National Day 4 Recap

[messier2]

Day 4, my most unexpectedly busiest buying day of the show! I don't know what it is about today, but it felt like there were more buying opportunities as I think it's two things:

1. Dealers "re-loaded" their showcases with cards they acquired the first three days.

2. They were more willing to negotiate/close the deal than the first three days

Quick hits

* Largest crowd so far!
* I ran out of money
* Ladies, please get out of the way!
* Pro tip: Reholder

There were times when I was in a complete stop as there was a log-jam of humans that blocked the entire aisle! Two booths facing each other han rows of people "hanging out" and that just stopped traffic cold! One guy had yell super loud "EXCUSE ME!!!!" to "part the seas"! It was packed!

I know I said that I was going to bring all my money, but I decided at the last minute to wait till tomorrow (the so called best day to buy) to bring it all. Man, was I wrong! I had to go back to the hotel as I ran out of cash! What a pain...luckily it wasn't too hot!

Ok, I am super thrilled and admire the ladies that accompany their boyfriend/husband/baby daddy to these things. I can tell some of them either got into it, or are bored to death ready to go to mall. You can tell the bored ones, they stand there next to their guy as he looks in the showcases. BUT, that prevents people like me who just want to take a closer look at the cards. If you are not going to be a "participant", get out of the way! lol

Pro tip: I know some people say re-holdering cards are a waste of money. Sure, they are if they are low valued $25 cards. I get that (unless it's PC of course). But, I just did a last minute re-holdering and wow, the card now pops and looks great in its new case. No more old label that's dull and "yellowing". It's like giving your card a makeover! The card now looks super sharp! I highly recommend it for tomorrow if you can bring some cards over...but get there early before they cut the line!

Man, the last day is coming up. One last chance to buy! I did notice several dealers have left and I'm sure we will see more empty tables tomorrow. The luggage check area was filled with bags from people flying out tonight. I saw a dealer came all the way from Hawaii, so that's not a "quick drive" home for them.

So, for those coming tomorrow, don't be surprised to see empty tables. I'm sure by noon, most dealers will start to pack and head out!

If you guys are in the area, c'mon in! The water is warm and the cards are great!

[claudehabs]

Appreciate your updates. Good luck tomorrow.

[messier2]

Originally Posted by claudehabs

Appreciate your updates. Good luck tomorrow.

Thanks!

Oh, one last thing I forgot to mention. I took my usual break at around 3ish and on stage was the Vintage Card Breaks guy breaking 1 pack of 1969 Topps Basketball looking for a Lew Alcinder RC. Great, let me sit and enjoy the show.

All was well until this guy starts "pinching" and "jamming" each card he pulls into the Card Saver! I could not look, I had to look the left/right. I was cringing while sitting there! That is terrible handling of a card from 52 years ago! Yikes!

Anyone else see this?

[NYBBFAN]

Ran out of money on what? Post some pics, man!

[Pacmeyer]

Originally Posted by messier2

Day 4, my most unexpectedly busiest buying day of the show! I don't know what it is about today, but it felt like there were more buying opportunities as I think it's two things:

1. Dealers "re-loaded" their showcases with cards they acquired the first three days.

2. They were more willing to negotiate/close the deal than the first three days

Quick hits

* Largest crowd so far!
* I ran out of money
* Ladies, please get out of the way!
* Pro tip: Reholder

There were times when I was in a complete stop as there was a log-jam of humans that blocked the entire aisle! Two booths facing each other han rows of people "hanging out" and that just stopped traffic cold! One guy had yell super loud "EXCUSE ME!!!!" to "part the seas"! It was packed!

I know I said that I was going to bring all my money, but I decided at the last minute to wait till tomorrow (the so called best day to buy) to bring it all. Man, was I wrong! I had to go back to the hotel as I ran out of cash! What a pain...luckily it wasn't too hot!

Ok, I am super thrilled and admire the ladies that accompany their boyfriend/husband/baby daddy to these things. I can tell some of them either got into it, or are bored to death ready to go to mall. You can tell the bored ones, they stand there next to their guy as he looks in the showcases. BUT, that prevents people like me who just want to take a closer look at the cards. If you are not going to be a "participant", get out of the way! lol

Pro tip: I know some people say re-holdering cards are a waste of money. Sure, they are if they are low valued $25 cards. I get that (unless it's PC of course). But, I just did a last minute re-holdering and wow, the card now pops and looks great in its new case. No more old label that's dull and "yellowing". It's like giving your card a makeover! The card now looks super sharp! I highly recommend it for tomorrow if you can bring some cards over...but get there early before they cut the line!

Man, the last day is coming up. One last chance to buy! I did notice several dealers have left and I'm sure we will see more empty tables tomorrow. The luggage check area was filled with bags from people flying out tonight. I saw a dealer came all the way from Hawaii, so that's not a "quick drive" home for them.

So, for those coming tomorrow, don't be surprised to see empty tables. I'm sure by noon, most dealers will start to pack and head out!

If you guys are in the area, c'mon in! The water is warm and the cards are great!

First of all, just say women or gals... save the "ladies" talk for the blue-haired grandmas at garden parties.

There weren't exactly a ton of females at the show. I'd say other hangers-on like friends and kids got in the way of others browsing the cards far more than any women.

Seriously, women don't need to be singled out as a nuisance in a hobby they already know is almost entirely male.

[messier2]

Originally Posted by Pacmeyer

First of all, just say women or gals... save the "ladies" talk for the blue-haired grandmas at garden parties.

There weren't exactly a ton of females at the show. I'd say other hangers-on like friends and kids got in the way of others browsing the cards far more than any women.

Seriously, women don't need to be singled out as a nuisance in a hobby they already know is almost entirely male.

There was a good number (more than a typical show)...maybe you weren't looking? Wives, girlfriends, daughters, etc.

If guys were hanging around the table and not really doing anything, I didn't notice. I noticed the women as they clearly were standing next to their man no matter what!

At the end, it's all good. Just wanted to point that out. No anger, no hate. Just an observation!

[messier2]

Originally Posted by NYBBFAN

Ran out of money on what? Post some pics, man!

Trust me, they're nothing special. Just cards/players I'm buying on the down-low for the next season.

No fancy high end 1/1 drool-worthy cards. Just stocking up on inventory.

[JoeAdam]

Why would the dealers pack up before the final day of the show?

[messier2]

Originally Posted by JoeAdam

Why would the dealers pack up before the final day of the show?

They are happy with their profits and need to get home to get rest before they go back to their "real" lives (work, family, etc.).

[Pacmeyer]

Originally Posted by messier2

There was a good number (more than a typical show)...maybe you weren't looking? Wives, girlfriends, daughters, etc.

If guys were hanging around the table and not really doing anything, I didn't notice. I noticed the women as they clearly were standing next to their man no matter what!

At the end, it's all good. Just wanted to point that out. No anger, no hate. Just an observation!

Seems like you were busy watching the females lol.

Most hangers-on moved on pretty quickly whether they were male or female. A bigger problem was all the guys spreading their cards across the dealer cases so no one could see what's underneath.

From the sheer number of hard cases being toted around, you just knew most were full of cards that no dealer would ever buy. What a waste of time all around.

[messier2]

Originally Posted by Pacmeyer

Seems like you were busy watching the females lol.

Most hangers-on moved on pretty quickly whether they were male or female. A bigger problem was all the guys spreading their cards across the dealer cases so no one could see what's underneath.

From the sheer number of hard cases being toted around, you just knew most were full of cards that no dealer would ever buy. What a waste of time all around.

Yup, those are tough as well. I was sorta glad to see some "gently" place those cases on the dealers' showcase. Not slam it down like others.

Yeah, I saw some of them...Acuna Update, Soto Update, Robert base PSA 10...no one wants those, no one! Lots of sad faces from people trying to get rid of them!

[messier2]

Anyway, watching some YouTube videos from the National now. I'm learning a lot on the art of negotiating. As much as we hate (ok, maybe not hate) these YouTubers, they do serve a purpose and show us how they negotiate for cards. I learned a thing or two...

[k13]

Re-holdering = more chance for card to get damaged which it probably already is after being in cases for a while. All those 10s are not 10s bouncing around.

[messier2]

Originally Posted by k13

Re-holdering = more chance for card to get damaged which it probably already is after being in cases for a while. All those 10s are not 10s bouncing around.

I hear ya man. But, happy with the new holders.

[DajuanWagner]

"Logjam of Humans".......I cannot even imagine what that must have been like.....

[imbluestreak23]

I spent a lot of money, made a lot of trades, met a lot of great people, and hung out with Eric (thosebackpages) all night and had a blast. Wish I could have been here all week but looking forward to tomorrow.

[Poidawg]

Originally Posted by messier2

Anyway, watching some YouTube videos from the National now. I'm learning a lot on the art of negotiating. As much as we hate (ok, maybe not hate) these YouTubers, they do serve a purpose and show us how they negotiate for cards. I learned a thing or two...

Just leafing through dollar boxes, I overheard the gamut of negotiating tactics from “It’s my birthday” to “my wife will kill me if I pay that”, “this is my last deal of the show”, “I’m paying for school”, etc…

Summation of NSCC21. Dealer: You selling? Kid: No. Dealer: Well, that’s a first.

[fulltritty]

There were definitely a lot more women at the show than normal. I swear some dudes must ask them to wear skimpier and skimpier outfits to make others feel jealous of what is following them around.

I know a few of the ones who attend the show every year that are actually into cards and memorabilia but they aren't usually the good looking ones.

And if anyone saw Chipper Jones' wife sitting up there with him, he is one lucky man.

[Cousin Jethroe]

Nah, not too much in the skimpy wear,...prob just guys all sweated up from walking all day, spent too much on cards, and getting wondering eye bored

[cash4cards]

Originally Posted by Pacmeyer

Seems like you were busy watching the females lol.

Most hangers-on moved on pretty quickly whether they were male or female. A bigger problem was all the guys spreading their cards across the dealer cases so no one could see what's underneath.

From the sheer number of hard cases being toted around, you just knew most were full of cards that no dealer would ever buy. What a waste of time all around.

Though it made some wheeling and dealing much harder I actually enjoyed that part the most. I love this hobby and couldn't have been happier seeing how many kids (ages 7-18 years old) that were running their own little mini business at the show. For this hobby to continue to grow and thrive we need those kids to stay in the hobby and love it like I/we do. Some of them were just trying to move cards of guys they didn't want for guys they did. Some were trying to trade their way up into better cards and some were just learning what it is to work a deal. These skills in negotiating, bartering and trading will stick with them their whole lives. I pulled off two deals with people that had cards that dealers passed on because they were of a guy I was looking to buy. Had one of them not been trying to sell them to a dealer then that is a good deal I would have missed out on. It is extremely hard to purchase at a show like this below comps, but that is were you can find them.

It was packed, it was congested and their were many people blocking up the isles while breathing garlic and crop dusting and I truly still loved all three days I spent at the show. My business partner/best friend sethc1020 and I both felt like it was the best show we have ever been too (our 6th national I believe). Maybe that's because we had our largest sale ever or maybe because we were able to have our two largest purchases ever. I think it's because we were able to spend a few days away not thinking about work and completely surrounded by people that also loved cardboard pictures of people. This show was a reminder how strong the hobby is right now and just how many new people are in it and enjoying it. For those of you reading, you have to go if you have never been.

Joe

[DajuanWagner]

Originally Posted by cash4cards

Though it made some wheeling and dealing much harder I actually enjoyed that part the most. I love this hobby and couldn't have been happier seeing how many kids (ages 7-18 years old) that were running their own little mini business at the show. For this hobby to continue to grow and thrive we need those kids to stay in the hobby and love it like I/we do. Some of them were just trying to move cards of guys they didn't want for guys they did. Some were trying to trade their way up into better cards and some were just learning what it is to work a deal. These skills in negotiating, bartering and trading will stick with them their whole lives. I pulled off two deals with people that had cards that dealers passed on because they were of a guy I was looking to buy. Had one of them not been trying to sell them to a dealer then that is a good deal I would have missed out on. It is extremely hard to purchase at a show like this below comps, but that is were you can find them.

It was packed, it was congested and their were many people blocking up the isles while breathing garlic and crop dusting and I truly still loved all three days I spent at the show. My business partner/best friend sethc1020 and I both felt like it was the best show we have ever been too (our 6th national I believe). Maybe that's because we had our largest sale ever or maybe because we were able to have our two largest purchases ever. I think it's because we were able to spend a few days away not thinking about work and completely surrounded by people that also loved cardboard pictures of people. This show was a reminder how strong the hobby is right now and just how many new people are in it and enjoying it. For those of you reading, you have to go if you have never been.

Joe

Sounds like it was a fantastic show for dealers, but what about buyers? Any steals and deals because no one is posting anything? Or was it all pretty overpriced stuff that you can find on ebay??

[lakesidez]

What was PSA charging for reholdering at the show?

[messier2]

Originally Posted by lakesidez

What was PSA charging for reholdering at the show?

$100 by end of next day. Got mine done same day.

[Pacmeyer]

Originally Posted by fulltritty

There were definitely a lot more women at the show than normal. I swear some dudes must ask them to wear skimpier and skimpier outfits to make others feel jealous of what is following them around.

I know a few of the ones who attend the show every year that are actually into cards and memorabilia but they aren't usually the good looking ones.

And if anyone saw Chipper Jones' wife sitting up there with him, he is one lucky man.

So the unattractive ones are the collectors? Geez, no wonder women stay the heck away from this hobby.

The only noticeably attractive women were a few booth babes so if you spotted a lot of hotties you must not get out much.

[messier2]

Originally Posted by Pacmeyer

So the unattractive ones are the collectors? Geez, no wonder women stay the heck away from this hobby.

The only noticeably attractive women were a few booth babes so if you spotted a lot of hotties you must not get out much.

Yeah, not a lot of hot ones aside from those "booth babes" that are being paid to look pretty.