Now that the dust has settled....observations regarding The 2018 Cleveland National

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Hot Springs Bathers

Leon are there other In and Out locations other than the one right on I-30 in Rockwall? I love them!

Here are 37 with about half being in the DFW area...It seems there is one on every corner in parts of the North DFW area where I frequently drive. There are 2 on 635 within a few miles of each other, One near Coit and one near Midway or Marsh....... I live near Allen and know of the one in Allen (been there 7 yrs now) and one in PLano not far from me too. Good cheap burgers, "make it animal style dry with extra pickles and make the fries crispy please."

http://www.in-n-out.com/locations/texas

Back to the original subject. It sounds like almost everyone who went had a great time. I think it's wonderful as it's great for the hobby. When I go I usually have a good time seeing old friends and cards I can't (or won't) afford. And every now and then I am able to find a nugget too.
That said, I sure hope the National finds a better way to accommodate more dealers in the future. So far the National number to call hasn't been answering their phone or voicemails for going on 2 weeks now. What other business does that and succeeds? It's a modern day miracle. I think of sheeple.....and I am one too .

.

[Johnny630]

LE K-9 Drugs/Weapons/Explosives. I always love to see uniformed law enforcement :-)

Most guys would never guess but there was plenty of law enforcement walking the floor dressed as ordinary guys. Many of us are collectors :-)

[Hot Springs Bathers]

We have limited Dallas shopping routes! I stay on Northwest Highway and Preston most of the time.

I also fondly remember both Arlington Nationals, very poorly run and really hot outside for people waiting in line but great fun. Security was not needed but EMT's had to attend to many people in line, it took forever to get inside.

[vthobby]

Originally Posted by Johnny630

LE K-9 Drugs/Weapons/Explosives. I always love to see uniformed law enforcement :-)

Most guys would never guess but there was plenty of law enforcement walking the floor dressed as ordinary guys. Many of us are collectors :-)

Amen brother,

I live within 1 mile of daily F-16 flyovers and while some in our community complain of the noise all the time, I for one just smile every time I hear or see them. I usually hear them first! The sound of freedom and security.

I brought my daughter to Taylor Swift in Foxboro and saw heavy police presence. It seemed strange I guess to some but I liked it. The more crowds, the more chance of trouble.

Peace, Mike

[Gnep31]

1st Timer

This was my first one and likely first of many. I spent the entire day on Sat at the show. I very quickly realized I needed more than just one day....rookie mistake....especially for a set builder searching boxes.

I was in heaven and my smile was ear to ear. I mostly focused on looking for hits to my vintage sets, but I also ripped a box of A&G with my wife. She happened to open all three packs with the GU....she was happy and I was happy.

This past weekend we were at the Nascar race in MI and she bought her first card ever! It was a Dual Materials 6/25 of her favorite driver (Larson). I think she might have the bug and might even let me go back...lol

Overall had a great time, will definitely go back and spend more time than just one day.

[Arazi4442]

My first time at The National as well. Sounds like I'm the only one, but I was just a tiny bit disappointed. Tons of tables, great to see a huge turnout but, personally, I wish there had been a touch more diversity. Loved all the big-4 cards, espically the number of rarities. I was hoping for some of the harder to find items from other sports.

Plenty of examples from 2015-2018 but only saw one Pele, two Ali RCs(saw both sell for good $) and nearly zip from others- soccer, boxing, tennis, racing, golf (a few 81 Donruss), etc. You pay for a table, you can put out whatever you like, but with 600+ tables, I thought there might be a little more variety.

That said, I'll probably be there next year in Chicago.

[david_l]

Originally Posted by Arazi4442

Tons of tables, great to see a huge turnout but, personally, I wish there had been a touch more diversity.

Just take a look around and it's pretty clear what a lot of the problem is. This thread (and much of this hobby) is far from inclusive and far from welcoming.

Last post in the thread..

David Lu$^ig

Originally Posted by Leon

All Lives Matter.

https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2016...l-lives-matter

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by Arazi4442

My first time at The National as well. Sounds like I'm the only one, but I was just a tiny bit disappointed. Tons of tables, great to see a huge turnout but, personally, I wish there had been a touch more diversity. Loved all the big-4 cards, espically the number of rarities. I was hoping for some of the harder to find items from other sports.

Plenty of examples from 2015-2018 but only saw one Pele, two Ali RCs(saw both sell for good $) and nearly zip from others- soccer, boxing, tennis, racing, golf (a few 81 Donruss), etc. You pay for a table, you can put out whatever you like, but with 600+ tables, I thought there might be a little more variety.

That said, I'll probably be there next year in Chicago.

I had a showcase of only boxing, as did at least two other dealers. There was also one dealer who is 90% boxing. I expect i will be back at the show next year at the LOTG booth with more boxing.

[Rich Klein]

At the hotel I was staying in, there were either 2-3 boxing collectors I met at the breakfast served at said hotel.

[Arazi4442]

Hey Adam, guess I missed your table. Maybe I was a little punchy after 3 days of wandering. If I'm in Chicago next year, I'll definitely look you up at LOTG.

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

I had a showcase of only boxing, as did at least two other dealers. There was also one dealer who is 90% boxing. I expect i will be back at the show next year at the LOTG booth with more boxing.

[Johnny630]

Originally Posted by vtgmsc

Amen brother,

I live within 1 mile of daily F-16 flyovers and while some in our community complain of the noise all the time, I for one just smile every time I hear or see them. I usually hear them first! The sound of freedom and security.

I brought my daughter to Taylor Swift in Foxboro and saw heavy police presence. It seemed strange I guess to some but I liked it. The more crowds, the more chance of trouble.

Peace, Mike

Yes Sir! Love It :-)

[wazoo]

Originally Posted by vtgmsc

Amen brother,

I live within 1 mile of daily F-16 flyovers and while some in our community complain of the noise all the time, I for one just smile every time I hear or see them. I usually hear them first! The sound of freedom and security.

I brought my daughter to Taylor Swift in Foxboro and saw heavy police presence. It seemed strange I guess to some but I liked it. The more crowds, the more chance of trouble.

Peace, Mike

Being that I’m up your way too — all I can say is time to base the F35s

[Rich Klein]

Originally Posted by Leon

Here are 37 with about half being in the DFW area...It seems there is one on every corner in parts of the North DFW area where I frequently drive. There are 2 on 635 within a few miles of each other, One near Coit and one near Midway or Marsh....... I live near Allen and know of the one in Allen (been there 7 yrs now) and one in PLano not far from me too. Good cheap burgers, "make it animal style dry with extra pickles and make the fries crispy please."

http://www.in-n-out.com/locations/texas

Back to the original subject. It sounds like almost everyone who went had a great time. I think it's wonderful as it's great for the hobby. When I go I usually have a good time seeing old friends and cards I can't (or won't) afford. And every now and then I am able to find a nugget too.
That said, I sure hope the National finds a better way to accommodate more dealers in the future. So far the National number to call hasn't been answering their phone or voicemails for going on 2 weeks now. What other business does that and succeeds? It's a modern day miracle. I think of sheeple.....and I am one too .

.

I think the In and Out Burger place Leon is referring to is the one by the show I run at the Comfort Inn (subtle plug) -- there is also one about 10 minutes north on Central.

As for the 2019 National Tables they are already SOLD OUT with a growing wait list for next year. The odds are steep to get a table but always possible

Rich

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by Leon

Here are 37 with about half being in the DFW area...It seems there is one on every corner in parts of the North DFW area where I frequently drive. There are 2 on 635 within a few miles of each other, One near Coit and one near Midway or Marsh....... I live near Allen and know of the one in Allen (been there 7 yrs now) and one in PLano not far from me too. Good cheap burgers, "make it animal style dry with extra pickles and make the fries crispy please."

http://www.in-n-out.com/locations/texas

Back to the original subject. It sounds like almost everyone who went had a great time. I think it's wonderful as it's great for the hobby. When I go I usually have a good time seeing old friends and cards I can't (or won't) afford. And every now and then I am able to find a nugget too.
That said, I sure hope the National finds a better way to accommodate more dealers in the future. So far the National number to call hasn't been answering their phone or voicemails for going on 2 weeks now. What other business does that and succeeds? It's a modern day miracle. I think of sheeple.....and I am one too .

.

try it mustard fried with chopped chilis. your mouth will thank you.

[bensie]

I always want to attend, but with the cost of travel I always decide to stay home and use that money to buy one or two nice cards online instead.

[jefferyepayne]

I go every year. The reality now is that you can find more items online (and usually at a better price) than you can at any card show, including the National. You used to hear that you would see things at the National that you'd never seen before. While this is still a possibility, it doesn't happen as much now with all of the online auctions out there.

However you can't have a beer with long time friends online. You can't sit at the bar and talk to a former MLBer online. You can't sit next to a collector and trade cards online ... or put a face with a name (ID) ... or experience a show with your kids. There are so many reasons beyond cards to make the trek each year to the National. The National is our hobby's yearly convention. If you look at it as that, its a can't miss event even if you come home with nothing but memories.

jeff

[iowadoc77]

Originally Posted by jefferyepayne

I go every year. The reality now is that you can find more items online (and usually at a better price) than you can at any card show, including the National. You used to hear that you would see things at the National that you'd never seen before. While this is still a possibility, it doesn't happen as much now with all of the online auctions out there.

However you can't have a beer with long time friends online. You can't sit at the bar and talk to a former MLBer online. You can't sit next to a collector and trade cards online ... or put a face with a name (ID) ... or experience a show with your kids. There are so many reasons beyond cards to make the trek each year to the National. The National is our hobby's yearly convention. If you look at it as that, its a can't miss event even if you come home with nothing but memories.

jeff

So well said Jeff. I agree 100%. Catching up with old friends and making new ones and experiencing all of it with my son was absolutely priceless. Showing him what I collect and why and digging through boxes to find what he collects and introducing him to my friends in the hobby. Awesome stuff.
One highlight was finding his first prewar baseball card as he is a new and shiny football card collector. A PSA 4 Hughie Jennings T206 both arms pose that is nearly perfectly centered and very very nice for the grade at a very fair price.
That card now resides right in the middle of his display case in his room. And he is pumped about it. Sharing that moment with him is something I will truly never forget.
I love this hobby. I love the relationships that have been made. I love the convention. I try to go into it with expectancy instead of expectation. I don’t expect to find some amazing deal but it’s cool if I do. I don’t expect to find exactly what I am looking for but it’s cool if I do. I don’t expect everything to go a certain way. I go with the hope of having a great time for the right reasons and it always seems to happen. And sometimes I even bring home great stuff purchased from great people.
Eric

[swarmee]

This guy wasn't enthused about his experience with SGC:
https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1230794

Oh, and on that topic, SGC changed their labels for the Pristine graded cards to be abbreviated as PRI instead of PR, which some were confusing with PR for Poor.

So now we have the following grades at the three major TPGs:
BCCG 10: Mint or Better (most people value this as an 8 or 8.5)
BGS/BVG/PSA/SGC 9: Mint
SGC 9.5: Mint+ *newly invented grade: 97 / 9.25?*
BGS/BVG 9.5, SGC 10 (old 98) Black Label, and PSA 10: Gem Mint
BGS 10 Pristine comes in Black Label for all 10 subgrades or Gold Label for one 9.5 subgrade.
SGC Pristine Gold Label (no number, old 100)

[Spike]

As a low grade and type collector, Nationals provide more stuff to sift though than other shows, even if walking on all that concrete takes a lasting toll. This year, I found an above-average amount of lower-grade material and saw it at tables earlier in the week than other years. That gets a thumbs-up from me. (Based on reports so far, that didn't mean people were having bad weeks and not selling anything, as I've heard as a "sign" at some other Nationals.)

Prices for the bigger names felt 20-25% higher than you'd pay online, despite a high number of dealers showing big-name cards and arguably competing against each other. My one significant buy, a low-grade Sports Kings Cobb, cost $240 from a dealer who didn't have a great table location, which might've helped me in that deal. I came ready to buy a similar condition Sport Kings Ruth and didn't find many to choose from, so left without that hit.

I appreciated that you can retreat to carpeted promoter areas and rested my legs several times near eBay's booth. Cleveland's layout is OK, since you can see almost everything in straight lines. It does seem beholden to big booths needing to use the aircraft doors for load-in and load-out. As a visitor, I'd like to see Topps, Panini, and so forth as a side-to-side presence in the middle of the show surrounding the ferris wheel. Having them end-to-end along one edge feels like two shows that happen to be in one building.