OT: Who is going to the National:

[slipk1068]

I was planning on attending. Then I got to thinking about the cost. I estimate it will cost me at least 1.5k in travel and lodging expense so I could walk around and look at over-priced cards. I can stay home, keep that money, and have it to spend on a fairly priced card which I can purchase from the comfort of my living room.

The downside is it is always fun to talk cards with folks and look at some really cool items. Just not sure that is worth the cost. Anyone want to try to convince me I am wrong and should attend?

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by slipk1068

I was planning on attending. Then I got to thinking about the cost. I estimate it will cost me at least 1.5k in travel and lodging expense so I could walk around and look at over-priced cards. I can stay home, keep that money, and have it to spend on a fairly priced card which I can purchase from the comfort of my living room.

The downside is it is always fun to talk cards with folks and look at some really cool items. Just not sure that is worth the cost. Anyone want to try to convince me I am wrong and should attend?

You are going to the wrong tables, staying in the wrong hotels, and shopping at the wrong websites for airplane tickets. Either that or you are using the wrong spreadsheet software to calculate costs.

[Donscards]

I will be at the National set up near the Ferris Wheel---I have 8 showcases of graded cards---Mayo's--Ginters-10 Ty Cobb cards---1930's-Loaded with Hall of Famers---I am breaking up at 1952 Topps set with a psa 5 Mantle--all the stars are graded from 6 to 8---Plenty of 50's breaking a 58 set with psa 8 Yellow letters---Plus other stars etc.---My cost for a plane was $460 round trip--hotel is expensive since I am staying at the Sheriaton close by but u can find hotels for $50 3 miles away----I will be setting up tuesday---This is always a great time for all the good reasons. Don

[toppcat]

Not me this year unfortunately. Next year I hope (we have to work around a two week vacation trip)!

[Jaybird]

Originally Posted by Runscott

You are going to the wrong tables, staying in the wrong hotels, and shopping at the wrong websites for airplane tickets. Either that or you are using the wrong spreadsheet software to calculate costs.

Nice assessment. I will add that I wouldn't ever convince someone to do something that they already figured out they didn't want to do. No win situation there.

I go because I always find something interesting and have a ton of fun seeing friends and meeting new ones.

[Exhibitman]

Not looking good for me right now. I hurt my ankle earlier this year and put off an MRI and possible surgery in the hope I could rehab it, but I was on vacation last week and after a few days of moderate city walking it blew up and is still agonizing. I will get it MRI'd and find out what's exactly happening but the MD suspects a shredded tendon that will need to be repaired. So, unless we find some sort of interim solution there is no way to do the show--after a few hours of roaming the floor the first day I'd be toast.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Not looking good for me right now. I hurt my ankle earlier this year and put off an MRI and possible surgery in the hope I could rehab it, but I was on vacation last week and after a few days of moderate city walking it blew up and is still agonizing. I will get it MRI'd and find out what's exactly happening but the MD suspects a shredded tendon that will need to be repaired. So, unless we find some sort of interim solution there is no way to do the show--after a few hours of roaming the floor the first day I'd be toast.

2nd opinion sought out, slightly different diagnosis and treatment, so I am cautiously optimistic that I will be able to make the trip, albeit in a leg brace. I won't make the final call until a week or two before the show. Then it's lots of Advil and ice packs...

The only bright spot in this is that I qualify for a temporary handicapped parking permit. That is a huge deal in Los Angeles, especially if I go to the beach, a concert or the ballgame, or virtually any restaurant of note. Plus, I get to pre-board the flight to Cleveland. Sweet!

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

2nd opinion sought out, slightly different diagnosis and treatment, so I am cautiously optimistic that I will be able to make the trip, albeit in a leg brace. I won't make the final call until a week or two before the show. Then it's lots of Advil and ice packs...

The only bright spot in this is that I qualify for a temporary handicapped parking permit. That is a huge deal in Los Angeles, especially if I go to the beach, a concert or the ballgame, or virtually any restaurant of note. Plus, I get to pre-board the flight to Cleveland. Sweet!

Hope you can make it, Adam. There are enough dealers you know that you can have a rest every several feet if you need to. You have an open invitation to sit behind our table and rest as long as you want to. Going to the National for me is more about seeing old friends than it is picking anything up or selling anything. I do that all of the time online. I know I am in the small minority but I love hanging out and talking cards and stuff more than anything else...

[edhans]

Originally Posted by Leon

Hope you can make it, Adam. There are enough dealers you know that you can have a rest every several feet if you need to. You have an open invitation to sit behind our table and rest as long as you want to. Going to the National for me is more about seeing old friends than it is picking anything up or selling anything. I do that all of the time online. I know I am in the small minority but I love hanging out and talking cards and stuff more than anything else...

+1 We'll always have an extra chair at our booth for you, Adam.

[GehrigFan]

Haven't heard from my boss but I believe I will be attending. I sure hope so. Only missed one since 1997. Great to see old friends and the museum quality items at the booths.

[uffda51]

Not this year. Two reasons. 1. Cleveland 2. Cleveland. Plan to be in Chicago next year . . .

[Donscards]

Originally Posted by uffda51

Not this year. Two reasons. 1. Cleveland 2. Cleveland. Plan to be in Chicago next year . . .

I guess you dont like Cleveland !---I cant wait---Love the National

[brightair]

One thing I will miss is the net54 dinner!

[bcornell]

Originally Posted by uffda51

Not this year. Two reasons. 1. Cleveland 2. Cleveland. Plan to be in Chicago next year . . .

Not attending this year, breaking an 11-year streak. As Leon always says "I don't care where it is", but a 4th trip to Cleveland exceeded my lifetime's quota.

Buck up, Adam. Next year, Silverman can push your wheelchair.

[E93]

I'm not sure if I will make it this year due to health issues. It will be my first miss in a number of years. I look forward to making it next year.
JimB

[HRBAKER]

No go for me this year. My daughter is getting married and my attendance (and checkbook) is required.

[tbob]

Originally Posted by uffda51

Not this year. Two reasons. 1. Cleveland 2. Cleveland. Plan to be in Chicago next year . . .

+1

[Runscott]

Lots of reasons to go anyway:

• Indians are in town all 5 days
• All of the hotels have bars
• We will be in the bars
• Re-vamped area next to the burning river is really cool
• The dealers will all be there, so apparently there will be less competition from fellow collectors
• Board members who you have never met will be there
• There will be at least 6 people there who represent 5 forum grudges, so you can either see happy new friendships or old guys punching each other
• free autographs from sports figures you have never heard of

(edited to add 5th grudge I had forgotten about)

[jcmtiger]

Originally Posted by slipk1068

I was planning on attending. Then I got to thinking about the cost. I estimate it will cost me at least 1.5k in travel and lodging expense so I could walk around and look at over-priced cards. I can stay home, keep that money, and have it to spend on a fairly priced card which I can purchase from the comfort of my living room.

The downside is it is always fun to talk cards with folks and look at some really cool items. Just not sure that is worth the cost. Anyone want to try to convince me I am wrong and should attend?

You must be traveling from the West Coast for those costs. Attended Cleveland about 10 years ago, was not impressed. might show up.

Joe

[mark evans]

I doubt it. I haven't bought much at recent shows, as I already have all the cards that I want and can also afford. Still fun to walk the floor and socialize but hard to justify the trip. May make the Atlantic City show.