2018 Cleveland National Report - Sneak Peak, Round 2 and Round 3 is LIVE

[rhettyeakley]

Originally Posted by calvindog

I was there from 10-7 yesterday. The Cleveland floor/food/spacing is significantly better than Chicago and Baltimore Nationals. While the IX Center is not attached to the airport or any hotel, it's five mins away and not a problem to get back and forth. I'd pick Cleveland ahead of the other cities just for the actual floor walking experience. The hotels are dumps but adequate if you're mostly there to see cards. Nearby restaurants are fine+ for dinner.

I didn't see much extraordinarily different material than what I'm used to from other Nationals but pretty much you can find something you want or need.

Just picked up a couple of items: a Seattle Pilots ashtray which I'm giddy about and this Hoss Radbourn Red Stockings Cigar card from Glen Mechanick who, year in and out, has the most interesting cards/material on the floor and is a pleasure to speak to and deal with (a pearl before swine in the dealer pool).

Spent some time with Brian Dwyer of REA who is a serious, hard-working dude. Head and shoulders ahead of what you'd expect from an auction house owner these days, Joe T and Dan McKee who are always great to see, and Deplorable Dewolf who took me out for some great dinners. I'm looking forward to next year in Chicago.

Jeff sorry I missed you at the show. If you were coming back stop by 2255.

[bbcard1]

I picked the all star game over the national this year and have no regrets. I have heard the prices being asked are...shall we say...looking to achieve a new watermark. Did you find that?

[kailes2872]

Originally Posted by bbcard1

I picked the all star game over the national this year and have no regrets. I have heard the prices being asked are...shall we say...looking to achieve a new watermark. Did you find that?

Todd,
The observation that I made on pricing was that it was about 2 grades off of VCP. for example, a PSA 4 Mantle would have the price of PSA 6 VCP. If you found it one grade off that was a nice starting point to get closer.

One guy had a booth with a big sign that says prices are firm. I don't care about your Ebay fees. Soooo... not a lot of camaraderie and negotiation going on at that table.

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by rhettyeakley

Jeff sorry I missed you at the show. If you were coming back stop by 2255.

Sorry I missed you as well. Next year for sure.

[rainier2004]

Spent two days the show, thought it was great. Looked like lots of people, seems like attendance has been on the rise and will continue that way.
My observations were:
1. More FB and BB than I remember, I don't collect either but thought it was more prevalent than I have ever seen.
2. Less "crap" and non-card displays. I remember beanie babies and all sorts of odds and ends being sold at the show, seems to be less of that. Also, I noticed less memorabilia and art being sold. This show seems to have piles of cards and photos.
3. Tons or 50s and 60s per norm.
4. I thought there were some good deals to be had and did p/u a couple cards that are far from rare but was happy with my buys.
5. Lots of excitement among collectors.

[KMayUSA6060]

Originally Posted by rainier2004

Spent two days the show, thought it was great. Looked like lots of people, seems like attendance has been on the rise and will continue that way.
My observations were:
1. More FB and BB than I remember, I don't collect either but thought it was more prevalent than I have ever seen.
2. Less "crap" and non-card displays. I remember beanie babies and all sorts of odds and ends being sold at the show, seems to be less of that. Also, I noticed less memorabilia and art being sold. This show seems to have piles of cards and photos.
3. Tons or 50s and 60s per norm.
4. I thought there were some good deals to be had and did p/u a couple cards that are far from rare but was happy with my buys.
5. Lots of excitement among collectors.

I agree with the above bold. I had a blast yesterday, and came away with a helluva haul of Pre-War. A couple of notes I would like to add regarding the show...

1. Few dealers are as professional, genuine, and pleasant to speak with than Chris Bland and Michael Piech. I was surprised to see them both in the same space, and really enjoyed my conversations with them. There are lots of great dealers out there, but few compare to those two, and many dealers would do well to be more genuine and engaging with their customers. Also, Just Collect was TERRIFIC as well!

2. I can't believe TriStar or whoever runs the show is charging $10 to park PER DAY. I'm very jaded by that money gouging scheme, especially since the car show (held at the IX Center around March) is free parking. That's $10 yesterday that didn't go to dealers, and $10 on Saturday (if I choose to go now) that won't go to dealers. Multiply that by the thousands of people that will attend, and that's a lot of money not going to the dealers. It is a bit of a turnoff.

3. I really, really like this event in Cleveland (it has nothing to do with me living 45-50 minutes away ). The layout is terrific, very easy to navigate, and well organized. The only suggestion I would have is better markings on dealers' booths for their booth number.

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by KMayUSA6060

The only suggestion I would have is better markings on dealers' booths for their booth number.

Agreed, this would help a lot.

[buymycards]

Originally Posted by KMayUSA6060

I agree with the above bold. I had a blast yesterday, and came away with a helluva haul of Pre-War. A couple of notes I would like to add regarding the show...



2. I can't believe TriStar or whoever runs the show is charging $10 to park PER DAY. I'm very jaded by that money gouging scheme, especially since the car show (held at the IX Center around March) is free parking. That's $10 yesterday that didn't go to dealers, and $10 on Saturday (if I choose to go now) that won't go to dealers. Multiply that by the thousands of people that will attend, and that's a lot of money not going to the dealers. It is a bit of a turnoff.

If I remember correctly, parking at the Donald Stephens Center at the Chicago National was $20 per day.

I regret missing the National in Cleveland. I love going to the National, and my wife and I are already making plans to attend next years National in Chicago.

Rick

[KMayUSA6060]

Originally Posted by buymycards

If I remember correctly, parking at the Donald Stephens Center at the Chicago National was $20 per day.

I regret missing the National in Cleveland. I love going to the National, and my wife and I are already making plans to attend next years National in Chicago.

Rick

Does the Donald Stephens Center charge for every event?

[buymycards]

Originally Posted by KMayUSA6060

Does the Donald Stephens Center charge for every event?

I don't know. I have gone to card shows at that venue in the spring, in the fall, and at the National and they have always charged for parking. I'm guessing that they also charge for parking for antique shows, art shows, etc.

[whitehse]

Originally Posted by KMayUSA6060

Does the Donald Stephens Center charge for every event?

If you knew about the city of Rosemont you would know they are trying to find a way to charge for the air that you breathe. Yep....they charge for every event.

[Michael B]

Originally Posted by KMayUSA6060

Does the Donald Stephens Center charge for every event?

You do not need to park at the Stephens Center or at the parking garage across the street. The Rosemont subway station is about 1/3 mile north of the convention center on the same street. It is just north of Rte 190. Parking there was $7.00 all day (up to 14 hours). If you are in reasonable shape it is a less than 10 minute walk. The trick to parking there is to make absolutely sure of your space number. I remember pre-paying at a kiosk and you entered your space number. A local told me to pay with a credit card so you would get a receipt to prove payment. They check the spaces during the day and tow for non-paying parkers. From the CTA website:


Rosemont
5801 N. River Rd. •$7.00 for 0 to 14 hours
•$9.00 for 14 to 18 hours
•$13.00 for 18 to 24 hours
•Each additional 24 hours (or fraction thereof) $13.00
•Lost ticket: $39.00
750

[CurtisFlood]

Originally Posted by KMayUSA6060

Does the Donald Stephens Center charge for every event?

That parking venue is a cash cow for the owner. They just keep raising prices, I'll not miss them when I retire. They charge for every event I have attended, which includes the March and November Fanatics Shows and an occasional summer show.

[Promethius88]

Originally Posted by buymycards

If I remember correctly, parking at the Donald Stephens Center at the Chicago National was $20 per day.

I regret missing the National in Cleveland. I love going to the National, and my wife and I are already making plans to attend next years National in Chicago.

Rick

I haven't been to a National in years and all the pictures and posts have got me excited about next year. Started looking at hotels already and hoping that the Hyatt across the street has free parking. Don't mind spending a little extra for the convenience if I get free parking!

[KMayUSA6060]

Originally Posted by buymycards

I don't know. I have gone to card shows at that venue in the spring, in the fall, and at the National and they have always charged for parking. I'm guessing that they also charge for parking for antique shows, art shows, etc.

Wouldn't surprise me. I just don't like that the IX Center doesn't charge for the car show, yet the National is $10 parking + ticket prices. No need to money gouge.

Originally Posted by Promethius88

I haven't been to a National in years and all the pictures and posts have got me excited about next year. Started looking at hotels already and hoping that the Hyatt across the street has free parking. Don't mind spending a little extra for the convenience if I get free parking!

I stayed at that Hyatt Regency for a conference in April. Gorgeous hotel. 70"+ flat screen in my room. Haha.