East Coast National - this weekend

[AnkurJ]

Went today with my son. Enjoyable time overall! We had to park down the street as the lot was full. Lots of vintage, mostly priced well above market comps. In some cases so much that it wasn’t worth negotiating. Like Snapolit said, one dealer with many Ruth autos that were marked 4-5x market. Maybe just a show and tell?

One thing I still don’t understand is why dealers don’t mark prices. It’s strange but I guess they don’t mind being asked for multiple different prices.

Lots of modern autos, boxes, signed photos and other memorabilia. Jordan autos at usual high prices. Many Fleer Jordan Rc’s. Not many Ohtani autos. I had one for sale but not much interest. Some very cool type 1 photos and esoteric premiums. Fun time to see many cards, but probably cheaper to buy online or at auction.

[refz]

Interesting experience for me. Arrived around 12 noon…I’ve been to this show many, many times in the past. First time ever I just barely made it into the parking lot across the street before they closed it. Parked on the curb as all the spots were full. I had to wait 20-30 mins to get into the place for admission. As I was standing on the sidewalk. Other than that I had a good time with my kids. Dropped off my submissions to SGC, talked to some friends, and got Tony Perez’s auto. Air conditioning felt ok upstairs, downstairs was significantly warmer. I liked the variety of non-sport and oddball items. Did any of you notice more modern “celebrity cards/autos “ than normal?

[Topnotchsy]

I went Friday. Paid the extra $10 to get in early, and it was pretty quiet and parking was no issue in the lot that is close to the building.

Dropped off a 1949 Dodgers ball at JSA.

PSA wasn't in attendance. Used SMR Collectibles to submit a bunch of tickets and a few photos. Never submitted either before, so hoping that it all goes smoothly. The SMR people were super friendly and patient.

My focuses are somewhat niche, but walking around, I was disappointed by what seemed to be a real lack of memorabilia (signed balls etc.) I also collect from the early 2000's (early GU cards of legends and working on the 2000 Fleer Greats of the Game Auto set). Didnt see a ton and the prices I was quoted were probably 30% higher than eBay on the items I did see and inquire about. Not sure why you wouildn't sell for eBay prices or less in person with people paying cash, but there wasn't anything I was dying for, and so all I bought were some supplies.

I will say, I bought a few boxes from a vendor there and if anyone is like me and had their cards and other items stored in a random mess of boxes, the boxes are game-changing, and at a show where shipping isn't a cost to be factored in, they are not expensive. Spent $14 on 3 boxes for toploaders and graded cards, and I'm thrilled. The toploader boxes fit baseballs in ball holders almost perfectly (the 3 column box was a drop tight but I was able to get 15 balls in.


Hoping to get back there on Sunday to pick up my Dodgers ball and get some more supplies. And who knows, maybe there will be a deal on the last day.

[AnkurJ]

I overheard one dealer say he has to price over comps because people grind him down on the price of everything. I can see that happening but can also see people walking away if you’re that far apart.

[calvindog]

I was there for an hour on Friday with willingness to spend 6 figures. The prices were so absurd compared to recent comps that I couldn’t even bring myself to engage in any negotiation, ie, 5K items listed for 25K, etc. So instead of spending the money at the show, I spent 6 figures last night in Heritage and 6 figures last week in REA. At least in auctions there’s a semblance of realistic pricing.