National should be really interesting

[x2drich2000]

Originally Posted by Roofman4

I am attending my first National this year. Can't wait! I am looking for advice or opinions on the best way/options to get to the convention center. Is parking plentiful? should I Uber? Park out of town and ride the train? I know it's been awhile since the show has been in Atlantic City. Just really looking for the best option.


Thanks
RM4

Scot, I think a lot of this depends on if/where you are staying and if you're planning to meet up with anyone after the show to eat/socialize. Personally, I'm staying in the boardwalk area as I feel it gives me the best options to just leave the car where it is, run in the morning, walk to the show, and socialize afterwards. The convention center is just over a half mile (15 min) walk from the boardwalk; just be smart about the path you take, times you're going and, mingle with a group which shouldn't be too hard. Parking at the convention center seems pretty straight forward if you're coming from the AC Expressway and just going to the show. The convention center has a train stop for NJ transit if you want to park outside and take the train in. If you stay in the Borgata area, definitely Uber or drive.

[ALBB]

I enjoy the detailed recaps of the guys who go and report back at end of day

[Snapolit1]

AC has a lot of taxis and Ubers. If you stagger out of a hotel at 1am and want to go somewhere else, call yourself a car. I’ve foolishly walked the streets of AC late night and it’s not for the feint of heart.
I’ve only trained into AC once from Philly. Took too long and schedule not great. Prob not a great idea.
Plenty of hotels 15-20 minutes out of AC if you look around.
There are a number of high rise buildings on the boardwalk that are condos that are rented out. Never stayed there but see them in expedia. Prob an acceptable choice if you are not expecting luxury accommodations.
Galloway is a town 15 min away that seems to have decent cheaper options.




QUOTE=x2drich2000;2234947]Scot, I think a lot of this depends on if/where you are staying and if you're planning to meet up with anyone after the show to eat/socialize. Personally, I'm staying in the boardwalk area as I feel it gives me the best options to just leave the car where it is, run in the morning, walk to the show, and socialize afterwards. The convention center is just over a half mile (15 min) walk from the boardwalk; just be smart about the path you take, times you're going and, mingle with a group which shouldn't be too hard. Parking at the convention center seems pretty straight forward if you're coming from the AC Expressway and just going to the show. The convention center has a train stop for NJ transit if you want to park outside and take the train in. If you stay in the Borgata area, definitely Uber or drive.[/QUOTE]

[Oscar_Stanage]

it comes down to how serious you are about selling. You can put a sticker for any price you want, but no way are buyers paying 2021 prices. Just look at the B/S/T - a few months ago most of the cards listed would have been sold in 24 hours.

Anyone paying thousands of dollars for cardboard was likely doing so with some eye on their overall paper net worth. The entire purpose of the Fed crashing the economy is stop people from spending on that basis.


I expect the 2nd tier hall of famers to fall of a cliff.

[chriskim]

I have been going to the National only when I can obtain free ticket and spend my time picking up freebies only.

[Yoda]

I have a couple of cards I wouldn't sell even if I lived under a bridge and was hungry.

[Steve_NY]

I've set up a booth at 38 Nationals, and for some reason, I still look forward to the annual event. Over the years, I set up at over 1,000 shows, but now I just set up once a year at the National.

Many of us "old-time dealers" put alot of thought into setting up for the show. We want to showcase what collectors want to see and maybe buy. I actually started preparing last week for the big event.

I have watched the market on recent modern cards, but don't expect to find anything newer than from 1975 at my booth. In fact, I have prepared a display that showcases the early 1900s to the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The National is definitely the premier sports collector show of the year. Where can you find that number of booths (including corporate sponsors) at any other show?

BUT I always hear the same buzz every year that there are so many over-priced collectibles. Just pass those sellers by and look for the rest of us who are always willing to negotiate. In fact, every item in my booth is now priced for sale with a price stated on it and negotiations can get you a sale at around 85 to 90 percent of my for sale price.

Although, I do get insulted when someone offers me 30 to 50 percent of my for sale price. That usually signals an end to our negotiations.

If you come to the show, just have fun, and get to see all of the booths if you can. It's not very difficult to systematically keep track of which booths you have visited, and possibly want to return to.

Enjoy.

Steve

[Jewish-collector]

Steve - If I go to the National, where do you want to meet up for dinner one night ? beer chug.gifbeer chug.gifbeer chug.gif