Vibe at the National

[Snapolit1]

Wonder how all the shenanigans of late will affect the mood at this year's National. I've been to three and had a great time each time. Exciting to be around all that stuff with people who are in the same hobby and occasionally to put a name on a face. But the nicer stuff is usually absurdly overpriced. Will people be more or less inclined to take a flyer on an expensive purchase? On one had at least you can look at it in person before buying. But honestly the swirl of activity at the show makes it hard for me to concentrate on anything. Almost dizzying in intensity. Everywhere you look there are exciting things to see. I'm guessing that the market for higher end stuff will drop off this year. Sort of a dark cloud hanging over everything nice. The mere fact that a prewar card presents well is immediately suspect. And that's depressing.

[Jewish-collector]

The National is more about meeting up with fellow collectors and dealers, enjoying dinners after the show, having a few cold ones, etc,... and less about acquiring vintage cards.

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by Jewish-collector

The National is more about meeting up with fellow collectors and dealers, enjoying dinners after the show, having a few cold ones, etc,... and less about acquiring vintage cards.

Completely agree...

But I do think it will be a vibrant show this year. Chicago is the only really good venue they have, and seems like this year's show is garnering lots of attention and buzz. I believe there will plenty of interesting activity and subsequent water-cooler talk, both good and bad.

[Johnny630]

Swarmed with UC’s and cameras

[Leon]

Is that regular or Diet Dr.Pepper?
It is almost all about seeing everyone, for me. The last several years have been sparse on my buys. I purchased a few small things just because I felt like I needed to. It's been awhile since i purchased anything much. That said, a National is the place I found my Horner AL League photo. So good things can happen. But a lot of it, for me, is meeting up with old hobby friends I rarely, if ever, see otherwise.
But to the original question, I think it won't be a lot different than the last several nationals. There will be closer attention paid to cards in TPG holders, especially high grade ones, I would imagine. But otherwise not much different.

Originally Posted by Jewish-collector

The National is more about meeting up with fellow collectors and dealers, enjoying dinners after the show, having a few cold ones, etc,... and less about acquiring vintage cards.

[Gradedcardman]

The National is great. The vibe will be good and the purchases will still be made. If you look at this forum there may be 30-40 guys really backing off of buying. It is still buyer beware and buy the card not the grade.

[barrysloate]

Most people attending the National will not even know about the scandal or of the discussion on Net54, so it will be interesting to see how this information will be circulated. Also, some of the people who are told about this, who have a very large investment in graded cards, will have no interest in hearing it and will continue to spend money as they always have.

It's going to be a mixed bag regarding how everyone takes this in. Expect a wide array of opinions. Chances are many more people wil be buying, and not boycotting.

[oldjudge]

For non-registry types it will have zero impact.