Nationals or Ebay

SIRAMEDO

Hi, I have been a collector for 30 years. I have read the boards for months but this is my first time posting. I want to congratulate all of you because the messages are educative, interesting and fun.

I would like comments on the following: Where I can find the best prices: Ebay or The Nationals?

marty

This is a difficult question. It depends upon what you are looking for. Many dealers do not put anything on eBay and many dealers just use eBay. It also depends if you rather look before you buy. A lot can be hid in scans. The National will have morre of a hunt to it. On eBay, you have your computer sort through every listing and put them in front of you. At the National, this will take hours or days to find all of what you are looking for, and some will be gone when you go back for them. If you enjoy looking at the cards and haggling, then take the National. If you are willing to compete with the rest of the collecting world for cards and believe that you are a shrewd bidder, take eBay. At the National, you will probably find just what you were not looking for, or even knew existed, but now you want it. This is the fun part. On eBay, it will take a lot longer to look at all the auctions and find that got to own item that you just became aware of. You can look at eBay 24-7. The National is once a year. The best of the best material will be at the National. I think that every collecter will enjoy attending at least on National if they can. You can find bargains if you look and ask. They are there.
I guess that I rambled enough. My advice, go to the National, and watch eBay. You will find good prices at both. Nest year, you will be able to decide for your best market.

Basilone

EBAY, EBAY, EBAY.

You are not going to find many deals at the National...trust me. Yes..the guys bring there best stuff...but they want top-dollar. Remember..these dealers have spent a BUNCH of money in travel fees, lodging, table fees, food...to set up. They need to recoup these funds...they are not going to sell cards for less than what they can go for on eBay.

The National is nice to go to if you have never gone....it is the place to pick up the "freebies", supplies, cheap blowout modern wax, see high end stuff in person that you could never afford and most of all to meet other collectors whom you have had dealings with on this board and thru eBay.

John

acowa

I just got a great deal on a 1965 Topps PSA 8 off EBAY. The seller is a bit shady...but what a great deal!

I agree with John. Most of my time will be spent finding nice raw cards to submit and catching up with some old friends. You should do both EBAY and the National...but for different reasons.

You really will have to dig for bargains at the National. On EBAY, they're all over the place.

Regards,


Alan

goodriddance189

i buy on ebay, and go to shows mainly to ogle at all the cards i can never afford. there is something about being able to see a card in person as opposed to an ebay scan

norty

You won't see my nicer raw cards on E-Bay. I'll have as many as I can break down from a lot of new purchases at the National (shameless plug....Booth 790).

mcastaldi

I would agree with both shows and ebay. I have infinitely more confidence buying raw cards at a show than I do on eBay. And at SportsFest, the pricing for the raw 72s I bought were VERY reasonable for condition. The first 50 will be in Newport Beach by the end of the week

Mike

Basilone

Norty-

Can I buy your raw direct...or do I have to purchase in person?

John

Basilone

Alan,

LOL...I hope you enjoy the steal you got on eBay last night..(at my expense). But then again...how many shady cats like me ship out the card even before receiving payment! Keep your calendar open for next Sunday at 10pm...Ive have some more steals for you.

Set Registry Board Membership has its privileges.

In regards to the topic....you guys are right...if you are talking about buying raw...then the National is the way to go...no doubt about it.

John

KING KELLOGG

SIRAMEDO...

If you're within reach of the National...by all means GO!!!

You can always say NO to all those cards...hee...hee..



Turn your computer off for a few days and go shake some hands with the board members.


(Bring a few Kellogg's cards for me...That's right, Joe...another shamless plug...)


Welcome to the board!!!





Larry

Basilone

To be fair..I should say that one should take into account being able to view a card in person (espeically an expensive star) when pricing a card at a show.

Just wanted to clarify,

John

edited: typo

FB

SIRAMEDO,

Your question is like asking "which is better? - a 16 oz porterhouse or a banana split?".

They're both good, but there are differences.

Ebay will generally have better prices for graded cards (sometimes A LOT better). But, raw cards on eBay tend to be overgraded. And since you can't hold them and look at them through a loop, you can't really be sure what you're getting until they arrive in your mailbox.

I'm betting that most of us on the boards will be scouring through raw cards mostly at the National and only picking up graded if they are priced right or a particular card has been particularly troublesome.

Just my 2 cents...

Wayne8348

If your hoping to find a lot of low pop commons already graded at the nationals then you will probably be disappointed. But, if you want to find the finest example of a star or semi star card in a certain grade then the national is the best opportunity to look at several cards and buy the best. You can literally make sure that you are getting the cream of the crop at nationals.

Norty, With the incredible selection of nm - mint cards you have and your extremely fair pricing you can plug yourself and your table all day long!!!

Wayne

Wabittwax

The National is a mind blowing experience. I was in awe my first time. Go to that if you can, But a lot of times it's like looking at museum pieces rather than stuff you'd buy.

norty

Basilone:

I honestly wish I had the time to do wantlists but I just don't anymore. Between the 2 e-bay sites (I run one and I have someone else running the other) and breaking down material, refilling books, trying to buy cards, administrative BS connected with owning a business and getting in to shows etc., I just don't have time. (Every once in a while it's nice to see the wife and kid too). It also is really difficult to do mail order for NM/MT collectors. I think it is a lot easier for people to pick their own cards from my books. You get to see what your buying and you know if it meets your requirements. I turn over material constantly so if you don't get to a particular show, it is likely I'll still have some new material, perhaps from different years, at the one where you do catch up to me.

Wayne:

Thanks for the kind words. I appreciate it.

Tipem

Siramedo,

Welcome to the boards!!

Good Topic!!

If you have never been to a national,it's a must do at least once.If you are going to the national,don't take more money than you really want to spend as you probably won't leave with more than just snack money.It's almost like gambling except you can leave with something of value in your pocket.It's like when we were growing up as kids in a candy store.AWESOME!!!
I would have to agree that E-Bay is the place to find deals vs the national.

Vic

norty

Siramedo:

Disregarding the comparative pricing question you posed regarding E-Bay and the National, if you haven't been to a National, I echo Tipem's sentiments: it is a great experience for a collector or just a sports fan and unlike any other show you'll go to. My neighbors have 2 boys that like sports but aren't really card collectors and their dad is the same. I suggested they go to Cleveland for the National a few years ago and they had a GREAT time. They loved just looking at everything. It was mind blowing how much there was and the variety.


If you do go and you plan on shopping around for bargains, I suggest you bring a pad and paper and write down table numbers of where you are seeing things. Most of these shows are so big you literally can get lost looking at them.

I think there are bargains to be had at the National (and just about every other major card show too), though perhaps, unlike E-Bay, not so much in cards that have already been graded. If you don't see what you are looking for, don't be afraid to ask dealers if they have material behind their tables.

If you go, have a great time!