First Time Going to National Convention (Prices better or Worse than eBay)?

[swarmee]

I'm worried if he goes that his head will explode.

[Sean1125]

Originally Posted by swarmee

I'm worried if he goes that his head will explode.

I've definitely set a record with fastest ignore list add today.

[cardsnstuff]

I went to the one in AC and had a blast. I saw the trimmed Wagner, held a Ruth bat, got interviewed by Topps. My kids participated in breaks, got a bunch of free stuff and were going crazy searching/buying out the .10 boxes by the boatload. Agree, some are there to sell and recover their expenses, others are to showcase their inventory. All in all, great time and well worth the admission, especially if your collector. Hopefully, I'll be there too. I heard the net54 dinner was really cool and maybe I'll be able to make it to one. Good Luck, temper your expectations and you will be very surprised.

{Leon, If I can't post other boards feel free to delete this line and everything below}

Below is a really good thread/topic on the blowout boards. Posted every year from April thru August. It contains a lot of info, dealer stories, etc and is a really good read/look through.

https://www.blowoutforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=104

[that T206 Guy]

Originally Posted by swarmee

i'm worried if he goes that his head will explode.

lol

[that T206 Guy]

I sure Hope this is Not Like a Coin Show.

Which it sounds like

For those of you that don't know EVERYTHING is marked Up at Coin Shows.

And Everyone but Me Asks for a Deal.

I Hate the Deal Thing because I don't want to look like a Cheapskate.

At a Coin Show Half the Dealers Assume you Will Ask for a Deal Regardless if you ask or not so I Pick Some Coins and I Get a Discount Without Even Asking.

But Other Dealers just Take your money if you don't ask which I can't stand because I Don't Ask for Deals.

Just List What you want and stick to it.

It is Not Fair to Those of Us that Don't Beg for Deals.

We are Willing to Pay your Price and Don't Pester You but then You Rip Us Off.

Is that How This Show Will be (Like a Coin Show)?

[ValKehl]

Originally Posted by that T206 Guy

I sure Hope this is Not Like a Coin Show.

Which it sounds like

For those of you that don't know EVERYTHING is marked Up at Coin Shows.

And Everyone but Me Asks for a Deal.

I Hate the Deal Thing because I don't want to look like a Cheapskate.

At a Coin Show Half the Dealers Assume you Will Ask for a Deal Regardless if you ask or not so I Pick Some Coins and I Get a Discount Without Even Asking.

But Other Dealers just Take your money if you don't ask which I can't stand because I Don't Ask for Deals.

Just List What you want and stick to it.

It is Not Fair to Those of Us that Don't Beg for Deals.

We are Willing to Pay your Price and Don't Pester You but then You Rip Us Off.

Is that How This Show Will be (Like a Coin Show)?

No guts, no glory!!

[Rich Klein]

Originally Posted by that T206 Guy

I sure Hope this is Not Like a Coin Show.

Which it sounds like

For those of you that don't know EVERYTHING is marked Up at Coin Shows.

And Everyone but Me Asks for a Deal.

I Hate the Deal Thing because I don't want to look like a Cheapskate.

At a Coin Show Half the Dealers Assume you Will Ask for a Deal Regardless if you ask or not so I Pick Some Coins and I Get a Discount Without Even Asking.

But Other Dealers just Take your money if you don't ask which I can't stand because I Don't Ask for Deals.

Just List What you want and stick to it.

It is Not Fair to Those of Us that Don't Beg for Deals.

We are Willing to Pay your Price and Don't Pester You but then You Rip Us Off.

Is that How This Show Will be (Like a Coin Show)?

Locally; I usually give a better deal to those that don't say anything. The ones that are more aggressive end up not buying much from me. But that's just me.

[bobbyw8469]

I have never been, but the only reason I would remotely think about going is to get auto's. I am 100% sure the prices can not compete with Ebay/Auction Houses even with a 20% BP.

[glynparson]

There will be overpriced cards and there will be bargains. As is usually the case blanket statements are usually wrong. Simple math and common sense should tell you that with the sheer number of cards and dealers in the room there will be some cards underpriced and some cards overpriced. it is up to you to decide what you wish to buy and what you are willing to pay. To the op you should be able to find material you are looking for in the price range in which you are looking for it. Finding older PSA holders will not be easy but not impossible either. Its rather tough to find T206 in the older holders because many have been relabeled to get the back designations, which they didn't do back in the day. Good luck and have fun, to all who are going, see you there.

[ValKehl]

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

I have never been, but the only reason I would remotely think about going is to get auto's. I am 100% sure the prices can not compete with Ebay/Auction Houses even with a 20% BP.

Robert, I'm amazed that you can be 100% sure about something you've never experienced!

A number of the dealers at the National also sell on eBay. I've noticed that some of them have their cards priced at the show the same as their eBay BIN prices. Since they won't be paying eBay commissions, I have found most of them to be receptive to reducing their show prices to reflect this, when asked politely.

[bounce]

Originally Posted by ValKehl

Robert, I'm amazed that you can be 100% sure about something you've never experienced!

A number of the dealers at the National also sell on eBay. I've noticed that some of them have their cards priced at the show the same as their eBay BIN prices. Since they won't be paying eBay commissions, I have found most of them to be receptive to reducing their show prices to reflect this, when asked politely.

+1

In the last three years of going to the National, for the cards I ended up buying I only paid the original asking price one time.

Every other time, I was able to get involved in a conversation with a friendly person, we did some price comparisons to eBay and VCP and got to a number we were both happy with.

It's not begging, it's just the way the game is usually played.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by ValKehl

Robert, I'm amazed that you can be 100% sure about something you've never experienced!

A number of the dealers at the National also sell on eBay. I've noticed that some of them have their cards priced at the show the same as their eBay BIN prices. Since they won't be paying eBay commissions, I have found most of them to be receptive to reducing their show prices to reflect this, when asked politely.

I know what you say is true Val, but it always amazes me. My total overhead on an ebay sales is roughly 15%. My total overhead on a show sale is MUCH higher. I have to cover the cost of, Gas, Hotel, Table Rent, Meals and other incidentals. Even at my best show ever that totaled a LOT more than 15%.