Can someone provide me with a "beginner's guide" to the National?

[Archive]

Posted By: Brian Lindholme

Alas, I cannot make it, but the opening thread does ask legitimate questions that are overrun by ridiculous comments about a book that means very little in the scheme of things.
Afterall, I am not sure how many of us on this board have read the dumb book, but I don't see too many clearance sales in progress on the BST, so let's talk about the protocols at the National.

First off, do dealers take credit/debit cards at the National? How about checks?
If I do get to go next year, I'm not too crazy about walking around with massive amounts of cash...I used to do so at the local Albany, NY shows, but this is not the same.

Next, what about the prices. One poster mentioned that the prices might be better for the buyer than most final eBay or auction house prices. Why is that? Why not stay home and sell in those venues if you are going to make more money as a seller? Isn't the overhead of selling at the National Convention fairly high?

I obviously have not attended a show of this magnitude...can you easily access the tables to search through dealer's wares or is it so crowded that buyers feel claustrophobic and continue browsing without digging in?

Thanks
Brian L
familytoad