Posted By:
petecld (I'm sorry it's taken so long to post this.)
For a little about our get together, look at:
http://www.caramel-cards.com/forum54.html
My view on the National:
If you've been to a large Chicago show you saw all the same dealers but so much more. It seemed like everytime you walked down the same aisle you saw something new. As was prviously mentioned old Judge cards were pretty plentiful. Asking rpices were quite high compared and many were in GAI holders. They didn't seem to sell well.
Caramel cards: If you only buy ex and above the National was a bust. There were a lot of e-cards and many were in nice, decent middle grades. More(read: most) were found in low grade (surprise!) but it was nice seeing some variety for a change. The best one was a SGC 88 E92 C&A Jacklitsch. There were two piles of beautiful e-cards that were amazing on the front but had 50% or more back damage. And believe me, they were priced as if the backs were all there. They were still there on Sunday when I did my last look around. As mentioned there were 2 E94 overprints found and thanks to Scott Brockelman I was able to buy a really nice E102 Evers that graded SGC 60. I saw 2 E253 Oxfords, no E99s or E100s, 2 beat to all get out E90-2s and only one E90-3(poor). The only E107s were at brockelman's table. Hats off to Tik & Tik for their usual display of cards.
There were also a lot of trimmed e-cards at the show and I did inform one seller that his E95 Wagner was in fact a reprint. Thankfully he ws a synd up guy and took it off his table immediately. BUYER BEWARE!!!!!!!!!
Biggest RIP-OFFS:
$1.75 for a 8oz. Pepsi that is 75% ice.
$10 for a stupid program just to get a map of where dealer tables were. Note to National Committee: talk about cheap guys. And, HELLO! It's the National BASEBALL Card Convention. Did Kobe Bryant have to be on the cover? No Baseball player pics available? There was supposed to be one or more deales handing them out for free but I asked around but never found one and got nothing but confused looks.
National notes:
- Total cost of admission and parking for the 4 days: $74.00. Sure for another $15 I could have gotten a VIP package and maybe won a Brittney Spears costume patch card but. . . PLEASE.
- I was able to buy most of the back issues I needed of VCBC - thanks guys.
- Dealers still try to low ball the s*** out of you when buying cards. Guys, ever hear of ebay and Mastro and Lipset, and SCP, and Superior auctions? I know you need to make money so I understand a "reasonable" offer but insulting my intelligence isn't going to win you a new customer.
- STILL, the dealers who don't pay attention to you when you are standing at their table. I understand waiting if you are talking to someone but either just LOOK UP or put the stupid magazine down and ask me if I want to spend my money on your cards! Geeze. Someone needs to tell these guys - I don't need them, THEY NEED ME!
- I thought the crowds were kinda thin considering it was "The National" but most dealers said that for a National the crowds were good. The longest line for tickets was only 6 people deep when I got there. Thursday seem to be the busiest day.
I wanted Ali's autograph but $350??? Not that badly. I needed money for a Pepsi. 
Lesson learned: NEVER pay marked price.
Lesson learned: Bring your own bottle of water or soda.