I was talking about the SoS. I was mentioning the other events in the building and it seems Mom and her friend are hitting the flea market and leaving me at the SoS!

I am looking for a few small specific things and always have my eye open for oddities. I'd like to finish my US Army School and Center diamond patches and move on to a different niche.

[Steve Brannan]

Setting up Wednesday. Hayes is my hero. 

[CNY Militaria]

Lots of great buying and selling tonight during dealer setup! Many "fresh to market" items and groups it looks like.