What you're seeing/hearing at the show...

[asujbl]

Originally Posted by sonnyday

We got there at 11:45 today. The back entrance was a breeze to get into, but the parking lot was packed—beyond packed. We had to park on the grass by a runway.

Inside was chaos. We stayed about an hour and a half. I got some rare Pokemon cards for my son and left. At 2:30 a lot of spots in the parking lot were opening up.

I thought Thursday was busy; today topped that! I am taking tomorrow off and heading up Sunday at closing to hopefully score some last-minute deals.

That will probably be us tomorrow. My son already mentioned 2 hours sounds like a lot. He will be overwhelmed so this won’t be a long afternoon. Haha

Did they open up the 2nd lot today? Hopefully tomorrow for the weekend

[boxbuster7]

lol

snake oil salesman gary vee back at it again

https://twitter.com/ericwhiteback/st...09411061035039

[Ianhatcher]

I was walking right by an older gentlemen when he fell straight back and hit his head on the concrete really hard. My first instinct was to help him up but he was clearly out of it, probably concussed and wasn’t moving so I called 911. Dispatch picked up but couldn’t hear me due to bad reception. I get it’s thousands of people but they really need to get better WiFi in these places. Took forever to get help but thankfully there were several doctors in the area that helped him until EMTs could get there. Hope he’s ok.


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[messier2]

Madness for trade night! The battle to secure the prime tables are on!

[boxbuster7]

Originally Posted by Ianhatcher

I was walking right by an older gentlemen when he fell straight back and hit his head on the concrete really hard. My first instinct was to help him up but he was clearly out of it, probably concussed and wasn’t moving so I called 911. Dispatch picked up but couldn’t hear me due to bad reception. I get it’s thousands of people but they really need to get better WiFi in these places. Took forever to get help but thankfully there were several doctors in the area that helped him until EMTs could get there. Hope he’s ok.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thats scary.

they should really have some EMTS on hand considering it is like 40k people

[ejs23]

Originally Posted by messier2

Madness for trade night! The battle to secure the prime tables are on!

Around 5:30 I tried to go down to the “vip” (and I’m using the term as loosely as they do) lounge but it was closed off. I was told to go to the wristband area, but I don’t have a wristband. Guy there said that group goes into the trade night area first & the rest of us had to wait in line outside. I walked out and the line was already about 300 people deep on the sidewalk. So much for the whole VIP All Access thing.

It’s like I’m back in basic training again. Most of my day was spent waiting in lines. I’m mostly enjoying the show, there’s plenty of good stuff about it but the complaints I’m reading here are, in my opinion, very valid.

I dropped $329 for VIP parking & I’m still about as far from the entrance as those in the general lot.

[dantheman514]

Originally Posted by messier2

Psa pickup line is super long!

The PSA intake lone wasn't any better. When I finally got to be third in line, the two guys servicing the intake line both went on break. I had to track down a PSA "manager" to make them aware of the situation.

[messier2]

Originally Posted by dantheman514

The PSA intake lone wasn't any better. When I finally got to be third in line, the two guys servicing the intake line both went on break. I had to track down a PSA "manager" to make them aware of the situation.

Yeah, it's crazy. I don't think (or maybe they did) expect the big rush of intake and pickups. They had tons of people there...the ones by the end of the lines were great in making sure people don't sneak by them.

[imbluestreak23]

The delineation of lines for drop off at PSA were so poorly designed. Four total intake lines:
Line 1 - dealers only: equivalent of being a fast pass line 5-10 min wait max
Line 2 - premium PSA members only: equivalent of being a second fast pass lane
Line 3 and 4 - the only intake lines for the peasants. This is after the 30-45 minute process to print your forms (had to type up 100+). This intake line was 2 hours.

The two staff doing intake were SLOW until a third rep came over, saving the day and was taking in lightning fast. We saw people dropping off one or two cards taking 5+ minutes

I overheard PSA folks being aware of the situation and saying there isn’t much that can be done today so hoping tomorrow is better but whoever came up with that process just pissed off just about everybody who isn’t a dealer.

My day:
10:35 - left hotel
11:10 - arrived, should have been a 5 minute Uber, east entrance turned into 30 minute wait
11:45 - finally paid for ticket and received arm band after waiting in entrance line
12:45 - PSA forms printed
3:00 - finally dropped off cards

I looked around the show for an hour and a half, drank a marg and bailed lol

[dantheman514]

Originally Posted by imbluestreak23

The delineation of lines for drop off at PSA were so poorly designed. Four total intake lines:
Line 1 - dealers only: equivalent of being a fast pass line 5-10 min wait max
Line 2 - premium PSA members only: equivalent of being a second fast pass lane
Line 3 and 4 - the only intake lines for the peasants. This is after the 30-45 minute process to print your forms (had to type up 100+). This intake line was 2 hours.

The two staff doing intake were SLOW until a third rep came over, saving the day and was taking in lightning fast. We saw people dropping off one or two cards taking 5+ minutes

I overheard PSA folks being aware of the situation and saying there isn’t much that can be done today so hoping tomorrow is better but whoever came up with that process just pissed off just about everybody who isn’t a dealer.

My day:
10:35 - left hotel
11:10 - arrived, should have been a 5 minute Uber, east entrance turned into 30 minute wait
11:45 - finally paid for ticket and received arm band after waiting in entrance line
12:45 - PSA forms printed
3:00 - finally dropped off cards

I looked around the show for an hour and a half, drank a marg and bailed lol

The folks at intake would print your forms as long as you already created your submission online.

[OhioLawyerF5]

Originally Posted by imbluestreak23

The delineation of lines for drop off at PSA were so poorly designed. Four total intake lines:

Line 1 - dealers only: equivalent of being a fast pass line 5-10 min wait max

Line 2 - premium PSA members only: equivalent of being a second fast pass lane

Line 3 and 4 - the only intake lines for the peasants. This is after the 30-45 minute process to print your forms (had to type up 100+). This intake line was 2 hours.



The two staff doing intake were SLOW until a third rep came over, saving the day and was taking in lightning fast. We saw people dropping off one or two cards taking 5+ minutes



I overheard PSA folks being aware of the situation and saying there isn’t much that can be done today so hoping tomorrow is better but whoever came up with that process just pissed off just about everybody who isn’t a dealer.



My day:

10:35 - left hotel

11:10 - arrived, should have been a 5 minute Uber, east entrance turned into 30 minute wait

11:45 - finally paid for ticket and received arm band after waiting in entrance line

12:45 - PSA forms printed

3:00 - finally dropped off cards



I looked around the show for an hour and a half, drank a marg and bailed lol

My day:

8:45 Left the Air BnB 3 bedroom house in a nice neighborhood that was cheaper than any of the hotels.

9:00 Arrived at the west gate of the IX center after plotting a route from the west to avoid traffic. Drove directly into lot with zero wait.

9:10 Walked down to the VIP lounge and sat in a chair and hung out with friends until the show opened.

9:35 The line to go upstairs was clear and walked right up into the show floor.

Walked the floor and covered the remaining tables I didn't see yesterday.

1:45 Looked at my watch and realized 4 hours had flown by looking at all the great cards. Went down to the VIP lounge to take a break. Brought snacks and drinks, so I wouldn't need to wait in any lines.

2:00 Headed back to the show floor.

3:45 Finished looking at every showcase in the building. Headed to the Heritage booth to check out the museum pieces in there.

5:00 Left to head back to the house.

5:20 After leaving the parking lot via the west gate, I passed a line of cars waiting to turn left toward 237. I was the only car turning right, so I didn't wait at all. I made it to the house with no delay.

6:00 Headed out to a nice italian restaurant in our neighborhood.


It's amazing what a different experience it can be based on the choices one makes.

[JustinVerlander07]

Went today with lambeauleap87, he drove us through the west side (he's smarter than I am), super easy to get in. I did mention to him since he had to buy a GA ticket that it looked like you could just walk in and never pay. People at the front weren't paying much attention and there were so many people.

I don't know if there's anything you can do, but felt like there are just too many people for the space out there (and obviously it's a huge place). Decided to not go tomorrow, got everything I needed/wanted the first 3 days. Had a great time. Too many debbie downers around here, life isn't perfect, why complain about dumb stuff?

[hxcmilkshake]

Originally Posted by imbluestreak23

The delineation of lines for drop off at PSA were so poorly designed. Four total intake lines:

Line 1 - dealers only: equivalent of being a fast pass line 5-10 min wait max

Line 2 - premium PSA members only: equivalent of being a second fast pass lane

Line 3 and 4 - the only intake lines for the peasants. This is after the 30-45 minute process to print your forms (had to type up 100+). This intake line was 2 hours.



The two staff doing intake were SLOW until a third rep came over, saving the day and was taking in lightning fast. We saw people dropping off one or two cards taking 5+ minutes



I overheard PSA folks being aware of the situation and saying there isn’t much that can be done today so hoping tomorrow is better but whoever came up with that process just pissed off just about everybody who isn’t a dealer.



My day:

10:35 - left hotel

11:10 - arrived, should have been a 5 minute Uber, east entrance turned into 30 minute wait

11:45 - finally paid for ticket and received arm band after waiting in entrance line

12:45 - PSA forms printed

3:00 - finally dropped off cards



I looked around the show for an hour and a half, drank a marg and bailed lol

Why would you (or anyone) think it would be an easy, efficient process? They literally operate this way every single day.

Sent from my SM-S928U using Tapatalk

[JuniorDandy]

Originally Posted by ejs23

Around 5:30 I tried to go down to the “vip” (and I’m using the term as loosely as they do) lounge but it was closed off. I was told to go to the wristband area, but I don’t have a wristband. Guy there said that group goes into the trade night area first & the rest of us had to wait in line outside. I walked out and the line was already about 300 people deep on the sidewalk. So much for the whole VIP All Access thing.

It’s like I’m back in basic training again. Most of my day was spent waiting in lines. I’m mostly enjoying the show, there’s plenty of good stuff about it but the complaints I’m reading here are, in my opinion, very valid.

I dropped $329 for VIP parking & I’m still about as far from the entrance as those in the general lot.

I had the same experience yesterday, tried to go to the VIP lounge shortly after 5 (maybe 5:05) mostly to try to use the restroom there as that has shorter lines. I walked down the steps following an older gentleman with the same badge I had, employee let that guy go no problem and then immediately started yelling at me to turn around because the VIP lounge was closed, I asked what exactly we were paying for as VIP if I couldn't use the lounge during show hours and got no response other than him yelling again that the lounge was closed.

[jdbuzz44]

I picked up about $7000 worth of cards the last 2 days. Seems like deals are no longer a thing at nationals. I paid at comp or above on everything I bought. But I bought cards I truly wanted so I’m not upset. Seems like most people are just looking to buy at 75-80 percent and trying to make a quick flip. The hobby has definitely changed. Btw …I now HATE kabooms and downtowns lol

[OhioLawyerF5]

Do people seriously not understand how a room has to be reset before they can use it for another event? Of all the things to complain about, people want to complain that a very nice lounge that provided benefits all day if you chose to use it, had to be closed at 5 to prepare dor an event at 6. People clearly just want to find things to complain about.

[JuniorDandy]

Originally Posted by OhioLawyerF5

Do people seriously not understand how a room has to be reset before they can use it for another event? Of all the things to complain about, people want to complain that a very nice lounge that provided benefits all day if you chose to use it, had to be closed at 5 to prepare dor an event at 6. People clearly just want to find things to complain about.

When show hours are until 6, I expect the lounge to be open until 6. My complaint is that there was no notice/no signage/no indication the lounge would be closed. I followed someone else that they let into the lounge 5 seconds before me but since I am under 70, apparently they assumed I was trying to steal a table for trade night and decided to yell at me to leave. I don't have to look hard to find things to complain about from this show and was sticking specifically to one employee berating me for no reason.

[imbluestreak23]

Originally Posted by dantheman514

The folks at intake would print your forms as long as you already created your submission online.

I always have them pre printed but couldn't with work/rush. I shipped 200 that arrived monday, this was half of my remaining stack. I always have crap that needs graded and needs order entry.

Bottleneck was still the 2 hour + intake line

[imbluestreak23]

Originally Posted by hxcmilkshake

Why would you (or anyone) think it would be an easy, efficient process? They literally operate this way every single day.

Sent from my SM-S928U using Tapatalk

I don't think picking at PSA's operations post Nat in the aggregate will get any traction if you're being objective. Complete 100% reversal from bad to good on nearly all accounts. This intake line setup was an exception, and as a result, very notable.

[bub838]

Had a lot more fun today. Yesterday I had a specific list of cards I was looking for and was bummed how high priced they were. Today I decided to just wander around aimlessly with no buying intentions. Had fun talking to people and dealers. Got some custom cards of my son done at the TAG booth that I absolutely love and ended up with some very cheap boxes of 2024 Heritage. Got Tony Packo’s in Toledo on the way home. Perfect.

The bathrooms were still absolutely disgusting.

[tkraft24]

Today was my first day and it was a good experience. No traffic and parked around 9:00. I went to the GA line outside around 9:45 and was inside the showroom with my wristband by 10:01.

Beckett staff was great. I actually went through 2 times with autograph encapsulation submissions. I had a morning appointment at 10:40 and then came back around lunch time with another submission. I'll be going back Sunday and hopefully coming home with a bunch of slabs.

[messier2]

Anyone seen Justin Gamble Gamble?

[messier2]

Also, I noticed there are others doing the same thing I am (buying up nba prospects ahead of next season) as the same guys I am after, I see them in a showcase, I leave and I come back and they were all gone. Same players were gone! Glad I was able to get some on Wed/Thurs before they are wiped out!

Hope to find some today!

[messier2]

Forget about Trade Night, Trade MORNING is happening now at the VIP lounge!!!

[Positively4thSt]

Any info from Topps on 2024 Bowman University Chrome?