Advice for "The National"

[btkpath]

Well the planets are aligning for the first time and I have been given the "go ahead" by the "powers that be" (i.e. my wife) to attend the National. I have never been and am looking forward to attending, however, I also don't want to spend more time than I need to. My main goals for the convention are as follows:

1. Browse the booths and see what is for sale.
2. Make some headway in finishing the sets that I am collecting and buy some other "cool" stuff.
3. Hand deliver some cards for on site grading.
4. Network with some of the great people that I have met by email, but have yet to meet in person.

My questions regarding my attendance are as follows:

1. How critical is it to attend during the Wednesday "sneak peek"? Are most dealers even set up that early?
2. What type of ticket represents the best value? Are the "all access" and "VIP" passes worth the money? I am not all that interested in the autographs, but cutting an hour or two off of a line for the grading companies would be welcome. Are the additional giveaways worthwhile with the more expensive ticket packages?
3. Are the player autographs something that I should not miss?
4. Are the lines for the grading companies always long, or is there a strategy to use to minimize the lines (and the need for a more expensive ticket)? Is there on site grading available, and, if so when does material need to be dropped off to ensure its return during the show?
5. Are things pretty much torn down by Sunday morning, making attendance on Sunday worthless?
6. I understand that there are several night time auctions during the convention. Is it typically Friday night?

I apologize for being so long winded. Any advice, perspectives or suggestions are welcome on any/all of the questions.

Thanks ahead of time for your responses.

[Bicem]

1. most dealers are set up by Wed, I think it's worth it
2. not sure on this one, the extra giveaways kinda seem like garbage to me though
3. skip them unless you love autos and/or long lines
4. SGC lines are not long at all, don't know about PSA but can't be that long
5. yes
6. Thurs and Fri night typically

See you there!

[Leon]

I am biased but I recommend coming to the Net54baseball dinner. You will get to meet around 150 board members in person, it's free food and beverage, and it's always a good time. It will be Friday evening after the show....most likely at the Hyatt that is connected to the show.....more details later....

I recommend going on Wed.....and probably getting a VIP pass to get in an hour before the regular mob....As far as lines at the grading tables, I don't think any of them will be too, too long. It shouldn't take more than 10-20 minutes in any line, I don't think. Wear sneakers and bring a small pad of paper and pen/pencil to write down dealers tables you want to go back to....good luck.

[Bosox Blair]

Originally Posted by btkpath

My questions regarding my attendance are as follows:

1. How critical is it to attend during the Wednesday "sneak peek"? Are most dealers even set up that early?
2. What type of ticket represents the best value? Are the "all access" and "VIP" passes worth the money? I am not all that interested in the autographs, but cutting an hour or two off of a line for the grading companies would be welcome. Are the additional giveaways worthwhile with the more expensive ticket packages?
3. Are the player autographs something that I should not miss?
4. Are the lines for the grading companies always long, or is there a strategy to use to minimize the lines (and the need for a more expensive ticket)? Is there on site grading available, and, if so when does material need to be dropped off to ensure its return during the show?
5. Are things pretty much torn down by Sunday morning, making attendance on Sunday worthless?
6. I understand that there are several night time auctions during the convention. Is it typically Friday night?

2011 was my first National, so I have limited experience, but very recent.

I went with the VIP pass covering all days and attended every session. No regrets.

My answers are a little different than Jeff's.

1. Wednesday is worth it. Helps you get the lay of the land. You can possibly snag a bargain, or be the first to get to a rare card/item.
2. I liked the VIP very much. Includes all the days. IIRC 1/2 hour early admission in the AM lets you get the jump and better face time with dealers. Lounge area is handy. The auto tickets make up some value too. I'm not really an auto collector, but I got swept up in it and made sure I got 6-7 free autos on the tickets that were part of my VIP. Another point about the auto tickets. I discovered that there is an active market for these things. You are probably not supposed to do this, but I saw many people selling auto tickets to the people milling about the auto area. For the VIP free guys, it seemed like folks were able to get buyers for the tickets at $5-$10. So you could also do that to make back some of the VIP price. (Of course, the real nice guys were giving their tickets they didn't want away to kids for free...that gave me a good feeling). VIP also includes a load of modern promo cards that I couldn't care less about. I thought about eBaying them, but I'm too lazy!
3. The thing about this is...it is an insane time eater. Honestly, for each free player auto you line up to get you can assume you will spend 60-90 minutes of the day standing in lines. At first, I thought this was completely insane. Then after multiple days at the show I realized that I wasn't going to spend every minute looking at cards. Met some nice folks standing around waiting for autos. Patience and a good attitude are required!!!
4. At the outset of the show, the PSA line is LONG. Many people want to drop the cards early to ensure prompt return (maybe even to sell at the show). PSA line on Wednesday might be an hour or more. SGC never had a long line that I saw during the show. Longest I waited for service from SGC was 10 minutes. I got grading done by both PSA and SGC at the show. Advantage SGC.
5. I did not find things were torn down Sunday AM. In fact, I did some good shopping on Sunday AM. I got some great deals on some nice Type I photos on Sunday. I also used Sunday to buy supplies/boxes/holder, so I didn't have to carry them around before the end of the entire show.
6. I believe Jeff is right - Thursday and Friday. At the 2011 show Heritage had a free dinner for its customers/bidders, which I attended, followed by their live auction.

Cheers,
Blair

[edhans]

Good advice so far. I would add that comfortable and supportive footwear is essential.

[HRBAKER]

I would also bring some antacid if you plan on eating at the venue.

[rainier2004]

Originally Posted by HRBAKER

I would also bring some antacid if you plan on eating at the venue.

I would plan on not eating at the venue...my backpack has been invaluable with a small lock on the zipper as to not have any worries with safety.

[btkpath]

Thanks Jeff P., Leon, Bosox Blair, Ed, Jeff and Steve for the valuable responses so far. This is exactly what I need.

[E93]

Originally Posted by edhans

Good advice so far. I would add that comfortable and supportive footwear is essential.

+1

I would add that it is a good idea to stretch periodically; at least it helps me.
JimB

[Bosox Blair]

Also re grading - the TPGs offer on-site grading. I think the usual is overnight for pickup the next day. The price is relatively high for that type of service, as you might expect. I believe SGC had some "show specials" that made their version of this service a little cheaper than PSA.

However, I think both PSA and SGC had some kind of deal where you could pre-arrange to drop off your grading (especially a large number of cards) at the beginning of the show for pickup at the end of the show (so like 3-day service) for a much lower price.

I contacted SGC customer service the week before the show, and they e-mailed me back with details of such a deal. I did not wind up using that option because I did not have enough cards that needed grading to meet their minimum for this deal.

Cheers,
Blair

[vintagechris]

I have a question regarding buying items at the National. For those that travel, where do you put the items you buy to protect them? It would concern me to just leave them in a hotel room.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[Ronnie73]

I've never been to the National either but might try to go this year if my health is good at the time. I would agree that Wednesday would be good to learn the layout of the show but I always wonder about buying on the early previews of any show. Maybe if it was an ultra rare card that can't be bought without years of searching but I feel that most dealers would hold off on giving price breaks since they have the whole show to try to sell their cards at their asking price. When I was into coin shows at the age of 9, I would go to each table many times and make notes of who had what and continue to just look around until I started seeing dealers pack up. Then I would go make my purchases and make deals on lower prices.

[tiger8mush]

For me, most important things to remember (basically repeating what others have said above):

1) Food - pack a full day's worth
2) Backpack - to carry food, purchases, items to sell/grade, checklists, etc
3) Checklist/Wantlist/Pricelist
4) pencil & pad to write stuff down like contacts or offers or table #s to come back to etc
5) comfy footwear
6) deodorant - wow were there some stinky people by 4pm!
7) net54 pin from 2010 Baltimore National!!!!

Have fun Barry!
Rob

[Publius]

Originally Posted by E93

+1

I would add that it is a good idea to stretch periodically; at least it helps me.
JimB

I try to do a set of lunges at the end of each aisle, prior to starting the next.

[bijoem]

Originally Posted by Publius

I try to do a set of lunges at the end of each aisle, prior to starting the next.

hahaha

[Peter_Spaeth]

Preparation is vital. A low-fat diet, a B-complex vitamin, probiotics. Cardiovascular training is most important for the rigors you will be facing, but stretching and weights can be beneficial as well. And because it's ultimately a mental and spiritual challenge, daily yoga and meditation.

[wonkaticket]

Bring condoms there will be a lot of hot chicks looking to give away thier bodies as they love card guys it's just that simple.

[Exhibitman]

This year will be my 12th show. Lots of good tips above, I can add a few things:

1. I have tried back packs, shoulder slung cases and rolling sample cases and the latter are by far the best way to cruise around the show. After several hours your neck and back will be killing you if you have anything slung across them, unless you are a hiker used to wearing a pack.

2. Take the time to do a serious and detailed want list. While you may not find a specific holy grail card, you never know what you will run across that would fit your collection. Last year, for example, I found a table where the dealer was blowing out an album full of 1947-66 Exhibits, including most of the SPs, for $3 each. I was very happy to have that list that day since I knocked off several dozen of the tougher cards in the set in one shot.

3. I think Wednesday is imperative if you can swing it. Getting into the show that day has brought me some great finds that would have been gone had I waited until that evening.

4. I don't subscribe to the idea of waiting to see what else you might find before pulling the trigger on a purchase of something you have been chasing for a long time. I did that in 2004 in Cleveland and nearly lost an item I really wanted. If it is there and it is priced decently, grab it.

[asoriano]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

3. I think Wednesday is imperative if you can swing it. Getting into the show that day has brought me some great finds that would have been gone had I waited until that evening.

+1