Is it worth it to go to the national??

craig44 · January 24, 2016 10:14PM

I have always wanted to make the trip, but it would be a long and expensive journey. I was wondering what you guys think. Travel, food, lodging and entry fees would be a large investment. Is the experience worth it? I could use all those funds to buy more cards on ebay. How do you guys traveling from a distance justify the cost?

VintagemanEd · January 24, 2016 10:39PM

Legitimate question..... The experience is worth it if you love this hobby though. You must experience it at least once. The volume of items is amazing. After going to Cleveland last year I woke up on the 2nd morning and my eyes hurt so bad! That is how overworked they were that first day. Prepare your self well with not only a focused list but comfortable shoes and clothes and maybe a rolling small suitcase etc depending on what you hope to buy. I had an incredible time last year! Go for it man!

GoDodgersFan · January 24, 2016 10:48PM

The experience is well worth it. I have been to two nationals and planning to go to Atlantic City. The 'eye candy' is amazing ! Yes, it is not cheap when you add travel, hotel, and etc, but you

only live once.

Go and enjoy this great hobby.

BaltimoreYankee · January 24, 2016 11:27PM

I'm going to say 'no' if it's a long and expensive journey. I went to Baltimore in 2012 and will be going to AC in 2016 but only because neither will put me out much in terms of time or money travelling. Agree that there is a lot of great stuff there that you won't see anywhere else. Prices are high at the National.

thebaseballcardkid · January 25, 2016 12:19AM

Ive never been to AC. How does it compare to the others? I wouldn't think it as good. Hence the OPs question.

mattyc_collection · January 25, 2016 12:44AM

I wouldn't see why AC would be any different than another National-- there will be cards for every collector, and the ability to hold a card in hand before buying it, which is why I love a great show. Scans can just never compare to the in-hand experience. The social component is hard to put a price tag on as well. Thoroughly enjoyed Chicago last summer and looking forward to AC.

BaltimoreYankee · January 25, 2016 12:47AM

Excellent point regarding being able to have a card in hand before purchasing.

cardcountry · January 25, 2016 2:23AM

It's definitely worth going. In addition to the points already made, I know that a fair number of dealers save inventory specifically for the national, and several of the dealers there are not active on eBay. So there is lots of fresh inventory there.

Jeff

Stingray · January 25, 2016 2:34AM

I have gone twice, once to Cleveland and once to Chicago. Chicago was cheap for me, I have a brother that lives there. Cleveland, drove there in about 4 hours or so, stayed overnight in hotel, game back next day. Live in metro Detroit area, so I would only do it, if I could drive. The experience though is priceless. Seeing stuff in person that are high priced items is a lot different than on the internet.

Sdub · January 25, 2016 3:59AM

I was planning on going this year with the little guy, would be our first one, but AC is not pulling us in. Where is the National in '17 and '18?

dtkk49a · January 25, 2016 5:12AM

Originally posted by: Sdub

I was planning on going this year with the little guy, would be our first one, but AC is not pulling us in. Where is the National in '17 and '18?

I hear ya. One would think, after all these years, AC would be similar to Las Vegas in many ways, but its just the opposite. Its still not a nice place to be once it gets dark, especially now that a lot of the Casino's have closed. I will probably go, but it will be a day trip.

NYC would have been a better place for an east coast National, but apparently there are union issues there (what a surprise!).

BostonAmericans · January 25, 2016 5:20AM

I am excited that the National is going to be within driving distance for me (5 hours from Boston), but AC is such a dump now my wife and I have taken it off of our vacation rota. Caesar's is nice, as is the Borgata, but the rest - egads.

UncleTwoPillow · January 25, 2016 5:40AM

Next year in Chicago. I've gotta go, been much too many moons between. Enjoy this one, whoever goes. Any National is unforgettable.

Sdub · January 25, 2016 8:57AM

I'm in on Chicago '17. I'll start that thread.

JoeBanzai · January 25, 2016 10:43AM

I have been to three. Yes it can cost time and money. I would make sure I got to at least one.

BeRoyalKC · January 25, 2016 12:15PM

I will say it depends. I've gone to the last 2 in Chicago because I can drive and bring my items to authenticate and bring back the unopened I buy by car. This year in AC it's not worth it because it would be too difficult to transport items to authenticate and buy. The experience is always worth it but I can't justify going to AC just to look. See you in Chicago in 2017.

craig44 · January 25, 2016 10:11PM

Thanks for all the responses. Definitely not in the budget for this year, but I think I may save up some pennies for the next time it's on the east coast.

kgibson · January 26, 2016 12:29AM

2016
Atlantic City, NJ Atlantic City Convention Center

2017
Chicago, IL Donald E. Stephens Convention Center

2018
Cleveland, OH IX Center

2019
Chicago, IL Donald E. Stephens Convention Center

LarkinCollector · January 26, 2016 12:37AM

I refuse to go to one until they at least throw a bone to those of us west of the Mississippi. It's ridiculous that Chicago is the furthest west they go and should be called the East Coast/Midwest Sport Collectors Convention, not National.

VintagemanEd · January 26, 2016 12:42AM

Yes you won't regret going to at least one. The eye candy is overwhelming. If your into wax the BBCE booth alone is worth the trip.
I literally stood in one spot for probably 15 minutes at their booth just smiling in amazement. And that was after making a deal on multiple boxes with Steve. Whatever specific area you collect will be represented more than you could imagine. I did 2 full days in Cleveland and it was so awesome and that was a 14 hour drive for me. Saving up for Chicago next year!!!!

olb31 · January 26, 2016 4:59AM

Originally posted by: BaltimoreYankee
I'm going to say 'no' if it's a long and expensive journey. I went to Baltimore in 2012 and will be going to AC in 2016 but only because neither will put me out much in terms of time or money travelling. Agree that there is a lot of great stuff there that you won't see anywhere else. Prices are high at the National.

I agree with this guy. I went to the 2012 show in Baltimore and I was a little disappointed. Very high priced mantle's, everywhere. But the condition of the Mantle's were like 3's or lower. Most were ungraded because of there poor condition. lots of nice people though.

BeRoyalKC · January 26, 2016 11:13AM

Originally posted by: LarkinCollector
I refuse to go to one until they at least throw a bone to those of us west of the Mississippi. It's ridiculous that Chicago is the furthest west they go and should be called the East Coast/Midwest Sport Collectors Convention, not National.

I think they should move it around more as well. I'd like to see it move to more cities to catch some games while in town as well. Did get Cubs, Sox, and Brewers in the last 2 years. Maybe a Kansas City national. Right between the 2 coasts.

mattyc_collection · January 26, 2016 11:48AM

But the condition of the Mantle's were like 3's or lower. Most were ungraded because of there poor condition.

I can promise there will be a complete, centered high-end Mantle run on display this year

basketballcollector · January 26, 2016 1:51PM

Is it worth it to go to the national??

This is a very difficult question to answer. A lot of it depends on the costs & logistics to get to the National. And, finances of course.

There are collectors who go to the National every yer, regardless of location. But many collectors weigh in the logistical issues to decide if it is worth it.

So, the bottom line is it depends.

ChiefsFan1st · January 26, 2016 3:54PM

Originally posted by: BeRoyalKC

Originally posted by: LarkinCollector
I refuse to go to one until they at least throw a bone to those of us west of the Mississippi. It's ridiculous that Chicago is the furthest west they go and should be called the East Coast/Midwest Sport Collectors Convention, not National.

I think they should move it around more as well. I'd like to see it move to more cities to catch some games while in town as well. Did get Cubs, Sox, and Brewers in the last 2 years. Maybe a Kansas City national. Right between the 2 coasts.

Unfortunatly, that was out of the question as of 2 years ago at the time of the Cleveland Natty. Cant remember how it came up in the conversation, but I asked how come no St. Louis or K.C.? Middle of the country and what-not.

What I took away from the conversation was

St. Louis- definate no. Within "spittin distance" of Chicago.
K.C. - The committe (sp) that votes where it will be felt hotels would be lacking for the anticipated crowd.

Of course, this was 2 years ago, I hope that opinion will change. K.C. really does seem most logical to me, almost dead center of the continental U.S. (of course, Im biased

)

As far as the OP question, one thing I havent seen mentioned here is the opportunity to meet up with fellow board members. That, by far, has been my favorite part of the 2 Nattys I have been to!!

You cant do that on E-Bay

Is it worth it to go to the national??

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