Poll and thoughts on attending the National

[Jewish-collector]

The National is one of the great experiences in this hobby. This will be my 6th consecutive National and 8th overall. You will have a fantastic time, even if you don't buy that much. Baltimore is a wonderful city and there are plenty of activities to do in the evenings after the show each day. Plus, the Net54 dinner is the highlight of the weekend !!!

[Piratedogcardshows]

Im going and look forward to knocking off a couple much needed cards in the process.It will be my first so ill be the guy looking around lost.

[mark evans]

I would go. I can't think of any cards I 'need' and can afford, but expect to have a wonderful time nevertheless just perusing stuff and shooting the sh*t with other collectors. The Net54 dinner is a must if you can make it.

[theuclakid]

This will be my 26th national setting up or attending......I cannot emphasize how great an experience it is especially for a true collector....you will see just about everything, in all conditions and prices....what is really important, if you are a card collector, graded or ungraded, is that you can view the cards in person...there is no substitute.....seeing customers and dealer friends (for some just this once a year) is irreplaceable....you can "stay home" the rest of the year and deal through the extremely boring and monotonous Internet, and pay the very high catalog auction surcharges....and as some one said, it is very true that there are quality sellers who just setup and sell at the national and rarely if at all online or elsewhere, and that the best material is saved for this show....I cant wait to get to their tables! It is important to try to enter the show on Wednesday....if you go, have a great time...Bruce Perry

[whitehse]

I have lost count but I have been to 10 or 12 nationals going back to the first one in Chicago a few decades ago. It is an experience that is fun and even shall I say, exciting to go to especially if you have never been to one before. You will see faces that you can put with names and see stuff you will never be able to afford. I know at a few nationals I was able to hold and examine a T206 Wagner which I know I never would have been able to do outside of the show.

The last national I spent only 75 bucks on cards I needed for sets but I still enjoyed looking at all the tables and marveling at the merchandise that was set up. The display that had Dr. J's memorabilia and other such displays allowed access to "stuff" you would never see outside of any major sport's hall of fame. I have always said it is like one giant sports collectors hall of fame under one roof. I no longer come loaded with a huge cash roll to get great deals because, to be honest, you really have to work to get a great deal. But if there is one card you are searching for and cannot find, the national is the place to find it.

You wont regret going!