Who's going to Chantilly?

[Bigdaddy]

Met my son (he lives in Bethesda) there on Saturday around 11:00 and we stayed until closing. The crowd on Saturday was bigger than any I'd seen before as we had to park at the Walmart. Didn't make any big purchases, but did add quite a few 196Xs Reds for my team collection and made progress on the 53T set I'm working. Lots and lots of new, shiny cards in flips and guys walking around with metal cases. But still enough pre and post war vintage to make it a good show.

I did drop off 17 cards at the SGC booth including a Koufax RC and a Nolan RC - fingers crossed on the return.

Lots of folks there just for autos as they had quite the football lineup present.

[UKCardGuy]

Originally Posted by Bigdaddy

Lots of folks there just for autos as they had quite the football lineup present.

Speaking of the autographs, the promoters had a loud PA system where they kept calling out announcements about the autos. "ViP ticket holders can now have their photo taken with Barry Sanders." "VIP and regular ticket holders can ger their photo taken with Barry Sanders." "Anyone wh wants their photo taken with Barry Sanders come forwardnow" and on and on it went. It was like living under an airport flypath. Near constant noise that made it hard to speak to people in the main show area. I love Barry Sanders but after the 15th announcement, they can just f*** off.

I spoke to a few dealers about it and it seemed like it llthe near constant PA announcements were universally hated but they were resigned to it as a part of life.

Does that happen at all large shows? It would be good for promoters to find a better way.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Yes every major show is like for the most part. Dealer's would love a solution but I can't come up with one.

[Huck]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Yes every major show is like for the most part. Dealer's would love a solution but I can't come up with one.

At the few Nationals I have attended, if you were not near the Tri-Star autograph area, nothing much was heard. Granted, the National is massive and has substantial crowd noise. Frankly, as one who collects autographs, I like a good PA system. I have attended a few shows were the PA system sounded like Charlie Brown's teacher. At Chantilly, I can walk the floor and not have to stand in the autograph area waiting for my number to be called. It is interesting that a collector with a ticket number in the 300's will wait at the autograph entrance for fear of missing out on the player.

I have heard this more than once - "Chantilly is an autograph show with the added bonus of dealers selling cards". Thoughts?

[parkplace33]

Originally Posted by Huck

At the few Nationals I have attended, if you were not near the Tri-Star autograph area, nothing much was heard. Granted, the National is massive and has substantial crowd noise. Frankly, as one who collects autographs, I like a good PA system. I have attended a few shows were the PA system sounded like Charlie Brown's teacher. At Chantilly, I can walk the floor and not have to stand in the autograph area waiting for my number to be called. It is interesting that a collector with a ticket number in the 300's will wait at the autograph entrance for fear of missing out on the player.

I have heard this more than once - "Chantilly is an autograph show with the added bonus of dealers selling cards". Thoughts?

I have heard this quite often. The main draw at this show is autographs.

[Huck]

Originally Posted by parkplace33

I have heard this quite often. The main draw at this show is autographs.

No doubt and much to my chagrin baseball guests are thin. Have a look see behind the curtain where the mail order and bulk sales get signed. The amount of material in the back is unbelievable. That is where the $$$ is made.

Did anyone take issue with the $20 entrance fee? Granted prices are up all over the board, but $20 to gain entrance to a card, err autograph show? Yeah, yeah, the pre-show price was $15, but still. Whew.

[parkplace33]

Originally Posted by Huck

No doubt and much to my chagrin baseball guests are thin. Have a look see behind the curtain where the mail order and bulk sales get signed. The amount of material in the back is unbelievable. That is where the $$$ is made.

Did anyone take issue with the $20 entrance fee? Granted prices are up all over the board, but $20 to gain entrance to a card, err autograph show? Yeah, yeah, the pre-show price was $15, but still. Whew.

If you think that is bad, take a look at dealer fees. Yikes!