Thoughts, observations and opinions on the National

[Leon]

Originally Posted by scooter729

- Can dealers learn to put prices on a card that is visible? Even if it is 3x what I want to pay, I honestly am more apt to look twice at the card with a price. On the front.

I think dealers feel that if the price is on the back then you will have to ask and then be able to work something out. It sort of bugs me too. All of my cards had prices on the front. I don't think I saw another dealer with them on the front!! It just makes more sense to me but to each his own. AND I did remember what has been said on the board and tried to acknowledge and say hi to each and everyone looking at my cases. See, voicing your opinion does help.

Another short, sort of amusing story. I was in a hotel lobby watching 4 guys opening newer packs of cards...from the 70's to 90's. I am interested in all facets of the hobby so walked up and asked them several questions about what they were doing and why. They said they liked opening packs they opened as kids and were looking to pull 8's and better to help pay/offset their costs. It looked like they were having fun so what's not to like? One of the guys asked, "aren't you Leon?" from Net54. I said yes and then every one of the four said they know of me and read the board. Most of them read it daily. I think more people read the board than we even know.....

[4815162342]

I had a great time at my first national. Got to meet several Net54ers (Leon, Ted, Josh, Bill, Dave), met Brian Cataquet, went to the PSA luncheon, picked up a few T206s, went to the Thursday night Orioles game, and ate some fine crab cakes at Phillips.

[tribefan]

Originally Posted by Leon

Another short, sort of amusing story. I was in a hotel lobby watching 4 guys opening newer packs of cards...from the 70's to 90's. I am interested in all facets of the hobby so walked up and asked them several questions about what they were doing and why. They said they liked opening packs they opened as kids and were looking to pull 8's and better to help pay/offset their costs. It looked like they were having fun so what's not to like? One of the guys asked, "aren't you Leon?" from Net54. I said yes and then every one of the four said they know of me and read the board. Most of them read it daily. I think more people read the board than we even know.....

Thanks for the mention Leon, I was wondering if our meeting would make the board!!! I could tell that you are sincere about everyone enjoying the hobby in their own way. Plus how often can you get both bar servers to try a piece of 1970's Topps gum!

I'm from Cleveland, so I'm partial to having it in the rotation. Baltimore was great in every aspect, except the lighting inside the center seemed a bit rough to me. The location was perfect, with the hotel proximity, ballpark, and surrounding attractions.

Mike

[Leon]

Originally Posted by tribefan

Thanks for the mention Leon, I was wondering if our meeting would make the board!!! I could tell that you are sincere about everyone enjoying the hobby in their own way. Plus how often can you get both bar servers to try a piece of 1970's Topps gum!

I'm from Cleveland, so I'm partial to having it in the rotation. Baltimore was great in every aspect, except the lighting inside the center seemed a bit rough to me. The location was perfect, with the hotel proximity, ballpark, and surrounding attractions.

Mike

Hey Mike
I doubt I could pick you out from the 3 other guys you were sitting with but that's ok. I am poor on remembering names but pretty good on remembering faces. I do enjoy the hobby a lot and enjoy watching others enjoy it, in their own way. Who cares if it's shiney stuff, old stuff, plastic, non-slabbed etc...? As long as you aren't hurting anyone and having fun with friends it's all good. It brings me back to the days of the late 60's and early 70's when I collected as a kid. Those were the days. So carefree and innocent.....listening to the Astros on the radio, with the next door neighbor gentleman, in the front yard, spitting out sunflower seed shells.....

And Joe D- that is what makes the National great. I go there for the cards and friends and show......MOST others are sort of like yourself in that they like to take in some other things. One small thing is that you mentioned you go there to meet up with friends....well, that is just about as important to me as the cards. So we do have that in common. It was nice hanging out with you and downing a few. Hope to do it again next year!!! regards