Collect-A-Con Charlotte is two days away — August 22–23 at the Charlotte Convention Center. With 900+ vendor tables across Hall BC, this is one of the largest single-weekend trading card marketplaces in the Southeast.
Whether you’re hunting singles, buying sealed product, or just trading — here’s how to approach it.
Before You Go: Make a Target List
900 vendor tables is too much ground to cover without a plan. Before Saturday morning, write down:
- The specific singles you’re hunting (card name, set, condition minimum)
- Your price ceiling per card — know before you walk in so you’re not deciding on the spot under pressure
- Any sealed products you’re considering — check TCGplayer market prices so you know what a deal looks like
Arrive Early on Saturday
The best deals — rare singles, discounted sealed product, and first picks on limited stock — move in the first 90 minutes of Saturday opening. Doors open at 10 AM on Saturday. Arriving close to that time gives you first access to the full floor before the best tables are picked over.
Compare Prices Before Buying
The same card at two different tables can vary by 20-40% at large shows. Don’t buy the first one you see. Do a lap of the floor first to map out who has what, then go back to the best price.
Cash vs Card
Large dealers accept cards. Smaller individual sellers often prefer cash — and cash deals frequently come with a small discount since the seller avoids processing fees. Bring both. The ATM lines inside conventions are long and charge high fees.
What to Bring
- Cash (ATM before you arrive)
- Toploaders and card savers for purchases
- A bag or backpack that can hold your pulls comfortably
- Phone with TCGplayer app for quick price checks on the floor
- Water — convention floors get warm and crowded
NC Game Stores Near the Charlotte Convention Center
If you’re in Charlotte for the weekend and want to keep hunting after the con closes, the GHF NC directory has Charlotte-area game stores organized by category.
Find Charlotte area game stores in the GHF NC directory →
See you on the floor.
