The Minnesota PEZ convention is over, and all that is left is the driving home. I had a great time, particularly talking with old and new friends in my room Thursday evening and all day Friday during room-hopping. I sold enough PEZ that I think I will cover all of my expenses and actually make a small profit. It was a quiet, relaxed convention for the most part. I actually enjoy that more, because I get nervous when there are so many people in my room at a time that I can't see them all or see all of my PEZ or at least chat a little with each person.
I drove from Wichita to Osceola on Wednesday, after my husband skillfully packed our small SUV to the brim (well, almost, he left the top clear so I could see out the rear view mirror). I found Elvis in a Walgreens somewhere south of Osceola in Iowa, so I bought 4. I sold 2, so if you're reading this and need Elvis, I have 2 for sale. :-)
Thursday I drove the rest of the way and arrived at Ramada Inn Mall of America in Minneapolis around 2pm. It took 3 trips on a porter's cart (no porter, just me) to unload. Then it took about 3 hours to unpack and set up. I got some dinner then opened up in the evening.
Friday I had my room open most of the day. I gave my free bingo card to Judy to play for me, but she didn't win us anything. I spent bingo and auction time finishing putting price stickers on my PEZ because it is so much easier when people don't have to constantly ask how much something costs, especially on Saturday. I didn't sell a lot on Friday, but talked with a lot of nice people. I especially like chatting with new collectors or people who are at their first convention.
Saturday was different this year. Dealer setup started at 9, the hall opened to convention members at 11 and the public at 12, and it lasted until 4:30. Except for eating lunch out of a vending machine, I liked the later time.
I only sold about a dozen NF vintage pez, but I had enough other stuff that I did okay. It is going to take a lot of work on ebay or another convention to really reduce my inventory so I can get out of being a dealer and back to being "just" a collector. My neighbor offered to share a room with me in St. Louis, so next summer I may take her up on that if we decide not to bring the whole family.
If anyone who picked up my card at the convention is reading this, if you didn't buy that PEZ you were admiring and are wishing you had, send me an email!
