Going to my 1st National this year

[Steve_NY]

As a seller setting up a booth at the National, my comments are as follow:

-- if it is rare and you want to buy it at this show, consider either paying the price or open negotiations. I have seen it over and over again. Someone comes back in 15 to 20 minutes, and it's gone.

-- if it is not rare, shop around. Even if you don't buy it, you are likely to find another one. It may be at a higher price, but it can be found again.

If I find something at another booth, I always negotiate, especially if I want it and I know I'll never see another one in my lifetime.

Wear comfortable shoes. I bought ones that have that memory foam. They make your feet feel better all day.

Also, carry a small notebook to jot down booth numbers, what you saw there, and the price. That way, you can keep track of what you really want to buy.

Stop by and say hello. In most cases, I will give you a substantial savings on most items I have for sale. Where I will be more stubborn is with items I just picked up specifically for this National. I need to break even on those items before I start discounting them.

I am at booth 1110P six booths in the door.

Just enjoy yourself and have fun.

Steve Sabow

[calvindog]

I would suggest staying on site. The cost of a hotel room connected to the convention center is $153. After walking around all day it helps to be able to get back quickly to the room when you want -- it's a small luxury.

[brightair]

This will be my 5th or 6th National, 3rd in Chicago. I plan for each some time in advance.
Unlike other people, it takes me the whole week to see everything I want to see, and that includes avoiding all modern cards, all memorabilia booths, and all football/basketball/hockey booths.
Generally I start with a pre-made map of the room with all booths marked with dealers I know will have some stuff I like. I do a quick sweep of the room visiting just them first. I mark down other booths I see in passing that look promising, and visit those next. Finally I do a thorough sweep of the room visiting every booth with possible hits, even if I've been there already, as things can change.
I like talking with dealers but some are too pushy or reluctant to put prices on items - that puts me off.
This takes the whole week for me. I also have friends at the show and we call each other on our cells when we find a booth that is helpful for one of us. Very useful as it multiplies the eyes you have looking for your deals.
Comfortable shoes - excellent point - I would add, comfortable everything. I wear long pants and carry a light long sleeve shirt in case I get planted at a booth that happens to be right under the AC blower (it happens).
I carry a drink, and some snack like fruit because I don't want to take time for a meal and don't want to buy overpriced unhealthy food just because I am empty.
Magnifier, my glasses, a couple pens, lots of small bills, a few hard plastic sleeves and a small cardboard box to hold cards, my detailed up-to-date, easy-to-read wantlist, small flashlight (could be cell phone), belt bag, small light day pack, and sometimes I carry a very lightweight folding tripod golf seat for when I am planted at a booth for a couple hours and no chairs available (hurts my back to stand so long on cement).
I feel like I am prepping for a military campaign, but it is fun and works for me. I have a blast with my friends finding stuff, meet lots of people, see stuff I never imagined before, have high energy days and sleep well at night. By the end of the week I'm tired and feeling like I saw it all. Evening dinners (esp net54), maybe a ballgame and a swap session with friends, ends a memorable week.
Then I can't wait for next year, but I need a few weeks to rest up!

[Jewish-collector]

So, in the evenings after the show ends (besides the Net54 dinner), "Lollapalooza" is at Grant Park that week

[brass_rat]

The advice everybody else has given is awesome, and I'd like to add a few things:

1) The White Sox are in town for Friday through Sunday. Consider taking in a ballgame! (Maybe Saturday night or on Sunday afternoon.) Which leads me to number...

2) While Sunday can be good for making deals, it can also be a disappointment. Many dealers are packing up early in the morning, some don't even show up, and everybody is generally tired.

3) If you don't mind the commute, consider staying in downtown Chicago. The city has amazing restaurants, and they shouldn't be missed!

4) In addition to writing down the booths that you want to return to, mark of the floor map as you walk around. By crossing of booths you've been to, you won't accidentally miss an aisle, which is easy to do!

Have a great time!
Steve

[4815162342]

Originally Posted by brass_rat

The advice everybody else has given is awesome, and I'd like to add a few things:



1) Both the Cubs and White Sox are in town for Friday through Sunday. Consider taking in a ballgame! (Maybe Saturday night Cubs or either team on Sunday afternoon.) Which leads me to number...



2) While Sunday can be good for making deals, it can also be a disappointment. Many dealers are packing up early in the morning, some don't even show up, and everybody is generally tired.



3) If you don't mind the commute, consider staying in downtown Chicago. The city has amazing restaurants, and they shouldn't be missed!



4) In addition to writing down the booths that you want to return to, mark of the floor map as you walk around. By crossing of booths you've been to, you won't accidentally miss an aisle, which is easy to do!



Have a great time!

Steve

While the WS are in town, the Cubs unfortunately won't be.

[brass_rat]

Thank you for the correction.

Not sure why I decided to look at the first weekend in July instead of August. And now I remember why it was so easy for me to choose the White Sox on Sunday.

Cheers,
Steve

[Sean]

Originally Posted by 4815162342

While the WS are in town, the Cubs unfortunately won't be.

The Cubs do have a day game on Wednesday, for anyone who arrives early.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by brightair

This will be my 5th or 6th National, 3rd in Chicago. I plan for each some time in advance.
Unlike other people, it takes me the whole week to see everything I want to see, and that includes avoiding all modern cards, all memorabilia booths, and all football/basketball/hockey booths.
Generally I start with a pre-made map of the room with all booths marked with dealers I know will have some stuff I like. I do a quick sweep of the room visiting just them first. I mark down other booths I see in passing that look promising, and visit those next. Finally I do a thorough sweep of the room visiting every booth with possible hits, even if I've been there already, as things can change.
I like talking with dealers but some are too pushy or reluctant to put prices on items - that puts me off.
This takes the whole week for me. I also have friends at the show and we call each other on our cells when we find a booth that is helpful for one of us. Very useful as it multiplies the eyes you have looking for your deals.
Comfortable shoes - excellent point - I would add, comfortable everything. I wear long pants and carry a light long sleeve shirt in case I get planted at a booth that happens to be right under the AC blower (it happens).
I carry a drink, and some snack like fruit because I don't want to take time for a meal and don't want to buy overpriced unhealthy food just because I am empty.
Magnifier, my glasses, a couple pens, lots of small bills, a few hard plastic sleeves and a small cardboard box to hold cards, my detailed up-to-date, easy-to-read wantlist, small flashlight (could be cell phone), belt bag, small light day pack, and sometimes I carry a very lightweight folding tripod golf seat for when I am planted at a booth for a couple hours and no chairs available (hurts my back to stand so long on cement).
I feel like I am prepping for a military campaign, but it is fun and works for me. I have a blast with my friends finding stuff, meet lots of people, see stuff I never imagined before, have high energy days and sleep well at night. By the end of the week I'm tired and feeling like I saw it all. Evening dinners (esp net54), maybe a ballgame and a swap session with friends, ends a memorable week.
Then I can't wait for next year, but I need a few weeks to rest up!

What, no emergency first aid kit?

Do you have a pre-event training regimen?

[K-Nole]

Originally Posted by Steve_NY

As a seller setting up a booth at the National, my comments are as follow:

-- if it is rare and you want to buy it at this show, consider either paying the price or open negotiations. I have seen it over and over again. Someone comes back in 15 to 20 minutes, and it's gone.

-- if it is not rare, shop around. Even if you don't buy it, you are likely to find another one. It may be at a higher price, but it can be found again.

If I find something at another booth, I always negotiate, especially if I want it and I know I'll never see another one in my lifetime.

Wear comfortable shoes. I bought ones that have that memory foam. They make your feet feel better all day.

Also, carry a small notebook to jot down booth numbers, what you saw there, and the price. That way, you can keep track of what you really want to buy.

Stop by and say hello. In most cases, I will give you a substantial savings on most items I have for sale. Where I will be more stubborn is with items I just picked up specifically for this National. I need to break even on those items before I start discounting them.

I am at booth 1110P six booths in the door.

Just enjoy yourself and have fun.

Steve Sabow

Me and Zack will be sure to stop in and say hello.