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

[Exhibitman]

You just gotta go, dig in, and work the room. All of the obvious great deals are gone before the show even opens by way of dealer to dealer sales, but there are tons of great items available at great prices, if you do the legwork. Flexibility is key: if you go there thinking that you are going to look for one rare card only, you probably will leave empty-handed. I find it best to go with a detailed want list across everything I collect but also ready to snap up whatever I come across that I can easily flip or trade. And then there are the offbeat things you find that you just cannot anticipate.

I figure that by the end of the show I will have physically shuffled through over 100,000 cards and looked at untold thousands more.

[that T206 Guy]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

You just gotta go, dig in, and work the room. All of the obvious great deals are gone before the show even opens by way of dealer to dealer sales, but there are tons of great items available at great prices, if you do the legwork. Flexibility is key: if you go there thinking that you are going to look for one rare card only, you probably will leave empty-handed. I find it best to go with a detailed want list across everything I collect but also ready to snap up whatever I come across that I can easily flip or trade. And then there are the offbeat things you find that you just cannot anticipate.

I figure that by the end of the show I will have physically shuffled through over 100,000 cards and looked at untold thousands more.

I am not looking for Crazy Expensive Stuff or HOF.

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

Do Commons Sell before the Show Starts?

I would assume you are talking about Mantle Rookies and Stuff like that.

Or Am I Wrong?

[that T206 Guy]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

You just gotta go, dig in, and work the room. All of the obvious great deals are gone before the show even opens by way of dealer to dealer sales, but there are tons of great items available at great prices, if you do the legwork. Flexibility is key: if you go there thinking that you are going to look for one rare card only, you probably will leave empty-handed. I find it best to go with a detailed want list across everything I collect but also ready to snap up whatever I come across that I can easily flip or trade. And then there are the offbeat things you find that you just cannot anticipate.

I figure that by the end of the show I will have physically shuffled through over 100,000 cards and looked at untold thousands more.

I understand what you are saying about the "Experience"

I have seen YouTube Videos with Old Game Used Jerseys and 1909 T206 Wagners.

I am Excited to see Rare Stuff like that.

Seems like a TON of Fun.

But I DON'T want to come back without any Cards Either

[Rich Klein]

And sometimes dealers will have material ready for you if they you look for certain cards.

Last year in Chicago, a dealer I know for many years and was a good Regional Correspondence when I was at Beckett knew I loved the Topps buy back cards. Well he loaded me up with about 1200 cards at such a good price I had my money out before he finished the sentence.

Regards
Rich

[ValKehl]

Steve, I say this in all sincerity. If you consider yourself a serious vintage card collector, and I sense that you do, then you absolutely, positively must attend at least one National in your lifetime. As I see it, this is the only way you will get ALL of your questions answered to your satisfaction. And, besides, you will really enjoy the experience - I guarantee it! I note that you are in Michigan, and with most of the Nationals these years being held in Cleveland and Chicago, I assume you won't have nearly as long a journey to make as most other collectors do. FYI, I have attended 15-20 Nationals, and I still look forward to attending them like a kid looks forward to going to a toy store.

[ALR-bishop]

Bring cash

[jfkheat]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

Bring cash

Yes, lots of cash. Bring more than you plan to spend. In Chicago the ATMs in the lobby ran out of cash Saturday. Some dealers will let you pay with Paypal.
James

[quitcrab]

Stop by and see my friend John Goodman for great deals on t206 cards. He will be set up. Tell him Scott from Long Island sent you .

[Johnny630]

T206 Guy

Just wing it ! Don’t do any further research on what to expect at the National. I believe it’s counter productive. Just show up, walk around, talk to guy’s, feel them out, learn as much as possible. If it looks to good to be true, 98% of the time it is. Above all else have fun :-) I have the most fun with zero preparation, I don’t want this to feel like work hahah.

[that T206 Guy]

Originally Posted by quitcrab

Stop by and see my friend John Goodman for great deals on t206 cards. He will be set up. Tell him Scott from Long Island sent you .

I have seen him in some Videos.

I will stop by his Booth For Sure.