First Time Going to National Convention (Prices better or Worse than eBay)?

[that T206 Guy]

Originally Posted by tiger8mush

Prices are much higher than ebay. Probably 25% more. If it was the same as ebay, the dealers wouldn't show up. They have to pay for tables and gas/hotel/food expenses. You can negotiate / make offers if the sticker price is close to what you want to pay. But if its double, then its probably not worth the effort.

tips:
- wear comfortable sneakers cuz you will do a lot of walking for many hours
- bring a backpack to carry stuff in, including want lists and stuff you buy. Don't lose site of your backpack cuz there are sticky fingers all around.
- bring snacks because the convention food options are often limited and pricey
- unless you see an AMAZING deal, try to do a quick run-thru before buying. Keep track of table numbers with notes about the table contents if you see something you like, because you will THINK it'll be easy to find but after seeing hundreds of tables over multiple hours everything blurs together. Something simple like "T206 Cobb red VG $1k table #88 " will suffice.

Have fun!!!
Rob

When you say 25 Percent More than eBay do you mean?

- 25 Percent more than eBay Buy it Now (Seems like 90 Percent of eBay is BIN these Days). I remember the Good Old Days when eBay was 90 Percent Auctions.

- Or 25 Percent More than eBay Auction Prices.

It seems like eBay Auctions (What I always do) sell for Half of What Buy It Now eBay Prices are.

[that T206 Guy]

I recently got the following on eBay (Auction not Buy it Now).

1950 Bowman Common PSA 8

It was $40

What do you think that card would sell for at the show?

[that T206 Guy]

I am pretty much looking for the following at the show.

1800's Cards (Low Grade PSA)
- Old Judge, Mayo, etc.

1915 Cracker Jack - Lower Grade PSA
1909 T206 - PSA 7 or Less
1933 Goudey - Lower Grades PSA 6 or Less

Common Cards from the 1940's and 1950's in PSA 8 (My Goal is to get one from each year - I currently have 1950 Bowman and Topps 56, 57, 58, 59)

[that T206 Guy]

Also I am OCD about my PSA Cards.

I only buy Originals that are in the Original Style Flip (from the 1990's) with the Rounded Corners.

The Square ones Drive me Nuts.

I guess I don't like change LOL.

It seems like I have to look at like 200 Square Flips just to Find One Round Flip from the 1990's on eBay.

That is the Main Reason I am going to the show as I only buy on eBay and it takes forever Squinting my Eyes to Find the OLD PSA Holders on eBay.

Will those be hard to find at the show (More or Less Common than eBay).

If they are Non-Existant at the Show I might as well just stay home and Skip the Show.

[that T206 Guy]

I also want Raw Ungraded Cards for my Type Set Binder (One Card from Each Year).

I am just worried about Fakes being they are not Graded as there are Fakes on eBay.

Have you seen any Fake Non-Graded Cards at the Show or are all the Dealers Very Honest?

Are Ungraded Cards alot Cheaper than Graded ones of the Same Grade or No?

[that T206 Guy]

Sorry for all the Questions.

I just don't want to go if it is a waste of time for me.

[icollectDCsports]

Originally Posted by that T206 Guy

Sorry for all the Questions.

I just don't want to go if it is a waste of time for me.

I've been to a few Nationals, and wish I could arrange to attend more frequently, but the biggest reason to go -- for me -- is just to see all the stuff and connect with folks. If you'll be disappointed if you don't put a big dent in your want list at prices you like, there's a chance it may not work out for you, but I recommend it as a worthwhile experience overall.

[polakoff]

Just wanted to weigh in as a small time dealer.

I price all my cards at or sometimes below ebay. I sell mostly (95%) raw vintage, with the bulk of my cards being $5 and under. I price my cards for the National the same as I do for any show, because as a collector I'd be going to the National anyway whether I sold or not, therefore my only extra expense is my table. Since I share a table, it isn't too expensive, and I make that up on volume over what I'd do at a regular local show. I also give bulk discounts.

I found in Atlantic City (didn't go last year) that there were a lot of dealers who do the same as me -- and also a lot who mark their stuff up to exorbitant prices. To the original poster, I'd just say, there's so much stuff there that you'll find everything in every price range.

[that T206 Guy]

Originally Posted by polakoff

Just wanted to weigh in as a small time dealer.

I price all my cards at or sometimes below ebay. I sell mostly (95%) raw vintage, with the bulk of my cards being $5 and under. I price my cards for the National the same as I do for any show, because as a collector I'd be going to the National anyway whether I sold or not, therefore my only extra expense is my table. Since I share a table, it isn't too expensive, and I make that up on volume over what I'd do at a regular local show. I also give bulk discounts.

I found in Atlantic City (didn't go last year) that there were a lot of dealers who do the same as me -- and also a lot who mark their stuff up to exorbitant prices. To the original poster, I'd just say, there's so much stuff there that you'll find everything in every price range.

How do I find your table at the National Convention.

What is your Business Name?

[bounce]

Originally Posted by that T206 Guy

I only buy Originals that are in the Original Style Flip (from the 1990's) with the Rounded Corners.

Just Common Cards.
- PSA 7 and PSA 8 From the 1940's and 1950's of Common Players
- 1909 T206 in PSA 1-7 of Common Players
- Stuff Like that

You need to try and get over the OCD on style of flip, and just focus on the cards inside. While I'm sure there will always be some in the old flips, certainly most of the Hall of Famers are probably in new flips by now. Consider those "bonus finds" - not requirements.

There are tons of T206 commons, several dealers where that will be most of what they have to sell. There will also be some 1940/1950 commons graded, but those will probably be a little tougher to locate. Again, you'll have some folks that have stacks of them.

Prices will normally be marked high, but if you're paying in cash and buying in somewhat bulk, you can usually get them down to reasonable. Everyone knows what VCP is, you'll just have to wade through all the "great eye appeal for the grade" talk.

Yes, some dealers try to bake in the table cost, but if you use the 10-12% eBay fee as the baseline, I've found most of the sellers will split that with you. For the sellers, if they can just get eBay price that's better, so don't just settle for it. Most dealers mark up to have room to wiggle.

Don't worry about all the deals being gone on Tuesday or to the VIPs. I do the VIP just because I'm usually there for a few days anyway and don't like to stand in line, but I've been to the past three Nationals (and three others before that) and every time I've found things at good prices at different times during the show. Two years ago, got my best deals halfway through Thursday. Last year I was shut out Wed/Thurs, but then ran out of money around noon Friday. You never know when you're going to find something, and new cards walk into the show every day.

It will be overwhelming, so just be ready for that. I usually have a list with prices so I can move quickly, ask questions when I see something and negotiate as quickly as I can if it's just buying. If the seller won't get in your range, just move on to the next table. If you spend even a minute at every table in the show, you won't see everything on the first day.

I also take notes of booth numbers, especially if something is priced a little too high. I'll go back later and if it's still there, I might then start a conversation.

If you see something you like that is priced fair, I would tell you to go ahead and buy it then because it probably won't be there later. Common cards that's probably not as true, but with stars/Hall of Famers it definitely has been my experience.

Good luck