Spending at the 2022 National
 

Saw this in another group and thought NET54ers could weigh in on this topic.

For those going (or thinking about going) to the National, will the current economic uncertainty affect your spending at the National?

Definitely can see two sides to this one. For some, the National is the best there is and they have saved up for it and will spend. But for others, especially this year, maybe they don’t spend as much or maybe they don’t go this year.

Probably a little less inclined to spend big, or close to big.

Can't wait, but my experience with the National generally is that it's hard to find anything approaching a decent buy. Prices are really inflated. Looking forward to walking the aisles but not expecting to buy a lot.

If you see your white whale or unicorn or whatever, grab it. But for run of the mill stuff, even nice run of the mill stuff, I tend to hold off.

Sure some odd ball something or other will jump out and grab me.

im meeting steve so hell take care of the bill lol

not really. I don't think our subset is that much impacted by the market overall.

looking forward to meeting a lot of you there!

Dollar box only! Maximum of 3 cards.

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They went up?
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The middle class is watching their money like a hawk!

The wealthy won't care they will spend as much as they want, usually they spend the most in auctions, it's easier for them.

Dollar boxes (or cheaper) are the most fun of the show for me. You never know what you're gonna find. I was going through a vein of 1970s cards in a ten-cent box at the 2019 show and pulled a $50 card out of there. Small $$ but big fun regardless.

Economic no
Market yes

Where the hell are we going to dinner after the show ? :D

Where is the show this year?

Atlantic City

The National Atlantic City
 

I've never been and am thinking about attending this year. Is it worth it if ones interests are almost exclusively prewar?

The economic uncertainty will be a factor for me if I do decide to go.

there will be lots of overpriced prewar!

So much prewar your brain will start to overheat.

If you’re cheap you don’t go for buying cards you go for the experience along with the fun had with family, friends, and new friends you will meet.

Thank you Pete, Steve and Johnny, I appreciate the responses.

The 42nd year of the "traveling card show museum". I'm guessing dealers still have some inventory from the 1st show

...and they've raised their prices forty-one times.:eek::D

Meeting some names that actually have faces is the best part for me.

I actually believe it's been 42 times. Just ask Douglas Adams! Hope to see some of the Net54 people down there this year!

I went to Chicago last year and pretty much agree with everyone else that most things seemed quite overpriced. I did not buy anything in the two days there. However, I only collect a few things so attending shows is not always the best use of time.

As others have said, it was good to be there for the experience. My favorite part of the show was some of the auction houses having some rather unique and historical items to view. I will not attend the show in AC this year but will be in Chicago next year.

If you decide to go remember cash is King at the National. As such, it will attract every pickpocket, scammer and all around scumbag from all over the country. I always now put the folding stuff in a money belt which has served me well over the years. I was careless one year and it cost me dearly.
IMO Atlantic City is not exactly a family friendly destination. Crime, drugs and prostitution are real problems. Disney, it ain't.

Even Dollar Tree went to $1.25. :D

I'm looking forward to going to the National this year but I am grounded about it. I have saved up for it with 2-3 cards I need in mind. I know what I need will be there but I also know the high prices that are going to be asked.

I see this year's National as a high water mark on the hobby (specifically Pre War/T206). With a Recession looming with increased inflation, if prices are completely insane, I'll just wait another 6 months to a year to grab what I need. I'll be walking the floor, looking to see if I can sell certain items as well.

Prices won't drop, but they should level off, and more cards will also become available.

I'm thinking of attending for 2 days, Thursday and Friday... unless others feel there is an advantage to being there on Saturday? (prefer to miss the uber big crowds over the weekend itself)

To the original question, I am approaching it like a visit to a very cool museum... except all of the works of art are for sale! My onw plan is to have a bit of a budget and just buy opportunistically (probably more fun items to accompany my card displays in my "Card Cave" more so than cards themselves.)

So, does Thursday/Friday seem like a good 2-day plan? Thanks all

Jeff

Thurs. - Friday an excellent plan. Will still be crowded of course, but I am sure Saturday much more crowded, particularly on the autograph front.

Only day I'd really try to avoid is Sunday, as people start packing up at different times.

Great... thanks for confirming.

Might look to pick up odds/ends like vintage equipment (an old catchers mask would look cool) vs. cards themselves.

I've discovered that I'm such a persnickity buyer of my cards that I prefer to take my time, obsess over the condition and pull the trigger slowly - not exactly well suited for a big-time show like this!

Maybe see some of you there.

Jeff

looking forward to this years Nationals.

Be good to see and meet many of the members of the forum

looking forward to seeing what is out their. Have no expectations to buy anything to do the expectations on the prices being at a premium but will still be happy to just explore the booths and also to meet some of the vendors.

Also effecting buys of course are auctions between now and then and what might catch my eye and wallet

National
 

I have never been to a National where I haven't been able to find good opportunities to buy at reasonable prices. Whether it's T-206, 1952 Topps or shiny. If you don't ask you don't get. Ask for your price, if they give it then get it, if they don't then move to the next table.

I've done ok on lower grade cards. I've done very well digging through the nickel type boxes. One year I ran into a guy who had the office leftovers from Pacific...a lot of blank cards that would be hand numbered as replacements...picked up a lot of my favorites, local players, etc at a nickel or a dime each.

I attended in 2019 and again in 2021 - both in Chicago. The National is a lot of fun but I will admit that it wasn't as enjoyable in 2021 and there was a HUGE increase in new collectors, so it was a lot more packed. There were some tables that I wasn't able to see because of so many people all around but on both years, I was able to leave with what I wanted.

I will not be attending in 2022 but will attend again in 2023. Just too much happening in my life outside of cards. Not bad things, simply other things that I have planned and so gathering funds for the show is not a possibility. I knew that since I was attending in 2021 that I would not be making the AC show and I am perfectly okay with that. Plus, I will wait until Chicago as I am not a fan of the AC area, and I don't gamble at casinos.

As for people who will be attending, keep in mind that prices have been on a steady decline since even before the 2021 National so be careful because there's a good chance that whatever you pick up, you would have gotten cheaper if you would have waited a few more months. That could mean saving thousands of dollars.

The experience as a whole is fun and if you are involved in a community such as on the boards, social media or YouTube, you will definitely run into some familiar faces. Go up to people and say hi - see what they are doing after. Perhaps meeting up after for drinks and dinner. Lots of people bring their cards with them to show off their latest acquisitions.

And lastly, yes, cash is king. Safeguard it but also, I don't hear a lot of stories about people pickpocketing. Can it happen, of course. Does it happen as much as people make it seem - not really. If you carry a bag, perhaps put the cash inside and lock the zipper and of course, keep the bag with you and ON YOU at all times. It would really suck for you to put the bag down on a chair and you walk away because you were done eating or whatever and then you suddenly realize that you left your bag behind, and two minutes has passed. Theres a good chance your bag is gone - so don't get caught slipping.

To follow up on above excellent post, yes there are criminals who show up at huge events like this to steal things. if i was a seller I would have a dedicated safety person watching my stuff while I deal with customers. for those visiting, be careful where you put your stuff. i wouldn’t carry expensive cards around for the hell of it. just not worth it. and be careful with your cash. no different than I would tell anyone attending a large convention anywhere.

Agreed
 

I would absolutely agree with Steve on this. Last year I saw two groups get arrested for stealing. As far as the cash in hand goes, do all you can to keep it close !!

I’m hoping Dogecoin catches Bitcoin, in which case I’ll be buying like crazy at the National.

depending on which direction they catch up, of course. :D

So, if I go to the National and if I come up to you to say hi, can we have a couple cold ones ? Attachment 519099

I'll take about the same amount of $$ as I have the past 3 nationals and will look to pick up stuff that I've had a hard time finding otherwise. Some pricing (ok, more than some) will be museum-esque like always but I've been generally happy with the pickups I've gotten each of the past 3.

We'll see what happens this year but my guess is I'll pick up a few things and have a bunch of fun hanging out w/my friends.

Of course and I will lead the way :)

Unfortunately this year, I will not be attending. But if you are serious, come find me in Chicago and I’ll buy you a beer.

I haven’t been to a National since the Arlington and Houston shows of the late 80s/early 90s. I know the current versions are much, much bigger. I have terrible timing. I was in New Jersey last year while the show was going on in Chicago. This year I’ll be in Chicago while the show runs in AC. :rolleyes:

Its been about a month since I first posted this.. Anyone chance their mind one way or the other?



Saw this in another group and thought NET54ers could weigh in on this topic.

For those going (or thinking about going) to the National, will the current economic uncertainty affect your spending at the National?

Definitely can see two sides to this one. For some, the National is the best there is and they have saved up for it and will spend. But for others, especially this year, maybe they don’t spend as much or maybe they don’t go this year.

My friend will be there ready looking to buy a centered 52 Topps Mantle the best he can get for 150k

I'm still going on Wednesday, but knowing prices will be high, and considering the economy will get worse ahead, I could wait it out to pick up the key cards I need. Prices will come down & there is no need to over spend at the National.

My advice -- it's a large show with 600+ booths (not sure exactly), rather than getting to see the ten largest sellers, really walk around the room, and look at all the booths, rather than focusing on the best of the best.

I get collectors who spend hours at my one booth. Anyone remember Hugh Jones? He always had a target list of who he would visit every day. During the 5 days of the National he easily spent 10+ hours talking to me and buying as he went along - every day. Bob Foster had a booth of his own and still found time to come and see what I was showcasing, and buy or sell to me.

Last year, I had a number of guys who spent hours at my booth -- most of them reselling what they bought. Why? Because I haver never graded even one item. Yes, I am a dying breed -- but truthfully most of what I sell was bought in the 70s and 80s, so I am happy with my profit. In fact, in the 1970s, I was buying so many collections that some of them are still sitting in storage where I left them -- after selling enough of the contents to make ten or twenty or more times what I paid for them. I guess its almost time for me to clean up my storage.

I practice what I preach -- and walk around shows all of the time -- once quickly and then another time slowly just at the booths I want to return to. It's sad but local shows in NY and Florida don't really have much vintage any more. I cut back to one show a number of years ago.

Another tip -- if you find something you need and have been looking for it for years, don't make the mistake many have made. I remember vividly a Gloria Rothstein show 20-25 years ago in Yonkers, NY. The show opened and several of my customers showed up quickly and stared at my stack of rare Old Judge cards that I had picked up from an antique dealer the weekend before and chose 4 of them and I quoted a price, and they said they will walk the show and be back, not asking me to hold them. They came back 15 minutes later and all off them were gone. That same thing happens time and time again.

Personally, I find it sad that collectors would pass the best show of the year because of money. Okay, I know I will get heated replies about this, but guess what, you can still spin the room and have lots of fun. If you don't buy a thing, such is life -- it goes on.

I really don't want to make this an advertisement for my booth, so I will not provide those details, but if you want to stop by, I am 6 booths from the main entrance.

Steve
DynamicTwo@aol.com

I actually have a very different perspective on the National. I used to attend the National almost every year from 2003 thru 2016, but the novelty is over. The main reason to go nowadays to meetup with guys from this and other message boards and/or friends who are going. Leon's Net54 dinner was always one of, if not the highlight of attending the National. I used to think that you can only find stuff at the National that you'll never see anywhere else. That's true, but only because that stuff is being displayed at an auction house's booth for a current or upcoming auction. In reality, you can find almost anything you will ever want to purchase from auction houses, ebay, online stores, facebook, message boards, etc,...

The National can still be a lot of fun, but mostly for the social aspects of collecting.

As someone who has never been to a National, I have always wanted to go. Do "cancelled" people still have booths (like PWCC, Battlefield, et al)?? I get baffled the few times I go to my local card show. I know I would be no good at a National.

Check the dealer list and reference it with blowout.

but you could just go and hang out at the PSA booth all day!!!!:D

I like cards....not grading....I think the PSA booth would be a skip for me.

God, Johnny, I hope your pal isn't going to be walking around with $150k in cash on him. He will need a SWAT team to accompany him on his quest.

No one will know, it's in 10,000$ bills