Going to my 1st National this year

[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.

[Jobu]

Another National question: Are all the dealers generally set up from the opening bell on Wednesday? I am thinking about driving down for Wednesday but also really want to attend the dinner on Friday night and am wondering whether I ought to make two trips or just plan on Friday.

Thanks all.

[drcy]

They will be set up from the start. There's an official/scheduled moving in your stuff period for dealers the morning before the show opens to the public. Dealers literally drive and unload their cars full of stuff into the showroom, and that can only be done before the convention opens and the public is milling around. So the dealers will be there and set up from the get go.

[OldEnglishD]

As we inch towards the National, another question came to mind...

I see now that PSA and SGC will be at the show for on site grading/encapsulation. Are there significant disadvantages to doing this? Seems like I could save on shipping - at lease the shipping TO the companies.

Thoughts/experiences?

Thanks, Dave

[Steve_NY]

As a seller setting up a booth at the National, my comments are as follow:

-- if it is rare and you want to buy it at this show, consider either paying the price or open negotiations. I have seen it over and over again. Someone comes back in 15 to 20 minutes, and it's gone.

-- if it is not rare, shop around. Even if you don't buy it, you are likely to find another one. It may be at a higher price, but it can be found again.

If I find something at another booth, I always negotiate, especially if I want it and I know I'll never see another one in my lifetime.

Wear comfortable shoes. I bought ones that have that memory foam. They make your feet feel better all day.

Also, carry a small notebook to jot down booth numbers, what you saw there, and the price. That way, you can keep track of what you really want to buy.

Stop by and say hello. In most cases, I will give you a substantial savings on most items I have for sale. Where I will be more stubborn is with items I just picked up specifically for this National. I need to break even on those items before I start discounting them.

I am at booth 1110P six booths in the door.

Just enjoy yourself and have fun.

Steve Sabow

[calvindog]

I would suggest staying on site. The cost of a hotel room connected to the convention center is $153. After walking around all day it helps to be able to get back quickly to the room when you want -- it's a small luxury.

[K-Nole]

Originally Posted by Steve_NY

As a seller setting up a booth at the National, my comments are as follow:

-- if it is rare and you want to buy it at this show, consider either paying the price or open negotiations. I have seen it over and over again. Someone comes back in 15 to 20 minutes, and it's gone.

-- if it is not rare, shop around. Even if you don't buy it, you are likely to find another one. It may be at a higher price, but it can be found again.

If I find something at another booth, I always negotiate, especially if I want it and I know I'll never see another one in my lifetime.

Wear comfortable shoes. I bought ones that have that memory foam. They make your feet feel better all day.

Also, carry a small notebook to jot down booth numbers, what you saw there, and the price. That way, you can keep track of what you really want to buy.

Stop by and say hello. In most cases, I will give you a substantial savings on most items I have for sale. Where I will be more stubborn is with items I just picked up specifically for this National. I need to break even on those items before I start discounting them.

I am at booth 1110P six booths in the door.

Just enjoy yourself and have fun.

Steve Sabow

Me and Zack will be sure to stop in and say hello.

[tonyo]

Originally Posted by OldEnglishD

As we inch towards the National, another question came to mind...

I see now that PSA and SGC will be at the show for on site grading/encapsulation. Are there significant disadvantages to doing this? Seems like I could save on shipping - at lease the shipping TO the companies.

Thoughts/experiences?

Thanks, Dave

I just found out I'll be able to attend. Wondering the same thing as Dave....

Is it a good idea to get cards graded on site, how does it work, etc?

[OldEnglishD]

Originally Posted by tonyo

I just found out I'll be able to attend. Wondering the same thing as Dave....

Is it a good idea to get cards graded on site, how does it work, etc?

Hey Tony, so I did the math comparing the PSA July monthly special of $5.75 (25 card min. and valued under $100) and the $7.00 drop off at the National (10 card min. and valued under $150).

I had 28 to submit, so the monthly special worked out to be better for me as long as it cost me less than $32 to ship them to California, which it did.

But if you have between 10-25 cards (or cards worth more than $100), the National is probably the way to go.

I also wasn't sure about the lines at the PSA booth either. Don't want to spend too much time standing in line to submit cards!

Lastly, my understanding is that the submittal process at the National works the same way as by mail - just fill out the form (with payment) and drop them off at the PSA booth instead of shipping.

From the PSA site:

National Take-Home Collectors Club Special:
$7.00 Card Special– 10 Card Minimum Quantity Required

For All Years, cards valued under $150 each
Sport and non-sport cards
Regular size, thick/patch, Coins/Pins, and Tallboy cards are accepted
Excluding Supersized, T3's, and Autographed Cards
For Collectors Club members only
Turnaround time approximately 50 business days/varies with demand

Hope this helps! Dave