1524 - Toronto Expo Prep, with Ken Capell

Dr. Beckett previews his upcoming Toronto Sports Card Expo trip with advice from longtime attendee Ken Capel, comparing the show to U.S. events and noting its heavy hockey focus, expanded post-pandemic size, abundant $1–$2 boxes, and generally deal-friendly hockey dealers. They discuss how most pricing is in Canadian dollars but many vendors willingly accept U.S. cash and do on-the-spot conversion, sometimes even offering better-than-conversion pricing. The conversation covers the rise of buying stations and major hockey repacks, fewer table buyouts than in earlier years, strong Upper Deck presence with redemption-driven wax breaking, and the show’s improved layout with autographs in a separate room plus a dedicated Pokémon section. Ken shares border-crossing habits, receipts, and removing price stickers before returning to the U.S.

 

00:50 Why Toronto Matters

01:37 Post Pandemic Changes

02:33 Making Deals Up North

03:56 Paying With US Cash

06:44 Repacks And Buy Stations

08:15 Show Layout And Wax

10:30 Upper Deck And Young Guns

14:02 Border Crossing Tips

16:46 Discounts And Bundle Deals