Here are my tips for making it through the 31st Annual National Sports Collectors Convention in one piece, and with a wallet still intact:
Now for everyone else, including myself::
2) It's massive. Really massive. If you want to see everything,before starting to go through every aisle in an organized fashion, make sure you walk around blindly first to get some of the overwhelming feeling off your shoulders, because it will be there.
3) Do not purchase anything in your first 60 minutes there, unless its the deal of the century. Chances are, especially if its an autograph, that someone else in the show also has it. This your opportunity to bargain and shop for the lowest price. For example here are three prices for Jose Reyes's auto's I saw: $60, $40, $35. See? There are a variety of prices, pay attention.
4) Be careful. When possible check with an outside source to make sure you are getting a fair price:
$40 Art Shamsky? Doesn't seem worth it now since seeing the Carter ball
$29 Boog Powell? Ask someone from Baltimroe, thats's an easy one to get for free.
5) Look for unusual things.
6) Follow rule 5. Thats the fantastic thing about this convention. There will be things that you never knew existed. Aim for those pieces, they will be a much better value than anything else you see on the convention floor.
7) Try to have fun. People who are just focussed on their goals tend not to have fun at these conventions, I think. Imagine it like a museuam, that you can purchase the artwork. You will have more fun.
