White Plains "East Coast National"

[skelly]

I went on Friday and felt the show was OK, but to bill it as the East Coast National might be a little much. I really didn't feel it was better than the same show that they run in Jan, March, May, etc. The solution might be just to have this as a two day show, 9-5 and charge the dealers a little less for the tables. I did hear some chatter from a couple of the vendors that the four day set-up was just brutal and that it might be a "no" for next year.

In General, I'm surprised this show doesn't do better. New York has passionate sports fans, and there are some very wealthy people in the NY & NJ / Connecticut area. Your talking about a show that has an affluent population of well over a million people within an hour drive of the show.

Finally in response to a previous post, I am starting to notice a few "museums" now that I have been to 3-4 White Plains shows in the past couple of years.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by skelly

I went on Friday and felt the show was OK, but to bill it as the East Coast National might be a little much. I really didn't feel it was better than the same show that they run in Jan, March, May, etc. The solution might be just to have this as a two day show, 9-5 and charge the dealers a little less for the tables. I did hear some chatter from a couple of the vendors that the four day set-up was just brutal and that it might be a "no" for next year.

In General, I'm surprised this show doesn't do better. New York has passionate sports fans, and there are some very wealthy people in the NY & NJ / Connecticut area. Your talking about a show that has an affluent population of well over a million people

Finally in response to a previous post, I am starting to notice a few "museums" now that I have been to 3-4 White Plains shows in the past couple of years.

If you want to see a real museum, go to the real National and look in my case that has some of my personal collection. The prices are so high they will give you altitude sickness. I succeeded in not selling even one of them. I did have about a 25 minute debate with one guy though. He couldn't understand my strategy. My strategy was to not sell any but to have a small show and tell of cards seldom encountered. I put prices on them after, in the first 3 hours, I had approximately 15 people ask me if they were for sale. The high priced stickers took care of anymore of those questions. (which was the sole purpose of said sticker prices)

As far as this original topic of the show being spoken of....never been to it. Since I have to pick and choose what shows to go to, as they are all a plane trip away, this probably won't be one.

[T206Collector]

I have often thought about setting up a table just to show my signed prewar cards.

[Rob D.]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

I have often thought about setting up a table just to show my signed prewar cards.

Awesome idea.

[packs]

I can see the good and bad in setting up to show your collection. Personally I'd like to buy some cards while I'm at a show.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by Leon

If you want to see a real museum, go to the real National and look in my case that has some of my personal collection. The prices are so high they will give you altitude sickness. I succeeded in not selling even one of them. I did have about a 25 minute debate with one guy though. He couldn't understand my strategy. My strategy was to not sell any but to have a small show and tell of cards seldom encountered. I put prices on them after, in the first 3 hours, I had approximately 15 people ask me if they were for sale. The high priced stickers took care of anymore of those questions. (which was the sole purpose of said sticker prices)

I had a very similar experience at a show here in L.A. once. I put out some items from my collection not to sell them but to show some tough type cards. Even labeled as such I kept getting the "how much" questions so I finally slapped some outrageous prices on them and ended the questions.

[Hankphenom]

May God bless the first promoter who has the sense to stop the three-day show nonsense. Those days are LONG over. They think they're getting more admissions from the third day, but the collectors who come on Sunday--those lonely few--will be there one of the other two days instead. What a sad waste of a day those Sundays have become. God had finished all his business by then, and so have we!

[olrac44]

It actually was a 4 day show.

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by olrac44

It actually was a 4 day show.

Why?

[CharleyBrown]

I went today - first WP show I've been to in over a year, and I have to say, I did have a good time. Spoke with Phil from Goldin auctions for a bit, and enjoyed hearing some stories from a few other dealers.

I never have much luck finding the cards I need/want at these shows (mostly because I'm down to the more obscure Jackie cards), so it was actually kind of refreshing to go to the show simply to look around and chat with fellow collectors.

Once I finish the Jackie collection, I plan to switch my focus to pre-war - so it was nice seeing all that is out there.

There was more people there today than I remember at any of the previous shows I've been to... I do agree though that they should make it a 2-day show.

[JasonL]

mostly because my sons (ages 10 and 7) started paying attention to what was in all the cases, instead of just running to the Pokemon cards.

One started a photo collection, and the other was thrilled to see all the Derek Jeter stuff. Neither one could believe how much an Albert Pujols signed ball was going for, but they both loved seeing the Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth cards that a few of the dealers had out...so did Dad!

Me, I settled for a $3 signed 1981 Topps card of Mike Easler....doesn't fit the collection, but he was one of my faves.

Many prices were silly, but I did notice more "discounted prices" signs on the 50-80s singles stuff than I used to see, so maybe things are getting more fun...?