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Thursday at Nationals- my experience
julen23
Posts: 4,558 ✭✭
Very well run gig, especially for so many vendors that were there.
Highlights:
1-Don't like hockey, but a couple of pretty cool booths, this Steve Yzerman booth w/ nothing but his jersey's and stuff was very neat.
2-MacFarlane booth was very cool and most of the stuff was not super $$$$$.
3-Upper Deck and Topps booths were big and showy, but I didn't really see a whole lot there.
4-BBCExchange booth rocked, Steve said he sold a case of 1978 Topps yesterday and same guy was coming back this afternoon to look at 1977 case he has.
5-Got interviewed by some guy from Money magazine, if I get quoted, I will share it w/ you guys. He related a very sad story from last night where some kid had a Mickey Mantle autographed ball and the authenticator told him it was a fake. The kid was pretty distraught after hearing the news. Bummer.
6-I spoke w/ several old-timer collectors (guys in their 60's and 70's) who couldn't understand the desire for graded cards. I empathized w/ them, but tried to tell them how grading has helped the entire collecting arena, not hurt it. They kindly, or unkindly disagreed w/ me... heheh
7-PSA booth was slamming w/ people getting grades, the PSA workers were primarily females, probably in their 20's and early 30's
8-Wax From Past booth was pretty cool. I noticed his inventory is much deeper than what his website reflects. He told me to relate to you guys calling him and he will work w/ you on pricing. He was obliging to me on my stuff.
9-Didn't see BBCKid there.
10-Beckett booth was doing some insane raffle every hour or something, I kept hearing this same guy's voice while I walked around.
Lowlights:
1-NUMEROUS vendors selling non-psa graded cards and trying to sell them by putting sales stickers on them saying ("PSA 9 SMR = $400", our price $100). I hope not many people get taken to the cleaners on these deals, gives hobby bad reputation and drives people interested in cards AWAY from collecting.
This is what I bought:
1952 Topps Reprint set $180 from Steve Hart
3 1978 Topps wax packs $17/pack
2 1978 Topps cello packs $25/pack
1 1985 Topps grocery pack (3 packs inside) $20 from Wax from the Past
2 1984 Donruss wax packs $5/pack
3 1985 Fleer Cello packs $10/pack
I was able to spend less than my $500 estimation, but given more time, I would've gone crazy at the unopened cardboard booths. There were a couple of 1969 topps 3rd series packs I almost pulled trigger on but just couldn't justify steep prices.
Julen
Highlights:
1-Don't like hockey, but a couple of pretty cool booths, this Steve Yzerman booth w/ nothing but his jersey's and stuff was very neat.
2-MacFarlane booth was very cool and most of the stuff was not super $$$$$.
3-Upper Deck and Topps booths were big and showy, but I didn't really see a whole lot there.
4-BBCExchange booth rocked, Steve said he sold a case of 1978 Topps yesterday and same guy was coming back this afternoon to look at 1977 case he has.
5-Got interviewed by some guy from Money magazine, if I get quoted, I will share it w/ you guys. He related a very sad story from last night where some kid had a Mickey Mantle autographed ball and the authenticator told him it was a fake. The kid was pretty distraught after hearing the news. Bummer.
6-I spoke w/ several old-timer collectors (guys in their 60's and 70's) who couldn't understand the desire for graded cards. I empathized w/ them, but tried to tell them how grading has helped the entire collecting arena, not hurt it. They kindly, or unkindly disagreed w/ me... heheh
7-PSA booth was slamming w/ people getting grades, the PSA workers were primarily females, probably in their 20's and early 30's
8-Wax From Past booth was pretty cool. I noticed his inventory is much deeper than what his website reflects. He told me to relate to you guys calling him and he will work w/ you on pricing. He was obliging to me on my stuff.
9-Didn't see BBCKid there.
10-Beckett booth was doing some insane raffle every hour or something, I kept hearing this same guy's voice while I walked around.
Lowlights:
1-NUMEROUS vendors selling non-psa graded cards and trying to sell them by putting sales stickers on them saying ("PSA 9 SMR = $400", our price $100). I hope not many people get taken to the cleaners on these deals, gives hobby bad reputation and drives people interested in cards AWAY from collecting.
This is what I bought:
1952 Topps Reprint set $180 from Steve Hart
3 1978 Topps wax packs $17/pack
2 1978 Topps cello packs $25/pack
1 1985 Topps grocery pack (3 packs inside) $20 from Wax from the Past
2 1984 Donruss wax packs $5/pack
3 1985 Fleer Cello packs $10/pack
I was able to spend less than my $500 estimation, but given more time, I would've gone crazy at the unopened cardboard booths. There were a couple of 1969 topps 3rd series packs I almost pulled trigger on but just couldn't justify steep prices.
Julen
RIP GURU
0
Comments
how many vendors do you think were there?
Groucho Marx
You should haved used these losers in your argument to the old fogeys.
Loves me some shiny!
Scott
T-205 Gold PSA 4 & up
1967 Topps BB PSA 8 & up
1975 Topps BB PSA 9 & up
1959 Topps FB PSA 8 & up
1976 Topps FB PSA 9 & up
1981 Topps FB PSA 10
1976-77 Topps BK PSA 9 & up
1988-89 Fleer BK PSA 10
3,000 Hit Club RC PSA 5 & Up
My Sets
There were like 6 or so booths that had vintage wax packs and such. One vendor said that they people who had purchased his vintage wax packs were meeting together later to open their packs at once. I guess that could be a really good thing or a really bad thing?
Julen
RIP GURU
<< <i>probably in their 20's and early 30's >>
Were they hot?
Were these cards slabbed by gem elite/pro type grading companies or were they raw?
<< <i>Were they hot? >>
That was exactly what I tought when I read that.
My Auctions
This is killing me! My office is litterally 1 block away from the center and I don't think I co get there by 6! I want to bust some packs!!!!
Those 78 racks sound like they have my name written all over them!
My Auctions
No comment on female workers. There were a couple of booths manned by women in mini-skirts and such, a very effective selling tool I must say.
Julen
RIP GURU
<< <i>7-PSA booth was slamming w/ people getting grades, the PSA workers were primarily females, probably in their 20's and early 30's >>
hope these same workers come to the SF Tristar show this September...
<< <i>manned by women >>
Sounds a little kinky. Maybe I shouda gone.
Sounds like you had a really good time.
I like someone who will take the time to talk to collectors - one can learn a lot that way.
I wanna say that SCD said there were 800 tables this year?
I went to a National where there was 900 tables! Try covering all those in one day! I was exhausted.
thanx again for sharing
mike
<< <i>1-Don't like hockey, but a couple of pretty cool booths, this Steve Yzerman booth w/ nothing but his jersey's and stuff was very neat >>
Did your eyes happen to fall on any graded vintage hockey or anything like that?
Julen
RIP GURU
Most of the stuff I've read in these threads so far, re-affirms why I have stayed away from them since 1995. Back then it was so disorganized, leaving no time to shop. Nowadays it sounds like they've smoothed the wrinkles out, but it doesn't seem like there is much in the way of decent ungraded cards anymore, bummer. Too much BIG business. I'll stick to the small shows, where it's still possible to find a one time seller offering up his childhood card collection.
Cataloging all those pesky, unlisted 1963 Topps football color variations Updated 2/13/05
<< <i>I'm glad some people are having a great time at these Nationals.
Most of the stuff I've read in these threads so far, re-affirms why I have stayed away from them since 1995. Back then it was so disorganized, leaving no time to shop. Nowadays it sounds like they've smoothed the wrinkles out, but it doesn't seem like there is much in the way of decent ungraded cards anymore, bummer. Too much BIG business. I'll stick to the small shows, where it's still possible to find a one time seller offering up his childhood card collection. >>
Bow
I hear ya...but here's a quote from a friend about his experience this year...so far...that sums up why I like to go to big shows:
<< <i>If you're coming to the National to buy cards, you're better off spending your time on ebay. Raw costs what graded does, and I can find more I need in a given week that at this show. But if you're coming to have a good time with a bunch of friends it's pretty hard to beat. >>
One thing for sure - ebay has made hobby life easy in many ways - but meeting new people and sitting down to drink a beer or go to a ball game is - well - priceless!
There are about 12 people that I hope to meet up with next year in CA. I had to abort this year unfortunately.
mike
<< <i>There are about 12 people that I hope to meet up with next year in CA. I had to abort this year unfortunately.
mike >>
Mike - maybe you can make it 13. I can't hit the Nats unless they come west. I went to the last Anaheim show and had a blast! I'm about a 5-hour drive from there - I will definitely be there next year.
Geordie
Dodgers collection scans | Brett Butler registry | 1978 Dodgers - straight 9s, homie
MVP Sports Book.com
Beckett
Dart Flipcards World
Chicago Bulls
And last but not least the guy who had the booth next to the a Playboy playmate in 1998. If you were there you know what I am taling about.
One great booth I did find for ungraded cards was The Battersbox. They had great 50's and 60' and 70's cards at very reasonable prices. They don't have a URL but they have a quarterly mailer they send out.
My Sandberg topps basic set
My Sandberg Topps Master set
<< <i>One thing for sure - ebay has made hobby life easy in many ways - but meeting new people and sitting down to drink a beer or go to a ball game is - well - priceless!
There are about 12 people that I hope to meet up with next year in CA. I had to abort this year unfortunately.
mike >>
Well, maybe I'll try another National sometime in the future (anyone know when/if it will be in St Louis or K.C.?). I guess my 1995 (I think it was '95) National experience just left me raw. I think I paid like $10 for parking, then waited in a line for like 1.5 hours, only to be told that it was the line to get in AND NOT TO GET TICKETS! So, back to the end of the ticket line. I saw more bargains being struck in line than in the show, especially on those stoopid promos they use to give away. Well, I finally got in and decided to hit the autograph section first and get it out of the way.........until I saw the line WHICH WAS JUST TO GET AUTO. TICKETS! I was told it would be another 1.5 hr wait. I said "scr@w it! and headed for the floor. I barely had enough time to walk (very fast!) up and down each aisle. I left empty-handed, not because I didn't have money, but because I had no time to spend it. I vowed never to go back again, and stick to the small, more casual shows.
Cataloging all those pesky, unlisted 1963 Topps football color variations Updated 2/13/05
My Sandberg topps basic set
My Sandberg Topps Master set
Great pics!
Thanx for taking the time to post them.
Anybody see any good memorabilia for sale? GU stuff - bats, jerseys. Older stuff like advertising pieces, banners, penants etc.
mike
gayle sayers was very nice, allowed us to take some pics with him and got two auto helmets. Also got dolly konwimsky's auto ball and pics with her (grand rapids chicks 1943-1954) HOF 1988
got to meet alot of very nice people from all over. met a few movie stars at motel (crown plaza) they also let us take pics.