So how was the National ?

Panama Mutiny (Formerly lawyer05)

let me know!!!!

CdnOsfan

It was my first and I really liked it. It was really well run and the IX Center is a great venue. A few things though....

• Some dealers don't seem to want to move their inventory and price sky-high and are not willing to budge much even late Saturday. I will pay more to see it in person and take it home with me but not 50% or so more.

-Hate having to ask for a price on almost everything. Hate it even more waiting for them to decide how much they want.

-Can't be bothered to dig through box after box that isn't even organized by sport.

-Man, I don't know what it costs to set up at the National, but if you are from out of town, I can't imagine how much product you have to move just to break even on all your expenses....It was busy Saturday but I thought it would be busier and once the autographs were winding down, the crowds really thinned out.

-It was SO AWESOME to go to a show that was DOMINATED by BASEBALL not 85% hockey like shows in Canada are!

-Would be nice if they did a reduced admission for wives/teens. My wife and 2 teen girls wanted to meet Brooks Robinson but I know after that was done they got bored quick. $80 ($19 plus $1 fee x4) for discounted online admission is a bit excessive. Would be nice if when they went and took a break that the WIFI AND cell reception did not suck so bad all over the building.

-PSA had a nice giveaway where you posed for a personal baseball card which they made and slabbed for you in about 5 minutes for FREE. No one else had any good freebies. COMC and Beckett staff did not seem very interested in being there.

-Dave and Adam's had great deals. Several autographed, authenticated OML baseballs CHEAP, bought an Adam Jones for $20.00 and a few 2018 Topps Big League Hobby boxes for $32 each (everyone else was ($35-$40).

-Bought a 1957 Topps Brooks Robinson RC signed and inscribed. The card is only graded a PSA 3.5 but displays well and the autograph is graded a PSA 10. I got this a fair bit cheaper than similar ones online.

-Glad to see a few Maryland dealers so I had a LOT of Orioles stuff available to buy!

-If you are asking several hundred or even thousands for a card, I am reluctant to buy it raw especially when you price it like it is graded already.

Panama Mutiny (Formerly lawyer05)

@CdnOsfan said:
It was my first and I really liked it. It was really well run and the IX Center is a great venue. A few things though....

• Some dealers don't seem to want to move their inventory and price sky-high and are not willing to budge much even late Saturday. I will pay more to see it in person and take it home with me but not 50% or so more.

-Hate having to ask for a price on almost everything. Hate it even more waiting for them to decide how much they want.

-Can't be bothered to dig through box after box that isn't even organized by sport.

-Man, I don't know what it costs to set up at the National, but if you are from out of town, I can't imagine how much product you have to move just to break even on all your expenses....It was busy Saturday but I thought it would be busier and once the autographs were winding down, the crowds really thinned out.

-It was SO AWESOME to go to a show that was DOMINATED by BASEBALL not 85% hockey like shows in Canada are!

-Would be nice if they did a reduced admission for wives/teens. My wife and 2 teen girls wanted to meet Brooks Robinson but I know after that was done they got bored quick. $80 ($19 plus $1 fee x4) for discounted online admission is a bit excessive. Would be nice if when they went and took a break that the WIFI AND cell reception did not suck so bad all over the building.

-PSA had a nice giveaway where you posed for a personal baseball card which they made and slabbed for you in about 5 minutes for FREE. No one else had any good freebies. COMC and Beckett staff did not seem very interested in being there.

-Dave and Adam's had great deals. Several autographed, authenticated OML baseballs CHEAP, bought an Adam Jones for $20.00 and a few 2018 Topps Big League Hobby boxes for $32 each (everyone else was ($35-$40).

-Bought a 1957 Topps Brooks Robinson RC signed and inscribed. The card is only graded a PSA 3.5 but displays well and the autograph is graded a PSA 10. I got this a fair bit cheaper than similar ones online.

-Glad to see a few Maryland dealers so I had a LOT of Orioles stuff available to buy!

-If you are asking several hundred or even thousands for a card, I am reluctant to buy it raw especially when you price it like it is graded already.

great stuff! thanks for the info.

Yes some dealers just go to hangout, and meet and great, not necessarily to make money,

basketballcollector

I can not figure out after all the expenses, how in the hell dealers make any money at the National.

Nascar360

The best part was the PSA Registry luncheon. I got to see my good buddy Logan (KingNASCAR) get inducted to the PSA Hall of Fame. You can check him out on the FatPacks Podcast EP 287 - the last interview on the show.

phelda

Quality material, fairly priced, well organized, sorted cards, agreeable disposition, paying attention, engaging in conversation, being helpful even if you don't have the item someone is looking for. Those are how dealers make money at the National. All others will be extinct soon enough.