National Experience

[notoriousrmb]

Just going to leave my thoughts here.

Pros:
Promo pack lines. These were much quicker this year. I never lined up right when the line opened, just wait 30 mins and you can walk up without having to sit in line for an hour. No reason to camp out.

VIP room. Plenty of tables to sit at to rest my legs. A/C kept the room cool. Restrooms were cleaner and less used than on the show floor.

Space. Show seemed much less cramped than previous years. Maybe attendance was down? Still seemed like a lot of people, but I never was unable to find space away from the crowds if I wanted to rest my legs or open some packs.

Assortment. Yes there is always a ton of vintage. But I saw a lot of newer stuff too as well as a lot of non-card items, and most of the cards were priced out. Not every booth showed pricing, but in general it seemed to be better than previous years.

Cons:
No internet reception, poor cell service. Really sucks to not have internet to look things up at a card show, or communicate with people you are there with. Really this was the #1 overall issue I had with the venue.

Overpriced cards. So many dealers with $1-5 relics listed at $20. Graded cards at well over eBay. I don't mind haggling a little, but I'm not going to insult someone by offering 25% of their price. Pretty sure I saw a lot of the same cards last year as well with no price change.

Nothing within walking distance of the show. Once you are there, you aren't going anywhere without a 10 min walk to your car followed by a 10 min drive. Forces you to eat their overpriced junk food for lunch.

Greedy people. I know kids are the future of the hobby, but I cannot count the number of times I heard people asking for free things for their kids. During breaks, at booths, during promos. Same thing over and over..."this is my kids first show/birthday/wedding day, do you have any boxes/packs/money you can give him/her?" Seriously, stop asking for handouts all the time.

Farts. So many farts. Why does everyone fart so much at a card show? Go use the restroom, you obviously have to if you smell that bad. Or lay off the 4th hot dog and beer at 11 am.

[jataman2612]

Originally Posted by notoriousrmb

Farts. So many farts. Why does everyone fart so much at a card show? Go use the restroom, you obviously have to if you smell that bad. Or lay off the 4th hot dog and beer at 11 am.

This made me laugh but it's true. I did notice some occasional bad smells as I walked around.

[prospects]

sounds like something I will never go to!

[jmarascojr]

I crop dusted at least 4-5 booths, not ashamed to admit it, sorry not sorry

[Bowman1951]

Originally Posted by prospects

sounds like something I will never go to!

Don't worry, there were no DeGrom deals to be found anyway.

[chuckerrrr]

Haha funny read. Very honest review.

Thing I find crazy is not only do the kids want free handouts but most of those kids have cards that are worth thousands. I see it on instagram all the time also. Lots of the youngsters sharing the thousand dollar Card the parents bought them then hassle peeps with the “hey it’s my birthday can I have this card?”

The no internet/phone reception seems ridiculous considering the technology we use and have had now for quite some time. It ain’t 2005.

[Nolanfan5714]

I know everyone hated the cell service but the IX center is a large metal building that built tanks at one time. I can't get cell service in my basement sometimes. Way overpriced cards was a big problem. I went on Thursday and back again on Sunday, tried to get a deal or two and got shut down. I was looking for mid end Nolan Ryan's and all I saw were graded vintage and autos. Found 1 dealer with a few patch cards. Overall a fun show Evan if the three cards I had graded came back a grade lower than I thought. ��

[fulltritty]

The I-X Center is by far my favorite place they hold the National for the following reasons:

1) There is always plenty of open space compared to Chicago.

2) Way more food choices inside the convention center than Chicago.

3) Way more seating to eat lunch than Chicago.

4) Closer to home

5) I stay in Middleburg Heights and there are way more fast food and cheaper restaurant choices around than Manheim (where I stay in Chicago) and in Rosemont (although they do have Giordanos)

6) Parking is a lot closer to go back out and dump stuff in the car not to mention VIP and dealers have their own lot.

On the last day, I overheard Mike Berkus' Son telling another couple that they were voting soon on bringing the show back to Cleveland in 4 more years.

I really liked Baltimore too because it is an hour away, there are tons to do around the convention center, and it is the only National that has free Wifi.

[BruinsFan1990]

most cards were way overpriced, at least the modern ones. I don't do vintage unfortunately.

[Big35Hurt]

Originally Posted by fulltritty

The I-X Center is by far my favorite place they hold the National for the following reasons:

1) There is always plenty of open space compared to Chicago.

2) Way more food choices inside the convention center than Chicago.

3) Way more seating to eat lunch than Chicago.

4) Closer to home

5) I stay in Middleburg Heights and there are way more fast food and cheaper restaurant choices around than Manheim (where I stay in Chicago) and in Rosemont (although they do have Giordanos)

6) Parking is a lot closer to go back out and dump stuff in the car not to mention VIP and dealers have their own lot.

On the last day, I overheard Mike Berkus' Son telling another couple that they were voting soon on bringing the show back to Cleveland in 4 more years.

I really liked Baltimore too because it is an hour away, there are tons to do around the convention center, and it is the only National that has free Wifi.

I live 2.5 hours from Chicago so it's a nice easy drive for me. But honestly, I liked Cleveland much more for all of the things you mentioned except #4 of course. I truly hope they alternate between Chicago and Cleveland and get AC out of the mix.

[mathbowler]

Originally Posted by Big35Hurt

I truly hope they alternate between Chicago and Cleveland and get AC out of the mix.

AC might difficult to remove from the rotation, especially if the convention center will allow The National to pick a timeframe years in advance, and AC does have the New York fan base not too far away.

[fulltritty]

Originally Posted by Big35Hurt

I live 2.5 hours from Chicago so it's a nice easy drive for me. But honestly, I liked Cleveland much more for all of the things you mentioned except #4 of course. I truly hope they alternate between Chicago and Cleveland and get AC out of the mix.

According to an article I read today, this show was the largest in attendance for the National in 12 years, so I'm sure it will be an eastydecision to go back to Cleveland.

The bad thing is that they also mentioned they were going to work with TriStar to sell more VIP passes. The VIP is already too crowded. Even the Platinum sold 44 of 50 passes this year. If they are going to sell even more than TriStar needs to change their crappy scheduling of too many autograph guests at the same time or letting All Access in before the Platinum's get in since they are waiting on a Platinum guest to show up.

Personally, I just wish they would eliminate the lines for Platinum's and just have us meet the guests in the back and have them sign for us back there.

[WhiteSoxJosh]

I set up for the 9th time and this was my lowest sales ever.
Don't know what to attribute it to. I had everything priced, said hi and was friendly. Ah well. Some days are diamonds, some days are rocks.

That being said, I had a blast. This is a hobby for me, and doing the national is a nice break from the hectic work schedule. I get to see old friends, make new friends and look at cards.

I live in Chicago, so naturally would love the show in Rosemont every year. I wish they'd move it around like they did in the 90s.

All in all, a great time. I have to head back to Cleveland Monday for work. Maybe I'll drive by the IX center for old times sake

[AlabamaSlamma]

Originally Posted by mathbowler

AC might difficult to remove from the rotation, especially if the convention center will allow The National to pick a timeframe years in advance, and AC does have the New York fan base not too far away.

Someone at the show mentioned AC offered NSCC a 'buy one get one free' on their last agreement. No idea if this is true, but as others have mentioned, I really, REALLY hope things shift between Rosemont and IX.

[mathbowler]

Originally Posted by fulltritty

According to an article I read today, this show was the largest in attendance for the National in 12 years, so I'm sure it will be an east decision to go back to Cleveland.

The bad thing is that they also mentioned they were going to work with TriStar to sell more VIP passes. The VIP is already too crowded. Even the Platinum sold 44 of 50 passes this year. If they are going to sell even more than TriStar needs to change their crappy scheduling of too many autograph guests at the same time or letting All Access in before the Platinum's get in since they are waiting on a Platinum guest to show up.

Personally, I just wish they would eliminate the lines for Platinum's and just have us meet the guests in the back and have them sign for us back there.

If more VIP tickets are sold, then TriStar really needs to space out the VIP signers and Platinum signers.

Platinum pass is amazing, but I doubt they would let us go back. However I would be thrilled with a separate entrance into the autograph pavilion for Platinum Pass holders.

[NickM]

Originally Posted by fulltritty

According to an article I read today, this show was the largest in attendance for the National in 12 years, so I'm sure it will be an east decision to go back to Cleveland.

The bad thing is that they also mentioned they were going to work with TriStar to sell more VIP passes. The VIP is already too crowded. Even the Platinum sold 44 of 50 passes this year. If they are going to sell even more than TriStar needs to change their crappy scheduling of too many autograph guests at the same time or letting All Access in before the Platinum's get in since they are waiting on a Platinum guest to show up.

Personally, I just wish they would eliminate the lines for Platinum's and just have us meet the guests in the back and have them sign for us back there.

So it's the largest attendance since the last Anaheim National. But they don't want to go back there.