Spending at the 2022 National

[Johnny630]

Originally Posted by parkplace33

Its been about a month since I first posted this.. Anyone chance their mind one way or the other?



Saw this in another group and thought NET54ers could weigh in on this topic.

For those going (or thinking about going) to the National, will the current economic uncertainty affect your spending at the National?

Definitely can see two sides to this one. For some, the National is the best there is and they have saved up for it and will spend. But for others, especially this year, maybe they don’t spend as much or maybe they don’t go this year.

My friend will be there ready looking to buy a centered 52 Topps Mantle the best he can get for 150k

[Bobbycee]

I'm still going on Wednesday, but knowing prices will be high, and considering the economy will get worse ahead, I could wait it out to pick up the key cards I need. Prices will come down & there is no need to over spend at the National.

[Steve_NY]

My advice -- it's a large show with 600+ booths (not sure exactly), rather than getting to see the ten largest sellers, really walk around the room, and look at all the booths, rather than focusing on the best of the best.

I get collectors who spend hours at my one booth. Anyone remember Hugh Jones? He always had a target list of who he would visit every day. During the 5 days of the National he easily spent 10+ hours talking to me and buying as he went along - every day. Bob Foster had a booth of his own and still found time to come and see what I was showcasing, and buy or sell to me.

Last year, I had a number of guys who spent hours at my booth -- most of them reselling what they bought. Why? Because I haver never graded even one item. Yes, I am a dying breed -- but truthfully most of what I sell was bought in the 70s and 80s, so I am happy with my profit. In fact, in the 1970s, I was buying so many collections that some of them are still sitting in storage where I left them -- after selling enough of the contents to make ten or twenty or more times what I paid for them. I guess its almost time for me to clean up my storage.

I practice what I preach -- and walk around shows all of the time -- once quickly and then another time slowly just at the booths I want to return to. It's sad but local shows in NY and Florida don't really have much vintage any more. I cut back to one show a number of years ago.

Another tip -- if you find something you need and have been looking for it for years, don't make the mistake many have made. I remember vividly a Gloria Rothstein show 20-25 years ago in Yonkers, NY. The show opened and several of my customers showed up quickly and stared at my stack of rare Old Judge cards that I had picked up from an antique dealer the weekend before and chose 4 of them and I quoted a price, and they said they will walk the show and be back, not asking me to hold them. They came back 15 minutes later and all off them were gone. That same thing happens time and time again.

Personally, I find it sad that collectors would pass the best show of the year because of money. Okay, I know I will get heated replies about this, but guess what, you can still spin the room and have lots of fun. If you don't buy a thing, such is life -- it goes on.

I really don't want to make this an advertisement for my booth, so I will not provide those details, but if you want to stop by, I am 6 booths from the main entrance.

Steve
DynamicTwo@aol.com

[Jewish-collector]

I actually have a very different perspective on the National. I used to attend the National almost every year from 2003 thru 2016, but the novelty is over. The main reason to go nowadays to meetup with guys from this and other message boards and/or friends who are going. Leon's Net54 dinner was always one of, if not the highlight of attending the National. I used to think that you can only find stuff at the National that you'll never see anywhere else. That's true, but only because that stuff is being displayed at an auction house's booth for a current or upcoming auction. In reality, you can find almost anything you will ever want to purchase from auction houses, ebay, online stores, facebook, message boards, etc,...

The National can still be a lot of fun, but mostly for the social aspects of collecting.

[bobbyw8469]

As someone who has never been to a National, I have always wanted to go. Do "cancelled" people still have booths (like PWCC, Battlefield, et al)?? I get baffled the few times I go to my local card show. I know I would be no good at a National.

[Johnny630]

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

As someone who has never been to a National, I have always wanted to go. Do "cancelled" people still have booths (like PWCC, Battlefield, et al)?? I get baffled the few times I go to my local card show. I know I would be no good at a National.

Check the dealer list and reference it with blowout.

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

As someone who has never been to a National, I have always wanted to go. Do "cancelled" people still have booths (like PWCC, Battlefield, et al)?? I get baffled the few times I go to my local card show. I know I would be no good at a National.

but you could just go and hang out at the PSA booth all day!!!!

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

but you could just go and hang out at the PSA booth all day!!!!

I like cards....not grading....I think the PSA booth would be a skip for me.

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by Johnny630

My friend will be there ready looking to buy a centered 52 Topps Mantle the best he can get for 150k

God, Johnny, I hope your pal isn't going to be walking around with $150k in cash on him. He will need a SWAT team to accompany him on his quest.

[Republicaninmass]

Originally Posted by Yoda

God, Johnny, I hope your pal isn't going to be walking around with $150k in cash on him. He will need a SWAT team to accompany him on his quest.

No one will know, it's in 10,000$ bills

[pokerplyr80]

Originally Posted by Republicaninmass

No one will know, it's in 10,000$ bills

I briefly looked into those a while back, they go for a lot more than 10k. One might be enough for the Mantle.

[parkplace33]

You wouldn’t believe the amount of cash some collectors (and some dealers) bring to the National.

Cash is king and money talks big time.

[BobbyStrawberry]

Is trading a thing at the National?

[Snapolit1]

Originally Posted by BobbyStrawberry

Is trading a thing at the National?

Highly doubt it's a big thing. Not saying impossible. Assume most dealers are there for greenbacks.

[Steve_NY]

Cash is definitely king -- but I also take checks holding the items until the check clears. Next check from same person -- they can take the item immediately.

[parkplace33]

Originally Posted by BobbyStrawberry

Is trading a thing at the National?

Between collectors, sure. Dealers, not so much.

[Johnny630]

Originally Posted by parkplace33

You wouldn’t believe the amount of cash some collectors (and some dealers) bring to the National.

Cash is king and money talks big time.

Agree.....they’re are a lot of people carrying large amounts of cold hard cash at the National.

Also yes cash is king.

[Exhibitman]

Well, I am out. Hurt my foot on a trip to NYC recently and it wont be rehabbed in time for me to walk the floor, so I had to cancel.

[Johnny630]

Originally Posted by Yoda

God, Johnny, I hope your pal isn't going to be walking around with $150k in cash on him. He will need a SWAT team to accompany him on his quest.

Lol exactly !!!

[pawpawdiv9]

Originally Posted by Johnny630

Lol exactly !!!

They be the 2 dudes with a 150k Mantle @ the Waffle House.
All i ask for is to find me some 1916-20 unc big heads i need on my wantlist below(signature)

[Jewish-collector]

I don't think Johnny's friend is carrying that cash. He will end up seeing what the seller has and arrange a buy later. There could be all kinds of issues with his idea, though. He's much safer bidding thru an auction house or having an auction house manage a private transaction.