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2011 National. Questions from a newbie

ThoseBackPagesThoseBackPages Posts: 4,871 ✭✭
in Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum
The 2011 National is less then two months away. i will be attending all five days. it will be my first trip to the national where i will be attending for more then one brief day.

i'd like to hear from the veterans.....

i am not an autograph collector, so im not going for any autos.
What should i expect? Should i pace myself or go all out full throttle each day?
Should i happen to see a slab that i want, snap it up right away because i may not see another?
What about haggling?
SMR vs VCP?

i appreciate your responses

Thanks,
Eric
ThoseBackPages

Big Fan of: HOF Post War RC, Graded RCs
WTB: PSA 1 - PSA 3 Centered, High Eye Appeal 1950's Mantle

Comments

  • TNP777TNP777 Posts: 5,710 ✭✭✭


    << <i>The 2011 National is less then two months away. i will be attending all five days. it will be my first trip to the national where i will be attending for more then one brief day.

    i'd like to hear from the veterans.....

    i am not an autograph collector, so im not going for any autos.
    What should i expect? Should i pace myself or go all out full throttle each day?
    Should i happen to see a slab that i want, snap it up right away because i may not see another?
    What about haggling?
    SMR vs VCP?

    i appreciate your responses

    Thanks,
    Eric
    ThoseBackPages >>

    I would definitely say that you need to pace yourself. There will be a LOT of tables - I was overwhelmed my first time. If you try to go full throttle the first day, you'll have sensory overload! Walk the show and write down the tables that most interest you. Then budget the following days to spend a good amount of time at each of those tables. I always enjoy Sundays - lots of great deals to be found with those dealers that don't want to haul a ton of inventory back home.

    Haggling is fine IMO - just don't lowball, but you knew that. Offer a fair price, and keep in mind the more you buy, the more willing some dealers will be to work with you. Keep a running total in your head of what you've picked out, and then round down to a number you're comfortable with.

    As far as grabbing up a slab, unless it's a very low pop card, there will always be another. I assume PSA will be there to do on site grading, so you might get lucky buying raw and picking up the grade you want.

    Can't help you on SMR vs VCP. I've never used either.

    Dodgers collection scans | Brett Butler registry | 1978 Dodgers - straight 9s, homie
  • cadets68cadets68 Posts: 596 ✭✭✭
    Pace yourself. Do not buy a slab right away unless it is something that you never see for sale. There will be tons of slabs. Write down table locations when you see something you like so you can go back later.

    Focus. I find a way to get caught up in things I do not even collect. I have done box breaks of Upper Deck football at the blowout cards booth. I do not collect Upper Deck football. There is so much going on. Have an idea of what you want or you will end up with a bunch of randomness.

    I will break all the rules myself.
    But I am hopeless

    Shawn
    After those four National League games, Gorman Thomas was never the same, and neither were the Brewers, and come to think of it neither was I.

    Josh Wilker - Cardboard Gods
  • SabrgeekSabrgeek Posts: 484
    A few things on that --

    YES Pace yourself -- even after nearly 30 Nationals I still get sensory overload and I'm there to talk to my friends and pick up odds and ends ---

    If you see something amazingly good for your collection -- ALWAYS buy that at once -- but if something common like a 1977 common -- then it can wait till you find a nice group with good prices

    The autograph pavallion does not interfere with the card show at all == Tri Star does a great job but that is a seperate world to itself --

    And yes, writing down Table Locations is a great idea!
    Plano, Tx. Card Show #5, Sunday March 6, 2016 at Adat Chaverim (Northeast Corner Independence and Spring Creek) in Plano Tx 9Am to 4 PM. See you there!
  • otwcardsotwcards Posts: 5,291 ✭✭✭
    I've found the best way is to spend the first day looking for your primary items of focus then spend the rest of the week looking for neat additions and items you consider a bargain. Regardless, have fun, meet people and enjoy the massive amounts of material from all aspects and eras of the hobby.
  • mccardguy1mccardguy1 Posts: 1,513 ✭✭✭
    One important thing that I have found useful at the Nationals that I have attended is to bring a small pocket size notebook with you. This is useful for writing down booth numbers where I have seen cards I had interest in but wanted to walk the rest of the show before deciding. This will help you find your way back to the booth very easily so you can pick up that card that you wanted.
    I am on a budget and I am not afraid to use it!!
  • fiveninerfiveniner Posts: 4,111 ✭✭✭
    Having gone to Nationals before all the mentioned ideas are great.
    Tony(AN ANGEL WATCHES OVER ME)
  • ThoseBackPagesThoseBackPages Posts: 4,871 ✭✭
    Thank You everyone, good stuff to ponder
    Big Fan of: HOF Post War RC, Graded RCs
    WTB: PSA 1 - PSA 3 Centered, High Eye Appeal 1950's Mantle
  • benderbroethbenderbroeth Posts: 1,699 ✭✭
    where is the national and does anyone have a link? i want to know who is doing atuographs.
    my t-205's


    looking for low grade t205's psa 1-2
  • SportsCardCollectorSportsCardCollector Posts: 320 ✭✭


    << <i>where is the national and does anyone have a link? i want to know who is doing atuographs. >>


    It's in Chicago (Rosemont) again this year - August 3-7. Here's the autograph info:

    2011 National autograph info
    "It's not so important who starts the game but who finishes it."
    - John Wooden
  • brendanb438brendanb438 Posts: 1,595 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>where is the national and does anyone have a link? i want to know who is doing atuographs. >>


    It's in Chicago (Rosemont) again this year - August 3-7. Here's the autograph info:

    2011 National autograph info >>




    Crazy how much a lot of those players charge for autos. I didn't see but 2 on that list that I thought were worth paying for.

    Think I would rather try and grab autos off eBay than in person.
  • thedutymonthedutymon Posts: 4,323 ✭


    << <i>I've found the best way is to spend the first day looking for your primary items of focus then spend the rest of the week looking for neat additions and items you consider a bargain. Regardless, have fun, meet people and enjoy the massive amounts of material from all aspects and eras of the hobby. >>



    Scott,

    I'm assuming this time you'll find time to tip a couple and trade some Lies!!!

    YeeHahimage

    Neilimage
    Actually Collect Non Sport, but am just so full of myself I post all over the place !!!!!!!
  • mcadamsmcadams Posts: 2,618 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>where is the national and does anyone have a link? i want to know who is doing atuographs. >>


    It's in Chicago (Rosemont) again this year - August 3-7. Here's the autograph info:

    2011 National autograph info >>




    Crazy how much a lot of those players charge for autos. I didn't see but 2 on that list that I thought were worth paying for.

    Think I would rather try and grab autos off eBay than in person. >>



    In person, you can always get it personalized or have them sign something special- like a team ball or something you've been working on. There are lots of advantages to getting it in person vs. buying on the Bay, but you certainly pay for it.
    Successful transactions with: thedutymon, tsalems1, davidpuddy, probstein123, lodibrewfan, gododgersfan, dialj, jwgators, copperjj, larryp, hookem, boopotts, crimsontider, rogermnj, swartz1, Counselor

    Always buying Bobby Cox inserts. PM me.
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