The National will be interesting

[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.

[parkplace33]

I am seeing the same sentiment as the OP from a lot of other comments about the National. It was the same sentiment after Strongsville this year. I wouldn't say disappointment, but maybe malaise?

The fever pitch of the last few years is over. Maybe the smart move is to stand pat. I am pretty content with my collection right now. Sure, I may add a few, but I am no rush to overspend.

A quote I heard earlier this week really resonated with me. "Comparison is the thief of joy". Enjoy your collection folks.

[byrone]

I would very much like to attend the National, except the math doesn’t work well for Canadians.

$1 US = $1.40 Canadian

[Exhibitman]

I'd say more overload than malaise. There is so much opportunity for acquiring material, from multiple big auctions every week to eBay to resurgent local shows, that it just doesn't seem urgent to go to the National for the stuff. As others have said, it has become more of a social event, and the lack of a central hotel complex and a venue that is miles from anything else turns this year's show into a less-than-ideal situation for socializing. Add to that the costs and inconveniences of travel and quite a few collectors are giving it a pass this year. I'm heading to NYC instead for the weekend of the 16th for the East Coast National and the Fanaticsfest. Then I come home to work the Anaheim show the next weekend, and the Pasadena show two weeks after that.

[JackR]

My son and I have been going to the National since he was 8 and I was 50. He’s now 32, and, remarkably, I’m still 50. That’s the beauty of the National, or, as we call it, The Big One.

[marcmandel]

I've been to only three prior Nationals, (2021-2023) so I am a relative National noob. Still, as a buyer/collector, it's a highlight in my collecting journey and I look forward to it all year. My planning for next year seems to start on my flight home from this year's show. That's how excited I get.

I buy a split of prewar and early '50s postwar products with my fair share of Ruth, Cobb, Gehrig, Wagner, WaJo, etc., and some huge early 50s like my beloved 52T Mantle that I bought last year in Chicago.

Here is the rub - most of these cards are generally available, mid-pop, mid-grade cards that I buy, and while on one hand, they seem readily accessible at the National in more than one case/table, there seems to be a prevailing "bubble" that casts a bit of a pricing gloom that same week. Cards that might be $10K each 50 weeks of the year become $14K at The National largely because of the show hype and buzz in the room. At least that's where they're stickered. Having bought cards as a bit of an emotional buyer there in past years I got pulled into a card or two at what is likely a 20% premium that I should have worked harder to negotiate back out of the asking price. That said, I paid for it.

So yes, the National is like Willy Wonka's chocolate factory coupled with Santa's toy shop coupled with a clubhouse filled with my favorite people and as such an amazing time - and filled with true treasures - the buzz and excitement tends to enable some predatory pricing and dealmaking if not careful.

That, however, doesn't detract from the magic of the week IMO.

[samosa4u]

Originally Posted by byrone

I would very much like to attend the National, except the math doesn’t work well for Canadians.

$1 US = $1.40 Canadian

Yep, and the CBSA will tax you at the border (unless you want to try to smuggle your purchased items in and risk getting caught!)

Add to that over-priced items at the show, hotel, airfare, food, etc. All in US dollars ... screw that!!

[Fuddjcal]

Originally Posted by raulus

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.

stop it...DOn't tell me I need a list for upgrades too??? I already have a "regenerating" want list. Thankfully, I've scraped it after a couple of spenderific quarters this year

If I did the "upgrade list" I'd be in trouble and probably eat cat food in my old age.

[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.