The National will be interesting

[Steve_NY]

As a National booth holder for 40+ years, I am always interested in tracking the trends - but those same trends do not always surface at the National. I have survived all of the downturns in the hobby over the past 48 years. How do I do it? Evolve - Even at the National, I don’t believe that you should set up a similar display two years in a row. Yes, even though I see the same customers and more every year I really want them to see a different display of items I have for sale. So when I hear that dealers set up the same display every month at a show, that is just not the way to attract customers and keep them coming back.

Am I concerned about this National, yes and no. I am showcasing a display that i used to do off and on in the 80s and 90s, and expect that customers will appreciate what I have to offer. It took me a week to prepare for 30% of that display and will continue to prepare the rest over the next month.

As long as the people show up, I contend that if you have a killer display, and you stand out, then they will always find you whether you are set up in the front of the room or in the rear.

[Casey2296]

I don't particularly care about trends but I will overpay for the cards on my wanlist.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Casey2296

I don't particularly care about trends but I will overpay for the cards on my wanlist.

I think most people who have bought good cards over a long period have done just fine economically, even if that was not the intent. Going forward who knows.

[Casey2296]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I think most people who have bought good cards over a long period have done just fine economically, even if that was not the intent. Going forward who knows.

Agreed, I'm a collector so anytime I can add a card irrespective of the market I'm happy.

[Republicaninmass]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I think most people who have bought good cards over a long period have done just fine economically, even if that was not the intent. Going forward who knows.

I'd agree, but the hobby is very front loaded at this juncture. Many people jumped in for the easy money. Lots of eye balls watching every auction, before the card is even shipped it's relisted in FB groups for 30% higher. Happy I sold aboit 80% of my collection, and adding when I see some underwriter items I like. However, it is few and far between even the smallest auctiin house, or random mislisted card make it unseen to an auctions end.

[Johnny630]

Originally Posted by Republicaninmass

I'd agree, but the hobby is very front loaded at this juncture. Many people jumped in for the easy money. Lots of eye balls watching every auction, before the card is even shipped it's relisted in FB groups for 30% higher. Happy I sold aboit 80% of my collection, and adding when I see some underwriter items I like. However, it is few and far between even the smallest auctiin house, or random mislisted card make it unseen to an auctions end.

Many people jumped in for the easy money. Lots of eye balls watching every auction, before the card is even shipped it's relisted in FB groups for 30% higher.

What you said here is exactly what I see on FB groups weekly. It's like dude if you were the high bidder in an auction on said card what makes you think you will be able to flip it right away for 30% more? I guess the big question is if they were really the high bidder? Who knows anymore lol.

[Steve_NY]

I do agree with Peter on this one - I have been buying for almost 50 years - and as long as you don’t get involved in the quick hits you do very well over time. If you jumped in trying to make big money on the latest hot items like modern cards - then you were foolish and should not be involved in this hobby. I only buy 1880s - 1975 and yes there were slow times when customers were gun shy for a while. But vintage has always been a safe investment.

Now I did dally with new product for 15 years when it was super hot in the late 70s and 80s and early 90s. While I made a ton of money doing that but I passed many vintage deals at that time - and made some classic blunders. Still the money was immediate except for when some dealers started buying more than they could sell and killed it for the rest of us.

You can’t go wrong with vintage unless you start buying graded cards that you can’t move quickly. My display at this year’s National will be easily 85% to 95% or more raw ungraded. I can control my prices better with ungraded product- that way I can pass the discount back to my customers.


Steve_NY
Booth 800
8 booths in the main entrance

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by Steve_NY

You can’t go wrong with vintage unless you start buying graded cards that you can’t move quickly. My display at this year’s National will be easily 85% to 95% or more raw ungraded. I can control my prices better with ungraded product- that way I can pass the discount back to my customers.

This. I almost exclusively sell raw cards at shows, and most are modestly priced. Even in down times, dealers with ex-mt and below raw cards in quantity do just fine. Look at the picking booths at the National (assuming any are left). Steady flow of business all weekend even in 2007-2008-2009. As long as you don't get out over the fronts of your skis when buying, things will go well.

[conor912]

I can’t speak for anyone else, but I’m kinda fried on buying right now. Still a couple cards I’m actively looking for (anyone have a T3 Lord?), but the browsing has come to a grinding hault.

The Natty, as always, will be fun for those there to see cool things and socialize, but will also break some hearts and send a lot of guys home with cash still in hand.

[raulus]

Originally Posted by conor912

I can’t speak for anyone else, but I’m kinda fried on buying right now. Still a couple cards I’m actively looking for (anyone have a T3 Lord?), but the browsing has come to a grinding hault.

I'll second that notion.

In my case, rather than spend a king's ransom on 2-3 pieces of cardboard on my upgrade list, I chose to spend it on a non-cardboard item that brings me more joy than the cardboard upgrades would have delivered.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by conor912

I can’t speak for anyone else, but I’m kinda fried on buying right now. Still a couple cards I’m actively looking for (anyone have a T3 Lord?), but the browsing has come to a grinding hault.

The Natty, as always, will be fun for those there to see cool things and socialize, but will also break some hearts and send a lot of guys home with cash still in hand.

Most of us can really never afford the really great stuff. But it's fun to look at. And "great" is in the eye of the beholder. Know your boundaries!

This came from my good friend, Tim N. (hi Tim) at the 2023 National...and his company LUTFA..best company ever.