Returned from the National...Final Thoughts
PSARich
Posts: 534 ✭✭✭
I was able to give an update of my thoughts about the first day at the National (Wednesday) earlier but could not get back to the PSA site after that. So here's my wrap-up, just my observations and opinions. I have attended at least a dozen Nationals so I go with a good idea of what to expect. As most of you veteran attendees would hopefully agree, things have evolved. I started attending in the mid 1990's when raw cards dominated the showcases and promo and insert cards were the rage. Grading changed the content of showcases over the years and the almost immediate drop in value of promo cards and inserts negatively impacted that part of the hobby. Lots of dealers were still making big money in the early to mid 1990's selling new material but vintage cards were gaining attention as the investment cards. Grading added to the vintage movement by showing that condition and authenticity were very important along with scarcity and player popularity. Now, graded cards dominate showcases and as many posts have stated, the prices are high. Many dealers still cater to set collectors with binders and boxes of cards organized by year and there are still dealers who still don't embrace grading and sell their cards raw. So here goes:
Graded cards: all over the place, ranging from high grade to low grade. They are typically priced at or above SMR and VCP guidelines. However, that doesn't mean you have to pay that price. Most dealers will move some on their prices and you have to decide if it is "take it or leave it". Fact is eBay auctions typically bring in less that SMR and that is why BIN's are so popular. It is hard to compare eBay to big shows with big time dealers. Many of these dealers have client lists filled with individuals that are often more interested in getting the card they want at the grade they want than the cost. I also believe that there are dealers that refuse to change with the market and hang on to inventory hoping economics and demand will improve. I figure that is their issue. If they can hang on to old inventory and still be able to buy what sells...good for them. A typical table costs over $1300 at the National so they need to sell something to make it worthwhile. Personally, I buy few graded cards at the National but I thoroughly enjoy seeing and sometimes handling some of the high grade classics in those showcases.
Raw cards: There are still plenty but nowhere near in the condition one would find 10-15 years ago. However, there are still dealers who sell raw and sometimes some real gems. My goal is always to buy enough that I can sell some of it on eBay and make enough profit to pay for my trip. I have never failed and this show was one of my best. I took $900, spend $840 and I know I can turn enough over to pay my trip costs and still keep the best I bought. I found a dealer who bought a sweet 1965 set on Wednesday and I napped NM-MINT copies of Mays, Aaron, Carlton RC and Hunter RC for $340. I have no doubt the Mays will get a 9 and possible the Carlton RC. I found 8 1959 Topps hi-number baseball cards in NM-MINT with a couple having a shot at a 9. I bought about a half dozen BB HOFers from 1956-1959 in EX or better condition that when graded will make me a tidy profit if they get 5's or 6's as I paid probably 20-25% Becket prices. Problem is you need to search out dealer tables and ask them how they price their cards, ask if they do volume discounts, and most of all be friendly. It can be a challenge but I visited every table at least once over the four days I attended and I can tell you I found stuff on day three that I never noticed on days 1 and 2.
Memorabelia: At the National is all over the place and very expensive. Yet it is surprising how many of those autograhed pictures, balls, gloves, etc. are sold. I don't buy any but I witnessed many sales. Adults pay a lot for pictures to hang in there home or office or ball to put on display. There's stuff just created by talented art framers that sell great....amazing. Most of the big time meorabelia is there for show; that being vintage uniforms, gloves, team balls, trophys, etc. Most of that stuff is there on day one and still there at the end. I know one dealer well who brought a few hundred old SIs and SPORT magazines from the 1950's and 1960's that he recently purchased. By Friday he had sold about 80% of them and made enough to cover his table expenses. For him everything else was profit. One just has to remember that it is pretty cool to see that Babe Ruth uniform or 1927 autographed Yankee team picture.
Everything Else: Yep, ypu see all kinds of stuff that make you wonder what it has to do with sports card and memorabelia collecting. The "Benchwarmers"? But I saw many a middle-aged man standing with 3-4 sweet and beatiful young ladies getting his picture taken, I assume to send to his wife.
Anyway, if you attend and think there are unlimited great buys to make you will be disappointed. If you are willing to shop and spend time looking you will find enough to make you come back. If you want to touch base with PSA, perhaps talk to Joe Orlando, check out the displays they always have (The "Black Swap Find") for example, you will be satisfied. If you want to see great memorabelia, you will find it. If you want to view the great cards in graded mint condtion, they are on display. If you seek out dealers who overprice their stuff and and can be no fun to talk to and you wonder how they stay in business, they are there. If you want to meet some great dealers and collectors and carry on terrific hobby conversations, there are many to be had. If you want to see VIP pass attendees racing down the aisles at 9:30AM to be the first to get to the card company areas for their VIP "opportunities" it will happen as the venders cheer them on.
For me it is a great time and sort of a vacation. Four days full of sportscards and memorabelis is a treat for me.
Graded cards: all over the place, ranging from high grade to low grade. They are typically priced at or above SMR and VCP guidelines. However, that doesn't mean you have to pay that price. Most dealers will move some on their prices and you have to decide if it is "take it or leave it". Fact is eBay auctions typically bring in less that SMR and that is why BIN's are so popular. It is hard to compare eBay to big shows with big time dealers. Many of these dealers have client lists filled with individuals that are often more interested in getting the card they want at the grade they want than the cost. I also believe that there are dealers that refuse to change with the market and hang on to inventory hoping economics and demand will improve. I figure that is their issue. If they can hang on to old inventory and still be able to buy what sells...good for them. A typical table costs over $1300 at the National so they need to sell something to make it worthwhile. Personally, I buy few graded cards at the National but I thoroughly enjoy seeing and sometimes handling some of the high grade classics in those showcases.
Raw cards: There are still plenty but nowhere near in the condition one would find 10-15 years ago. However, there are still dealers who sell raw and sometimes some real gems. My goal is always to buy enough that I can sell some of it on eBay and make enough profit to pay for my trip. I have never failed and this show was one of my best. I took $900, spend $840 and I know I can turn enough over to pay my trip costs and still keep the best I bought. I found a dealer who bought a sweet 1965 set on Wednesday and I napped NM-MINT copies of Mays, Aaron, Carlton RC and Hunter RC for $340. I have no doubt the Mays will get a 9 and possible the Carlton RC. I found 8 1959 Topps hi-number baseball cards in NM-MINT with a couple having a shot at a 9. I bought about a half dozen BB HOFers from 1956-1959 in EX or better condition that when graded will make me a tidy profit if they get 5's or 6's as I paid probably 20-25% Becket prices. Problem is you need to search out dealer tables and ask them how they price their cards, ask if they do volume discounts, and most of all be friendly. It can be a challenge but I visited every table at least once over the four days I attended and I can tell you I found stuff on day three that I never noticed on days 1 and 2.
Memorabelia: At the National is all over the place and very expensive. Yet it is surprising how many of those autograhed pictures, balls, gloves, etc. are sold. I don't buy any but I witnessed many sales. Adults pay a lot for pictures to hang in there home or office or ball to put on display. There's stuff just created by talented art framers that sell great....amazing. Most of the big time meorabelia is there for show; that being vintage uniforms, gloves, team balls, trophys, etc. Most of that stuff is there on day one and still there at the end. I know one dealer well who brought a few hundred old SIs and SPORT magazines from the 1950's and 1960's that he recently purchased. By Friday he had sold about 80% of them and made enough to cover his table expenses. For him everything else was profit. One just has to remember that it is pretty cool to see that Babe Ruth uniform or 1927 autographed Yankee team picture.
Everything Else: Yep, ypu see all kinds of stuff that make you wonder what it has to do with sports card and memorabelia collecting. The "Benchwarmers"? But I saw many a middle-aged man standing with 3-4 sweet and beatiful young ladies getting his picture taken, I assume to send to his wife.
Anyway, if you attend and think there are unlimited great buys to make you will be disappointed. If you are willing to shop and spend time looking you will find enough to make you come back. If you want to touch base with PSA, perhaps talk to Joe Orlando, check out the displays they always have (The "Black Swap Find") for example, you will be satisfied. If you want to see great memorabelia, you will find it. If you want to view the great cards in graded mint condtion, they are on display. If you seek out dealers who overprice their stuff and and can be no fun to talk to and you wonder how they stay in business, they are there. If you want to meet some great dealers and collectors and carry on terrific hobby conversations, there are many to be had. If you want to see VIP pass attendees racing down the aisles at 9:30AM to be the first to get to the card company areas for their VIP "opportunities" it will happen as the venders cheer them on.
For me it is a great time and sort of a vacation. Four days full of sportscards and memorabelis is a treat for me.
0
Comments
To be honest, no direction, but...
1966-69 Topps EX+
1975 minis NrMt Kelloggs PSA 9
All Topps Heritage-Master Sets
eyebone
Thanks for sharing your experience. I hope to be able to get to The National within the next two years. I have been to only one and that was the first one in Atlantic City in 1988. I know things have changed a LOT since then!
Doug
Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
How about a pic of this Mays!!
Sounds like you had a blast!
Thank you for your great insight. I have been on the fence debating to plan on going next year & your posts have convinced me to go to Chicago
So, thanks again & I hope to see many of you there next year. I know I what to include a game at Wrigley as I have never been to Chicago before!