A personal question

momo1234

Hey friends...

How much money have you spent at a national or other convention?

I know this is a personal question, but was curious as to if MAJOR pick ups are being done here. My thoughts have always been major purchases dont happen at public shows but just wondering, if there has been a time you dropped a bunch of shekels on something and would you be willing to share that experience?

Thanks

1951WheatiesPremium

@momo1234 said:
Hey friends...

How much money have you spent at a national or other convention?

I know this is a personal question, but was curious as to if MAJOR pick ups are being done here. My thoughts have always been major purchases dont happen at public shows but just wondering, if there has been a time you dropped a bunch of shekels on something and would you be willing to share that experience?

Thanks

The National would be the exception to that rule. There’s just too much unique and rare ephemera there and plenty changes hand at high prices.

momo1234

firstly kudos on using ephemera.
secondly, i understand your point, just curious about past big pick ups...im not sure someone comes with six figures, and says, I'm looking for a 52 mantle...but i could be wrong.

DBesse27

@momo1234 said:
firstly kudos on using ephemera.
secondly, i understand your point, just curious about past big pick ups...im not sure someone comes with six figures, and says, I'm looking for a 52 mantle...but i could be wrong.

Never been to the National, but I think you are wrong, based on reading this board for years and also private conversations I’ve had with attendees. Keep in mind, as well, that besides the vendors, sometimes attendees are swinging private sales. I know of cases in which seeds were planted in chats on the show floor and five figure deals were consummated at a hotel that night.

Nascar360

It's the exception to that rule. This is the place where you can have multiples of high dollar cards\sets and can inspect them in person. All kinds of wax and packs. Something for everyone and every price point.

1951WheatiesPremium

@momo1234 said:
firstly kudos on using ephemera.
secondly, i understand your point, just curious about past big pick ups...im not sure someone comes with six figures, and says, I'm looking for a 52 mantle...but i could be wrong.

I’m not sure how candid individuals will be on the subject but I’ve collected a while and between here, blowout and net54, you can easily search some ‘National Pick Ups’ threads. I would say - based on knowledge of typical prices - that 4 figures seems fairly common, 5 figures a little less so (but recall that game used bats, gloves, etc.) and 6 is exceedingly rare (at least that you hear about) - though it’s a great place for contacts that can be made for such items.

But you figure a few autographed Ruth items, 1 or 2 52 Mantles, some ‘star’ cabinets and a few T206 Cobbs alone probably cover my estimates and I would expect it’s even more than that most years.

Again, there’s an incredible amount of rarely seen items from a wide array of eras. You could bring an enormous budget and find ways a plethora of ways to spend it.

All about your goals when you go and what you see there that speaks to you.

Good luck

krisd3279

I have never been to the National myself, but if I had a load of cash to spend on something expensive I would rather do it in person where I could have the item in hand and inspect it myself. Some day I hope to go.

Unknown

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steel75

The couple of times I went I brought as much as I can. With that being said, I still will not overpay for something.
More of a "just in case" scenario if you come across a white whale at a good price.

Nathaniel1960

Ron Hassey caught two perfect games.

jlvette50

@Nathaniel1960 said:
Ron Hassey caught two perfect games.

^
This

JoeBanzai

My experience is that you can find some rare items at the National.

I could never spend thousands of dollars anywhere on ephemera.

Was able to find a Post Canadian card that graded and a complete (more or less) Alpha Bits mini cereal box.

Both items the guy I collect.

detroitfan2

If you search for "National Convention" in these message boards, you should be able to find threads from pretty much every year with people showing their "pickups". Every year I watch in amazement at the amount of money that is spent, not just on the "stuff", but the travel, lodging, food and drink, and admission to the show. From what I can gather, many people view the national like a trip to Disney (or to the ballpark for that matter). It's an "experience", and people's "frugality" is put aside. Instead, memories are being made. If a few items are purchased for a decent percentage higher than what they could have been purchased at elsewhere, then so be it.

JoeBanzai

@detroitfan2 said:
If you search for "National Convention" in these message boards, you should be able to find threads from pretty much every year with people showing their "pickups". Every year I watch in amazement at the amount of money that is spent, not just on the "stuff", but the travel, lodging, food and drink, and admission to the show. From what I can gather, many people view the national like a trip to Disney (or to the ballpark for that matter). It's an "experience", and people's "frugality" is put aside. Instead, memories are being made. If a few items are purchased for a decent percentage higher than what they could have been purchased at elsewhere, then so be it.

I have been to 3 Nationals and would highly recommend attending at least 1 in your lifetime.

After going, I didn't believe ANYONE'S mother ever through their cards out!!!!!!

Stone193

Almost 10 bucks for a pretzel and coke!

ArtVandelay

I've always wondered how much I would spend at the national if I had just recent won a $500 million dollar lottery.

I'm fairly certain I would just go over to BBCE and ask them "So, how much cash do I need to buy you out completely?"