BBCE Grand Opening Celebration, So who went?

ssollars · March 20, 2014 10:56AM

After a long cold winter here in Iowa, I'm thinking I'm due for a little outing!

Scott

Juggs · March 20, 2014 11:03AM

Definitely considering it.

I might wait until the next week though....just to miss the crowd.

Unknown · March 20, 2014 11:28AM

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thehallmark · March 20, 2014 1:05PM

<< Why? Weird that this forum has basically become free advertising for BBCE >>

Not weird at all if you love unopened product and have done business with them.

Stooge · March 20, 2014 1:19PM

I live in Northern Illinois (about 100 miles away) and will be there when he opens the doors on March 31st. I actually need to call to see what time he opens, as I want to be there at that time.

As far as the free advertising, BBCE has added quite handsomely to my unopened collection the past few years and they have been extremely good and generous to me in many ways. Do they deserve a few of us around here spreading their gospel...Damn straight skippy!

Paul.

slum22 · March 20, 2014 2:04PM

CrissCriss--Not sure why you have a negative attitude towards BBCE. It seems you have taken a few shots at them in various threads. I am in not criticizing you for sharing your point of view. This is a collecting message board and all are entitled to their opinions and are free to share them. However, my guess is you are in the minority here with your opinion. I have had very positive dealings with Steve and BBCE and I feel that I have received quality products and great customer service from them at fair prices. I think others feel the same and that is probably why there is no shortage of positive threads regarding his company. We should all strive to have this type of reputation in our professions.

Steelernation · March 20, 2014 2:14PM

The continued negativity ....ugh...never mind...shakes head. It's gotten old in a very short time.

Unknown · March 20, 2014 6:17PM

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3BoyzTrading · March 20, 2014 6:33PM

Well, the only other vintage dealer in the market is Fritsch cards and they have, I'd say a mysterious way of doing business. It's a bit strange that they'd advertise a sale but then do their best to limit what you can buy. They don't do what BBCE does when it comes to group breaks. Ultimately, it's BBCE's superior customer service that sets them apart from everyone else. I don't know what else to say. This is mainly a vintage/80s crowd so if you can name a dealer that does anything remotely close to what BBCE does, we're all on board to buy them out of whatever 70s and 80s unopened they have and talk about it with you.

To get back on topic, I'll be driving thru but they wont be open when I do.

Dnice · March 20, 2014 9:32PM

Thats like saying that eBay is free advertising for PSA. I don't see anything wrong with people speaking about BBCE here. Where else are going going to discuss them, on a muscle car forum?

dennis07 · March 20, 2014 10:06PM

The fact that BBCE has given in the past a 10% discount for group rips earns them the occasional shout out.

runningman · March 20, 2014 10:07PM

I was hoping for a HOF baseball player autograph (I'm not into hockey) so I'll wait and see them at the National. I'll bet he's holding back some good stuff for the grand opening for those that can attend !!!

JHS5120 · March 20, 2014 10:21PM

<< I'll stand by what I said. I'm sure BBCE is a fine business, but is there any other dealer that has some thread about them virtually every single day on this forum? I'll answer that: no.

I didn't say it was bad, I said it was weird. And it is. >>

There are threads about Topps, eBay and PSA every day on this forum (all dealers/vendors). Add BBCE into the discussion and you have the four most vital resources in building a post-war baseball card collection.

Since you've been here you've added more commentary than substance. It would be nice to know what you collect

itzagoner · March 20, 2014 11:05PM

what's so weird? it's the same as a successful group of investors discussing how a timely move in the stock market put them in a better position. now some are planning to go visit Jordan Belfort at his new digs.

aconte · March 20, 2014 11:22PM

<< 

<< I'll stand by what I said. I'm sure BBCE is a fine business, but is there any other dealer that has some thread about them virtually every single day on this forum? I'll answer that: no.

I didn't say it was bad, I said it was weird. And it is. >>

There are threads about Topps, eBay and PSA every day on this forum (all dealers/vendors). Add BBCE into the discussion and you have the four most vital resources in building a post-war baseball card collection.

Since you've been here you've added more commentary than substance. It would be nice to know what you collect

>>

Or when he's going to sell some stuff to Shane (1954)....

aconte

Unknown · March 21, 2014 12:05AM

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Probstein123 · March 21, 2014 2:45AM

there is nothing wrong with free advertising !!!

stormtrooper80 · March 21, 2014 4:48AM

Is Wes Spece working there now?

JHS5120 · March 21, 2014 5:00AM

<< Is Wes Spece working there now? >>

You're another one that likes to add commentary, but little substance.. What do you collect? I'm curious.

hyperchipper09 · March 21, 2014 5:15AM

I'm not an unopened buyer, so, nope. Zero interest.

BLUEJAYWAY · March 21, 2014 5:37AM

While not an unopened collector,other than some 2003 and 2004 Heritage BB blaster boxes, I enjoy the threads on the unopened material. It recalls memories of a lost oppurtunity where I had gotten out of collecting from 1965-1989. It exposes me to the era that I did not collect, and with the various pictures/reports of finds from all of the unopened material, I can learn much from this missed era. My collection is primarily made up of the 1989 and up years. I do have some 70's/80's though. But back on topic. I find it refreshing to hear of any reports of positiveness within the hobby, especially with a business that caters so well to its customer base. What with all the negatives of EBAY and other "horror stories" that so often appear on this forum, these positive contributions/comments with any company can only serve the collector well.

stormtrooper80 · March 21, 2014 8:06AM

<< 

<< Is Wes Spece working there now? >>

You're another one that likes to add commentary, but little substance.. What do you collect? I'm curious. >>

Me? I mainly collect He-Man cards. A few Man-at-Arms; some Orko; a handful of Skeletors. But mostly He-Man. I've actually been thinking about trying something new though. Maybe a PSA 9 1981 Topps Mike Ivie. Know where I can find one?

1954 · March 21, 2014 8:16AM

CrissCriss
I will be here waiting for the scans.

dmurphy3mvp · March 21, 2014 8:29AM

<< I'm not an unopened buyer, so, nope. Zero interest. >>

We do more than just unopened. I'd say we're one of the best and bringing fresh vintage to the graded card market. Since 2001, we've averaged over 7,000 cards graded a year with PSA, and the last few years it's been over 10,000 cards graded a year.

We also bring a ton of autographed memorabilia to the market, sumbitting over 5,000 pieces to PSA/DNA last year, and this year we've already hit that mark and we're only in March! I think our store won't be your typical card shop, and the way we stand out from ths rest will ensure repeat visits.

Paul, we open on Monday 3/31 at 10am. Looking forward to seeing you there!

JHS5120 · March 21, 2014 8:36AM

<< Me? I mainly collect He-Man cards. A few Man-at-Arms; some Orko; a handful of Skeletors. But mostly He-Man. I've actually been thinking about trying something new though. Maybe a PSA 9 1981 Topps Mike Ivie. Know where I can find one? >>

I do actually. PM me your address and I'll help you with your collection a bit. No Star Wars cards?

Unknown · March 21, 2014 9:22AM

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Webb63 · March 21, 2014 10:57AM

<< CrissCriss
I will be here waiting for the scans. >>

Shane - don't hold your breath…been waiting on those "scans" for a couple of months now. I have a feeling we'll be hearing "i'll get you those real soon" quite often from this guy.

Stooge · March 21, 2014 10:57AM

<< Paul, we open on Monday 3/31 at 10am. Looking forward to seeing you there! >>

Reed, I can't wait to see all of you Guys and your shop. I know of a certain collector in Albany, New York who is droooooooooooling at the fact that I get to go and he has to drive a train that day.

Yes, He is a locomotive Engineer.

Paul.

dmurphy3mvp · March 21, 2014 2:24PM

<< Reed -

Interesting info about BBCE & grading. Where do you guys sell that stuff at? I know you do some stuff on ebay, but there aren't graded cards your website. >>

If the board members don't mind a little self-promotion...

All of our graded cards go into our eBay stores. Vintage is under eBay ID bbcexchange as Buy-It-Now listings, while modern is under eBay ID bbcexchange2 either as 99 cent auctions or Buy-It-Now/Best Offer. At this point in our business, we simply don't get enough eyes on our website to list graded cards there, and we probably never will. While we and many others dislike several things about selling on eBay, you can't argue with the amount of traffic the website receives. We list things as soon as we get our submissions back from PSA, so you can count on stuff going up in our eBay stores just about every week. I suppose we'll be stocking graded cards in our retail store, but even then, if it doesn't sell within a week or two, we'll want to pull it and get it up on eBay.

The one thing I will say about our graded card inventory is I think our cards are priced to sell. I'm not going to lie and say we're below VCP, but you won't see us listing a card with some sort of sky-high price, hoping someone will just have to have it. We're not running a museum, nor do we fall in love with our own cards. Given how many cards we sell every week, I'd say many of our customers would agree that like everything else we sell, our prices are quite fair and reasonable.

Unknown · March 21, 2014 5:57PM

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purduepete · March 24, 2014 10:11AM

Steve and Reed - Good Luck with the grand opening!

I'll have to check out your place the next time that I make it back home to the Region.

FYI, anybody from out-of-town who's going to BBCE should make it a point to go to Three Floyds Brew Pub. It's only about 2 miles away from the shop; if you like great beer and food, you will not be disappointed.

digdug · March 24, 2014 10:18AM

<< Steve and Reed - Good Luck with the grand opening!

I'll have to check out your place the next time that I make it back home to the Region.

FYI, anybody from out-of-town who's going to BBCE should make it a point to go to Three Floyds Brew Pub. It's only about 2 miles away from the shop; if you like great beer and food, you will not be disappointed. >>

One trick pony right up the street excellent as well

ssollars · March 24, 2014 10:57AM

<< FYI, anybody from out-of-town who's going to BBCE should make it a point to go to Three Floyds Brew Pub. It's only about 2 miles away from the shop; if you like great beer and food, you will not be disappointed. >>

Yep, it's on my list!!!

initialD · March 24, 2014 12:43PM

I think Reed is spot on here. I've seen BBCE put up great selections of vintage graded cards not priced to sit

I recently picked up a major HOF RC card, lower grade with real nice eye appeal. Not only was it a great deal IMO,

I was able to get a sweet discount off ebay on a newly listed item and on the weekend to boot!

Now just to get them to open a store close to me

Have a great time at the opening, wish I could join!!

MantleFan23 · March 30, 2014 2:29AM

So is anyone else here going to the grand opening?

My dad, wife, and I are making the trip. Be nice to meet a few of you at the shop if you are going. Stooge, are you going?

Jeremy

ssollars · April 12, 2014 1:29PM

Had a great visit to Steve's new place today. The place was hoppin' for the hour and a half I was there. Looked like the signings were a big hit!

The place had a nice mix of what you'd want in a card shop along with access to the website inventory as well! Although I doubt many shops would have the variety of vintage sets and singles that were on display and who knows how much other raw vintage stuff they have setting around.

The signings took place in the back were the main inventory area was, it was cool seeing row after row of shelves full of unopened material. It was cordoned off so no snooping around the area was allowed

I couldn't travel all the way there without picking up a few thing to rip...

1 - '72 FB 3rd Series (PSA 8)
2 - '86 FB Wax
2 - '84 FB Wax
1 - '77 FB Wax

and I'll also mention I ordered and received these prior to my visit, just in case they wouldn't last until today.

1 - '73 FB Wax (these were gone before today, glad I got one, haven't opened a '73 pack yet!)
1 - '74 FB Wax (Full pack)

Scott

P.S.

Also swung by Three Floyd's for a couple brews, including a great porter they called Topless Wytch!

Steelernation · April 12, 2014 2:37PM

Scott,
Thx for the trip report.
Any vintage unopened that's not on their website?

ssollars · April 12, 2014 3:02PM

<< Scott,
Thx for the trip report.
Any vintage unopened that's not on their website? >>

Not that I saw (at least football), they had very little vintage unopened on display in the store itself. But I'm sure there was some there somewhere, the National is quickly approaching...

tmgrnzx9r · April 14, 2014 2:24AM

I attended the grand opening as well. I thought I might have been the farthest traveled person (just outside of Detroit), but I was not. I heard someone came up from New Orleans for the event. I arrived right when they opened and stayed til after the national anthem. They had a big turnout. They have a very nice mixture of old and new product to buy. The memorabilia in the store is awesome, some great pieces. It was finally nice to meet Steve,Reed and the rest of the staff. For being as busy as they were, I was able to spend a bit of time talking to Reed and Steve. I bought a few 80's football and baseball packs along with a modern bowman chrome baseball box. Not great results but still fun to bust clean 80's packs!!
Did anyone else attend the event?

BBCE Grand Opening Celebration, So who went?

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