Poll and thoughts on attending the National

[markf31]

I have never been to a National so I'm debating making the trip to Baltimore for this year’s edition, it’s a manageable 5 hour drive for me. But I also think about how I could easily take the few hundred dollars I would outlay for the trip and invest that in at-home purchases for my collection. Life is filled with such difficult decisions sometimes.

[Leon]

At the end of it all, life is about experiences. If you are a passionate collector you should try to make the National at least once.

[Ronnie73]

I've never been to the National either and was thinking about going mostly for the experience of it. I'm 5 hours, 6 minutes away according to my Droid GPS lol coming from the Hartford, CT area. I hear its alot of walking and I just got a new health problem to add to the many others I already have. Gout in the feet, so if I can get that under control before the show, I might go but I do understand your thoughts about staying home and spending the saved money on an internet purchase.

[chaddurbin]

go if u want to meet people, don't if you actually want to buy cards.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by chaddurbin

go if u want to meet people, don't if you actually want to buy cards.

This will be my 11th National. I have bought cards for resale AND for my collection at every one of them. My glass is half full though.

[Tony Gordon]

There's nothing better than the National in my book. If I could get the time off work, I'd drive in from Chicago.

[Jaybird]

I love card shows. Big, small, bad, good. It's about talking to people, making the occasional deal, finding a rare card. Not everyone lists cards on the interweb.

For me, if I find one card at a show, I'm happy. It was worth the entrance. Also, because I like to talk about cards (that's why we're here, right) and a face to face interaction is nice. It's card-dork central. And if you're a card dork, how can you not go?

[g_vezina_c55]

i am too far away from the nats so make the travel to go to the nats is too expensive, i prefer stay at home and invest in my collection.

if i was like you, at 5 hours of car from the nats, it is sure at 100000% i will be at the nats !

But i am in canada, so it is toooo many fee to go to the nats for me.

[Exhibitman]

This will be my 9th consecutive and 11th overall National. Well worth the trip just to hang out with the other card-geeks. And if you collect oddball and esoteric issues it can be a very helpful experience. I've picked up some real gems at the National over the years. Got these two last year:



2010:



2008:

[ibuysportsephemera]

I am in NY, so it is not too far. I have never been to a National so I might like to attend. One of the main reasons I would attend would be to participate in the Net54 dinner...what night would that be? I only do sports related ephemera (publications, photos, etc.), not cards, autographs or equipment, would there be enough to see and do for 2 days? I would usually spend about 4 to 6 hours at the East Coast shows in Westchester. Thanks in advance for any advice/input.

Jeff

[edhans]

go if u want to meet people, don't if you actually want to buy cards.

It is a great place to buy cards. Not every dealer is overpriced.

[chaddurbin]

most deals are scooped up by other dealers before the door is open to the public on thursday. if you have a dealer friend with a pass for wednesday that might help. that's been my experience at 4 nat'l, ymmv.

[Exhibitman]

Depends on what you collect. I make some great deals on Wednesdays that's for sure, but I've also found tremendous items throughout the rest of the week. The key is to keep circulating and digging. Sunday has been a waste of time, though, so much so that I've taken to going home on Saturday the last few trips.

[markf31]

Originally Posted by edhans

It is a great place to buy cards. Not every dealer is overpriced.

For me the threat of overpriced cards is not a deterrent for me regardless. It can't be any worse than sitting at home scrolling through all the ridiculously over-priced BINs on Ebay. Least you can try to negotiate face to face at the show.

[calvindog]

The cards are ridiculously overpriced and sometimes you won't see a single interesting card you want to buy. That being said, sometimes you do. It's worth it to go to one and Baltimore is a great venue, much better than Chicago.

[ullmandds]

I agree with most that has been said...I went last year in chicago...worth the trip just for the net54 dinner...although I didn't buy any cards...I DID get some graded...and Baltimore is worth the trip just to party in fells point or federal hill or any of the seafood markets...great city for a nat'l!!!!

Oops...I almost forgot camden yards, the babe ruth museum...and much more!!!!

[4815162342]

Originally Posted by calvindog

The cards are ridiculously overpriced and sometimes you won't see a single interesting card you want to buy. That being said, sometimes you do. It's worth it to go to one and Baltimore is a great venue, much better than Chicago.

This will be my 3rd consecutive National. I thought Chicago was better! But, it doesn't matter where it's held; it's all about the cards ... and the Net54 dinner.

[esd10]

i wish i lived closer to baltimore but it would be a long trip from pataskala ohio. i will go one of these day so until then i will keep going to vets memorial till i can and i know once i go to nationals i will keep going back to find that hidden gem i've been looking for.

[kmac32]

Been to national 3 times. Loved it every time.

[Howe’s Hunter]

and wouldn't mind going again. Thinking maybe the next time it is in Chicago. Don't know that I would find much of what I collect now, but back in '94 or '95 when I went, I was just impressed at how much stuff there was, who was there (dealers I had only heard of in SCD and VCBN) and even got to hold an encapsulated Honus Wagner that had a price equal to the value of my house at the time.
The Network 54 dinner would make it worth it all, in my opinion. I'd like to meet some of you guys.

[boysblue]

I live in Canada and the distance will not deter me from attending my 6th National this summer. I missed the last one in Baltimore due to a family holiday, but barring the unforseen I will be there this time 'round. Have never made the net54dinner before....perhaps this time.

[Gradedcardman]

I agree with Leon. I have had great fortune to buy for my collection and for re-sale. Again, half-full glass here as well.

[CharleyBrown]

You guys have convinced me to make my first trip this year. Is VIP worth it to get in 30 mins early on Wednesday?

[Andy Sandler]

I have been to just about every National since the first one in Los Angeles in 1980. I have had tables for Teletrade and I have gone as a collector. If there is any way you can go, GO! It is not to be missed! You can buy for your collection, buy for resale, and meet everyone you have dealt with over the internet and phone.
P.S. I keep the National Sports Collectors Convention Program each year but I still need a few. Does anyone have any?
Thanks, Andy Sandler alwysyakn@aol.com

[yanks4]

This will be my ninth....the days go by fast wear good shoes.. stay for at least a couple of days.....If you are addicted to this board you gotta go..just go you won't be sorry ...Baltimore is great you can walk to everything as everything is close to the convention center ...to bad the O's aren't at home..No Boog Powell sausage....fly if you can you won't need a car....Connections you make make the trip.....Hotels are close...net54 dinner is a great place to meet folks...Leon does a nice job.... Dealers are there to sell....most will work with you some won't... plenty will.. ask questions....be polite... fanny pack or back pack are helpful