Saturday national

[babraham]

Originally Posted by 7nohitter

Perfect!

I am a VIP at the Nationals.
Flipped so much 2018 -2020 Chrome.
I spent a ton of time with the other VIP's in the VIP lounge, where the REAL deals happened. Traded '33 Goudey's all night.
This was for us, the VIP's, only.

Originally Posted by 7nohitter

The recap of a non VIP. Typical.
I am VIP. I traded '33 Goudeys all day.

If your not VIP go to Shitilly, VA or some other mall show.

VIP here!

Sorry, this made me LOL.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

It always kills me when people say there are no deals and bitch about the lack of vintage (meaning pre war in this case) I get to walk around VERY little and I always see at least a handful of things that are interesting to me at a good price, and a number of other things that are not anything I really care about but the price makes me interested.

I'm still convinced that many of the posters who apparently think the National is a waste of time are from NJ and aren't happy unless they're complaining about something, yet they'd never not go and deprive themselves of the chance to complain.

EDIT: I'm from NJ.

[Snapolit1]

What you find at the National or any other show of interest and whether deals can be made is affected a great deal by the breath of your collection. Some people collect a lot of everything. In that case the National is great. If you are looking for commons of 48 Leafs and 52 Topps, probably will have a blast. If you are looking for a deal on higher end stuff that is more specific, let's say for example a signed Babe Ruth Type 1 photo of a Cobb postcard, you are likely not going to come home with something.

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

It always kills me when people say there are no deals and bitch about the lack of vintage (meaning pre war in this case) I get to walk around VERY little and I always see at least a handful of things that are interesting to me at a good price, and a number of other things that are not anything I really care about but the price makes me interested.

I'm still convinced that many of the posters who apparently think the National is a waste of time are from NJ and aren't happy unless they're complaining about something, yet they'd never not go and deprive themselves of the chance to complain.

EDIT: I'm from NJ.

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

What you find at the National or any other show of interest and whether deals can be made is affected a great deal by the breath of your collection. Some people collect a lot of everything. In that case the National is great. If you are looking for commons of 48 Leafs and 52 Topps, probably will have a blast. If you are looking for a deal on higher end stuff that is more specific, let's say for example a signed Babe Ruth Type 1 photo of a Cobb postcard, you are likely not going to come home with something.

Thanks for the tip. If I can get my collection breathing again, I may attend the National next year.

[Snapolit1]

Originally Posted by frankbmd

Thanks for the tip. If I can get my collection breathing again, I may attend the National next year.

Mine is on 24 hour oxygen.

[bigfish]

[QUOTE=Snapolit1;2450656]What you find at the National or any other show of interest and whether deals can be made is affected a great deal by the breath of your collection. Some people collect a lot of everything. In that case the National is great. If you are looking for commons of 48 Leafs and 52 Topps, probably will have a blast. If you are looking for a deal on higher end stuff that is more specific, let's say for example a signed Babe Ruth Type 1 photo of a Cobb postcard, you are likely not going to come home with something.[/QUOTE

Not sure I agree with this logic. I was at the show from Tuesday to Saturday. Had a great time each day. Bought some tougher to find pre war cards for a decent price. Interacted with a bunch of great people. Talked to a bunch of great people I usually see in person once a year. I think this show and any show is what you make it.

It def is much easier sitting at home in a dark room eating a tv dinner and watching the ball game. I do think 90 percent of the people that goes to this show has a great time and comes home with something they can add for their collection. There’s alway that 10 percent

I am looking forward to next year.

[Leon]

The 2nd day here I bought a great card from our BST. It made my show, as far as cards go!

The new Convention show promoters adjusted quickly to the car traffic. Much better than the first 2 days.


.

[JasonB24]

My wife and I returned home today from our first National and we had a great time. To me the complaints are very first world, you're going to the National and should have a good idea of what it is like in today's day and age, prepare for it. We all know prices were going to be high but all the booths I went to were willing to negotiate. And a big boo hoo to those complaining about a 15-20 minute uber/drive to the show or restaurants. How many of those people have a longer commute to work everyday? C'mon give me a break. As someone in a wheelchair I will gladly take the spaciousness at the I-X center over the convenience of being able to walk around like I've heard about Chicago.

[Ray Van]

Not sure what Cleveland National some of you guys went to ... the one I went to seemed to have T206's at every second table and dozens upon dozens of vendors selling other prewar. Also lots of cool memorabilia: Type 1 photos, old uniforms, bobbleheads, pennants, and everything in between. Sure there were lots of tables with shiny new stuff, but those tables were mobbed as well so there are buyers for pretty much everything - and one day some of these buyers will come on over to vintage which can only strengthen the hobby. Saw lots of kids and (shocker!) even some women walking around. Parking/wifi/food concessions/washroom issues aside, I thought it was pretty well run and I came away with a few new additions to my collection (some Colgans and my first Helmar), plus I met Graig Kreindler so it was an awesome show for me.

[Republicaninmass]

Sadly, many of the modern collectors will flee once the cards start falling in price and will chase the next shiny object.. if we are lucky, they will come back to the hobby in another 20 prn30 years. Hence the cycle. Same I saw happen in the 80s to 90s and some people just came back during Covid.


As bigfish wrote, the National is more about meeting the collectors and dealers than finding some "score". Most of those are bought up and marked up before the show opens Wednesday. Sometimes an extreme rarity pops up and someone is lucky to grab it.

However, with the advent of ebay and the new "flippers" cards aren't even In sellers hands yet and they are already listed. It would be tough to find a card at the national which was not listed in ebay/Facebook even minutes prior.

[jimtodd]

Originally Posted by Ray Van

Not sure what Cleveland National some of you guys went to ... the one I went to seemed to have T206's at every second table and dozens upon dozens of vendors selling other prewar. Also lots of cool memorabilia: Type 1 photos, old uniforms, bobbleheads, pennants, and everything in between. Sure there were lots of tables with shiny new stuff, but those tables were mobbed as well so there are buyers for pretty much everything - and one day some of these buyers will come on over to vintage which can only strengthen the hobby. Saw lots of kids and (shocker!) even some women walking around. Parking/wifi/food concessions/washroom issues aside, I thought it was pretty well run and I came away with a few new additions to my collection (some Colgans and my first Helmar), plus I met Graig Kreindler so it was an awesome show for me.

I completely agree Ray. Had a great time and saw a ton of vintage and more pre-war than I expected. Maybe it was my off-peak timing, but I didn't have issues w the bathroom or food. I would have loved to meet Graig - love his art.