The National in Baltimore

[pgellis]

I have never been to a National show before and since this year it is in Baltimore I have been thinking about attending for the first time. I was actually about to book a hotel room for the weekend the other night, but decided to "sleep on it".
My thoughts are that I will have to spend about $1000.00 for my wife and I to attend for the weekend. We would probably drive and stay 3 nights at a nice hotel, admission, tix to an Orioles game, food, etc.
I was wondering what other's experiences at the National are with regards to sale prices.
- Do you get any "bargains" at the National?
- Can you get some nice pre-war cards at book value or below?
- Or is everything over-priced?

I know that you will see many rarities in person, but is there value at the show?

The reason I am asking is that if I have to plunk down about $1K before I buy a single card, would it be better just to spend that $1K on a nice card in one of the current or upcoming big auctions? I know that the experience at the National goes beyond just finding bargains and buying cards, but I'm just wondering what others have experienced before at the show.

[scottglevy]

I haven't been to too many of them myself....but I've never been disappointed when attending one. All the best cards, biggest dealers, rarest examples and widest selection in one place at one time is found at the national.

But your question was 'is it worth it'. To which I reply, "Why are you going?"

If you're going with 5-10k in your pocket to just pick up some relatively common stuff (and not gain much else from the experience) and it's going to cost you a 1k just to get and stay there - I'd say 'no'. Save your cash for an auction or local show.

But.....if you're going to experience the hobby live and up front - not through some computer screen or catalog -- and you're open to talking with collectors and dealers and soaking in the atmosphere - I'd say 'yes, well worth it'.

Also, if you're a big fish with a 50k+ bankroll, you simply gotta go.

Regards,
Scott

[frankb22]

It might be difficult to justify from a value perspective on the cards
alone. In other words, I doubt you'll save on the cards at all, let alone
make up your expenses. The experience as a whole is where the value
is. You do get to see what everyone has available in a way that would be
tough to replicate online.

[timzcardz]

I can't comment on the pricing as this will be my first National as well, but with the economy the way it is, and the number of dealers in one place, I assume that like any other shows, there has to be some deals as well as inflated overprices.

And yes, $1000 just to go to a show would be a bit much, but not all that much for a vacation getaway.

I'm already into this for $1000 for a room for the week for my wife, son and I. Looking forward to getting there a few days before and unwind/relax for a few days doing touristy things around the inner harbor with the family, followed by a few days at the convention.

Throw in a ball game or two, some dining and spirits, and I think that it will be money well spent.

[pgellis]

DELETED - I'm just surprised that if you don't start a negative, attack thread or expose somebody for some shady practices, that nobody seems to care anymore on this board. I was just asking for some feedback. Not interesting enough to most people. I am not a big fish on this board, but I have been around long enough to see how much this board has changed in the past couple of years. Oh well, I guess I won't bother with Baltimore this year. I was hoping for some positive feedback on the National, but we know that it is easier to add negative thoughts/criticism than to add positive thoughts. Oh well............

[Leon]

I think you're right. There are a few people that seem to want to make more jokes and negativity than post in a constructive manner. The people above answered it fairly well though. Scott nailed it early on and there wasn't a lot else to say about it. If you are going there to have a good time, meet other collectors and then...maybe pick up a few cards, it's money well spent. If you are going there solely to purchase cards, then depending on your budget, with the $1000 expense in mind, it's probably not worth it. You can do the auctions and ebay and probably get far more cards. The real fun is meeting other collectors and hootin' and hollerin'. regards

[pgellis]

Thanks Leon. That's what I was looking for today. I wanted to make a decision soon about putting up $1K to visit Baltimore in August. I wanted to go there to "take it all in", but I also wanted to go there to buy some cards, and going there after spendin $1K to just spend the weekend there was not going to do it for me.....I wanted to purchase some cards too.......so I wanted to know if I could expect any bargains.

Again, Leon thank you for your response. I hate to see where this board has headed the past week or two. It seems that if you can't "slam" somebody, you don't bother to add a post and I simply was asking for some experience.

Thanks.

[Rob D.]

Phil,

My favorite pick-up of 2009 came at the National in Cleveland. The following is what I wrote in a "What was your favorite pick-up of the year" thread. It sums up my feeling about attending the National:

I think this one is my favorite not only because of the card itself but because I bought it in person at the National. No auction. No staying up until 3 a.m. to see if a bid holds up. No worrying about shilling and the like. No "great guys." There's something to be said about holding a card (or slab, in this case) in your hand, looking the seller in the eye and attempting to reach a deal.

[Kawika]

Originally Posted by pgellis

DELETED - I'm just surprised that if you don't start a negative, attack thread or expose somebody for some shady practices, that nobody seems to care anymore on this board. I was just asking for some feedback. Not interesting enough to most people. I am not a big fish on this board, but I have been around long enough to see how much this board has changed in the past couple of years. Oh well, I guess I won't bother with Baltimore this year. I was hoping for some positive feedback on the National, but we know that it is easier to add negative thoughts/criticism than to add positive thoughts. Oh well............

I must have missed something here, maybe a post was deleted, but I don't see where this thread went off the rails. Anyway, not much I can add to what others have already posted about the National being a great place to meet up with other collectors, see tons of beautiful cards and memorabilia, and generally soak up the rich atmosphere. Speaking specifically to your question of whether bargains are to be found, my experience, having attended two Nationals, is that much of what is there is overpriced although there are bargains to be had and you will have every opportunity to haggle. In addition you will see myriad stuff you never even knew existed and which you wouldn't be likely to run across elsewhere, particularly eBay. In Chicago I picked up a flock of esoteric items at prices I was cool with such as Player League cabinets from Terry Knouse, Billikens from Ryan Christoff and funky 1930's Japanese cards from Robert Klevens. I also was able to upgrade dozens of beaters from some of my '50's Topps sets at like a buck a card. If your main criteria for attending is whether you would perhaps be able to acquire something of more tangible value with your $1000 if you didn't go to Baltimore I can't offer assurance one way or the other. For me however, the five thousand bucks it's gonna take to get me and my wife from HonHI to Balto is a bargain on a priceless experience.

[sox1903wschamp]

Hi Phil,

Very valid questions. I went to a few Nationals in the 80's and then was able to make Cleveland in 07 and Chicago in 08.

As many posted above, it is a great opportunity to meet fellow collectors, see awesome stuff in person and just enjoy the atmosphere.

As for my experience, I loved working on upgrading my 50's and 60's sets and prices were resonable and selection was over the top with multiples to choose from of most cards which makes it more fun for a centering freak like me. I really enjoy spending hours going through boxes and pages of cards looking for cards that appeal to me. But that's me

I did find some pre-war cards that were priced reasonable but I think you have to really look to find these. Picked up a couple of T-204 Ramly's in Chicago that I was happy about. Most Pre war is priced above ebay auction's but heck, there has not been much on ebay lately.

I think you have to go if you have a passion for collecting and just take it all in and have fun. I will not be able to make Baltimore this year but will be back in action in Chicago in 2011. Hope to see you there.

[Danny Smith]

I really enjoy going to the national every year. If you are a fan of old baseball and old cards it is a a blast. Deals can definitely be had but there are also some out of whack prices. Its obviously going to cost some cash just to get there and if your budget is limited it will obviously put a dent in your buying power - but for me the cash I have to throw down just to get to the national every year is worth the experience and fun I have every year.

[Potomac Yank]

Originally Posted by pgellis

I have never been to a National show before and since this year it is in Baltimore I have been thinking about attending for the first time. I was actually about to book a hotel room for the weekend the other night, but decided to "sleep on it".
My thoughts are that I will have to spend about $1000.00 for my wife and I to attend for the weekend. We would probably drive and stay 3 nights at a nice hotel, admission, tix to an Orioles game, food, etc.
I was wondering what other's experiences at the National are with regards to sale prices.
- Do you get any "bargains" at the National?
- Can you get some nice pre-war cards at book value or below?
- Or is everything over-priced?

I know that you will see many rarities in person, but is there value at the show?

The reason I am asking is that if I have to plunk down about $1K before I buy a single card, would it be better just to spend that $1K on a nice card in one of the current or upcoming big auctions? I know that the experience at the National goes beyond just finding bargains and buying cards, but I'm just wondering what others have experienced before at the show.

*

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