For those of you that have traveled to Nationals...

[pokemaniac]

Would you say there are generally more current cards or vintage cards?

I would like to go, but not sure what to expect in terms of different eras of cards.

Any thoughts?

[rcearley]

There is a good mixture of all era there

[sethc1020]

There is a good mixture of both, plus memorabilia and wax. Its all there for you, but if buying singles be prepared to pay more than you should.

[Vinny1984]

Originally Posted by sethc1020

There is a good mixture of both, plus memorabilia and wax. Its all there for you, but if buying singles be prepared to pay more than you should.

Is this for real? I was thinking of making it a trip in the near future because I figured deals were to be had. Why is everything so overpriced? I usually stay in the $50-$150 range.

[wensel888]

Originally Posted by Vinny1984

Is this for real? I was thinking of making it a trip in the near future because I figured deals were to be had. Why is everything so overpriced? I usually stay in the $50-$150 range.

Now you can find pockets of very fair and well priced cards, but often times there is a bit of overpricing. The expense of the tables for the week would be part of the overinflation in prices

[mj91534]

A good mixture and do not scoff at the .10 and .01 boxes some guys have if you do team collecting can find some great pc cards in there

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[indyguy]

If you do find a card you like and it is over priced, just treat it as a casual conversation. Ask if they'd be interested in x amount and if they say no, just say thank you and move on. The later into the show, the better the deals you can get. I'd take notes on your phone about what booth has what card(s) and the prices. What is priced on Friday may be less on Saturday evening.

[jmarascojr]

This year's National, if it happens, is going to be a very odd one off...

Usually The National ramps up over a couple of days and ends over the weekend, and you may find deals late Saturday/early Sunday as dealers close up shop...

But this year, Saturday is the first day and when the most people SHOULD be there...

It's going to be interesting to see how many dealers stick around for Mon-Wednesday, people are going to be back at work, so it's almost in reverse this year...

[sethc1020]

Originally Posted by Vinny1984

Is this for real? I was thinking of making it a trip in the near future because I figured deals were to be had. Why is everything so overpriced? I usually stay in the $50-$150 range.

Yes almost everything is overpriced on singles. You may find reasonable price cards in that $50-$150 range but still a bit over. Lower end cards is your best bet to find anything reasonable. Forget about higher end. I've been to at least 10 Nats and almost always leave disappointed from a buying aspect. I've done well selling but it seems like almost everything I ask about is so overpriced I don't even bother haggling and just move on. From experience if its that overpriced they aren't going to come down to reasonable #s even if you show comps. Still a great time and worth going for sure although this year its going to be an odd set up if it does in fact happen. Due to Covid it was pushed to December and shorted to a 2-3 days. Id expect not as many dealers or collectors show up for it.

[asujbl]

Originally Posted by sethc1020

There is a good mixture of both, plus memorabilia and wax. Its all there for you, but if buying singles be prepared to pay more than you should.

This

The National is more about A) The experience and B) Maybe finding a really rare card you've been looking for that you'd prefer to purchase in person or simply hasn't popped up online for whatever reason.

If you're just going to buy a bunch of random stuff? It's no better than eBay. In fact you probably waste more money because the stuff is right there in front of your face.

Honestly for me I just go to look at some stuff I've never seen before, maybe if I'm lucky find that card that never pops up on eBay, and to have a fun weekend.

I can buy more, and find better deals, cruising eBay on a Sunday night

[DajuanWagner]

I love the Nationals. Looking forward to next year in Chicago.


As far as prices go, if you are on a budget, expect a zillion people rifling through $3 - $5 boxes (those same boxes used to be $1 - $2 boxes. Come early, come often. It is getting harder and harder to find 50 cent boxes and quarter boxes. People realize that they don't have to change the cards in those boxes; they only have to change the price on the box. Pretty simple. So, if you go this year, a 50 cent box might be a $1 box or a $2 box at next year's Nationals. If you find a dime box, probably most of the cards will be unsleeved and tossed into the box. There are steals to be had in those boxes. You just have to put in the work. Easier said than done, though, when you have everyone trying to do the same. It is getting harder and harder to find "steals" because people are getting savvy. They are probably dropping cards on COMC instead of lugging them all to the Nationals every year.


Good luck in your hunt...…..

[chuckerrrr]

Nationals??? The National.


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[rats60]

There are more vintage cards than modern. The last few years, modern cards have been closing the gap. There are a lot of over priced cards, but you can find cards that are fairly priced. Not everyone is there to be a museum. Some dealers are actually looking to sell inventory to cover their expenses and make a profit.

[epatmythes]

Step #1 if you go... when you are there or you are telling people where you are going... it's "The National"... lest you confuse people into thinking you are going to (or believe you are at) a college cheerleading competition!

It's a mix of everything in the hobby. Tons of vintage dealers. Tons of modern dealers. Tons of dealers that just sell art... or supplies... or wax.

Make a trip out of it, don't just go for a day. Your first time, day #1 will be overwhelming. You will see something you like/want... walk around some more... and get lost enough to never again find the table you saw it at (whether it sold or not)!

[sweat47]

Originally Posted by chuckerrrr

Nationals??? The National.


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This...


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[indyguy]

Originally Posted by chuckerrrr

Nationals??? The National.


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Originally Posted by sweat47

This...


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Two great contributions to the thread. You have accomplished a lot with your time. Enjoy your cigars and cognac in your study full of mahogany and leather bound books.

[packfan15412]

Someone once told me... If you can't find it at Nationals it doesn't exist... I went to my first nationals last year and it was amazing! I cannot wait for Chicago next year again!

[Bob Ross]

Not going to happen if the Covid resurgence keeps happening.

[brothertona]

Agreed, I don't see the National happening. I assume we get a blowout in Chicago in 2021. I think vendors and the promoters will make that the biggest National yet.

[Promethius88]

Originally Posted by packfan15412

Someone once told me... If you can't find it at Nationals it doesn't exist... I went to my first nationals last year and it was amazing! I cannot wait for Chicago next year again!

They indeed say that, but it's not true, lol. You can find almost anything but I collect 1962 Jell-O baseball and there weren't more than a handful of dealers that had any and none had more than maybe 10. Found none that were actually difficult to find. Regardless, I had a great time and it was my first National in about 20 years. Look forward to going again next year as well!

[DajuanWagner]

Originally Posted by packfan15412

Someone once told me... If you can't find it at Nationals it doesn't exist... I went to my first nationals last year and it was amazing! I cannot wait for Chicago next year again!

Hey, if you get a chance to go to the Nationals at Chicago, make sure you go to Trade Night. Maybe we can have a table (or two, or ten) exclusively for Blowout members...………(well, unless someone is reading this is one of those Blowout members that I don't like and, FYI, you know who you are!!)……….


The Nationals is like the Super Bowl of collecting!!!!!!!!

[WhiteSoxJosh]

I've set up for twelve years now. It's fun. I live in the Chicago area so expenses while in my backyard are low. Cleveland is a short drive and I stay at a friend's house so I dont have the traditional expenses as the average dealer. Plus it's a hobby for me so I dont look at it as a money making weekend.
Good week to break up from work, buy for my inventory and look for cards I cannot usually see in person.
There is a mix of everything. You have to hunt, because as someone else said, not every dealer treats it like a museum. There are deals to be had.

I might go for a day this year in AC if the virus subsides. Pretty bummed out we won't have a traditional national this year. Even if it was all the way in AC.

[ClipsandVols]

Did 3 people really just correct OP on "National"/Nationals?

This board is like an airplane full of losers (myself included) and ya'll sit in First Class. Grade A D-Bags.

[DajuanWagner]

Originally Posted by ClipsandVols

Did 3 people really just correct OP on "National"/Nationals?

This board is like an airplane full of losers (myself included) and ya'll sit in First Class. Grade A D-Bags.

I spit out my coffee on that one...…


Look whatever you call it, does it really matter? Does anyone "seriously" confused the greatest show on turf with the Washington Nationals? No. Whatever you choose to call it, that's fine. Call it, "a bunch of smelly, overweight, fart rippin' nerds" and that's o.k. In this age that we are currently living in, do we really have to get offended because we label something and not everyone agrees with that label? How about we just remove the labels and sing a campfire song???


At any rate, go if you want to go. Don't go if you don't want to go. But, don't let the name stop you from attending!!!!!!!!!!!

[gomiamigo]

Originally Posted by Bob Ross

Not going to happen if the Covid resurgence keeps happening.

The 'resurgence' in a few southern states is still less than the daily cases in NY. Their new highs are still 5-6x lower than what NY was dealing with.

NJ will be fine in December. Different states were always gonna have differing trajectories.