My Experience at Atlantic City Nationals
 

Posted By: <b>anothercollector&nbsp; </b><p> It was my first experience going to Nationals and one that I likely won't forget. I came with certain expectations and left just slightly deflated. Although I did have a GREAT time, there was just something missing (like other people coming to the show...) I found that a lot of the high end material at the show has already been on the internet, but it was still neat to see it in person (you are not a collector if you don't get a thrill seeing the psa 8 t206 wagner in person or that old judge card you've seen a hundred times on ebay). I've broken down what I witnessed at the show into sections:<BR><BR>top five things uttered at the show<BR><BR>1. Where the heck is everyone?!?!<BR>2. No really, where is everyone!?!?<BR>2. So did you gamble last night?<BR>3. WoW, did you see that girl at the bench warmer/naxcom booth <img src="/images/wink.gif" height=14 width=14><BR>(boy, they were aggressive in their selling weren't they?)<BR>4. So the room cost how much!<BR>5. I can't believe I'm actually leaving with money in <BR>my pocket ( I don't know if thats a good<BR>or bad thing..)<BR><BR>top five things done at the show over the weekend<BR><BR>1. Busting boxes to get free stuff ( I know<BR>this is a vintage board but THAT WAS FUN!)<BR>2. Gambling ( I saw more than a few people in<BR>Upper Deck hats at Trump Plaza 3 in the morning..)<BR>3. Complaining ( dealers unhappy no one was buying<BR>and buyers unhappy because a lot people left without<BR>that one spectacular buy)<BR>4. packing up and leaving early ( nuff said)<BR>5. on site grading ( we all saw those lebron james<BR>UD promos...)<BR><BR>Is there anything I missed or you would like to comment on? I'm really curious... Also, where is the show being held next year?<BR>

My Experience at Atlantic City Nationals
 

Posted By: <b>botn</b><p>This was the first National since 1989 that I did not attend. I figured that based on the location, the economy (which is not even close to recovering) and the eBay boom and subsequent bargains, that AC would be a bust.<BR><BR>I think that had this been held in a more convenient location that turn out would have been stronger (although I am certain that SCD has already multiplied the actual attendance by 3 for their coverage of the show), dealers would have sold more stuff and those in attendance may have brought more stuff to sell.<BR><BR>Those that I have spoken with reported that it was nothing special and that there was absolutely no energy. I do not think that the lack of energy at shows is unique to this National. Many shows have been suffering and there seems to be a feeling of apathy surrounding our hobby. That is a shame. I still love the hobby and love buying cards so for me the buzz is still there.<BR><BR>Greg