Prepping for The National Sports Card Convention / Conference

So I will not be able to make it to “The National” 2021 this year, yet I have been there before another time, and I am going to send some tips here.

What to Bring to the National:

• Cards — explainer below this section
• Phone Charger, portable — your phone will get zapped of energy because signal is bad and days are long.
• Snacks — the food is not always my favorite, so I bring some snack so I do not have to leave until the time is ready
• Good Shoes — your feet will get sore I guarantee. Do not buy the day before because there will be blisters and do not bring old shoes neither because the soles will not support the long time on your feet. Get good shoes maybe some few weeks before! Believe me.
• Supplies — you will probably see something nice and buy a box or maybe somebody will give you some raw cards. Do not pay super high prices on site and bring some of your own plastic sleeves for the days there.
• Strong deodorant — no joking, get the strong stuff so that stick will last all day. Nobody like the stinky trader at the card shows. Shower every night.
• Card case or backpack — make sure it is comfortable and not too much for the long day. You do not want to ever leave it alone so it need to work for a full day.

What cards to bring to the card show

You may want to sell or trade cards at the National. I like that idea too, but make sure you really want to sell or trade that cards. If you bring them and leave without them, you may have regret. Carefully choose which ones, but don’t bring all.

Do not bring too many cards either, because you need to carry them all day like I noted above about backpack or case.

Have an idea of the prices you would want for your cards so you do not annoy traders and dealers as you hem and haw about what to sell for. Be ready!

How to walk the show

The National is gigantic, bigger than any show and you can get lost. When you see a card you like, make sure to write down which booth number you see it at. Then you can find it on the map later. Trust me, I have forgotten before.

Don’t buy that first card you see. OK, maybe if you have looked for years and never seen it before, then maybe go for it… because it may not still be there later. If it is not that 1 in years card though, make sure to walk around and get to see many many booths before making decisions to buy. You would hate to run out of money and then see the other card you really wanted, but have no cash to make a deal.

Good luck and have fun. Try to see the patterns across many dealers too.

This show will be great!