Advice for "The National"

[Peter_Spaeth]

Preparation is vital. A low-fat diet, a B-complex vitamin, probiotics. Cardiovascular training is most important for the rigors you will be facing, but stretching and weights can be beneficial as well. And because it's ultimately a mental and spiritual challenge, daily yoga and meditation.

[Bosox Blair]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Preparation is vital. A low-fat diet, a B-complex vitamin, probiotics. Cardiovascular training is most important for the rigors you will be facing, but stretching and weights can be beneficial as well. And because it's ultimately a mental and spiritual challenge, daily yoga and meditation.

Now I understand why there were so many...ahem...healthy-looking gents at the National.

Leon will be arranging wheatgrass smoothies as the N54 dinner entree....

[oldjudge]

1. Don't build up your hopes if you are looking for scarce cards. There are 1000+ dealer tables but very few with great vintage stuff.

2. Unless you find something that you can't live without and are afraid that it will scooped up by someone else if you leave the table, make note of cards you like, walk the full show, and then decide what you will seriously pursue. The worst thing would be to use up your money early and then find a great card.

3. Negotiate, negotiate------------NEVER PAY WHAT THE DEALER IS ASKING

4. Consider the National as a social event where you may find some cards you need. If you go in with that attitude you will never be disappointed

[E93]

Joe and Peter,
You guys are f#%@ing hilarious.
JimB

[Leon]

Originally Posted by E93

Joe and Peter,
You guys are f#%@ing hilarious.
JimB

Sorry, but I sat here laughing and laughing on that one. The first one, Joe, nailed it....and Peter's follow up was well played too. Thanks everyone. That lightened it up a little.

As Jay said, go there with low to no expectations of finding something you want or need and you will leave happy. Most likely you will find a gem or two. I do have to admit, last year was my worst year ever for getting stuff for my collection. The first day I bought a $40 strip card with an almost perfect wet sheet transfer on it, from a board member,...and nothing for my collection the next 4-5 days. I got a few odds and ends for resale but it too was almost dry. Other years I have done much better. Maybe if I quit talking for long enough to look at tables it would help? It is a great social event though (to me and many others) and I have always thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Hankphenom]

Bring LOTS of money and plan to spend all of it.

[martyp]

The past two years PSA has allowed people to join they collector club or renew their membership at the show. The free grading which comes with paying for the membership could be used at the show for on site grading, It is not 2 hour, but normally next day or two. This can save a couple of bucks for show grading.

at least 95% of the dealers are completely set up Wednesday at open time. Over 80% are set up Sunday. It is hard for the dealers to leave early if they are there Sunday because they do not open the doors to leave until the show ending time. This does not stop them from spending the last 2-3 hours of the show packing up.