Gentle Friends,
Attending OTSN in Chicago is a most exciting event. Only in recent years have I been able to attend this outstanding event. I vividly recall my first experience with the show. In short, I was both awed and overwhelmed. I was also ignorant regarding how best to maneuver through the maze of halls, rooms, vendors, and collectors during the room trading and during the show.
I am aware that some of you will be attending OTSN for the first time and I thought I might provide a few tips and suggestions regarding how to prepare for the show and how to maximize your ease and comfort during the room trading. I hope you find them useful.
1.) I have found it useful to take the time to prepare a “wish list” before I attend the show. If you have never attended this show, it is difficult to realize how many wonderful things you will find and see there. If you have read posts by many show attendees, you know how frequently they mention abandoning their wish lists when they are attending a large show. The same is likely to happen to you in Chicago when you see the incredible numbers of treasures available to collectors. However, having a wish list helps keep you focused on the things you have decided you most want. In my case, I make a list, but I always make certain I have more resources to spend than my list requires. The additional uncommitted resources provide me with the flexibility I need to purchase some of those most unexpected treasures you will find. Keep in mind, no matter how much money you have, it will not be enough to purchase everything you want.
2.) One of the very first things to do when you arrive at the show it to obtain a map of the floors on which the vendors are housed. The floor plan of the hotel is much like a rat’s maze and it is extremely easy to become disoriented regarding your exact location and the location of rooms in which you have been, but want to revisit. Maps are usually available in the lobbies of 4th and 5th floors just outside the elevators. Do not delay obtaining a map! The maps soon disappear as more attendees arrive.
3.) Take a pocket sized notebook with you in which to record important information. I actually record my wish list in this notebook and I list the retail prices of the presently available items I wish to obtain. I also record vendor names, addresses, and room numbers for easy access. I record addresses and phone numbers of friends I meet. I make notes for future reference and I keep a record of purchasing decisions I know I need to make before the end of the show. You will find a dozen uses for this simple tool.
4.) Room trading is the hallmark of the Chicago show. The room trading takes place the few days preceding the actual show on Sunday. The hotel rooms the vendors occupy are filled with wonderful items for sale to interested collectors. When a vendor is receiving collectors in his room, he opens the door. The open door is the invitation to enter and browse the items he has for sale. When you see a vendor has his door open, feel free to enter. Remember, the vendor wants to sell the items he brought to the show, so he welcomes the presence of potential customers. Do not be bashful. Enter the room and browse the merchandise. You just might find a treasure you cannot do without.
5.) While it is important to have a good time and enjoy the event, I recommend you do not consume alcohol during the times when you may be shopping. Alcohol will relax your self-discipline and you will run the risk of spending more money than you have planned to spend. Enjoy your favorite adult beverages at the end of the day when you have concluded your shopping.
6.) Take your camera. Doubtless you will see figures, rooms, dioramas, and people you wish to photograph. However, it is important to ask a vendor if you may take photographs in his room. I have often seen collectors enter a room and start taking pictures without the vendor’s permission. If you ask for permission, almost all vendors will warmly respond in the affirmative. However, be warned that there are a few vendors who become upset when you simply assume the liberty of photographing items and people in their room. Always ask for permission!
7.) When you visit a vendor’s room, be polite and do not criticize or make negative comments about the items he has for sale. It is usually easy to indicate he has some fine or interesting items for sale. If you feel the merchandise in his room is less than desirable, then say nothing at all that might offend the vendor. I have seen a few heated arguments occur as a result of a collector making unkind comments to a vendor about the items he has for sale.
8.) While shopping, realize not all vendors accept credit cards. I regularly do business with three vendors at the show who do not accept credit cards. Plan accordingly.
9.) Save some money for the Sunday show. There will be vendors who only make their appearance during Sunday. If you have spent all your resources prior to Sunday, you may miss a great bargain!
10.) Take time and meet some of the collectors you do not know. The show is a great place at which to network. Find some collectors with similar interests and spend time exchanging information regarding your collections. You will enjoy every minute of such interaction!
11.) Many vendors will have their business cards available. Collect the cards of vendors with whom you might do business in the future. You will be glad you have the reference information contained on such cards.
12.) Remember the pocket notebook I mentioned in item #3? When you return home, use the information you have recorded in the notebook to send thank you notes to vendors with whom you have done business and to friends with whom you have visited. Not only is this a polite gesture, but the vendors and friends will more easily remember you when you next contact them.
I am certain there are more tips and suggestions other experienced Chicago show attendees can contribute and I invite them to do so. I hope this information is useful to all the new Chicago attendees! And,...I hope to meet all of you there!
Warmest personal regards,
Pat
Attending OTSN in Chicago is a most exciting event. Only in recent years have I been able to attend this outstanding event. I vividly recall my first experience with the show. In short, I was both awed and overwhelmed. I was also ignorant regarding how best to maneuver through the maze of halls, rooms, vendors, and collectors during the room trading and during the show.
I am aware that some of you will be attending OTSN for the first time and I thought I might provide a few tips and suggestions regarding how to prepare for the show and how to maximize your ease and comfort during the room trading. I hope you find them useful.
1.) I have found it useful to take the time to prepare a “wish list” before I attend the show. If you have never attended this show, it is difficult to realize how many wonderful things you will find and see there. If you have read posts by many show attendees, you know how frequently they mention abandoning their wish lists when they are attending a large show. The same is likely to happen to you in Chicago when you see the incredible numbers of treasures available to collectors. However, having a wish list helps keep you focused on the things you have decided you most want. In my case, I make a list, but I always make certain I have more resources to spend than my list requires. The additional uncommitted resources provide me with the flexibility I need to purchase some of those most unexpected treasures you will find. Keep in mind, no matter how much money you have, it will not be enough to purchase everything you want.
2.) One of the very first things to do when you arrive at the show it to obtain a map of the floors on which the vendors are housed. The floor plan of the hotel is much like a rat’s maze and it is extremely easy to become disoriented regarding your exact location and the location of rooms in which you have been, but want to revisit. Maps are usually available in the lobbies of 4th and 5th floors just outside the elevators. Do not delay obtaining a map! The maps soon disappear as more attendees arrive.
3.) Take a pocket sized notebook with you in which to record important information. I actually record my wish list in this notebook and I list the retail prices of the presently available items I wish to obtain. I also record vendor names, addresses, and room numbers for easy access. I record addresses and phone numbers of friends I meet. I make notes for future reference and I keep a record of purchasing decisions I know I need to make before the end of the show. You will find a dozen uses for this simple tool.
4.) Room trading is the hallmark of the Chicago show. The room trading takes place the few days preceding the actual show on Sunday. The hotel rooms the vendors occupy are filled with wonderful items for sale to interested collectors. When a vendor is receiving collectors in his room, he opens the door. The open door is the invitation to enter and browse the items he has for sale. When you see a vendor has his door open, feel free to enter. Remember, the vendor wants to sell the items he brought to the show, so he welcomes the presence of potential customers. Do not be bashful. Enter the room and browse the merchandise. You just might find a treasure you cannot do without.
5.) While it is important to have a good time and enjoy the event, I recommend you do not consume alcohol during the times when you may be shopping. Alcohol will relax your self-discipline and you will run the risk of spending more money than you have planned to spend. Enjoy your favorite adult beverages at the end of the day when you have concluded your shopping.
6.) Take your camera. Doubtless you will see figures, rooms, dioramas, and people you wish to photograph. However, it is important to ask a vendor if you may take photographs in his room. I have often seen collectors enter a room and start taking pictures without the vendor’s permission. If you ask for permission, almost all vendors will warmly respond in the affirmative. However, be warned that there are a few vendors who become upset when you simply assume the liberty of photographing items and people in their room. Always ask for permission!
7.) When you visit a vendor’s room, be polite and do not criticize or make negative comments about the items he has for sale. It is usually easy to indicate he has some fine or interesting items for sale. If you feel the merchandise in his room is less than desirable, then say nothing at all that might offend the vendor. I have seen a few heated arguments occur as a result of a collector making unkind comments to a vendor about the items he has for sale.
8.) While shopping, realize not all vendors accept credit cards. I regularly do business with three vendors at the show who do not accept credit cards. Plan accordingly.
9.) Save some money for the Sunday show. There will be vendors who only make their appearance during Sunday. If you have spent all your resources prior to Sunday, you may miss a great bargain!
10.) Take time and meet some of the collectors you do not know. The show is a great place at which to network. Find some collectors with similar interests and spend time exchanging information regarding your collections. You will enjoy every minute of such interaction!
11.) Many vendors will have their business cards available. Collect the cards of vendors with whom you might do business in the future. You will be glad you have the reference information contained on such cards.
12.) Remember the pocket notebook I mentioned in item #3? When you return home, use the information you have recorded in the notebook to send thank you notes to vendors with whom you have done business and to friends with whom you have visited. Not only is this a polite gesture, but the vendors and friends will more easily remember you when you next contact them.
I am certain there are more tips and suggestions other experienced Chicago show attendees can contribute and I invite them to do so. I hope this information is useful to all the new Chicago attendees! And,...I hope to meet all of you there!
Warmest personal regards,
Pat
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