Where do you buy your cards/sports related items?

TJMAC

I thought this would be an interesting topic. What percentage of your cards/sports related items are purchased from Ebay, card shows, buy, sell, trade forum, card shops and other places? My breakdown is pretty simple - 98% from Ebay and 2% from card stores in my area. I have not been to a card show in 15 years. It is not that I don't like them, but I don't like the overhead involved with going to them i.e gas, parking, admission fees and generally higher prices when compared to Ebay for graded. I know there are deals to be had, but I look at it like why spend the dollars looking for potential deals when what I want will eventually come across Ebay. When my kids get older and if they are interested in cards I will take them to a few shows, so they can experience it.

elsnorto

I am pretty much the same... 95% eBay and 5% other... be it here, websites, or mail-order.

I was AMAZED when TNS was saying he has never bought or sold on eBay.



Snorto~

AragornTheBold

Well I used to be about 90% eBay 10% Wal Mart/ Target but my no auto/gu card in retail streak is still alive so I am probably going to stick to ebay for all of my card purchases

Goot

All of my singles come from ebay, but all/ most of my boxes and supplies come from the local shop.

TheVon

If by % of money spent, I'd say 85% eBay, 10% BBCE, 5% sportslots.com.

mosaic

70% eBay, nearly 30% Target/Walmart/Meijer, and less than 1% the local shops (one is a gyp joint, the other is great for supplies but sells resealed packs)

nearmint

Interesting question. I'll say:

50% ebay auctions

10% ebay stores

10% dealer sites

10% direct from non-dealers

10% major auctions

10% trades with collectors

cinman14

perkdog

75% Ebay + 25% Nearmintsportscards

purduepete

For me, I'd say that it's roughly 1/3 card shows, 1/3 shops, and 1/3 eBay for the cards that I have purchased recently, with my eBay purchases steadily declining. I would much rather buy a card after looking at it in person - crappy scans on eBay can hide a lot...

nearmint

Paul, that's the best chuckle I got all day!

ymarea

Probably about 80% eBay, 18% other online stores, 2% card shops. I've been collecting cards for almost 40 years and have been to only 1 card show. I should get off my lazy bottom and go to some shows but I'm becoming more of a recluse in my middle age.

leadoff4

75% from shows(when I can go), 15% from B/S/T forums, and 10% eBay. I hardly every buy on eBay if it isn't graded. I think I'm about to start taking some chances though. I'm hearing more and more people getting decent raw cards from eBay.

Indy78

75% card shows

10% eBay

10% online dealers (Mickeys, Sportlots, etc)

5% local card shop

ChiefsFan1st

I would say 90% E-Bay and the rest other online dealers and trading with all 2 people I know locally that collect the same stuff I do

Griffins

30% ebay, 30% auction houses, 40% private dealings with other collectors
Ebay is definitely dropping fast for me, seems like it just doesn't have the offerings it used to.