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Local Card Shop is a joke

LeiascardsLeiascards Posts: 3,233
in Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum
I rarely go into our local card shop anymore, went in there today and got a good reminder why.

2006 Score Football hobby boxes 142.00

2006 Score Select Football 225.00

2007 Topps Co-signers 265.00

Just some of the great prices he offers, yet he still has alot of regular customers. I have witnessed him on several occasions open a box of cards search them pull the good packs out them sell the rest and tell customers they have not been searched. Yet he still has customers.

Maybe lawnmowerman can loan me part of the money he just got offered to open some real competition for this clown.
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Comments

  • bigfischebigfische Posts: 2,252 ✭✭
    i dont know the market for the others but the co-signers is at least a bill over priced. Unreal.
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  • BobaFett72BobaFett72 Posts: 7,304
    is the local shop in a Mall>?

    most of the local mom and pops have long since died off. the only ones open locally are in the Malls/Gallerias and pay insane rents. I'd have to charge a fortune on stuff to pay the rent.
  • LeiascardsLeiascards Posts: 3,233
    Co-signers is about 125.00 over what most shops are charging per box Ebay is about 90.00.

    The 2006 Score Ebay price is about 30 to 40 dollars and the select is about 65 to 75.00.
  • LeiascardsLeiascards Posts: 3,233
    He is in a small shopping center in a small suburb. A friend of mine had a coin shop in the same location for a couple of years and he paid about 325 a month for a 800 sq ft place. The card shops rent is about the same. I can rent a place about 2 times the size of his across the street for about 500 a month.

    Only problem with the area is unless the customers know you and where you are you will get little traffic since it is off the beaten pass.
  • SoonerCowboySoonerCowboy Posts: 1,179
    That's the reason most card shops around Oklahoma City have died off. They don't really care about their customers and "SRP" is not in their vocabulary. I understand that they have a business to make money, but, when they price gouge the store doesn't stay open very long. They seem to think that the customer should pay for the high dollar pulls that they MIGHT get. Plus they think that they should get high book for EVERYTHING. One of the last times I went to a card shop, which was a long time ago, I was wanting to pick up a Larry Walker Leaf rc, a Galaragga rc and a Chipper Jones rc. The owner, when asked by the guy that was waiting on me asked him how much for the Walker rc, he said "oh he hot right now so we have to get high book". I promptly walked out and never returned to that shop ever again. I now live in a small town west of OKC and there was a card shop here but it was not in a very good location. They sold cards at SRP but like I said unless you were looking for it you wouldn't even know that we had one in town. Too bad they weren't in a better location. But it was ran by two Federal prison guards so it wasn't like their only means of income so they might have just decided that the time and money wasn't worth it. Oh well the local Walmart has started selling cards again and there is always the 20 minute drive to the closet Target.
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  • LeiascardsLeiascards Posts: 3,233
    Ironically the shop I am refering to is owned by a retired Federal Prison Guard, it was originally opened by 2, but one left several years back and thaty was when the problems began with it.

    On another note we have a comic shop that is slowly getting back into sports cards after years of avoiding them. I can go in there and pay pretty close to SRP for packs and boxes. Bought 2 packs of Moments and Milestones today for 14.00 many shops are reporting 8 to10 a pack on this product right now due to Dice-K.

    I pulled a Mantle 1/1 from it made my day.
  • jrinckjrinck Posts: 1,321 ✭✭
    There are plenty of businesses that have no business being in business. Card shops don't have the exclusive on that. Any moron can get a business loan, but not every moron can pay it back.
  • RipublicaninMassRipublicaninMass Posts: 10,051 ✭✭✭
    Just curious if I know which shop it is
  • LeiascardsLeiascards Posts: 3,233
    Usually it the ones who don't have any business running a business that gets the loans thet they might need. The ones who could make it can never get the breaks.
  • stevekstevek Posts: 30,186 ✭✭✭✭✭
    W
  • WinPitcherWinPitcher Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭
    . The card shops rent is about the same. I can rent a place about 2 times the size of his across the street for about 500 a month.


    You should give it a shot, then you can sell 'stuff' at cost and be everyone's friend.

    unreal.

    1.......you have no idea what the guy has for overhead.

    2......If his stuff is overpriced it will sit.

    3......why do I even bother.


    Steve
    Good for you.
  • LeiascardsLeiascards Posts: 3,233
    4. Butt out.. If you cannot do nothing better but sling stupid comments.

    Seems like you are either:

    A: The type owner I am describing or maybe you are that owner.

    B: one of his loyal customers who is too lazy to shop around instead of paying 3 to 4 times what the average it.

    I apparently know more about his overhead and such than you do. I called his landlord just a few minutes ago the old barber shop next door to him that is the same size as his store rents for 325 a month. I can safely assume that his rent is pretty close to that. I know he orders most of his boxes direct.
  • stownstown Posts: 11,321 ✭✭✭


    << <i>4. Butt out.. If you cannot do nothing better but sling stupid comments. >>



    You ask for opinions, someone gives theirs, and then you tell them to butt out?

    Nice.
    So basically my kid won't be able to go to college, but at least I'll have a set where the three most expensive cards are of a player I despise ~ CDsNuts
  • cobbcollectorcobbcollector Posts: 3
    Wow.... Tough crowd.

    What Steve (Winpitcher) said is only the truth. As usual though some don't like the truth.

    Almost as bad as net54 sometime's.

    Scott
    aloof1003
  • 1989FleerBillRipkencollector1989FleerBillRipkencollector Posts: 4,590
    I have 2 shops in town. Been around for almost 20 years. One more honest than the other. The one I like has these prices

    Bowman Originals packs- $70 (ebay $40)

    07 Finest pack $10

    Co Signers pack $10

    BUT then he has 2000 Bowman Draft sealed sets @ $20 ea. he pulls out from time to time. Bowman Originals- If I want a pack but cannot wait for one in the mail I'll pay the $70 or I can pay $40 and wait. Hes a coin dealer and only has a small section for cards now and he thinks the hobby is ridiculous now and his overpriced stuff is probally from lack of knowledge taht was priced when it first hit.
    imageimageimage
  • LeiascardsLeiascards Posts: 3,233
    OIC how this board is now..

    It is apparent he can come in here and give rude remarks on something I NEVER even asked for an opinion on and then then when I make a rude remark back I am the one who is being the problem.. GET REAL!!

    I NEVER said anything about opening a shop and selling the stuff at cost that would be pretty stupid. I want someone to point where i said that out.

    The purpose of this post was to merely make an observation about how some shops do their customers and then so many wonder why the sportscard market is nothing like it used to be. Its dealers like this who helped cause these problems.

    As I said I guess it is alrigght for some to be rude to posters in here, but others cannot be.
  • CDsNutsCDsNuts Posts: 10,092 ✭
    With the ease of buying online, any shop owner who factors in his overhead into pricing will lose money by doing so. If you want to run a successful shop that sells mostly cards, you're going to have to bite the bullet and price your cards according to fair market value. Anything less and, like Steve said, the stuff will sit. How many of that guys cards are faded by the sun because they've sat so long? I'd guess a lot. If that pricing is indicative of the way he does business, he's clearly not maximizing profits.

    Usually, this is a case of the last of a dying breed and he will be out of business soon enough. Either that or he has another source of income and just likes owning a card shop.
  • LeiascardsLeiascards Posts: 3,233
    Normally I would agree with that about the stuff will just sit, but his stuff sells he has regulars who never check the internet or anything and I see them all the time talking about they bought a box of this for 120.00 from Larry, then they get mad when I say I only paid 35 for my box on Ebay.

    Main thing is though he has a nice income from his retirement coming in so he does not need to sell the stuff to survive. Most successful card shop owner I ever met was an old dealer from the 70s, he sold all his new boxes at 10.00 over his direct costs and had consignment auctions once a week. These auctions usually brought in over 2000 a night just from his commissions on the items, then his volume in boxes made up for the rest.
  • CDsNutsCDsNuts Posts: 10,092 ✭
    Are you in an affluent area? I just can't imagine people who are ignorant with regard to buying on the internet or that are willing to pay 75% more to buy in person.

    As Blockbuster taught us when they originally stuck to their guns before finally realizing they had to make a change, it's foolish to believe that a Bricks and Mortar business with high markups can compete with lower prices over the internet.
  • 1989FleerBillRipkencollector1989FleerBillRipkencollector Posts: 4,590
    If they get mad for paying $120 vs. your $35 then its no ones fault but their own for not researching. I dont walk into Target to buy Toilet paper and the cashier says " Hey, go to Walmart its on sale there." Its buyer beware and if you dont know what your doing someone who does will gladly take the $$ from your pocket.
    imageimageimage
  • WinPitcherWinPitcher Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭
    . I called his landlord just a few minutes ago the old barber shop next door to him that is the same size as his store rents for 325 a month.


    Sure ya did. And, even if ya did that does not prove that they both rent the same. the 'barbershop' may have a sweetheart lease etc.

    If you feel the guy is overpriced DON'T SHOP there. Instead you come on to a internet chat board and whine about it. Then when someone stands up to your nonsense you cry 'butt out'

    lol.............typical, so, since the rent is so cheap why not give it a shot?


    To be continued..............


    Oh by the way,


    5............for what it is worth 'overhead' includes more then just rent.


    Steve
    Good for you.
  • WinPitcherWinPitcher Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭
    And, I was not being rude dork face, I was giving my opinion on why he sells cards for such outrageous prices. FACT is YOU DON'T know his OVERHEAD. Fact is if it is so overpriced it will sit. Fact is I bet you got your jolly's off telling the guy who overpayed how lil you payed! Sorta like you couldn't help throwing it in his face. I know the type. Real schmuks.

    To be continued.

    Steve
    Good for you.
  • LeiascardsLeiascards Posts: 3,233
    Dude I have run a resturant for 12 years I know that overhead is more that rent. I saw no whining or anything as you have said I I stated you came in here and posted your rude comments, and I retorted that you should just butt out. I never asked for your opinion or anyone elses for that matter.

    If you are so freaking smart why don't you learn to read and you will see that I do know more about what is cost to operate a business where he is located than you ever will.

    If you will also read I stated that I only go there maybe once a year or so, so I do not think I shop there.

    Unktil you can learn to read and comprehend facts I will say it again you need to butt out.
  • WinPitcherWinPitcher Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭
    image


    Steve
    Good for you.
  • GooberGoober Posts: 980 ✭✭✭
    There are a lot of factors in owning a business that I don't think the average collector even has a clue about. I owned my own sports card business for three years.

    Here's the biggest lol imho:

    Customer walks in to sell said card...wants low book.
    Customer walks in to buy said card...wants low book.

    Edited to add: Yes I have seen grossly overpriced dealers who shouldn't be in business.

    Prost!

    Why step over the dollar to get to the cent? Because it's a 55DDO.
  • LeiascardsLeiascards Posts: 3,233
    OHHH big man gotta resort to name calling. Typical internet know nothing. You are a big man behind that computer screen aren't you.
  • LeiascardsLeiascards Posts: 3,233
    How do you report the childish name calling?
  • WinPitcherWinPitcher Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭
    Yo dork it is a public chat board. once you make a comment be prepared for some replies.

    Or would you rather you make a comment and nobody replies?


    And if you are in the restaurant business you surely are MARKING UP your food more then the poor baseball card store owner is.


    Lets see you buy an egg for 10 cents and charge 2.99?? wow NO wonder I don't eat your your slimey restaurant.

    To be continued...............

    Steve
    Good for you.
  • LeiascardsLeiascards Posts: 3,233
    Show me where I said a markup is not accecptable?

    You have nothing better to do than hang out in a board and cause problems. Must have a wonderful life there buddy.

    I am not going to sit here and let you get off. I am done with you..

  • WinPitcherWinPitcher Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭
    Show me where I was rude in my first reply?

    I simply gave an opinion. Oh that's right you did not ask for one.

    Tuff I gave one.

    You did not like it so you in turn became RUDE and told me to butt out.

    Typical pot meet kettle.


    Steve
    Good for you.
  • WinPitcherWinPitcher Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭
    I am not going to sit here and let you get off. I am done with you..


    That makes about as much sense as the PM you sent me.

    Good I'm glad you are done with me.


    Steve
    Good for you.
  • LeiascardsLeiascards Posts: 3,233
    <i>You should give it a shot, then you can sell 'stuff' at cost and be everyone's friend.

    unreal.

    1.......you have no idea what the guy has for overhead.

    2......If his stuff is overpriced it will sit.

    3......why do I even bother.</i>

    That was your first post the UNREAL part IMHO is rude.

    I know though you live in a shelterled cage and do not realize that what one person thinks is rude may not be rude to you. IMHO it was rude and uncalled for. Then you had to start with the name calling which has been reported and hopefully you will get suspended, but I am sure you have other IDS here too.
  • 1989FleerBillRipkencollector1989FleerBillRipkencollector Posts: 4,590
    Tattle tale or is it tattle tell? Im not name calling, just wondering. ??
    imageimageimage
  • LeiascardsLeiascards Posts: 3,233
    I am sure he has done run and tattled on me for some reason. That is usually how it works. I have seen it happen as a lurker on this board many times. There are several members who are real bad about it. They can dish it but cannot take it. So if I am going to get tattled on I am going to return the favor.
  • onlyanumberonlyanumber Posts: 2,433
    image
    Next MONTH? So he's saying that if he wins, the best-case scenario is that he'll be paying for it two weeks after the auction ends?

    Forget blocking him; find out where he lives and go punch him in the nuts. --WalterSobchak 9/12/12



    image


    Looking for Al Hrabosky and any OPC Dave Campbells (the ESPN guy)
  • WinPitcherWinPitcher Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭
    LOL this guy must be 12 years old! Tattle tale?


    I've been reported huh. Good now we know that besides being a dork you are also a rat.

    Now as for my 'unreal' comment in which you mistakenly took as rude.

    It was simply a statement not intended to be rude.

    I just found your post 'unreal'

    I mean I am allowed an opinion as you are.


    Steve
    Good for you.
  • LeiascardsLeiascards Posts: 3,233
    I guess so and if it was not intended to be rude I do appologize, you have to remember there is no emotion in the written word. Only emotion is viewed by the reader.

    As I also stated I did not say that I was mad at him or anything I just think it is sad that dealers mark-up stuff like they do. My big complaint was the fact he searches packs and then refills boxes and sells them as packs and tells everyone they are unsearched. You missed that part of my original part of my OP didn't you? Everyone is focusing on the price thing.

    He is also the first one to cry and complain that he cannot sell anything and Ebay is going to put him out of business. I do not mind paying 15 to 20 dollars more than Ebay prices on boxes local, but selling them for 3 to 4 times what he paid for them is a little ridiculous. I agree if he can sell them then more power to him and the buyers can only get mad at themselves.

    The bad thing about that is when buyers find out they got dramatically overcharged they simply stop buying cards altogether this hurts all card dealers and other collectors alike.
  • WinPitcherWinPitcher Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭
    . You missed that part of my original part of my OP didn't you?


    No, i saw it.


    Steve
    Good for you.
  • thesplendidsplinterthesplendidsplinter Posts: 336 ✭


    << <i>LOL this guy must be 12 years old! Tattle tale?

    Steve >>



    Steve, does this mean the tattle tale has been running a restaurant since birth? image

    Just trying to keep up
    Orioles cards from 1960 to today.

    Be good my brothers.
  • LeiascardsLeiascards Posts: 3,233
    dam I said I was sorry for misreading that first statement as rude, but that did not give "steve" a right to start with the childish name calling. I guess everyone thinks that is ok. I know had I called him names he would have run right to tattle on me.
  • stownstown Posts: 11,321 ✭✭✭
    Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water.



    << <i>image >>



    image
    So basically my kid won't be able to go to college, but at least I'll have a set where the three most expensive cards are of a player I despise ~ CDsNuts
  • tedh111tedh111 Posts: 258 ✭
    The prices are quite high, but if he has customers that will pay that high more power to him. Marking your wax up 10-20% only works if you have the volume to support it, and for many shops the local area volume just isnt there anymore. They could have the best prices around, but if people arent buying it doesnt matter if your marked up 10,20,50,100 %.
    www.sportsnutcards.com
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  • TNTonPMSTNTonPMS Posts: 2,279 ✭✭
    I have no problem paying the extra cash to get what I want right now .

    I'm not the type of person that likes to order online and then wait .

    I'd rather pay the extra money and get it on the spot if I have to .
    I just picked up a box of 2006 Bowman Sterling football for 330.00

    I have seen them online for around 290.00 but the not having to wait part is worth something to me .

    The part of the story I don't like to hear is the store owners going through the packs and stuff .

    We pay a lot of money to enjoy our hobby and we expect a fare shake . . . that's all I want
  • stevekstevek Posts: 30,186 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Wasn't there an old TV show called Dork and Mindy?
  • LeiascardsLeiascards Posts: 3,233
    I see this board is full of kids who do not have any and cannot accept an appology. GROW UP..

  • stevekstevek Posts: 30,186 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I see this board is full of kids who do not have any and cannot accept an appology. GROW UP.. >>




    I'm always suspicious anyway of guys named Steve - don't trust 'em!
  • stownstown Posts: 11,321 ✭✭✭
    One word: Xanax

    Edited to add: or is it xanaX?

    image
    So basically my kid won't be able to go to college, but at least I'll have a set where the three most expensive cards are of a player I despise ~ CDsNuts
  • GrifogGrifog Posts: 13
    Thorasine works better.
  • LeiascardsLeiascards Posts: 3,233
    Again I may have misread that original post as being rude and I had the balls to admit that and appologize for it. That gives no reason for the name calling and now the drug references that are being made. Those comments are rude and insensitive, what if a person really is on those meds?


    You want to call me a 12yo and such Win is the one who started with the Dork comments.. That is a high school level insult, nobody uses dork except my 7yo.

    I guarantee if I had made those comments I have been getting to any member of the clique of this board I would have been raked over the coals, but Win gets cheered on and the comments I make are rude.

    At least I have the balls to appologize. Why can't the rest of you grow some?
  • WinPitcherWinPitcher Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭
    Leias

    apology accepted, sorry i had a game tonite and just got back. My fault here I was being sarcastic earlier.

    What i should have said and what i did mean was if you know the rent is so cheap, and if you think you can do a better job then go for it.

    It is not as easy as it seems. I know cuz i did it for 9 years.

    Anyway, no biggie Leias welcome to the boards, just grow a thicker skin.


    Steve
    Good for you.
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