NSCC Recap- 7/25

messier2 · 07-25-2024, 06:56 PM

First full day of the National. What a start for me (and many others). Got stuck close but not too close to the IX. I asked the Uber driver to take the side road and I hopped out and walk on the grass next to the highway to get there! I wasn't the only one as we were around 10 or so people marching through the grass like our lives depended on it! lol

Well, got my workout in for the day. Here are my observations:

* Prices- It depends on what you are looking for. I noticed that many dealers were pretty firm on pricing. Stingy on knocking down prices. I was haggling over $3 discount or $4 discount! That happened several times where I had to make sure I had singles since dealers were not interested in going the "usual" route of $5-$10-$15 etc. off. It's a dollar here, a dollar there! That's new for me! For the cards I was looking for, it was pretty much eBay prices and a few dollars off. I'm happy to pay eBay prices for rarer cards that I believe are good off-season buy's. So, all good there.

* Selection- It's crazy how inventory moves so quickly in two ways:

1. One dealer had his entire showcase overhauled with brand new stuff maybe 1 hour after I left. I came back for a card and it was gone, along with the rest of the showcase! It was replaced with a new group of cards. He said that someone bought him out while he was buying a whole big lot from another person!

2. One card I was eyeing, but walked away. Came back to take a second look, it was gone. Then I walked 2 booths over, there it was, at a MUCH HIGHER price! Crazy!

* Food- I got lucky with the food. I walked to the sandwich spot by the wall before noon (around 11:40ish) and the line was maybe 10 people. When I got my sandwich, the line was around 50+ people! All food lines were super long. I forgot about the VIP food...may have to try that tomorrow.

* Dad/Son Moment- Was waiting for a dealer when a dad/son combo came through:

Dad: Show the dealer your card

Son: Hi, are you looking to buy?

Dealer: Sure, what ya got?

Son: Here you go

Dealer: Nice card how much you want

Dad: Well, we paid X amount for it, so...

Son: DADDDDDDD you were not supposed to say how much we paid for it!!!!

Dad: I was just being honest so he can give us the best price

Son: Argh, forget it!

Hilarious...love interactions like this. The son knew better how to negotiate, that is awesome to hear!

Fun stuff, resting now, and getting ready for a new "non-uber" game plan tomorrow!

07-25-2024, 06:56 PM	#1
messier2 Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 15,321	NSCC Recap- 7/25 First full day of the National. What a start for me (and many others). Got stuck close but not too close to the IX. I asked the Uber driver to take the side road and I hopped out and walk on the grass next to the highway to get there! I wasn't the only one as we were around 10 or so people marching through the grass like our lives depended on it! lol Well, got my workout in for the day. Here are my observations: * Prices- It depends on what you are looking for. I noticed that many dealers were pretty firm on pricing. Stingy on knocking down prices. I was haggling over $3 discount or $4 discount! That happened several times where I had to make sure I had singles since dealers were not interested in going the "usual" route of $5-$10-$15 etc. off. It's a dollar here, a dollar there! That's new for me! For the cards I was looking for, it was pretty much eBay prices and a few dollars off. I'm happy to pay eBay prices for rarer cards that I believe are good off-season buy's. So, all good there. * Selection- It's crazy how inventory moves so quickly in two ways: 1. One dealer had his entire showcase overhauled with brand new stuff maybe 1 hour after I left. I came back for a card and it was gone, along with the rest of the showcase! It was replaced with a new group of cards. He said that someone bought him out while he was buying a whole big lot from another person! 2. One card I was eyeing, but walked away. Came back to take a second look, it was gone. Then I walked 2 booths over, there it was, at a MUCH HIGHER price! Crazy! * Food- I got lucky with the food. I walked to the sandwich spot by the wall before noon (around 11:40ish) and the line was maybe 10 people. When I got my sandwich, the line was around 50+ people! All food lines were super long. I forgot about the VIP food...may have to try that tomorrow. * Dad/Son Moment- Was waiting for a dealer when a dad/son combo came through: Dad: Show the dealer your card Son: Hi, are you looking to buy? Dealer: Sure, what ya got? Son: Here you go Dealer: Nice card how much you want Dad: Well, we paid X amount for it, so... Son: DADDDDDDD you were not supposed to say how much we paid for it!!!! Dad: I was just being honest so he can give us the best price Son: Argh, forget it! Hilarious...love interactions like this. The son knew better how to negotiate, that is awesome to hear! Fun stuff, resting now, and getting ready for a new "non-uber" game plan tomorrow! Last edited by messier2; 07-25-2024 at 07:02 PM.