Cooperstown card shops
softparade
Posts: 9,276 ✭✭✭✭✭
I was in Cooperstown last week to visit the hall of fame. A friend of mine and I were maybe 2 of 10 in the whole place all day. Thats another story though......
I was amazed that the four card shops I visited were totaly lacking in graded cards. I realize that they are just tourist trap shops but the owners were clueless about graded. One shop I visited I swear the owner sneered and said "I'll never deal with any graded cards" I did find one place that had binders of raw in which I picked up two nice prospects for my 78 Topps set. The only graded cards I saw were some late 80's stuff, and a small amount of vintage that were priced out of this world.
I live in a area that has NO, and I mean ZERO decent card shops. Is what I encountered in Cooperstown more widespread than I think? Are we a such a huge minority in collecting graded cards, especially in complete sets?
I was amazed that the four card shops I visited were totaly lacking in graded cards. I realize that they are just tourist trap shops but the owners were clueless about graded. One shop I visited I swear the owner sneered and said "I'll never deal with any graded cards" I did find one place that had binders of raw in which I picked up two nice prospects for my 78 Topps set. The only graded cards I saw were some late 80's stuff, and a small amount of vintage that were priced out of this world.
I live in a area that has NO, and I mean ZERO decent card shops. Is what I encountered in Cooperstown more widespread than I think? Are we a such a huge minority in collecting graded cards, especially in complete sets?
ISO 1978 Topps Baseball in NM-MT High Grade Raw 3, 100, 103, 302, 347, 376, 416, 466, 481, 487, 509, 534, 540, 554, 579, 580, 622, 642, 673, 724__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ISO 1978 O-Pee-Chee in NM-MT High Grade Raw12, 21, 29, 38, 49, 65, 69, 73, 74, 81, 95, 100, 104, 110, 115, 122, 132, 133, 135, 140, 142, 151, 153, 155, 160, 161, 167, 168, 172, 179, 181, 196, 200, 204, 210, 224, 231, 240
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The card shop nearest my home has little graded also. Most is modern from ripped packs and kids selling their stuff back - vintage is spotty - they always want smr also. With ebay, I find less and less reason to frequent them. Shops seem to sell way more kiddie stuff - game cards of different types - not a knock - they have to sell what moves.
How do people feel about going to shops these days? I rarely go anymore - ebay doesn't use up gas.
your friend
Mike
GG
The card shops around my area are just pitiful. NOTHING later than the mid 90's. I know that these shops are a business and must sell what moves, but it is the empty space looks that I get from these shop owners that really raise an eye. I would think these people are collectors in some fashion themselves. I would think that the obsession of this hobby is what leads most into the dealer business. Even if these places deal 95% modern stuff, I would think the owners would be up on the graded card market and vintage. Just because........ how the heck did they get into the business?
ISO 1978 Topps Baseball in NM-MT High Grade Raw 3, 100, 103, 302, 347, 376, 416, 466, 481, 487, 509, 534, 540, 554, 579, 580, 622, 642, 673, 724__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ISO 1978 O-Pee-Chee in NM-MT High Grade Raw12, 21, 29, 38, 49, 65, 69, 73, 74, 81, 95, 100, 104, 110, 115, 122, 132, 133, 135, 140, 142, 151, 153, 155, 160, 161, 167, 168, 172, 179, 181, 196, 200, 204, 210, 224, 231, 240
He said "What's PSA?"
There are three card shops within a reasonable distance of my house, and a total of one vintage baseball card on display between the three. All three carry Yu Gi Oh, Pokemon, beanie baby, and a bunch of role-playing game stuff, in addition to lots and lots of modern cards.
I go to card shops to buy supplies only.
There's a weekly card show by me (that I haven't been to in about ten years) that used to have a lot of vintage. Aside from Ebay, card shows would be the only place I'd actually buy cards.
I agree, BTW, that the card shops in Cooperstown are awful. I also agree that January is THE time to go to the Hall. I went there two Januaries ago, and my wife and I were the only people in some of the rooms. I read EVERY plaque in the hall. Awesome.
-Al
They do have some graded cards, but all are over SMR. They have an online shop that specializes in PSA high graded commons. They have knowledgeable and honest owners
stevens creek sports cards
Ebay is making the local card shop more and more antiquated for us vintage collectors. But, if you ever need a modern card pack...theyre always there!
YES, they are total tourist traps.
What you are dealing with is guys who have no NEED to sell graded cards because they are able to rip off the public without the expense. They sell more raw cards in the summer months than probably a large card show does in an entire year.
AND...there is a reason the shops look like crap....NO OTHER COMPETITION IS ALLOWED. No need to invest in how your shop looks.
There is a family who has owned most of Cooperstown for decades. They pretty much have the say on ALL businesses in the town. There is one piece of real estate in the quad by Doubleday Field that has been for sale for 3 years. It's at quite a bargain too...why havent they sold it? EVERYONE knows the battle of beginning a business there and all agree it isnt worth it. And it isnt worth trying to put a card shop in the outskirts of town. 98% of tourists wont know its there.
If you have noticed, even McDonalds is on the outskirts. That, I think I can agree with to some extent because they want to keep the town away from "modernization"...it will destroy its aura.
So, why are the shops so bad? It's easy to see when you live in the area. Its just very sad.....