Nationals is open for business…. Quick updates

[Deertick]

Originally Posted by Lucas00

Didn’t really take any pics unfortunately but I had to of this one.

Is that a grimace after the price, lol?

[babraham]

Originally Posted by mrreality68

Here are some more

Holy crap, you weren't kidding with those Jackson prices.
$55k for an E90-1...$12.5k for a W514 SGC A...$10k & $12.5k for National Game/Tom Barker. Ouch.

[Steve D]

Just one small request.....

If you're going to post pictures, please orient them correctly.

Too many pictures are posted sideways, and a few are even posted upside-down. Those of us who are using desktop computers will thank you.

Steve

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by Steve D

Just one small request.....

If you're going to post pictures, please orient them correctly.

Too many pictures are posted sideways, and a few are even posted upside-down. Those of us who are using desktop computers will thank you.

Steve

Sorry about that. I did it from my iPhone and they all showed as right side up.

[chadeast]

Thanks for the photos! I assume that those Ruth cards are priced with haggling in mind, because wow.

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by mrreality68

Sorry about that. I did it from my iPhone and they all showed as right side up.

Thanks for all the pics. Much appreciated. I've experienced that particular cell phone frustration many times as well.

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by chadeast

Thanks for the photos! I assume that those Ruth cards are priced with haggling in mind, because wow.

They were not or at least when I spoke to them that was the cash price

[brianp-beme]

Haggling is so demeaning...just pay the $16,500 for the SGC1.5 W519 Ruth and get moving along. I've got other customers, bud.

Brian

[puckpaul]

Originally Posted by mrreality68

Actually the Ruth selection is not big except the Goudey’s however the Ruth’s that are here are higher end and really nice eye appeal. But the prices on some are competitive and 1 vendor was so so over priced on Ruth and Jackson even above a “Nationals Markup”. I mean they wanted $55k for a rookie Joe Jackson PSA 1 and a 1921 exhibit Ruth $20k for an SGC 1.5 as an example and also a 1922 e121 American caramel Ruth holding ball a 1.5 for $33k

I hear you, i saw the same things. I have been at Nationals since 1991 (when i felt then that i missed the “good old days!”), but not for a few years. The new grading standards, particularly recent SGC (unless you have a connection and a stain), are so tough that 1’s and 2’s can be like old 4/5s, and 4’s can look like 7/8 to me. So never a better time to buy the card not the holder, but the change is massively confusing and pricing all over the place.

One MAJOR complaint is tables of graded cards with no prices….it’s very annoying to have to look through cards and try to find something you like and have no idea how a dealer’s pricing is. I only had one day and wanted to cruise because i was just looking for a few needs/wants, so I get that all i had to do was see a few to know if the dealer is realistic or not…

Anyway, for things i was looking for (vintage hockey, A Ruth exhibit 1922, a T3 i needed, and more early baseball), it was pretty limited.

The modern stuff was packed and all over, i bet it’s fun but i look at the tables and the glossy cards and i just dont know how to even know what I am looking at. Good luck to modern collectors!

[Lucas00]

Originally Posted by Deertick

Is that a grimace after the price, lol?

More so never seen a Venezuelan graded that high.

[Jstottlemire1]

Originally Posted by mrreality68

Here are some more

Great pics, you have alot of the same cards I took photos of at memory lane booth back at the Strongsville show of the Ruth’s. Incredible display of awesomeness!

[Pat R]

Originally Posted by chadeast

No first hand knowledge, but Blowout has a section just for the National in their forum. There are comments in that thread that parking is a major mess today. IIRC, one commenter decided to leave after driving around for an hour and try again tomorrow.

Originally Posted by Jewish-collector

At the 2016 National in AC, parking in the main convention center garage was plentiful and always available.

Originally Posted by chadeast

Full before 10 AM if you believe posts on the Blowout forum.

My wife and I were a couple of blocks away from the convention center a little after 10 am, just shy of the entrance to the parking garage there was a cop coming up to the vehicles telling everyone that the parking garage was full and it was closed. When I asked him where we could park he told me good luck it's every man for himself and added that it was a major mess because of a lack of preparation. We drove around looking for a place to park for at least another hour before I gave up and parked across town at the Golden Nugget.

Originally Posted by Oscar_Stanage

Thanks, the problem for me is that I am staying at the marina side of AC…. $15 for an Uber to the convention. Then a cab charged me $30 to get back, takin advantage of the mob scene …

If it was a city cab they're regulated to a maximum charge of $13 unless you're going to the airport which is $35.

After we parked at the Golden Nugget we asked about a getting a cab, the guy in the valet parking called one for us but he said he had been calling all morning and most of the time no one showed up or it was a long time before they did. After a minute or two a guy pulled up in a stretch limo and asked if we needed a ride, my wife told him we did need a ride to the convention center but we didn't want to pay for a limo to get there, he said he would take us there for $20 and after driving around for over an hour and seeing several people there still waiting for a cab it seemed like a bargain.

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by brianp-beme

Haggling is so demeaning...just pay the $16,500 for the SGC1.5 W519 Ruth and get moving along. I've got other customers, bud.

Brian

Some pie in the sky cray cray prices...but if you don't like it...find another!!!!

[JustinD]

Originally Posted by mrreality68

Here are some pictures

Now that would slow me down for a gander.

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by JustinD

Now that would slow me down for a gander.

can't get enough of this trio!!!! that Tex you just never see...and the fred photo is ok too.

I'd expect those two to be high 5 figures asking.

[x2drich2000]

Originally Posted by puckpaul

One MAJOR complaint is tables of graded cards with no prices….it’s very annoying to have to look through cards and try to find something you like and have no idea how a dealer’s pricing is. I only had one day and wanted to cruise because i was just looking for a few needs/wants, so I get that all i had to do was see a few to know if the dealer is realistic or not...

Definitely agree with this. Yesterday I was looking at a stack of cards and the dealer actually said to me they're not priced yet, come back tomorrow and I'll have prices on them.

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by x2drich2000

Definitely agree with this. Yesterday I was looking at a stack of cards and the dealer actually said to me they're not priced yet, come back tomorrow and I'll have prices on them.

no soup for you!

[oldjudge]

Aren't those Ruth's on an auction house table?

[mrreality68]

Some observations
1. The forum prep thread and what to do in Atlantic City thread was spot on
2. The convention center as a place is nice and location to the Casino’s for shows, entertainment, walk ability to convention was nice.
3. The convention center infrastructure not so good. From not enough parking, no easy alternatives, to no Wi-Fi or cellular service (saw many dealers and buyers doing deals outside the convention hall to get reception to transact.
4. Dealers were saying the convention center was trying to charge $350 for them to have Wi-Fi access for the 5 days
5. Cash is king need to bring more next time( not comfortable carrying a lot), checks were accepted by some with Id, and by others with References (luckily I had some that vouched for me). PayPal was the 2nd preferred method but not by all dealers and also depending on the reception issues mentioned above
6. eBay is making a big move trying to get into/expand in the hobby. Their “bags” were the Alonso bag for the VIP giveaways
7. The VIP lounge was functional but not necessarily useful. It was good to get fast access entry and avoid lines and good to sit and network with people when spending 8 plus hours in the place. The down side is the “lounge” had no real amenities for food and drink just a place to rest and separate bathroom from the non VIP. The downside it was at one end of convention in hall A so if you were at the far end of convention you had a long walk to get to the lounge
8. Great place to network, meet people from the forum( met many members including Pete C, Pete I, Darrell, Matt, Tony L and others. Great place to put names with faces from auction houses etc
9. Interesting watching kids and teens sitting on floors and in corners doing trades and show off what they got, traded for etc. next generation of collectors.
10. Interesting seeing the large number of people with suitcases of cards and cash(saw one guy casually take out over $200k to buy a mantle) and his suitcase looked stuffed with cash and cards.
11. The place was super packed with people
12. Football, hockey, basketball ball, and Pokémon cards all had huge presence this year.
13. Their was cards, stamps, memorabilia and so much more at every price point which means something for everyone.
14. The layout was ok and could have been better organized. It would have been nice for the masses if the place had as best possible organized by category ie all baseball in the same area or aisles, over by vintage a modern etc.
15. It would be nice if next to each vendor tables on the map or list it tells what their primary focus is. Just something to make it easier to find things.
-6. It took me approx 15 hours to hit everything and kind of get my bearings.
17. Making notes of items I saw, prices, location numbers and pictures were key so when I wanted to double back on things I knew where to go.
18. Need for control not to just buy the first thing you see because often I found the same item/card some other table at better prices or saw a more must have item/card at another table especially if working with a budget(and yes there were times I went back and the item was sold) but sticking to the plan left me with the funds to get what I really wanted that I would not have if in the first 2 rows I bought on impulse the items that caught my eye.
19. Key to have a good breakfast and then bring drinks or snacks do to long lines, limited food/drink options to both save time and money.
20. Time seems to go to fast. When I was 6 hours in on Thursday for example I thought it was only a couple of hours
21. When they want you out they push. The VIP lounge closed at 4 and they made announcements before hand and pushed you out. The convention closed at 6pm thru started announcements at 5pm and continued until you left by 6
22 getting out of the parking garage at 6pm plus looked like a night mare and no real help from police or convention center
23. Ubers and taxis where there but not enough for those that came out at same time(luckily the casinos were straight up the road and easy walk for many of us)

I am sure I missed something and hopefully the others can fill in the blanks

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

Aren't those Ruth's on an auction house table?

Depending which ones you are looking at some were from Memory Lane and they were from Joe’s personal collection and some were for sale most for his display so many of us could enjoy/drool

[CJinPA]

Originally Posted by x2drich2000

Definitely agree with this. Yesterday I was looking at a stack of cards and the dealer actually said to me they're not priced yet, come back tomorrow and I'll have prices on them.

Wait, WHAT?? I'm heading down tomorrow and I know I'm going to hate myself for doing it but #1, it's in my backyard, # I need a few more Dockman's to complete my set, and #3 I'm nostalgic.... I haven't been to a Nationals since I setup in '92 in Atlanta while in college!

I just hope nobody tells me to come back on Sunday - that's not happening.

[Leon]

Unless there is another National next to this one it is National, not plural. Thanks
.

[Lorewalker]

Originally Posted by Leon

Unless there is another National next to this one it is National, not plural. Thanks
.

I suppose it is possible those using the pluralized version might actually be at a game where the Washington Nationals are playing, no?

[CJinPA]

Originally Posted by Leon

Unless there is another National next to this one it is National, not plural. Thanks
.

Grammar Police alert! Thanks, Sergeant.

[CJinPA]

Originally Posted by Lorewalker

I suppose it is possible those using the pluralized version might actually be at a game where the Washington Nationals are playing, no?

....or typing really quickly before heading into a meeting.... I've been put on blast by the Sergeant - LOL.

Back to cards. I'll provide a report once I return over the weekend.

[Lorewalker]

Originally Posted by CJinPA

....or typing really quickly before heading into a meeting.... I've been put on blast by the Sergeant - LOL.

Why yes that is exactly it.

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by brianp-beme

Haggling is so demeaning...just pay the $16,500 for the SGC1.5 W519 Ruth and get moving along. I've got other customers, bud.
Brian

Haha! Must be nice to be in that position.

[Steve D]

Originally Posted by Leon

Unless there is another National next to this one it is National, not plural. Thanks
.

Kind of like the former member here, who liked to use "we" all the time, instead of "I".

Steve

[JollyElm]

I fixed the auto Ruths pic for you, if you wanna copy and paste it into your original post...

228214E9-1BB9-4EDE-877F-14752635E20F.jpg

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by Steve D

Kind of like the former member here, who liked to use "we" all the time, instead of "I".

Steve

We resent being referred to as a former member. We would be careful if we were you. The last time we were impugned in such a malicious fashion, we threatened Archive with legal action, and that has kept said bottom dweller quiet. Not a peep from that burger flipping miscreant since.

Brian (I before We, except after C)

[Seven]

Reporting in from my first day.

All I can say is wow. Got to the show a little bit later, around 11 AM, but had no trouble navigating. Prices are all over the place, booth to booth. I saw a 1953 Topps Mantle, that was slabbed an "a" that one dealer wanted $3000 for. On the flipside I saw another in an older GAI Slab for $1600. You definitely need to know what your looking for along with fair market value.

I was able to pick up some more low number 1952 Topps Commons, which I was happy about. Was also able to purchase a nice 1969 Topps Mantle, Yellow Letter, from Howard.

Used today as more of a scoping things out sort of day, with a couple of purchases. Definitely looking forward to tomorrow, when I get there bright and early!

[mrreality68]

Here are some photo’s from today

Sorry if any are sideways

[Leon]

Thanks for posting the pics, Jeff.
.

[Steve D]

Originally Posted by brianp-beme

We resent being referred to as a former member. We would be careful if we were you. The last time we were impugned in such a malicious fashion, we threatened Archive with legal action, and that has kept said bottom dweller quiet. Not a peep from that burger flipping miscreant since.

Brian (I before We, except after C)

Holy crap!

Thank you for that belly laugh you just gave me Brian!

I really needed that!

Steve

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by Leon

Thanks for posting the pics, Jeff.
.

Your welcome Leon.

Others have done it in the past it was my turn and my pleasure to do it this time.

I left The National Show today so no more photo’s

Thanks all and hopefully others can add to this thread more experiences and photos

[Peter_Spaeth]

I love the dude in the Pokémon shirt and backwards cap. The face of the new hobby!! Probably an internet billionaire.

[ALBB]

Yea, its the show of shows..no doubt...but the landscape is changing

[Bobbycee]

Cash is indeed king at this show. I was able to reduce the asking price by $2,500 with the lure of cash. Finally bagged my white whale: T206 Cobb Bat Off PSA 4.5

[Republicaninmass]

Everyone and their sister tried to open a grading company. I cant even pass by with straight face thinking of some silly phrase for their amazing acronym they stayed up all night thinking of.


Pwcc both was DEAD, but I got a good chuckle. There was an older dude, about 5'2 350 lbs wearing a "security" shirt standing guard over whatever or whoever he was supposed to. He looked like a beach ball with hands. Any riots and he'd crowd surf!

[Johnny630]

How’s the SGC Pre Grade Submission ︃︃L︃ine ?

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by brianp-beme

We resent being referred to as a former member. We would be careful if we were you. The last time we were impugned in such a malicious fashion, we threatened Archive with legal action, and that has kept said bottom dweller quiet. Not a peep from that burger flipping miscreant since.

Brian (I before We, except after C)

Needs a photo



And since they are dead they can't threaten to sue me.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Republicaninmass

Everyone and their sister tried to open a grading company. I cant even pass by with straight face thinking of some silly phrase for their amazing acronym they stayed up all night thinking of.


Pwcc both was DEAD, but I got a good chuckle. There was an older dude, about 5'2 350 lbs wearing a "security" shirt standing guard over whatever or whoever he was supposed to. He looked like a beach ball with hands. Any riots and he'd crowd surf!

LOL. you know if he tripped and fell on someone they are not getting away. Heck Rickson couldn't get out from under that dude.

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by Bobbycee

Cash is indeed king at this show. I was able to reduce the asking price by $2,500 with the lure of cash. Finally bagged my white whale: T206 Cobb Bat Off PSA 4.5

Congrats would love if you would post the picture here so we can enjoy it with you

[Republicaninmass]

Originally Posted by bnorth

LOL. you know if he tripped and fell on someone they are not getting away. Heck Rickson couldn't get out from under that dude.

If he was in WWE his finishing move could be " the steam roller"


Seriously, the "more security guards then patrons" act was sad to see. Though I'm sure a few people would like to take Brent for walk outside.

[x2drich2000]

Originally Posted by mrreality68

Some observations
1. The forum prep thread and what to do in Atlantic City thread was spot on
2. The convention center as a place is nice and location to the Casino’s for shows, entertainment, walk ability to convention was nice.
3. The convention center infrastructure not so good. From not enough parking, no easy alternatives, to no Wi-Fi or cellular service (saw many dealers and buyers doing deals outside the convention hall to get reception to transact.
4. Dealers were saying the convention center was trying to charge $350 for them to have Wi-Fi access for the 5 days
5. Cash is king need to bring more next time( not comfortable carrying a lot), checks were accepted by some with Id, and by others with References (luckily I had some that vouched for me). PayPal was the 2nd preferred method but not by all dealers and also depending on the reception issues mentioned above
6. eBay is making a big move trying to get into/expand in the hobby. Their “bags” were the Alonso bag for the VIP giveaways
7. The VIP lounge was functional but not necessarily useful. It was good to get fast access entry and avoid lines and good to sit and network with people when spending 8 plus hours in the place. The down side is the “lounge” had no real amenities for food and drink just a place to rest and separate bathroom from the non VIP. The downside it was at one end of convention in hall A so if you were at the far end of convention you had a long walk to get to the lounge
8. Great place to network, meet people from the forum( met many members including Pete C, Pete I, Darrell, Matt, Tony L and others. Great place to put names with faces from auction houses etc
9. Interesting watching kids and teens sitting on floors and in corners doing trades and show off what they got, traded for etc. next generation of collectors.
10. Interesting seeing the large number of people with suitcases of cards and cash(saw one guy casually take out over $200k to buy a mantle) and his suitcase looked stuffed with cash and cards.
11. The place was super packed with people
12. Football, hockey, basketball ball, and Pokémon cards all had huge presence this year.
13. Their was cards, stamps, memorabilia and so much more at every price point which means something for everyone.
14. The layout was ok and could have been better organized. It would have been nice for the masses if the place had as best possible organized by category ie all baseball in the same area or aisles, over by vintage a modern etc.
15. It would be nice if next to each vendor tables on the map or list it tells what their primary focus is. Just something to make it easier to find things.
-6. It took me approx 15 hours to hit everything and kind of get my bearings.
17. Making notes of items I saw, prices, location numbers and pictures were key so when I wanted to double back on things I knew where to go.
18. Need for control not to just buy the first thing you see because often I found the same item/card some other table at better prices or saw a more must have item/card at another table especially if working with a budget(and yes there were times I went back and the item was sold) but sticking to the plan left me with the funds to get what I really wanted that I would not have if in the first 2 rows I bought on impulse the items that caught my eye.
19. Key to have a good breakfast and then bring drinks or snacks do to long lines, limited food/drink options to both save time and money.
20. Time seems to go to fast. When I was 6 hours in on Thursday for example I thought it was only a couple of hours
21. When they want you out they push. The VIP lounge closed at 4 and they made announcements before hand and pushed you out. The convention closed at 6pm thru started announcements at 5pm and continued until you left by 6
22 getting out of the parking garage at 6pm plus looked like a night mare and no real help from police or convention center
23. Ubers and taxis where there but not enough for those that came out at same time(luckily the casinos were straight up the road and easy walk for many of us)

I am sure I missed something and hopefully the others can fill in the blanks

Jeff's assessment I think is pretty on target.

I saw a large group of mostly kids/teens trading between themselves between the Claridge and Bally's at like 10:30pm. The one thing I saw that really rubbed me was a 12-13 year old bought something for a few hundred dollars and he was just throwing the money toward the dealer one at a time in a big theatrical manner. I really hope this was just an isolated incident.
In the parents defense, he did make the kid gather the money up and hand it to the dealer afterwards. On the other end, I definitely saw a bunch of kids politely asking dealers if the bought stuff and the all dealers treated the kids very well even if they weren't interested.

The internet going out and the food service were definitely issues. Never had to wait for the restroom. The lack of trashcans though was definitely an issue. You can understand calling AC a dump when the food waste is literally piling up on the floor next to the overflowing trash can.

Walking to and from the boardwalk to the convention center wasn't an issue. Yesterday while walking to the show just before it opened I overheard a traffic cop telling people the garage was full. The traffic seemed like a nightmare. Definitely easier to park away and walk to the show rather than trying to park right at the convention center. I even managed to walk from the convention center to the boardwalk after 10pm without getting robbed, stabbed, run over, or sent to the hospital.

As for pickups, after 3 days, only got 1 item. And, big surprise, the dealer that told me to come back didn't have the cards in his case today.

[Schlesinj]

My first National, after attending a bunch of regional shows.

Walked right up to PSA today to submit my Andy Cooper/Biz Mackey auto. Long line for slabbing, but nice to see they had separate lines for different services.

Got to meet Ben W (Forever Young) and Graig K today after a texting Ben for a few years about photos. Was able to grab something on the way out to make it A+ day.

Spent most of my afternoon looking for photos and Cuban/Negro league cards and didn’t have much luck. I am sure I missed a few areas given the size of the show.

Made sure to set my eyes on that Mantle. It is certainly a sight to see.

IMG_4372.JPG

[AnkurJ]

Looks like a fun show! Wondering if it’s worth taking my son to meet some of the Sandlot actors who he loves. Are there any other kid related or kid friendly things there?

[Schlesinj]

My co-worker got Ham’s auto with his son. He got the ball inscribed with ‘You’re killing me Smalls”.

He said he could not be nicer, although he came later than scheduled. They had the same problem with Chipper Jones and unfortunately missed him.

I would say the big booths for Topps, Fananatics and Zero Cool seemed like places that kids would love. I know Zero Cool was releasing a Stranger Things set, that had a cool display.

Whatnot has a boardwalk theme with a few games (like one of those horses races where you roll balls to make the horses move.

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by Schlesinj

My co-worker got Ham’s auto with his son. He got the ball inscribed with ‘You’re killing me Smalls”.

He said he could not be nicer, although he came later than scheduled. They had the some problem with Chipper Jones and unfortunately missed him.

I would say the big booths for Topps, Fananatics and Zero Cool seemed like places that kids would love. I know Zeeo Cool was releasing a Stranger Things set, that had a cool display.

Whatnot has a boardwalk theme with a few games (like one of those horses races where you roll balls to make the horses move.

Agreed for the kids it is the autographs, the few games, the open of packs to find what is in them, there are the cards. There are no activities beyond the convention unless you take them to the boardwalk with the carnival and they have several arcades there also.

[Yoda]

Great reporting and photos, guys. I was encouraged by the many comments about young collectors with cash in their pockets at the show with their dads. Probably not vintage freaks like us but fresh collecting blood for the health of the hobby.
I was intrigued by the amount of trading being done when it had been consigned to the dumpster for years. I suppose trading might be easier, if you have the right stuff, than walking the aisles looking for a Jordon RC with 100K in your backpack. Make me nervous, for sure. Not sure how valuations are affected by these off-the-books transactions.
Having been a retail dealer for many years, I was appalled by the attitude displayed by so many of them from indifference to near hostility to sincere customers, who just might buy a card and help with the mortgage. Just because you have some nice cards doesn't make you a standup guy.