Hi Guys -

I've been a big Game Show fan for years, but one thing I never understood was how so many of you guys got so much great stuff from the past. I realize that it's common to "Trade" - but how the heck does a guy with just a handful of things ever get to see so much of this great stuff in the past when they have nothing to "Trade".

In other words, because I don't own any gems or much that hasn't been on GSN - I don't have the opportunity to trade for eps of LMAD 90 or an Ep of Play the Precentages or anything else I'd like to see - especially some really cool stuff from teh past. It's a frustrating. Is this making any sense? :) This isn't a critcism of anyone, just an observation. How does one build a collection if they don't have anything to trade?

Oh - and a Random thought - Why in the world is GSN showing that HORRIBLE 3's a crowd with Alan Thicke??? I woke up from a nap yesterday and - In my haze, I heard the familar tones of Mr. Thicke! YIKES - WHY WHY WHY? Show a decent show in that time slot!

Matt :)

If you're just wanting to build a library of vintage stuff, one off-net source many of us like is Shokus Video - www.shokus.com. They have a variety of old shows on tape and they're transferring many to DVD. I'm sure others around here have other good sources for people willing to buy shows to build a library. Tape trading discussions around here are a touchy subject because they sometimes lead to bad feelings and name calling, so if you're willing to buy to build, that could be a good start.

Not wanting to speak for any of the traders, and not being a trader myself, I would be willing to guess that there are some benevolent souls who would be willing to help you get your collection started in exchange for a few blank tapes, just to get you off of the ground. Then you would have something to parlay into more tapes, and etc.

Also, I've noticed some posts from tapers who are in the process of transferring their collection to a digital format and looking to get their tapes to a good home, rather than just throwing them away. If you keep your eyes open, maybe you can come across some folks doing that, and get off of the ground that way.

Hopefully some of these folks will see this thread and drop you a private email, and you could get the ball rolling offline. :)

To the OP: Thanks for asking the question! I've become *very*
cautious of asking questions around here lately for fear of becoming
flamed relentlessly!

To The Ol' Guy - Thanks for the site! Interesting stuff, lotsa B&W!

To Chris Lemon: Thanks for your suggestion as well.

Speaking as a trader who was in your shoes at one point, (4 years ago) I would recommend emailing various traders. Because as Chris suggested, there are benevolant souls out there who try to help new traders. I've found that many a trader will do that, and I've found that people whose collections I have helped to start are kinder to me down the road.

A question for everyone, does anyone know if the TVgameshows.com trading post is around anymore? I know that the page in no more, but I seem to have lost the link to the trade post, and unless Im an idiot, a google is yielding nothing.

Here's the link:

http://members2.boardhost.com/gameshowtrad...html?1074218388

Thanks, MCA (you didn't know you were a media giant, did you?). I should have made it a bit clearer for the sake of our new friends that 80-90% of the Shokus stuff will be pre-1960 and a lot of it is in the public domain. Depending on your age and interest in game shows in general, you'll have to rely on the generosity of others if you consider 1970s-80s shows as "old" ;-) . Many of those are still locked up in rights and what we watch are usually episodes taped off-screen and shared by traders for non-profit enjoyment.
And keep something in mind - for a lot of people, dubbing is quite the time-consuming effort, usually done in real time - so if you get some "gifts" from good-hearted souls, be grateful.

Well,

I didnt actually mean it in quite that way. What I meant was, propose a trade, and most traders will try to include a few bonuses. I'm in full agreement that you shouldnt email random traders asking for a tape of shows in return for nothing.

Thank you for all the insight, guys. I appreciate it very much...

Guess I will see if anyone has some charity to offer! I don't mind paying someone for the service.

Should I try to track down someone with a list or just beg and plead here?! <Grins> Is there a collector registry or something like that?

Thanks again!

Matt :)

happyattacks@hotmail.com

There are many ways to start building a collection with little or no episodes on you own:

1) Go to Google or Yahoo, type in "Game Shows, Episodes, Trade". You'll see an initial list of traders. Look to see what they may trade for and/or their trading policies and start with the ones you feel would be more willing to trade with you, then drop them an e-mail.

1-a) Many of these same sites wil have links to other trader websites as well.

2) Keep checking around your local garage sales, flea markets, and Thrift shops (Goodwill). Chances are slim to none you'll find any game show tapes, but you can usually find other items that depending on their condition and if they are "complete" with all original parts, pages, etc..., they may be some desirable "trade bait" that you can get show tapes for. Some possible trade bait items include:

• Old local & national TV Guides or other magazines -- especially any with covers, ads or articles on game shows.

• Records, tapes, CDs of game show related artists, including anything by "The Cheers" (Burt Convy), "Avant Garde" (Chuck Woolery), or game show albums ("Zingers From The Hollywood Squares")

And the most common trade bait:

• Game Show Home Games/Board Games. -- The Older, the Better. Keep in mind, home games shold have most, if not all of the original pieces parts, and the box should still look like a decent box that is still together.

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