Does Fritsch cards sell cards or not?

CrissCriss

I was at work browsing their website and stumbled on their Xmas catalog. I noticed some unopened vending that they had for sale and also noticed that on their unopened orders they only take money orders. I planned on buying approx $1500 worth of unopened product and called just to make sure it was still in stock. If it was not, I did not want to tie up that money for the next week or two until they sent the MO back.

When I inquired on the phone if it was still in stock he said "it is, but as of right now NONE of our unopened is for sale, please check back after the first of the year" It kind of ticked me off the tone he used. I got the feeling on the phone that if I would have asked what it would take to get it for sale he would have sold it to me.

If that section of your store/catalog is no longer for sale and you only accept MOs, why not update your catalog or put it on your website that you are no longer accepting orders. If someone does not check on the product being in stock and just fired off a MO, they would have their $$$ tied up for an extended amount of time needlessly. Sorry move all the way around by Fritsch cards.

gemint

If you offer them double their catalog price, they may locate some suddenly. Try buying one of their reprint sets. I'm sure those are much more available.

grote15

They are notorious for not fulfilling unopened orders from the catalog. Frankly, I have no idea why they even print it. They have plenty of stock but prefer to get the crazy prices through Collect Auctions than sell to you. The only way to make sure you get their item is to purchase it off ebay.

gemint

<< <i>They are notorious for not fulfilling unopened orders from the catalog. Frankly, I have no idea why they even print it. They have plenty of stock but prefer to get the crazy prices through Collect Auctions than sell to you. The only way to make sure you get their item is to purchase it off ebay. >>



I once waited about 6 weeks for a 1973 set I ordered from them. While waiting, I heard a horror story from someone else who ordered a 1974 set from them. So I called Fritsch to see if they had fullfilled the order yet. They hadn't, so I was able to cancel the order.

Edited to add - The interesting thing I learned when I called them is that these sets ordered originally from Topps were not built back in the day. My impression had been that the 1973 set was built by them in 1973 and put in inventory. The 'EX-MT or better' description would cover the normal factory cutting issues for a percentage of the set. What I learned is that the sets are built upon order, meaning they pull each card from their stock (presumably vending or boxes they stuffed at some point in time). The person who bought the 1974 set said almost every card had a factory defect except the Ryan which was NM-MT. So it sounds like most of the high grade cards were pulled over the years and all that's left is the stock that had quality control issues.

1954

they are the worst. They did the exact same thing to me about four weeks ago. False advertising will get them some day.

Big80s

I have a current open order in with them. I first put in a credit card order on their site. They called me two days later to say that since I was a first time buyer I would need to mail a check. So I mailed a check. They contacted me several days later to say they had received my check, but wouldn't mail anything until my check cleared. They then mentioned I could send a MO instead, if I wanted my order delivered immediately. It's like an obstacle course trying to buy something from them.

WalterSobchak

I have never done business with them. And based on what I have seen in this thread alone, I never will.

mattinglymint23

Coincidentally I was itching for some 75 vending and dipped into their catalogue. This thread saved me from a potentially bad experience.
Christmas miracle? Maybe.

akuracy503

Fritsch, the names Legendary in our hobby.

Who took over that operation?

Unknown

This content has been removed.

Webb63

Not surprised CrissCriss…I am just echoing others experiences, but I thought one more would just help drive home the reality of Fritsch. I spoke to them literally 1 to 2 days after catalogue #103 went live online and when I asked about an item I wanted (I had bought several over the last few months ….prices rising with each purchase of 2 boxes...the max they would sell at once), I was told they were running those in a couple of auctions and would have to let the auctions close before they "knew" what the new price would be. Remember, the ink on the new catalogue was still wet, and the price on the item i wanted was up from catalogue #102.

akuracy503

Yes Fritsch is a pioneer in the hobby, after he passed away things may have changed.



<< <i>"Legendary?" Based on the responses on this thread, it is more like sorry. I had a feeling I was not alone in regards to my customer service that I received. >>

3BoyzTrading

They had a sale one day, 20% off any on-line item post-1980. I placed an order for 5 sets that I've been waiting 22 years to buy(was a kid with no money), through their on-line system. After a week and not receiving a tracking number, I called and they stated they couldn't fill it because they could only find one set.

hyperchipper09

Last business I did with them was either 1986 or 1987

gemint

They act like it's a privilege allowing you to buy from them. It's not like they're sitting on boxes of gem mint 1952 Mantles.

Stooge

Does he sell on eBay, and if so, does anyone have his eBay ID?

Paul.

grote15

<< <i>Does he sell on eBay, and if so, does anyone have his eBay ID?

Paul. >>



Here's a link to their ebay auctions. Contrary to the catalog sales (or lack thereof), they are very efficient and easy to deal with via the ebay platform.

Fritschcardsauctions

Stooge

<< <i>

<< <i>Does he sell on eBay, and if so, does anyone have his eBay ID?

Paul. >>



Here's a link to their ebay auctions. Contrary to the catalog sales (or lack thereof), they are very efficient and easy to deal with via the ebay platform.

Fritschcardsauctions >>

Thanks Grote!!!

Paul.

ClockworkAngel

I almost sense that when someone wants to buy something from them, they do research to see if they can get more money for it. Then pull the out of stock card.

I have had 2 experiences with them that were both quite negative. I concur that they act like I'm lucky to be buying something from them. What a shame that such a bad seller has such a great inventory of unopened

Nathaniel1960

In June of 1985 they were selling the complete High Series of 1972 Topps Football for $147.50 delivered.

fiveniner

I have bought from them back in 1981,a Topps traded set.I may have bought a reprint set or 2 off them also years back.

RedHeart54

Since they conduct their business like it's still June 1985, ask if they'd still honor that price if they still have '72 high series sets in stock. Consistency is a two way street, eh?

OckhamsRazor

I think you gentlemen may be in error in your harsh assessment of this organization's customer service experience. According to their web site, they are committed to your satisfaction:

"At Larry Fritsch Cards, your satisfaction is our Number One priority. As a customer, you are entitled to real value for your money, cordial and courteous treatment and a complete guarantee of satisfaction. If you are not happy for any reason, we'll do whatever it takes to make things right. Our orders are shipped promptly. We offer a 10-day return policy if you are not satisfied with your order."

gemint

<< <i>I think you gentlemen may be in error in your harsh assessment of this organization's customer service experience. According to their web site, they are committed to your satisfaction:

"At Larry Fritsch Cards, your satisfaction is our Number One priority. As a customer, you are entitled to real value for your money, cordial and courteous treatment and a complete guarantee of satisfaction. If you are not happy for any reason, we'll do whatever it takes to make things right. Our orders are shipped promptly. We offer a 10-day return policy if you are not satisfied with your order." >>



I guess 'promptly' means at least 6 weeks.

flatfoot816

I have collected for almost 25 years and I have an extensive collection of unopened. Exactly NONE of it has come from Fritsch for the reasons stated here.

There is nothing that I need or want bad enough to get pi$$ed on when I am paying for it

Mickey71

To maximize every little single bit of every card and transaction is greed and is wrong.....to the point where they are culling through every card in every set and then not honoring their prices.

I did not know Larry personally. I've heard none of them could grade a card correctly. Overgrade all the time to make a buck.

smallstocks

Fritsch has been pompous and jerky since day 1 back in the 70's. In 1979 & 1980 I was a Topps dealer as a teenager. I was selling complete baseball card sets for $12 - $15 while Fritsch was selling his for $30. Individual cards were also 3 -4 times more expensive. I never understood why ANYONE would buy from him.

70ToppsFanatic

Fritsch has always been run under a sell-at-top-dollar philosophy. However, since Larry's death this approach has been taken
to a raised level.

They can do what they wish, but IMHO it represents small-minded thinking. They lose much more in business than they gain by
being inflexible and greedy.

They have staked out a position in most serious collectors' minds as being a dealer of last resort. Too bad, because they have the
inventory and knowledge to be one of the leading dealers in the industry for introducing the hobby to a whole new generation of
collectors.

ClockworkAngel

<< <i>Fritsch has always been run under a sell-at-top-dollar philosophy. However, since Larry's death this approach has been taken
to a raised level.

They can do what they wish, but IMHO it represents small-minded thinking. They lose much more in business than they gain by
being inflexible and greedy.

They have staked out a position in most serious collectors' minds as being a dealer of last resort. Too bad, because they have the
inventory and knowledge to be one of the leading dealers in the industry for introducing the hobby to a whole new generation of
collectors. >>



Very well said

MrNearMint

Sounds like Fritsch may be related to Dean.

grote15

<< <i>

<< <i>Fritsch has always been run under a sell-at-top-dollar philosophy. However, since Larry's death this approach has been taken
to a raised level.

They can do what they wish, but IMHO it represents small-minded thinking. They lose much more in business than they gain by
being inflexible and greedy.

They have staked out a position in most serious collectors' minds as being a dealer of last resort. Too bad, because they have the
inventory and knowledge to be one of the leading dealers in the industry for introducing the hobby to a whole new generation of
collectors. >>



Very well said >>



+2

Sullyknows

<< <i>Fritsch has always been run under a sell-at-top-dollar philosophy. However, since Larry's death this approach has been taken
to a raised level.

They can do what they wish, but IMHO it represents small-minded thinking. They lose much more in business than they gain by
being inflexible and greedy.


OR IS IT?

They have staked out a position in most serious collectors' minds as being a dealer of last resort. Too bad, because they have the
inventory and knowledge to be one of the leading dealers in the industry for introducing the hobby to a whole new generation of
collectors. >>



BUT PLENTY OF SERIOUS COLLECTORS KEEP ASKING!

grote15

The funny part of all this is that considering the amount of spam email they send out about their ongoing "specials," you'd expect that they would actually be interested in selling the items they have listed for sale.

elsnorto

I bought a 1935 National Chicle reprint from them on eBay and they added me to their mailing list as a result. I don't even bother to open their catalogs when they arrive... they go straight into the recycling bin. They are over priced, operate like it is still the 1980s, and play way too many games based on what I have read on numerous forums.

Snorto~

gamer1958

Actually a little sad to read this as I didn't know they'd gone downhill so much. I did know that Larry Fritsch passed on about six years ago. He used to have full page ads in SCD, "Baseball Cards by Series" which in my opinion (back then) were a little high priced. But I took a chance and bought a 1969 Series because I wanted the Mantle. The cards were absolutely PRISTINE. Even my kid brother, who knew crap about baseball cards (or even baseball in general) ordered the same series. BEST $60 THAT KID EVER SPENT! So as you can tell, this all took place over 20 years ago.

Larry was given a full-color feature article in one of the old Beckett guides, probably around 1982 or 1983, so don't quote me on the exact year (not talking the Beckett magazine, rather the annual Price Guide which was out of date as soon as they printed it). Anyway, Larry was interviewed and talked about his warehouse and inventory, claimed (and displayed) some seven 54 Bowman Ted Williams cards that he said came out of ONE or TWO packs. Interesting read, in those "early" days of the hobby right about when it was starting to take off. Probably still have that guide laying around somewhere back home.

I recall reading somewhere that Alan "Mr. Mint" Rosen was interested in buying Fritsch out one year and was politely told to go take a hike.

dytch2220

I've bought from them once because they have the remaining uncirculated inventory of a card I wanted for my collection. I contacted them to see if they would make a deal to sell their inventory of the card to me. They turned me down out of hand and referred me to buy through their eBay auctions.

mygotta

I am resolved to never inquire or bother with Fritsch after reading many buyers experiences. But at the same time I enjoy reading these threads at the ridiculous operation he runs.