The National --Saturday or Sunday

[HerbieMoran]

Hi all,

I've never been to The National, but was thinking of going this year. I'm close enough to make it a day trip. Not sure if I should do Saturday or Sunday. Not looking to go on a spending spree, but wouldn't mind picking up a couple vintage additions. Autographs are not a factor. I do want to see the spectacle it is. Some assumptions I've made:

--Saturday is the busiest day
--Sunday may be "bargain" day, with dealers maybe cutting some prices, especially if sales are down. "Bargain" being subjective of course.
--Dealers packing up and leaving Sunday before close.

What are the pros/cons of each day? Just looking for opinions from The National old hands.

Thanks in advance.
-Ray

[jethrod3]

Originally Posted by HerbieMoran

What are the pros/cons of each day? Just looking for opinions from The National old hands.

With the vintage market the way it is, it might be difficult to predict that there would be significant discounting on Sunday. And the selection will be more limited. I tend to like Fridays and Saturdays. I like the hustle and bustle around the corporate booths and other activities that might be going on during the day, along with the people-watching!

[Foo3112]

You should attend on Saturday. Busier but you'll get the full experience. Sunday can be depressing with dealers leaving earlier (although SOME may give slightly better prices) but you would be missing out on cards that you were looking for because of those dealers splitting early.

[Snapolit1]

Lot of folks starting packing on Sunday. Can be empty tables which sucks.

[Steve_NY]

Go on Saturday -- Some dealers will have packed up on late Saturday and come in early to move out. But that is the minority practice. I start packing my display by 3 P.M. or so on Sunday but keep the display partially intact until 5 P.M. I consider it my responsibility to stay open until 5 P. M. on Sunday. Some dealers are not as considerate.

[hcv123]

This is anything but a typical weekend card show - and it is HUGE - give yourself the maximum amount of time to see what you can in a day by going on Saturday.

[Rich Klein]

With the conditions you are asking about, Saturday is the only choice.

The front part of the room, where many vintage dealers reside, has in the past few years been a sea of partially occupied tables on Sunday. One reason is by Sunday, frankly most people just want to start home as in many cases they have been there since Monday and the old days of being able to just be there Thursday-Sunday as it was back then is no longer possible.

Something which has slipped under the radar so far is beginning next year the new promoters are going to try to enforce a rule that dealers can't really start packing up until 3 PM on Sunday. If that rule does take effect and stays, then your choice is more balanced but for this year, it's Saturday.

Rich

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Too much has sold by even Saturday. If your schedule permits, attend on the earliest possible day you can. The sooner, the better.

[Johnny630]

I would bet most higher end graded vintage cards will not be sold there will be a lot of inflated numbers, based off auction numbers of which many I do not believe are true values on said cards. The graded is not selling, many paid way to much. Collectors will be showing comps dealers will be showing comps both will say I don't go buy PWCC or Heritage's numbers. The Raw vintage cards specifically lower grade vintage will be bought, sold, and traded in abundance. High end vintage will be on display by the Major Auction Houses, most of the good stuff goes to them for sale or vaults. The is just the way it is in 2023.