National - Part Deux

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Posted By: Tom

Some other info on National..........

Went all 4 days. Attendance was relatively good although with a room that large, people kind of get swallowed up. Few times where it was pretty hectic in some areas. Almost without question, every dealer I talked to said they had a great show. There were a couple of 'annexes' or rooms off the main room and even the dealers in those (Scott B included) said they did well. Wonder how SCD will spin it to suit their needs in dealing with National vs. Sportsfest because Sportsfest stunk...........

Mastronet had a strong presence.....they were agressively picking up items for the December auction. More than a couple times I went back on a items (OJ cabinets and graded OJ's) where the dealer told me they'd be in the December 2002 auction including cabinets of Ewing/Mascot and Stovey (both with pinholes) and PSA5 Radbourn that was very nice overall.

Old Judges...........LOTS of OJ's around with most being in 2 places--Terry Knouse (UNGRADED) and Wayne Varner (GRADED by GAI). And......Lots of GAI graded OJ's. Kind of funny.........SC Plus had about 30 or more, Wayne had about 60-75 or more in cases in the 4-5 and up range with about 50-60 others ungraded. Terry's prices are now starting to look pretty inline with others, and in some cases, very reasonable.

Tik had the usual bevy of high $$ stuff but was conspicuously short of Old Judge Cabinets. Last couple Nationals his stock of those has been dwindling. Scott Brockelman had TONS of nice T204's, T205's, T207's, N28/N29's, C46's and many nice type cards graded and ungraded (one of which I rooted out for the cause.......).

Quite a few dealers had at least some pre-war and I'd rank it in top 2-3 Nationals from last 6-7 for Vintage, pre-war cards.

Prices were ALL over the board..........pricing for OJ graded cards for a 5 'common' (PSA, SGC, GAI) ranged from about $220 to $600. Obviously some of those may have been tougher players or poses, but there was a big disparity between what the cards were priced at versus what they've been selling for on ebay.......

Also......just a point of confusion for me.....one dealier I questioned about a GAI5 N172 Louisville player had $600 on the card but said he could only discount items BELOW $400. What's up with that? I know we all have our price points but to discount below $400 and not above? Why not price the cards higher (already TOO high at $600) and then discount. The perception at least is you then get a 'deal'. Okay, enough of the soapbox.

Was nice meeting Runscott, PeteCLD, Scott B, Leon (who showed me the Four Base Hits Kelly--WOW), Lee, Billjo & Jonstats from ebay, and others off and on at Scott B's table. I'm sure I missed meeting others.

There were few free handouts this year from card manufacturers. Not that I was spending a lot of time looking, but last year, Upper Deck was giving out golf promos that I was able to make 5-6 sets and sell on ebay (paid for my hotel!). This year nothing from anyone. Left more time to look at vintage stuff though.

Guess that's about it. Atlantic City next year. Will be hard pressed not to take all the money and put it on black or red or something hoping to double it to be able to buy more! (NOT gonna happen.............).