My Experience at Atlantic City Nationals

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Posted By: anothercollector 

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:

top five things uttered at the show

1. Where the heck is everyone?!?!
2. No really, where is everyone!?!?
2. So did you gamble last night?
3. WoW, did you see that girl at the bench warmer/naxcom booth
(boy, they were aggressive in their selling weren't they?)
4. So the room cost how much!
5. I can't believe I'm actually leaving with money in
my pocket ( I don't know if thats a good
or bad thing..)

top five things done at the show over the weekend

1. Busting boxes to get free stuff ( I know
this is a vintage board but THAT WAS FUN!)
2. Gambling ( I saw more than a few people in
Upper Deck hats at Trump Plaza 3 in the morning..)
3. Complaining ( dealers unhappy no one was buying
and buyers unhappy because a lot people left without
that one spectacular buy)
4. packing up and leaving early ( nuff said)
5. on site grading ( we all saw those lebron james
UD promos...)

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?

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Posted By: botn

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.

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.

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.

Greg