Live National Report Thread....

[wolf441]

I know that there's still over a full day to go, but for those attending, what is the big item/story/trend at the National this year (i.e. the Old Mill Blue Back in 2012, etc...)? Thanks for all the reports!

[Jaybird]

Doug Allen smiling was the most unnerving thing I saw

[fmcjfc]

Went to the National today with a pocket full of cash ready to spend. Came back home with a pocket full of cash. I don't mind paying a 10% premium or so for the convenience of buying in person, but most cards I got cash prices on were more like 30-60% over market value, some up to 100%. It's still worth the $20 entry fee and the time to check things out, but I'll do my card shopping elsewhere.

[gregr2]

Originally Posted by fmcjfc

Went to the National today with a pocket full of cash ready to spend. Came back home with a pocket full of cash. I don't mind paying a 10% premium or so for the convenience of buying in person, but most cards I got cash prices on were more like 30-60% over market value, some up to 100%. It's still worth the $20 entry fee and the time to check things out, but I'll do my card shopping elsewhere.

I've never been and may just go next year, but this does seem to be the general theme. I guess if I do go, I'll just plan on browsing and meeting people from here and do my buying elsewhere.

[ValKehl]

Originally Posted by fmcjfc

Went to the National today with a pocket full of cash ready to spend. Came back home with a pocket full of cash. I don't mind paying a 10% premium or so for the convenience of buying in person, but most cards I got cash prices on were more like 30-60% over market value, some up to 100%. It's still worth the $20 entry fee and the time to check things out, but I'll do my card shopping elsewhere.

I've been to a dozen + Nationals over the past two dozen + years, and I have virtually never paid the initial asking price for a card I wanted if I thought it was overpriced. I just can't bring myself to do it, no matter how bad I want it. I am not a deep-pocket spender, but I have found that most dealers who have overpriced cards that I want are willing to reduce their prices, often quite significantly, after some discussion, especially once they realize I am aware as to what the realistic going prices are for the cards in question.

Keep in mind that most dealers are quite aware of Net54, and many are members, although you may not see them posting very often - so, I always ask for a "Net54 discount," which usually works. Also, many of the dealers have their inventory on eBay, and I am often able to recognize cards that interest me that have outlandish (IMHO) BINs on eBay - but these dealers don't have to pay eBay & PayPal fees when they sell their cards at the National, which should result in "automatic" discounts for starters. To me, it's like buying a new car - the sticker price is meaningless!

For example, today, I bought a card at the National that I have wanted badly for a long time - it has been an overprice $475 BIN on eBay forever. I had a nice conversation with this dealer and explained why I thought it was overpriced, especially in comparison to similar cards he has on eBay. He looked something up in his computer and then asked me if I was the person who offered him $175 for this card via eBay over a year ago - I responded that yes, I am the guy. He thought a bit, and then said I could have the card for $200 - I said "sold." Interestingly, this dealer didn't even have this with him card at the Show, so his mailing cost is included in the $200. Yes, this card may still be a bit overpriced at $200, but it is a scarce card (a Zeeenut with a tab of a certain player who was on the 1924 Senators team, one of my collecting focuses) that I wanted badly, so I am a happy camper!

The bottom line is, there are good/decent deals to be had, but you usually have to do a bit of "work" to get them!

Hope all that attended the National had as much fun as I did!

Val Kehl

[CW]

Originally Posted by wolf441

I know that there's still over a full day to go, but for those attending, what is the big item/story/trend at the National this year (i.e. the Old Mill Blue Back in 2012, etc...)? Thanks for all the reports!

1914 Cracker Jacks.

[tbob]

It's always interesting to watch the videos and see the same cards behind the glass cases that I've seen in person over the last 7-8 years. Often with the same price stickers and same amounts....

[TATSR]

This was my first national in about 10 years. Here are two things I'll never understand:
1. Dealers who only have tables full of unorganized 10 cent cards. How many of those do you have to sell just to pay expenses?
2. People sitting at these tables digging through the 10 cent cards. There has to be a better way to fill whatever list you're working on.

I probably spent more at this show than I've ever spent at any other show. But I was mainly working on 60s-70s sets in ExMt-NrMt. Definitely got better deals than on eBay.

I also spent at least a few dollars every place I saw a kid who was borrowing some table space from dad.

[drcy]

The boys of booth 1820: David Cycleback, Tim Newcomb, Mike Peich and Scott Forrest. Photographed by REA's Brian Dwyer. This was near the end of the show, which proves we got along swimmingly. By swimmingly, I don't mean the booth was like Das Boot by day three.

[ajjohnsonsoxfan]

I had a great time! I flew in on Friday morning from the west coast and went straight to the show. I hit every table in one day and didn't run into one unfriendly dealer. As a matter of fact, I met some really great people and enjoyed talking about common pre-war interests. It was my wife's first time to Ohio and as a trade off for being a sport walking the show with me, I took her to dinner at a really amazing restaurant in the tiny lakeside town of Vermilion. We were charmed by the beautiful turn of the century houses and the boats docked in front of the stately homes along the waterway. Highly recommend checking it out the next time you're in CLE! Most of all got to meet Barry, Adam and Eitan who all dazzled me with their insights and knowledge of the hobby and personal collections. Including some scans of cards I was lucky enough to take home. Hoping to be back next year...

[scoobysnacksforyou]

Originally Posted by TATSR

This was my first national in about 10 years. Here are two things I'll never understand:
1. Dealers who only have tables full of unorganized 10 cent cards. How many of those do you have to sell just to pay expenses?
2. People sitting at these tables digging through the 10 cent cards. There has to be a better way to fill whatever list you're working on.

I probably spent more at this show than I've ever spent at any other show. But I was mainly working on 60s-70s sets in ExMt-NrMt. Definitely got better deals than on eBay.

I also spent at least a few dollars every place I saw a kid who was borrowing some table space from dad.

I ended up having much better luck in the ten cent box than most anywhere else. Most of it was timing, as a guy pulled out a 5k box of 70's cards from under the table just as I was walking by. Stopped, sat down for a while, and came away with lots of great stuff. Spent probably $80 there. Plus talking to the other guys there was great, and that dealer was one of the best. My other favorite table at the show was the guy selling old press pictures and publications. I was at his table at least 4 times Sat-Sun and bought more each time. He had some really interesting stuff and was great to talk to.
My hunt for t210's was an absolute waste of time. only about 6 or so dealers had any at all, and only 2 had a total of 3 from my series 4. Those were so overpriced I didn't even bother to make an offer. Almost triple the going rate. and those were the Sunday prices, I can only imagine what they were asking early in the week. Still ended up spending about what I budgeted, but certainly not on the things I had intended to spend it on.

[stadiumechoes]

My brief summary. My son (20) and I (48) spent all day Saturday at the National. We were in line when it opened and left at 5:45. I had no "want list" or objective, I just wanted to take in the experience and enjoy the day. I thought I made it to all tables, but based on the photos, I guess i missed a few. I liked the layout, but with the set up of the building, you couldn't really just go up and down rows. High level overview:
* I was impressed with the friendliness and overall interactions with the dealers. I was routinely greeted at each table with a hello and a "let me know if you need any help or are looking for anything".
* I was amused with the cheering and countdowns (or whatever) at the corporate booths. I'm not sure what was going on, but it was entertaining to hear. Maybe if I had a booth near there I wouldn't have been so amused, but to me it added energy to the overall atmosphere.
*I was impressed with the selection and displays (as a rule). I agree with some previous posters in that I caught myself occasionally slipping in to "work mode" and doing some quick math with the cost of the show vs. what the booth had for sale. Some of it didn't add up, but they spent the money, I guess they can arrange their booth however they want.
*I shook my head at the number of Ruth autographs (both "raw" and in "designed scarcity" insert cards.
*Dropped some things off at SGC and, like all other interactions I have had with the company, everything was handled in a VERY professional, friendly manner.
*Didn't see much non-sports stuff (which is a good thing). I remember one comic display and another one that was 50-50 cards and rock memorabilia. I thought it was interesting that a few booths focused on old sporting equipment. Not the mainstream sports, but just about anything sports related and vintage.
* The soft serve ice cream booth was very good and I impressed myself by only having one cone.

[mrvster]

I know I have been obsessing....

but did anyone see any T206 Scrap??? blank backs??? cool ghost Freaks???? anything odd T206??? upside down backs?? were any for sale?? any on display??

everyone I spoke with said there was very little available to be seen in that arena ..



any input on this

thanks

Johnny v

[Matvoo]

Originally Posted by mrvster

I know I have been obsessing....

but did anyone see any T206 Scrap??? blank backs??? cool ghost Freaks???? anything odd T206??? upside down backs?? were any for sale?? any on display??

everyone I spoke with said there was very little available to be seen in that arena ..



any input on this

thanks

Johnny v

You sure like asking
But I want to know to

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

Originally Posted by mrvster

I know I have been obsessing....

but did anyone see any T206 Scrap??? blank backs??? cool ghost Freaks???? anything odd T206??? upside down backs?? were any for sale?? any on display??

everyone I spoke with said there was very little available to be seen in that arena ..



any input on this

thanks

Johnny v

I saw blank back. I can't remember which auction house had it, I believe the guy at the booth was named Al.

[Bicem]

Originally Posted by stadiumechoes

* The soft serve ice cream booth was very good and I impressed myself by only having one cone.

Agreed, was by far the best thing food-wise.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by TATSR

This was my first national in about 10 years. Here are two things I'll never understand:
1. Dealers who only have tables full of unorganized 10 cent cards. How many of those do you have to sell just to pay expenses?
2. People sitting at these tables digging through the 10 cent cards. There has to be a better way to fill whatever list you're working on.

I probably spent more at this show than I've ever spent at any other show. But I was mainly working on 60s-70s sets in ExMt-NrMt. Definitely got better deals than on eBay.

I also spent at least a few dollars every place I saw a kid who was borrowing some table space from dad.

Maybe a dime a card is what they can afford? Hell, I spend an inordinate amount of time at dollar boxes, but I enjoy it. That's the bottom line.

Here are some dollar box items I found:

[conor912]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Maybe a dime a card is what they can afford? Hell, I spend an inordinate amount of time at dollar boxes, but I enjoy it. That's the bottom line.

Nice work, Adam. I'd pay 5 bucks for that lot all day long.