The National in Baltimore

[timzcardz]

I can't comment on the pricing as this will be my first National as well, but with the economy the way it is, and the number of dealers in one place, I assume that like any other shows, there has to be some deals as well as inflated overprices.

And yes, $1000 just to go to a show would be a bit much, but not all that much for a vacation getaway.

I'm already into this for $1000 for a room for the week for my wife, son and I. Looking forward to getting there a few days before and unwind/relax for a few days doing touristy things around the inner harbor with the family, followed by a few days at the convention.

Throw in a ball game or two, some dining and spirits, and I think that it will be money well spent.

[pgellis]

DELETED - I'm just surprised that if you don't start a negative, attack thread or expose somebody for some shady practices, that nobody seems to care anymore on this board. I was just asking for some feedback. Not interesting enough to most people. I am not a big fish on this board, but I have been around long enough to see how much this board has changed in the past couple of years. Oh well, I guess I won't bother with Baltimore this year. I was hoping for some positive feedback on the National, but we know that it is easier to add negative thoughts/criticism than to add positive thoughts. Oh well............

[Leon]

I think you're right. There are a few people that seem to want to make more jokes and negativity than post in a constructive manner. The people above answered it fairly well though. Scott nailed it early on and there wasn't a lot else to say about it. If you are going there to have a good time, meet other collectors and then...maybe pick up a few cards, it's money well spent. If you are going there solely to purchase cards, then depending on your budget, with the $1000 expense in mind, it's probably not worth it. You can do the auctions and ebay and probably get far more cards. The real fun is meeting other collectors and hootin' and hollerin'. regards

[pgellis]

Thanks Leon. That's what I was looking for today. I wanted to make a decision soon about putting up $1K to visit Baltimore in August. I wanted to go there to "take it all in", but I also wanted to go there to buy some cards, and going there after spendin $1K to just spend the weekend there was not going to do it for me.....I wanted to purchase some cards too.......so I wanted to know if I could expect any bargains.

Again, Leon thank you for your response. I hate to see where this board has headed the past week or two. It seems that if you can't "slam" somebody, you don't bother to add a post and I simply was asking for some experience.

Thanks.

[Rob D.]

Phil,

My favorite pick-up of 2009 came at the National in Cleveland. The following is what I wrote in a "What was your favorite pick-up of the year" thread. It sums up my feeling about attending the National:

I think this one is my favorite not only because of the card itself but because I bought it in person at the National. No auction. No staying up until 3 a.m. to see if a bid holds up. No worrying about shilling and the like. No "great guys." There's something to be said about holding a card (or slab, in this case) in your hand, looking the seller in the eye and attempting to reach a deal.

[Northviewcats]

Phil,

Like you I wonder if the experience at Nationals is worth the expense. Especially, when you say that you could spend the $1000.00 on a nice card at auction. I don't own a card that is worth that much, so it sounds like a no-brainer. Stay at home and enjoy your new card.

BUT... Nationals is a collecting experience on steroids. I've only gone a couple of times, but I haven't regretted spending the money to get there. True the prices are higher than what you would spend at eBay. But you will see so many beautiful cards. I remember at my first Nationals that my jaw dropped when I saw a whole case of vintage Mantles. All the cards that I owned as a kid were there in any condition that a collector could afford. In my ignorance I thought that 1961 Mantle was really rare, but there were enough Mantles in that one vendor's case to wall paper my bathroom with them.

I also think that you can get some buys if you look carefully. My strategy is to look for small vendors who have accumulated a large collection throughout the years and just want to sell what they have collected for a fair price. I bought a raw T206 Cy Young in VG condition for $150.00 last year in Cleveland. I haven't seen one sell for under $250.00 on eBay this past year. I know there are several other collectors that I met in Cleveland last year and made some good deals.

This brings me up to the most important reason to go to Nationals. Its a great place to meet your fellow Net54 members. Hopefully there will be another Net54 dinner this year, but even meeting members on the floor was well worth the price I paid to attend the event.

Best wishes,

Joe

[Theoldprofessor]

My son and I attended Nationals regularly for more than a decade -- he was about ten when we started. Each year we took about $1k, but spent none of it the first day. Instead we wandered up an down the rows, making notes of who had what, and what might be needed to get it from him.

We stayed about four days each in Cleveland, St. Louis, Houston, Atlanta, Anaheim, Chicago. What did he get? A lot of T206s, some T205s, and a practical lesson in the old saying "It's worth what you can get for it." What did I get? Enough fun, enough laughs, enough good memories to last a lifetime.

He's off on his own now, and I'm collecting as much for him as for me.

If you have a kid, take him or her along. You'll never regret it. And you'll collect lots more than cardboard.

[cwazzy]

Originally Posted by Theoldprofessor

If you have a kid, take him or her along. You'll never regret it. And you'll collect lots more than cardboard.

I fully intend to take my sons along with me eventually. Just not this year. My oldest will be 4 by the time Nationals roles around and my youngest will be 1. I would not have any fun running after them the entire time. I figure when they hit 7 & 10 I'll take them along with me. And I'm REALLY excited about that.

[Kawika]

Originally Posted by pgellis

DELETED - I'm just surprised that if you don't start a negative, attack thread or expose somebody for some shady practices, that nobody seems to care anymore on this board. I was just asking for some feedback. Not interesting enough to most people. I am not a big fish on this board, but I have been around long enough to see how much this board has changed in the past couple of years. Oh well, I guess I won't bother with Baltimore this year. I was hoping for some positive feedback on the National, but we know that it is easier to add negative thoughts/criticism than to add positive thoughts. Oh well............

I must have missed something here, maybe a post was deleted, but I don't see where this thread went off the rails. Anyway, not much I can add to what others have already posted about the National being a great place to meet up with other collectors, see tons of beautiful cards and memorabilia, and generally soak up the rich atmosphere. Speaking specifically to your question of whether bargains are to be found, my experience, having attended two Nationals, is that much of what is there is overpriced although there are bargains to be had and you will have every opportunity to haggle. In addition you will see myriad stuff you never even knew existed and which you wouldn't be likely to run across elsewhere, particularly eBay. In Chicago I picked up a flock of esoteric items at prices I was cool with such as Player League cabinets from Terry Knouse, Billikens from Ryan Christoff and funky 1930's Japanese cards from Robert Klevens. I also was able to upgrade dozens of beaters from some of my '50's Topps sets at like a buck a card. If your main criteria for attending is whether you would perhaps be able to acquire something of more tangible value with your $1000 if you didn't go to Baltimore I can't offer assurance one way or the other. For me however, the five thousand bucks it's gonna take to get me and my wife from HonHI to Balto is a bargain on a priceless experience.

[sox1903wschamp]

Hi Phil,

Very valid questions. I went to a few Nationals in the 80's and then was able to make Cleveland in 07 and Chicago in 08.

As many posted above, it is a great opportunity to meet fellow collectors, see awesome stuff in person and just enjoy the atmosphere.

As for my experience, I loved working on upgrading my 50's and 60's sets and prices were resonable and selection was over the top with multiples to choose from of most cards which makes it more fun for a centering freak like me. I really enjoy spending hours going through boxes and pages of cards looking for cards that appeal to me. But that's me

I did find some pre-war cards that were priced reasonable but I think you have to really look to find these. Picked up a couple of T-204 Ramly's in Chicago that I was happy about. Most Pre war is priced above ebay auction's but heck, there has not been much on ebay lately.

I think you have to go if you have a passion for collecting and just take it all in and have fun. I will not be able to make Baltimore this year but will be back in action in Chicago in 2011. Hope to see you there.

[Jay Wolt]

W/ the advent of the internet shows are a dying breed.
But the National is as strong as ever, and if you are a card or memorabilia junkie, its the place to be. Over 600 dealer tables!
There are so many cool items that you can view, and many you didn't even know you "needed" till you saw them in person.
And to hook up w/ fellow collectors on both sides of the table is great too!
If you are into autographs there's usually a slew of Hall Of Famers present and even if you don't want to buy an autograph.
You can still check em out signing.
Also there's a variety of other things to do in Baltimore incl. the O's are home vrs the White Sox & Angels.
You'll have a blast, its worth the effort & expense.

[FUBAR]

Tickets to Baltimore- $500
Hotel Room for 3 days- $500

Your first visit to the national- $Priceless!!!

For everything else, there is Ebay!

[morgan118]

Hi,

Just some friendly advice if you do go and are looking to purchase some higher dollar items. Don't be afraid to make offers to dealers who have items you are interested in that seem to be overpriced. Most of them have purchased the items for a fraction of the selling price listed in large group purchases.

I specialize in oddball offerings and some of the prices I see initially are so off base it is laughable so I actually let the dealer know that the item is way overpriced and make an offer. You would be amazed at how far they come down in price especially if they sense you know more about the pricing and market for that item than they do. I can typically get the pricing down 25 - 30 % off the asking price in larger purchases - $500.00 or more. The initial price listed that you see is typically for "retail" customers. Believe me most dealers will have a minimum of 10% to move off that. I have gotten countless deals at up to 40% off the marked price at most Nationals.

I wouldn't miss this one especially in a new city like Baltimore. I am bringing my wife and daughter and making it into a semi vacation. I have a sports collectibles business so at least I can write off some of the expense. Best of luck to you.