Best dealers at the National

Aquarian Sports Cards · #1 06-30-2024, 08:24 AM

Efficiency is the enemy of experience. I think I just made that up.

brianp-beme · #2 06-30-2024, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Efficiency is the enemy of experience. I think I just made that up.

Good one. You should change your auction house name from "The Collector Connection" to "Experience Over Efficiency".

But then again, perhaps this name change would give off the wrong impression.

Brian (keep your experience close, and your efficient enemies closer)

JasonB24 · #3 06-30-2024, 11:00 AM

Thanks everyone for all the advice! It's been great and most of the names have been added to my list. I have about 40 booths on my list, I think I am most excited about networking. I should apologize, I wasn't necessarily looking for a "hack" I should've said "favorite dealers". Y'all are so knowledgeable I just didn't want to mss out on anything really cool (and possibly available). Keep the names coming and I'll add them, happy hunting!

Steve_NY · #4 06-30-2024, 11:27 AM

I would also argue that there are no shortcuts to finding exactly what you seek- you really need to think systematically and walk the show that way. It is very easy to get a list of target dealers but by just focusing on them you are doing yourself a disservice.

BTW I picked up a nice selection of US and Canadian It happened to a President wrappers and have completed many collectors checklists - stop by at booth 800 8 booths in the main entrance to see my large wrapper display.

Also I have added 1930s and 1940s unopened wax packs to my late 1940s through 1970 display of wax packs. I will have early hockey from 1933 and up, football from 1935 National Chicle and up, basketball from 1948 and up and a large display of baseball from 1933 and 1934 Goudey and up. Contact me now or stop by at the National. Also non sports from 1920s and up.

BTW I am not just a seller, I own all but two of every regular issue wax packs from every sport 1948 - 1970. Since I started collecting 1930s and 1940s wax packs last year, I estimate I own 75 to 85 percent of all sports packs that came out during those years - stop by to see what I have for sale or contact me beforehand.

Steve_NY

BillyCoxDodgers3B · #5 06-30-2024, 11:39 AM

Just do a walk-through of all the aisles. It's pretty easy to tell who will likely have what you seek. If you don't see exactly what you're after on display, just inquire with dealers where similar material is being offered. Use logic/common sense. Don't waste time asking for vintage at a mostly modern dealer, etc. It's pretty straightforward. (I guarantee you this will prompt at least one person from sharing their great vintage find at a modern dealer's booth. Happy for their success, but I prefer my own approach.)

I am not sure what the people are doing who say you need soooo much time for the show. Not really necessary, unless you're wanting to put in hours upon hours of going through monster boxes looking for commons, or standing in the autograph/TPA lines.

Personally, I'd rather be efficient to get myself out of the venue and area as quickly as possible (this goes for all National venues/areas I've ever been to). I never went in with any game plan mapped out. Could always wrap it all up in a few hours max. What I looked forward to the most about the National was leaving the National! Sayonara, sea of backpacks and B.O.! But my show days are long over. The excitement of shows died with childhood. Now, you'd really have to twist my arm with a great financial reward for attending any show.

Leon · #6 07-07-2024, 08:50 PM

+1
I prefer starting at one end and going to the other. The National has dealers you won't see other places...

I can usually walk by the tables fairly quickly and know if there is anything I am going to want.. The guys with all shiny don't have vintage behind their booths. A day or two of leisurely looking is all it takes for me, but I am not a dealer or flipper (for the most part).
.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillyCoxDodgers3B

Just do a walk-through of all the aisles. It's pretty easy to tell who will likely have what you seek. If you don't see exactly what you're after on display, just inquire with dealers where similar material is being offered. Use logic/common sense. Don't waste time asking for vintage at a mostly modern dealer, etc. It's pretty straightforward. (I guarantee you this will prompt at least one person from sharing their great vintage find at a modern dealer's booth. Happy for their success, but I prefer my own approach.)

I am not sure what the people are doing who say you need soooo much time for the show. Not really necessary, unless you're wanting to put in hours upon hours of going through monster boxes looking for commons, or standing in the autograph/TPA lines.

Personally, I'd rather be efficient to get myself out of the venue and area as quickly as possible (this goes for all National venues/areas I've ever been to). I never went in with any game plan mapped out. Could always wrap it all up in a few hours max. What I looked forward to the most about the National was leaving the National! Sayonara, sea of backpacks and B.O.! But my show days are long over. The excitement of shows died with childhood. Now, you'd really have to twist my arm with a great financial reward for attending any show.

bbsports · #7 06-30-2024, 11:49 AM

Best dealers at the National? That's a very vague question to ask. It all depends on what your looking for and if the dealer is willing to work out a sale with the buyer. I won't mention any names as that would unfair to the other dealers I don't know. My advise to the buyers is to walk around the entire room the first day since it's a huge show. If you see something you like at a particular booth, write their booth number down as your walking around, and then to return to that seller's booth to work out a sale.

JasonB24 · #8 06-30-2024, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve_NY

I would also argue that there are no shortcuts to finding exactly what you seek- you really need to think systematically and walk the show that way. It is very easy to get a list of target dealers but by just focusing on them you are doing yourself a disservice.

BTW I picked up a nice selection of US and Canadian It happened to a President wrappers and have completed many collectors checklists - stop by at booth 800 8 booths in the main entrance to see my large wrapper display.

Also I have added 1930s and 1940s unopened wax packs to my late 1940s through 1970 display of wax packs. I will have early hockey from 1933 and up, football from 1935 National Chicle and up, basketball from 1948 and up and a large display of baseball from 1933 and 1934 Goudey and up. Contact me now or stop by at the National. Also non sports from 1920s and up.

BTW I am not just a seller, I own all but two of every regular issue wax packs from every sport 1948 - 1970. Since I started collecting 1930s and 1940s wax packs last year, I estimate I own 75 to 85 percent of all sports packs that came out during those years - stop by to see what I have for sale or contact me beforehand.

Steve_NY

Thanks Steve, you were already on my list! I will definitely be stopping by. I wouldn't say I am focusing on the list, I will definitely be taking in all the bells and whistles the National has to offer. It's just a way to weed out all the modern/ultra modern/breaking stuff I have no interest in.

Republicaninmass · #9 06-30-2024, 01:07 PM

The overpriced ebay/fb museum coming in person next month! The "best" are the ones with great customer service and fair prices. 2nd tier Ones that don't know what they have. 3rd tier ones who set up late and didn't have other dealers grab the hot stuff to reprice before public viewing

Steve_NY · #10 06-30-2024, 04:43 PM

Here�s a true story that collectors should read and not ignore: I set up at all the early Gloria Rothstein shows in NY. At one particular show, the doors opened and three collector customers got to my table early and asked to see three tough Old Judge cards that I picked up that week butthe show just opened so they said that they will think about it. They came back to buy all three cards about 15 minutes later and there were already spaces in my showcase where they had been. They thought I was pulling their legs. But it�s probably been almost 40 years ago since this happened and it feels like yesterday. As I have told other collectors and dealers, if you have been looking for something for ages and you find one, don�t make that same mistake. The same thing happens all of the time. Don�t let this happen to you.

BillyCoxDodgers3B · #11 06-30-2024, 04:50 PM

^^^

And you can always upgrade.

In instances such as Steve's above, you can always make a quick flip, too, so just strike when the iron is hot and worry about the rest later (budget permitting, of course).

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