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Is there usually a waitlist for tables at the National or do they more or less have a table for anyone willing to pay the fee?

It's almost impossible to get into as a dealer if you haven't already been doing it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillyCox3 (Post 2019850)

I've been to maybe half the Nationals in the last 10 years. Didn't make a single notable pickup; just a handful of cheaper items that I actually could have done without. Any sales I had could have been done outside of the National setting, so there's another strike against my ever returning.

The area of Cleveland surrounding the I-X isn't exactly a hopping place for things to do, so that won't be missed. It was a huge cut above going to Baltimore, with its weather just half a degree below hell. It was also wonderful to be able to drive right up and park at the I-X, both as a dealer and as someone walking in the front door. That will be sorely missed.

Prior to 10 years ago, I had my greatest National successes in Cleveland. After constant disappointments when the show was in other cities, I could always think positively about the next Cleveland National. That streak of success ended with the last colossally disappointing Cleveland show. After that, I decided I'm done with the convention altogether. How many years do I have to walk by the same dealers with the same inventories? And I'm paying for this privilege? It would be nice to see some new faces set up and maybe, just maybe, new material. Let me know when that happens; I gave up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards (Post 2019857)

It's almost impossible to get into as a dealer if you haven't already been doing it.

Hmmm....and what about demand? I know tables/booths are expensive, but anyone have any idea about how many would-be set-uppers there would be if there was availability? I know no one knows for sure, but is it a few...several...quite a few....a shit ton?

Varies by location, Conor, which is one reason to rotate the show across the whole USA. As I said above, one of the better things with the show when it moved around were the locals who turned up. There are definitely fewer card dealer tables offered than in the past. More corporate space and manufactured memorabilia/souvenir people.

As for what's at the show, yeah, definitely you will tend to see the same inventory from the more veteran dealers but there is also a ton of other stuff if you dig. I can only think of two shows (Chicago in 2008 and AC the last time) where I found nothing of note worth buying. Plus even the common stuff is available at such great volume and pricing that you can fill out mainstream sets and runs for a lot less than via eBay or otherwise. I know the last time out I ran across a big stack of cards from a vintage basketball set I was working and knocked off all but two of the cards I needed for a tiny fraction of what I would have paid online. It happens. And just so as not to keep anyone in suspense:

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...ize/img716.jpg

It was the 1971 Fleer Cocoa Puffs Harlem Globetrotters set, which I finished earlier this year.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exhibitman (Post 2019879)

................. I know the last time out I ran across a big stack of cards from a vintage basketball set I was working and knocked off all but two of the cards I needed for a tiny fraction of what I would have paid online. It happens. And just so as not to keep anyone in suspense:

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...ize/img716.jpg

It was the 1971 Fleer Cocoa Puffs Harlem Globetrotters set, which I finished earlier this year.

Those cards are super cool.

Adam: That's great, but how much did these cards end up running you when you figure in time, travel, lodging and food/drink? I'm thinking you'd have saved money by buying them online at higher prices. Don't worry, I understand that's not your only reason for going!

I think most people can relate to your example. I constantly find myself in need of multiple copies of rather cheap commons for autograph purposes. Online, the cost adds up due to markup and often having to pay S&H to several sellers in order to acquire what is needed. At the National, I can knock off most of these needs all at once for much less...until I factor in how much that trip cost me! Sadly, all I found at my last National were commons such as these. And that sort of thing is the least of what I'm hoping to find. When you're having a successful show in other regards like in the distant past, finding a bunch of commons was just a nice added convenience. If that's the highlight of a faraway show, I'm done.

I've been to a few Nationals and I've only found a few items that I may not have found elsewhere, and I'm sure that I vastly overpaid for them if you factor in travel and other expenses of going to the show. But I just like being around and seeing all of the stuff, even items I'm not remotely interested in buying, just because I think it's so cool. The Big Show experience is fun in and of itself.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillyCox3 (Post 2019945)

I don't think of it that way; the Natty trip is (was) my vacation. The cards are great but the evenings visiting with friends in the hotel bars are priceless.