Will anyone be giving a blow-by-blow account from the National this year?

[brass_rat]

I've had a great time hanging out with collectors (net54 and non) thus far -- everyone is in great spirits. Wednesday and Thursday seemed a little slow, but it's sure to pick up with the big autograph names showing up for the weekend days. I'm not a (paying) autograph collector, so it doesn't make a difference to me.

The floor area is nice and wide open, although I wish booth numbers and dealer names were more prominently displayed...it helps for jotting down notes.

I've bought exactly one card thus far...for the most part, these are the highest prices I've seen at a National, but maybe it's just what I'm looking at. Several times I've seen cards I've wanted, but their sticker prices are literally 3x what the dealer paid for them either on ebay or a major auction house in the past 6 months. It's hard to start a negotiation when a real price is so much lower than the sticker. Then again, kudos to people that actually list prices on their cards?? Catch 22.

I've also noticed that PSA's line is literally an hour plus wait for the entire day...and SGC is a ghost town. Not a good sign for the state of competition.

One of the more interesting things I've seen is the dealer who had a stacked full case of 60's decade Mantles...all raw. He was happy that he had sold over 200 Mantles already, mostly to dealers. Doesn't seem to care that he's leaving money on the table...the collector that I was with explained that this dealer doesn't believe in grading. I'm sure the dealers buying those Mantles do though...

The Jumbo Wagner is on display...some people may think "seen one, seen em all", but I always enjoy seeing a Wagner...especially one so nice.

I'll write more tomorrow. Are there any particular details people would like reports about?

Cheers,
Steve

[Stonepony]

Interesting. Thanks Steve

[Jewish-collector]

The show seems to have less dealers than usual. And the crowd so far has been less, but I did notice more young kids there than at other nationals. I didn't see the SCP booth, but the other auction houses were represented, although Heritage is not able to put their name up at their booth for legal reasons. They are giving free appraisals at their very large booth.

Anyone at the national is welcome to join us for dinner on Friday, Aug 5th at Wingcraft Kitchen & Beer Bar. It's right across from the convention center. We will be there soon after the show ends at around 6:30 pm - 7 pm. Just ask for the Net54 collectors group if you don't see/know someone from Net54.

http://www.wingcraftac.com/

[4815162342]

Originally Posted by Jewish-collector

... Heritage is not able to put their name up at their booth for legal reasons. ...

Huh?

[gnaz01]

Originally Posted by 4815162342

Huh?

I was thinking the same thing

[Leon]

Originally Posted by 4815162342

Huh?

I was told of this Heritage situation some time ago. If Heritage brought stuff there were some legal hurdles I just don't remember the details. It might have been a taxation thing. *(and I realize they aren't selling at the show but it was something crazy)

[4815162342]

Originally Posted by Leon

I was told of this Heritage situation some time ago. If Heritage brought stuff there were some legal hurdles I just don't remember the details. It might have been a taxation thing. *(and I realize they aren't selling at the show but it was something crazy)

I guess I understand a possible tax problem. It's a shame though; they always brought great items to the National. Seeing the BSF E98s there was a highlight.

If they don't have any Heritage signage, and they don't bring stuff, what do they do at at their booth?

[Leon]

It's all about knowing when to play and having the right piles. Very straightforward, actually. (at around 2:12 there is some serious strategy going on.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09TSwVSl3ZM

Originally Posted by 4815162342

If they don't have any Heritage signage, and they don't bring stuff, what do they do at at their booth?

.

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by brass_rat

I've had a great time hanging out with collectors (net54 and non) thus far -- everyone is in great spirits. Wednesday and Thursday seemed a little slow, but it's sure to pick up with the big autograph names showing up for the weekend days. I'm not a (paying) autograph collector, so it doesn't make a difference to me.

The floor area is nice and wide open, although I wish booth numbers and dealer names were more prominently displayed...it helps for jotting down notes.

I've bought exactly one card thus far...for the most part, these are the highest prices I've seen at a National, but maybe it's just what I'm looking at. Several times I've seen cards I've wanted, but their sticker prices are literally 3x what the dealer paid for them either on ebay or a major auction house in the past 6 months. It's hard to start a negotiation when a real price is so much lower than the sticker. Then again, kudos to people that actually list prices on their cards?? Catch 22.

I've also noticed that PSA's line is literally an hour plus wait for the entire day...and SGC is a ghost town. Not a good sign for the state of competition.

One of the more interesting things I've seen is the dealer who had a stacked full case of 60's decade Mantles...all raw. He was happy that he had sold over 200 Mantles already, mostly to dealers. Doesn't seem to care that he's leaving money on the table...the collector that I was with explained that this dealer doesn't believe in grading. I'm sure the dealers buying those Mantles do though...

The Jumbo Wagner is on display...some people may think "seen one, seen em all", but I always enjoy seeing a Wagner...especially one so nice.

I'll write more tomorrow. Are there any particular details people would like reports about?

Cheers,
Steve

sounds similar to last year....i know last day the line was fast to PSA..like a 5-10 minute wait if people stay that long....


as far as prices of dealers..its about not having to wait for an auction to a buy a card if in fact the card is available...dealers have to buy cards so they cant sell them for what they paid for them obviously...will always be a markup...

[Tennis13]

Originally Posted by 1952boyntoncollector

sounds similar to last year....i know last day the line was fast to PSA..like a 5-10 minute wait if people stay that long....


as far as prices of dealers..its about not having to wait for an auction to a buy a card if in fact the card is available...dealers have to buy cards so they cant sell them for what they paid for them obviously...will always be a markup...

......in a bull market.

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by Tennis13

......in a bull market.

well as you probably know most of the dealers dont have to sell...they can wait for the next bull market if the market goes down...no reason to sell at a loss.....you can see listings on ebay for 10 years for example..

[ls7plus]

Originally Posted by brass_rat

One of the more interesting things I've seen is the dealer who had a stacked full case of 60's decade Mantles...all raw. He was happy that he had sold over 200 Mantles already, mostly to dealers. Doesn't seem to care that he's leaving money on the table...the collector that I was with explained that this dealer doesn't believe in grading. I'm sure the dealers buying those Mantles do though...



Cheers,
Steve

I'm personally more than a bit suspicious when a dealer has what appear to be NmMt or better valuable cards and they claim they don't believe in grading--caveat emptor, as a lot of danger lurks there. Hopefully the dealers buying knew what to look for in terms of edges and print dot patterns.

Thanks for the report, Steve,

Larry