National: Cash or debit?
 

Do dealers accept debit cards at the National? Trying to figure out wether cash is a must.

thanks

Cash is king

Debit can be good though if you want to PayPal someone electronically.

I am bringing a wad of cash and Sean's bodyguard. LOL

This comes up every year and the same millennials will talk about how their grandpa used to carry cash and you’re a dinosaur if you don’t take cards. Blah blah blah. If you plan on buying items and getting better or the best deals, you better bring cash and lots of it. While you’re trying to negotiate the extra 3% in to the deal and seeing if your mom put your allowance in your account, someone will be paying cash and getting the deal you thought you had.

Stay away from Gizmo and you will be fine without Sean's bodyguard.:)

Many will take checks as well.

A bit rough and rude there dear eskimo. What about the person who is genuinely asking? Someone who may have saved up a bunch of money on their own and wants to know if they need to take out a wad of cash because it's the first National they're attending? There's a lot of old school regulars here but no need to say that crap and throw shade to newcomers and younger people who are interested in our hobby. WTF?

I would think cash only. But most of these dealers are actual businesses. So I'd think they would be able to tale paypal, square, etc. I'd suggest if paying paypal for getting an item right then (in person), maybe suggest paying gift. That way the seller/business doesn't pay any fees on it, and it doesn't have to be shipped. Plus, it doesn't go toward their end of the year taxes.

Depends what you wanna buy........If you raid the dollar box like me bring a couple hundred bucks and spend most of your money on meals, hotel, and other fun stuff with friends. That’s where the enjoyment of the National is for me...having fun spending time with good fiends Cards Come Last :-)

Cash is going to put you in a better negotiating position, just don't chum those sharks too much by giving them a peek of what you're holding. Only after the deal is done do you pull out a wad with much, much more money than you just agreed to pay.
I work in Rosemont, and I can't think of a venue with better overall security than DES Convention Center. Don't worry about carrying cash on you.

I have vintage graded cards---I only take cash, paypal, checks if I know you or have a good reference. No credit cards---Cash is King and I also buy with cash.

Well Kat,
I appreciate your well thought out comments, but maybe you should refer to other threads I am referencing before running your mouth. There were plenty of insults for the cash people in the past. Thanks for your input

With narrow aisles, large crowds and wads of cash in pockets, the National is a paradise for pickpockets. Security has improved but these guys are sophisticated and slippery. So if you are going to be carrying lots of crisp Benjamins on your body, I would you suggest you have a money belt and/or a concealed carry permit.

No guns allowed, but go ahead and bring the permit

Are there metal detectors and or frisk searches at this National? If not there should be.

No. There’s not. Just a bunch of people who enjoy sports collectibles and a few unscrupulous “industry leaders”. There is a fair amount of theft from dealers so don’t leave your bags so they can walk away, but no worries about violence or robberies.

Let’s hope not I know the rooms are always loaded with unscrupulous vest pocket dealers who would steal the shoelaces off your shoes to make a buck. I was getting worried that this location was in the hood or something....I’ve never been to Chicago or Rosemont.

Rosemont venues do not have metal detectors for ticketholders, unless requested by an artist or promoter. The village does have a zero tolerance policy, which means all arrests for firearms violations will be prosecuted.

Is it safe to walk around that area outside of the convention center ?

Johnny,
I work for the village and I can assure you that the DESCC and the nightclub district are far, far safer than any district in Chicago. In addition to the many uniformed auxiliary police (carrying), there are a slew of plainclothes roaming. Rosemont has made strides over the past two decades to make itself a destination for conventions and tourists, and it puts in heavy resources to protect the investment, and the reputation. All summer long, there are free outdoor concerts for all ages. There is an IL minor league baseball team, the Chicago Dogs. There's a free shuttle-you can visit all these places without walking too much. There's a Capital Grille, Gibson's and Morton's right by the DESCC, all upscale places.

Pickpockets? You'd have to be nuts to try it. There's nowhere to run...you have a small egress (not counting wired fire doors) and you have to go down one of the slowest escalators I know of. You could maybe run the breezeway to the garage, but there's cops all over the place. Since it's a municipal building, I'm sure they'd think up a slew of additional charges for attempting such a thing

Rosemont is a nice area well outside downtown Chicago. Just don't get drunk at the Net54 get together and pass out on the sidewalk on your way home with a pocket full of cash. That's asking for trouble no matter where you do it.

Thanks for all the info gentleman....I don’t drink so I’ll be good with that :-)

Sonny Boy

When I went I brought some cash, my check book, and checked for the closest branch of my bank to the show if necessary. I assumed most dealers would know someone who would vouch for me if needed, but if not knew I could access what I needed and could avoid walking around with more cash than I'd like to carry.

What will happen if I hand $500 in cash to a dealer for a graded card and then ask for a receipt - something that has the dealer's name and the card I'm buying along with the price. Because that's exactly what I intend to do.

Depending on the dealer you will either get handed a receipt or get that deer in the headlights blank stare. Everyone should be asking for a receipt if the dealer is not handing them out on their own.

If we are going to clean up the trimmers and shill bidders we should clean up the dealers not paying taxes also. If they don't offer a receipt just move on to one that does.:)

Cash.

Keep your wallet in your front pocket and be semi-alert. You will be fine. I think there is more danger of theft at dealer tables (thieves taking things from dealers) than pick-pockets or mugging. And stay away from the PWCC booth, bc that’s likely where the most unsavory characters will congregate.

so true!!!!

Live here too. It's right near the airport. The airport is 45 minutes from downtown. Nice place and safe. However, if you plan to go to see the White Sox play at Comisky (south Chicago), I wouldn't take a bunch of cash there :-).

My experience at the National was I didn't need either because there was nothing to buy, only table top museums you could visit.

That’s funny.

As others have said...Cash is king! When I used to go to nationals. I made up a budget and brought the equivalent in cash...but one time I did find something that I wasn't expecting to find at a price that I couldn't refuse...but I only had about 1/2 in cash. Luckily, the dealer knew me from previous transactions over mail, so he graciously accepted my check. I told him he could even ship it to me after the convention until it cleared, but he sold it to me on the spot.

Ricky Y

That has been my experience the last few times I have gone. But I went ahead and went to the bank yesterday just in case this time is different!! You have to be prepared to strike and hundreds will do the trick when the time is right.

+1

Wondering how big the budget is of people advocating for wandering around for a few days with a huge bankroll of cash. I’d have no problem carrying around $1000 or $1500. I certainly wouldn't be wandering the halls and throwing beers down with a roll of $5,000 or $10,000 in my front pocket.