Going to my 1st National this year

[irishdenny]

Originally Posted by kailes2872

Dave,
I attended my first last year in Cleveland with my boys. It was great. I felt like a 7 year old at Disneyland - totally overstimulated for the fir few hours.

We spent two days. A near full first day until close and then open till near close the second. We saw every table, had plenty of time to visit, did all of the special attractions (held the Ruth bat, made a baseball card) and even doubled back the next day.

KeviN...

I am HopiN that iN 2016 I can Post Similar!
I have 4 Boys that I would Love ta do this wit(& They Would LoVe ta Go!!!)

Thanks fir the TiPs & InspiratioN...

[Hot Springs Bathers]

At the National in St. Louis back in the 90's I had flown in that morning and was flying back out that night.

We were finished shopping by 5:00 or so and had a couple of hours until our flight. We decided to hydrate at the Budweiser booth and as I remember, it would have been a bad idea to continue shopping after that point.

I am guessing having a beer booth may have just been a St. Louis thing?

[freakhappy]

Originally Posted by Hot Springs Bathers

We decided to hydrate at the Budweiser booth

Oxymoron?

Man...if only Budweiser could hydrate!

[Jewish-collector]

Sometimes you just gotta do it....

[nolemmings]

One thing I have found over the years is that I now go for the fellowship more than the material, although it is a great eye-candy experience. When I first attended, I took x dollars and was hell-bent on spending all of it or it wasn't considered a worthwhile show. I found myself buying stuff I had no intention of buying, sometimes stuff I didn't even know much about, after my list of must haves either were unavailable or were too grossly overpriced. Then about the first Baltimore National I decided to just take in the area and the hobby friends I'd met online and had a great time-- Orioles game, great food, cool pier nearby, etc. Since then it's more about the experience for me than the cards. And don't be shy. I wouldn't know 95% of these guys if they came up and spit on me in the street (I get that a lot) but after an introduction or two it becomes pretty easy to mingle, even if you don't chase the same stuff as the next guy. Throw in the bar get togethers after show hours and voila.

You almost certainly will be disappointed by the pricing--many things you see on ebay regularly will be marked up from what you thought was a ghastly BIN price. Dickering is expected--each side can always say no. I have found that Sunday, the last day of the show, will garner some better deals, although many dealers have packed up by then so you run that risk (I've asked some on Saturday if/when they're leaving early if I think I might want to make a final run at them). I've even found a card at a dealer' table that wasn't there earlier because he just bought it from a walk-in (actually a board member here)-- he flipped it to me for a good price for both of us. My advice--be patient.

Finally and most important- Comfortable shoes are an absolute requirement.

[OldEnglishD]

More great advice - thanks!

I'll hold off drinking until the Net54 get together. It'll lessen (not eliminate) the probability of me spending stupid at the show, and get me to maybe glad hand a few members. I'm more of a introvert, so we'll see how that goes!


So what everyone is saying, is don't wear these -

[jiw98]

Dave those bright yellow shoes will be perfect. Other than the color they look just like the shoes my great uncle wore while gardening.
My son and I have talked about going to the National before, but have never made it. Maybe this will be the year. Thanks for the advice from everyone.

[toppcat]

Originally Posted by Hot Springs Bathers

At the National in St. Louis back in the 90's I had flown in that morning and was flying back out that night.

We were finished shopping by 5:00 or so and had a couple of hours until our flight. We decided to hydrate at the Budweiser booth and as I remember, it would have been a bad idea to continue shopping after that point.

I am guessing having a beer booth may have just been a St. Louis thing?

Nope, Chicago has a farily large bar on the convention floor