National Dealer Pass

[markf31]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

So, I am likely going to buy a table at next year’s national just so I can get in Tuesday. I am not a dealer and I will likely set nothing up at that table, which means there will be one less dealer to buy from. But I will have paid full freight, and even though everyone else will be out one dealer Johny630 will be happy and that all that matters.

My father buys and sells Lionel trains and always has a couple of dealer tables at one of the larger North East regional train shows in York, PA. This train show is biannual, and the organizers of the shows stipulate in the contract for a table, that the dealer must have a presence on the table from show's opening on Thursday afternoon through the shows end on Sunday morning.

The organizers keep pretty good tabs on this, and failure to maintain what the organizers consider a significant presence at your tables black lists the dealer for at least the following 2 shows, and their table requests will get denied for those 2 shows at a minimum. They had to implement this to keep dealers from leaving early and not showing up on Sunday morning as well as people registering for a table, only to walk around the show before the public opening to make purchases, sales or trades and never put merchandise out on their tables.

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by markf31

My father buys and sells Lionel trains and always has a couple of dealer tables at one of the larger North East regional train shows in York, PA. This train show is biannual, and the organizers of the shows stipulate in the contract for a table, that the dealer must have a presence on the table from show's opening on Thursday afternoon through the shows end on Sunday morning.

The organizers keep pretty good tabs on this, and failure to maintain what the organizers consider a significant presence at your tables black lists the dealer for at least the following 2 shows, and their table requests will get denied for those 2 shows at a minimum. They had to implement this to keep dealers from leaving early and not showing up on Sunday morning as well as people registering for a table, only to walk around the show before the public opening to make purchases, sales or trades and never put merchandise out on their tables.

My sense, or at least hope, is that Ryan was being facetious here. I'm not a dealer and never intend to be one, but my understanding is that there is a waiting list of dealers who are trying to get into the National, and there's a lottery for those tables, so just getting one in the first place isn't that easy. And for those that do get a table, I'm sure the NSCC dudes - not to mention every single buyer who buys tickets - wants to see those tables filled with inventory.

[Leon]

I think this is sort of correct. There is a waiting list for those who didn't get a table reserved the year before. Personally I think the National Committee has greatly gone down with Mike's passing. The committee needs to be completely replaced in my opinion, if they don't change the way tables are sold. This is the 21st century and they run the thing like it is from the 1960s.....(to me). And for God's sake, get effing Gizmo off of the committee. He is an idiot. I spoke with him recently and my view was reaffirmed. Any time someone's main defense, to a very obviously flawed system is, "because that is the way it's always been done" to me, it means it's time for them to move onto other endeavors in life.

As for early passes for folks who aren't table holders, it doesn't bother me as a table holder or otherwise. The more the merrier.

Originally Posted by mechanicalman

My sense, or at least hope, is that Ryan was being facetious here. I'm not a dealer and never intend to be one, but my understanding is that there is a waiting list of dealers who are trying to get into the National, and there's a lottery for those tables, so just getting one in the first place isn't that easy. And for those that do get a table, I'm sure the NSCC dudes - not to mention every single buyer who buys tickets - wants to see those tables filled with inventory.

[RedsFan1941]

glad to see you got a table leon. looking forward to chatting with you again. (even though it has been quite a few years, at a previous Cleveland nat’l.)

[Leon]

Originally Posted by RedsFan1941

glad to see you got a table leon. looking forward to chatting with you again.

I didn't get a table this year but have split one for many years in the past. The system for getting tables is antiquated (there is this new thing called "computers"). It was never as much of an issue as it is now that Mike isn't here.

[pokerplyr80]

I dont get the outrage over the OP trying to get a dealer pass for the show. I asked a friend setting up last year if he had an extra one, and paid what it cost him. There was nothing nefarious about it, and I certainly didn't walk around before the show started picking up a bunch of cards at wholesale prices. What dealer would want to blow out their inventory at discount prices the night before the biggest show for the year kicks off?

[JollyElm]

To me this thread is like being at a Van Halen concert in 1984 and being pissed all to hell that the hot girl was allowed to go backstage without a pass and you weren't.

[CTDean]

Many antique shows and markets sell early buyers passes. For a card show if admission is $10, a pass for set up could be $30 to $100. It gives everyone a chance to buy early.

[Rhotchkiss]

Yes, I am joking. Just taking a shot at Johny630's comment.