Basic questions / advice for National

[brass_rat]

So I have the good fortune of being able to attend National this year (my first one) on Saturday and Sunday. I'm pretty excited, as this is the first time I've traveled to a major show in about 10 years.

Would anybody like to chime in and offer some advice for a first time attendee? Any methods for making the most of the two days I have?

My first basic question is how do people go about paying for most transactions? I assume that most transactions are done in cash, and I have the expectation that I'll make a couple larger transactions. Should I bring enough cash to cover them? I haven't written a check in a long time (people still write checks?!), and I doubt that dealers enjoy taking American Express...

Enjoy the weekend,
Steve

[Rob D.]

As Samuel Chase once said: Cash is king.

[Jim VB]

Originally Posted by Rob D.

As Samuel Chase once said: Cash is king.

Nice new avatar! Salmon?

[Peter_Spaeth]

King salmon.

[barrysloate]

"It's Salman, you idiot, not salmon!"

[Bill Stone]

Steve --as you can see it is sometimes hard for this group to focus. Good Luck.

Sal Bass

[Griffins]

Thanks Barry, we've been lacking in the Seinfeld references lately!


Steve, cash is key. Comfortable shoes help, as every booth you'll want to see are on concrete. If you're short on time bring snacks, the food is typically crap. Bring a small notepad, and note the booth number of anything you would remotely consider in coming back to- or chances are you'll never find it. Pick up business cards, if available, and note anything in the booth you are interested in on the back. You'll probably wish you'd picked something up you missed, and it might still be available weeks later.
Saturday is usually nuts, so get there as early as possible. Sunday is getaway day and dealers will be packing up early if they are even still there, so get there early as well and move quickly.
Wear your backpack or whatever you're carrying, or put it between your feet if you stop. I've known 3 people that have had theirs disappear at the show, and that just sucks.
Lastly, have a clear idea of what you're looking for (and your wantlist) but be prepared to find something you weren't looking for- that is the best part of the show.

[Rob D.]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

"It's Salman, you idiot, not salmon!"

Statute, not statue.

Oh, I really think you're wrong.

(Steve, your question was fine. Just bad timing. Looks like tonight Net54 has a substitute teacher in the classroom, and some of the usual suspects -- myself included -- are taking advantage. Just an FYI, there have been a ton of threads on the best ways to enjoy the National. It might be productive to do a search.)

http://www.net54baseball.com/search.php

[Rob D.]

Originally Posted by Jim VB

Nice new avatar! Salmon?

It wasn't easy getting rid of the pissant. But it's saved on my desktop.

[brass_rat]

Thanks, guys...Rob, no worries, please continue to play while the teacher is away...I mainly wanted to know about the payment methods...figured that cash was it, but wanted to make sure.

Btw, someone mentioned shoes. In all seriousness, everybody should check out MBT shoes. I used to have foot problems while training for marathons (which subsequently gave me back problems...)... After feeling broken and only in my 20's, I turned to MBTs. They are ugly shoes, but are the only way to roll when you're on your feet all day.

Now, back to paper airplanes and spit balls.

[Jim VB]

Steve,

I'll attempt to be serious for a second, but it's really not my strong suit. Cash is the way to get the best deals. Most dealers will figure out a way to do credit cards, but they hate it, for a variety of reasons. One, there's the fee to the bank for credit card usage. Two, there's that nasty paper trail which causes them to collect, and pay, local sales taxes. Three, there's still that nasty paper trail that forces them to declare the sale as "revenue."

I've heard rumors that some dealers are willing to go to great lengths to minimize the "revenue" they receive. Cash isn't always "revenue." Often, it's just "walking around money."

Anyway, they're just rumors.