The National

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Brian,

I sincerely appreciate your comments. I don't plan on spending recklessly, but if/when I do see something that really rings my bell, I am willing to spend. If it is the right card in the right grade, I am sometimes willing to go a little above and beyond. This can be true for Ted Williams cards especially. I used to have several of Ted's cards, but I have been off on so many other tangents, that I now only have a couple. I am looking to get restarted on Ted, so to speak. For now, I would probably be content to pick up some of his Topps issues or a '48-49 Leaf. The Wilson's Franks and Red Man issues will eventually happen for me as well as his '54 Bowman. If by some chance I didn't find any Ted cards to my liking, I would be open to some of the '53 Bowman stars. I consider myself a mid grade guy. Cards in the 4-6.5 range that are well-centered, crease/wrinkle free,
and look a little undergraded are some of the best buys in the hobby. I have escaped the trap of being fixated on a number on a holder. I know what I am looking for. I will pay for a well centered 5.5 over a 7 with less than great centering any day. I plan on being at the National from Wednesday through mid-Friday afternoon. I wish it could be longer, but if there is something there for me I will find it during that time. It will be a blast seeing all the dealers and the inventory they have with them. I am not naive enough to expect any bargain basement deals, but I will be on the lookout for good values for the grade. Thanks again for the insight.

Robert

[Jewish-collector]

Here's a beginner's guide to the National:

My advice to first timers is to wear comfortable shoes, carry a large shoulder bag or a pack for your cash, want lists, top loads, plastic cases, and a small box for graded cards. Leave your coat/jacket/sweater in your car. it will be warm at the show. Bring a pen and a notebook to keep track of your purchases and to make a map of dealer booths so you can remember where you saw particular items. Don't pay the listed price for anything. Many times the dealers will offer you a discount before you ask for one. It doesn't hurt to ask for a larger discount that the one that they offer. If you are looking for specific items in specific grades, make a list of the prices that you are willing to pay. It is easy to overpay at the show. If you look hard enough you will find a few bargains, but it may take some time. Bring a small flashlight,a loupe, and a magnifying glass. Bring some $1 bills and $5 bills. It is surprising how many dealers don't have enough change.

When you see a card in a dealers showcase with no price, and you ask the dealer how much he wants for it, usually if he says, "hold on a minute, I'll look it up", you can count on the dealer asking for much more than it is worth. Generally he will be looking for suckers who are willing to overpay, or he really doesn't know how much it is worth and he is "fishing" to see what you will offer. It seems like some of the dealers don't like to acknowledge that you are looking at their cards, and that you may like to buy something from them. They are too busy eating, reading, or sorting their cards to look up and say "hi". It also seems that the dealers who do acknowledge you, talk to you, and ask you questions are the ones who are willing to be flexible on their prices. Some of the dealers are there to sell their cards and turn over their inventory, and some seem to bring the same overpriced crap to show after show.

You will have a blast at the show even if you don't buy that much. The variety and quality of the cards is amazing.

Looking forward to meeting you at the National !!!

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Some helpful nuggets there. I fully intend on note taking and mapping things out as I go so I don't get too turned around. It brings up a question I have had: I don't know exactly what I will end up buying so I don't know how much cash to take. I don't really carry cash, especially large amounts. Are credit cards readily accepted at the National?

[Exhibitman]

No.

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Are there ATMs at the Convention Center where a man could get cash when needed?

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Also, is Paypal an option? Or is cash expected? If so, I refer back to my ATM question: are they available on site?

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

I emailed the folks at the National this morning and inquired as to the availability of an ATM. I was told an ATM is available. I figured that would be the case, but my OCD had to know for sure. Only about another month! I feel like a little kid waiting for Christmas!

[almostdone]

Originally Posted by vintagebaseballcardguy

Also, is Paypal an option? Or is cash expected? If so, I refer back to my ATM question: are they available on site?

I have never been to the National but I do remember seeing this discussed. If I recall an ATM is available but the actual availability of large sums of cash within aren't always there. Imagine the quantities of cash being withdrawn over a few days time. This may have been one previous cities site so it may not be worth comparing to this years, but I could imagine how frustrating it would be to locate "the find" of your life, negotiating a deal, convincing the dealer to hold it while you withdraw cash only to find the machine doesn't have enough available funds.

Cash is also king when trying to negotiate a price at the tables. I would withdraw what your daily budget is before you get on site and have it on your person but like always be careful and aware of your surroundings. I could imagine that pick pockets love a place like the National were there are large sums of cash and people only focused on the tables they look at not at who is walking behind them.

Any differing opinions are welcome from first hand experiences?

Drew

[brian1961]

Originally Posted by vintagebaseballcardguy

Brian,

I sincerely appreciate your comments. I don't plan on spending recklessly, but if/when I do see something that really rings my bell, I am willing to spend. If it is the right card in the right grade, I am sometimes willing to go a little above and beyond. This can be true for Ted Williams cards especially. ..... I consider myself a mid grade guy. Cards in the 4-6.5 range that are well-centered, crease/wrinkle free, and look a little undergraded are some of the best buys in the hobby.

Robert

Robert, glad you found something to appreciate in my long discourse.

Sounds as if you enjoy and hunt for the same kind of condition vintage cards I do. I'm right there with ya, buddy; the cards you pursue are indeed the best buys in the hobby. Again, have a great National. The other guys are giving you good advice. Take care. ---Brian Powell

[ValKehl]

When I go to the National or other major show, my wallet with the amount of cash I typically carry ($50 or so) stays in my back pocket - all the extra cash I bring for the show goes in my front pocket.

However, I always bring far less cash than the amount I am willing to spend at the National because I am reluctant to carry very much cash. But, I always bring my checkbook, and my experience is that many dealers will accept my check - but then again, I've been to approx. 15 Nationals and countless major mid-Atlantic area shows over the years, and many dealers recognize me by now; and occasionally, a dealer at an adjacent table has vouched for me. If I run out of cash and a dealer is reluctant to accept my check, as a last resort, I invite the dealer to ship the card to me after my check clears (if the dealer asks me to, I'm willing to cover the shipping); this approach has never failed to work.
Val