End of an era
craig44
Posts: 11,457 ✭✭✭✭✭
I have been collecting since 1988 or so. I just drove by my old favorite card shop from childhood and was
Very surprised to see it empty and closed. They were pretty big into cards during the boom of 89-93. Over the last 10 years or so they
Moved away from cards and more into coins and small antiques, so I hadn't been in for a number of years.
I guess the days of the brick and mortar shops are rapidly coming to a close. I can remember being a young teen and being so
Excited to make the trip in and see what they had. Oh well. Waxing nostalgic. If anyone is from central maine
You may remember Downeast Coins and Collectables.
Very surprised to see it empty and closed. They were pretty big into cards during the boom of 89-93. Over the last 10 years or so they
Moved away from cards and more into coins and small antiques, so I hadn't been in for a number of years.
I guess the days of the brick and mortar shops are rapidly coming to a close. I can remember being a young teen and being so
Excited to make the trip in and see what they had. Oh well. Waxing nostalgic. If anyone is from central maine
You may remember Downeast Coins and Collectables.
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
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Comments
Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona.
-George F. Will
I can sure understand your feelings.
Back around 1990, I used to be able to drive just a few miles and hit 3 to 4 shops - talk with the owners - check out their recent pickups and just browse.
That ship has sailed.
There is a shot near my house but after browsing for about 30 minutes, I found the prices to be way beyond anything I would be able to negotiate without potentially pissing the guy off.
This shop that's near Lockhill Selma and NW Military was on sale on Ebay for 100K.
The owner who's retired civil servant has recruited his son to work there and perhaps - eventually - take it over?
They're really nice people BTW.
<< <i>I would always rather support the local guy but you can't compete with eBay. Bigger selection with better prices due to less overhead. The dealer and buyer are both better off selling/buying on the internet. It is a shame because everyone has nostalgia and would love to recreate that feeling as a kid as you walk into the local card shop to see what cards were available. Unfortunately that is a thing of the past. >>
Still living it strong. I just got home from work after stopping by my LCS. Been going there for over 25 years
Came home with a partial 1980 Topps Baseball Cello box (18 cellos), a case fresh 1981 Topps Baseball rack box
and 4 packs of 81 Topps football. All for at least 50% cheaper than Ebay prices. Dangerously fortunate to still have good shops local
The one close to my house recently closed down, the owner passed away. But I agree with the previous statement, it's easier to buy off eBay.
<< <i>
<< <i>I would always rather support the local guy but you can't compete with eBay. Bigger selection with better prices due to less overhead. The dealer and buyer are both better off selling/buying on the internet. It is a shame because everyone has nostalgia and would love to recreate that feeling as a kid as you walk into the local card shop to see what cards were available. Unfortunately that is a thing of the past. >>
Still living it strong. I just got home from work after stopping by my LCS. Been going there for over 25 years
Came home with a partial 1980 Topps Baseball Cello box (18 cellos), a case fresh 1981 Topps Baseball rack box
and 4 packs of 81 Topps football. All for at least 50% cheaper than Ebay prices. Dangerously fortunate to still have good shops local >>
pictures or it didn't happen
Collecting Unopened from '72-'83; mostly BBCE certified boxes/cases/racks.
Prefer to buy in bulk.
And selling modern star cards for $1 each that they printed 2 billion of. No thanks.
Just got back from Cooperstown and went into about 5 of the LCS stores. Man, the crap in their is incredible. Who TF is buying this stuff? Two other stores we're closed (looked like for good) and one had sign saying retiring. Here son, take my store...work 70 hours a week and make about as much as a part-time Uber driver in Chicago; but hey...it's a labor of love. Pay rent, insurances, liability, power, furniture, accountants, website... In the end, the only item I bought was a 5X7 photo of Will Ferrall doing the cow bell SNL skit; still can't believe that shop had that photo.
One guy (nice guy in Vets Hall across from HOF) had a table set up with a boatload of raw cards (he was smart, he didn't have a store), from early 50's to 70's. No graded cards. How long before the line of dummies paying NM price for an EX type cards runs out. Even if I was going to buy something, (I only buy vintage PSA 9 quality), it would take me months to find it in his stash, that's assuming he even has any.
I know I'm in the minority here, but how about organizing your cards by QUALITY, not by player or year. If I walk into and LCS store and say "let me see all of your PSA 9 quality cards from 55-76" and he can gather them quickly, I would probably pay him 10-15% over VCP on the spot. Organizing cards by player is like searching for stocks by price. Smart buyers buy stocks based on value, not price; some with smart collectors.
Pete Rose is prominently displayed throughout the HOF. Huh?? Caught me off guard, but loved it.
Collecting Unopened from '72-'83; mostly BBCE certified boxes/cases/racks.
Prefer to buy in bulk.
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
<< <i>I was at Cooperstown also. I think part of the high prices is the "touristy" aspect of the place. Lots of non collector sports fans getting caught up and buying things they have no idea about. >>
That's what I was thinking Craig when walking thru a few of the stores. Impulse buying by tourists. I'm sure if any locals frequent the store? Prices are "adjusted" accordingly.
<< <i>Ebay happened >>
Hiya Paul.
I'll say!
It was the best thing for me - especially when I decided to focus in on board games.
<< <i>
<< <i>Ebay happened >>
Hiya Paul.
I'll say!
It was the best thing for me - especially when I decided to focus in on board games. >>
Hello Mike
And when I was into collecting it was a breath of fresh air to discover Ebay to be honest, I feel for some of the Mom&Pop card stores but my memories include getting really low balled on selling items and paying top dollar for purchases.
But sometimes there are some pretty nice finds that he uncovers from his warehouse or home that he will put it aside for me. I may have just been overdue for a score
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
Just don't find stuff like that at stores anymore
<< <i>Definitely happened haha. Not the typical visit, but I'd take it everyday. Most of the time I stop by we just shoot the sheet about sports, Sox, Pats, golf and talk stories
But sometimes there are some pretty nice finds that he uncovers from his warehouse or home that he will put it aside for me. I may have just been overdue for a score
Sweet. Love the photos
Collecting Unopened from '72-'83; mostly BBCE certified boxes/cases/racks.
Prefer to buy in bulk.
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
Also picked these two guys up at my other LCS recently, they're not high grade but they are clean and still as liquid as it gets
The one on the left has a nice crease upper right, the other has some soft corner and edge wear