If a card shop were to open up in your area...

[ChasHawk]

Wasn't there a post about how Topps was changing the way they were distributing boxes/cases so places like Blowout or Dave and Adams wouldn't be able to offer low prices online? I could be wrong though...

There was a post about this a while ago, can't find it though.
The idea was to make EVERYBODY buy through the major distribution houses,
supposedly to give shops a fighting chance.

As was said before, I don't mind paying and extra $10-15 at a shop because that's what
shipping and waiting almost costs you anyway.

I have 2 shops close to me, and I go to both for different reasons. One guy has reasonable
prices on wax, and a TON of nice singles because he busts a lot himself. He uses ebay to buy and sell,
so he prices his items accordingly. He still can't compete on wax though, bc his boxes cost him
as much as what they sell for at DA & Blowout. He actually buys his personal wax from them
bc it's cheaper than going through Southern Hobby or the mfgs. He also has tables for busting and sorting
and a lot of nice signed memorabilia to look at.

The ONLY reason I go to the other shop is bc he has a lot of supplies that the nicer shop doesn't
for whatever reason. I NEVER buy wax or singles from the 2nd place, bc he still uses Beckett for
his pricing. He does not know or care about the internet/eBay. He is still trying to charge $115 for
for boxes of 08 Razor Sig Series & Lettermen :lol:

 

[XdanX]

I think singles are a tough sell. When I worked ata shop we didnt sell many singles and our prices were pretty fair. Being in new york we had a large selection of all the teams and players that matter around here as well as other out of state stars. I know im personally turned off by singles at shops because they are 9 times out of 10 beckett priced. When alking into a shop what would you be looking for single wise ?

 

[Weatherwarrior]

Dan i usually look for nice patch cards and nice vintage and its nice to know that when a player is hot my local shop owner showcases some of his cards in order to move them!

 

[allstars]

The new Topps distribution program isn't designed to save card shops (though it won't hurt them either), it's designed to save master distributors. The website discounters buy off anyone that'll sell them cheap product, so the consumer has no way of knowing what hands the product has passed through or how the product has been "compromised".

 

[plainwhitejerseys]

Definitely not. Hobby shops are bad for the hobby. I'd buy there if their prices were lower than eBay, but that would never happen anyway.

Hmm. I'd love for you to expand on this thought. It's a rarely heard opinion and I'd like to hear why you think they're bad for the hobby. (I'm not being sarcastic or mocking you in any way)

I've had an exhausting few days, so my brain isn't working as well as it should. So I can't expand as well as I normally could.

Basically, this hobby was a hobby until "hobby stores". Hobby stores introduced money into the equation, and that has brought some of the good and all of the bad we're seeing today.

A lot of hobby stores search their packs. I'm perfectly fine with guys who go to retail stores and search packs - they're doing it out in the open, fair and square, and there's absolutely no reason why anyone would ever think that they have a fair chance at a pull from a loose pack. Hobby stores are supposed to be a place where you know you have a fair shot at a pull, and when they search for the hits, they violate that trust.

Even if they don't search and don't allow searching, they ALL allow people to buy packs until they get the hit, leaving a bunch of worthless base packs for everyone else to buy. It's basically the same thing as searching.

On top of all that, hobby stores gouge their customers. Sure, there are a couple that don't, but 99% of the hobby stores out there gouge their customers every chance they get.

I'm lucky in that I live in an area where I can go to a show every Wednesday where I can buy wax at below eBay prices. If I didn't, I still wouldn't step foot in a hobby store. Ironically, I just went to Paula's in Honolulu today. But this is vacation and I went because of the box break videos on Youtube, so that's different.

The hobby would be better off if they completely got rid of the distinction between hobby and retail. There's no need for it. There's no reason to give unscrupulous hobby stores the biggest hits so that they can bend their customers over to get them. There's no reason why those hits shouldn't be in retail stores where everyone has a shot at them. Put them in blasters so the searchers can't get at them, but put them in retail. Make everything retail.

If you live in BFE, you don't have a card store, but you probably have a WalMart. Those people should have the same shot at getting premium product as people in big cities, and it's looking like Panini understands how important the retail market is. Thankfully.

 

[Therion]

You make a compelling argument. I'll have to chew on it for a little while.

 

[predatorkj]

Definitely not. Hobby shops are bad for the hobby. I'd buy there if their prices were lower than eBay, but that would never happen anyway.

Hmm. I'd love for you to expand on this thought. It's a rarely heard opinion and I'd like to hear why you think they're bad for the hobby. (I'm not being sarcastic or mocking you in any way)

I've had an exhausting few days, so my brain isn't working as well as it should. So I can't expand as well as I normally could.

Basically, this hobby was a hobby until "hobby stores". Hobby stores introduced money into the equation, and that has brought some of the good and all of the bad we're seeing today.

A lot of hobby stores search their packs. I'm perfectly fine with guys who go to retail stores and search packs - they're doing it out in the open, fair and square, and there's absolutely no reason why anyone would ever think that they have a fair chance at a pull from a loose pack. Hobby stores are supposed to be a place where you know you have a fair shot at a pull, and when they search for the hits, they violate that trust.

Even if they don't search and don't allow searching, they ALL allow people to buy packs until they get the hit, leaving a bunch of worthless base packs for everyone else to buy. It's basically the same thing as searching.

On top of all that, hobby stores gouge their customers. Sure, there are a couple that don't, but 99% of the hobby stores out there gouge their customers every chance they get.

I'm lucky in that I live in an area where I can go to a show every Wednesday where I can buy wax at below eBay prices. If I didn't, I still wouldn't step foot in a hobby store. Ironically, I just went to Paula's in Honolulu today. But this is vacation and I went because of the box break videos on Youtube, so that's different.

The hobby would be better off if they completely got rid of the distinction between hobby and retail. There's no need for it. There's no reason to give unscrupulous hobby stores the biggest hits so that they can bend their customers over to get them. There's no reason why those hits shouldn't be in retail stores where everyone has a shot at them. Put them in blasters so the searchers can't get at them, but put them in retail. Make everything retail.

If you live in BFE, you don't have a card store, but you probably have a WalMart. Those people should have the same shot at getting premium product as people in big cities, and it's looking like Panini understands how important the retail market is. Thankfully.

Wow...pretty well said.

The only problem is...if you had the same chance at pulling something from retail as you did hobby...two things would happen.One would be a lot of shops would close and the sale of wax as a whole would dwindle a lot.And secondly all of the hits would be gone at any retail outlet.People actually bring in scales and weigh the blasters now.There is no way to totally keep them from doing it unless you put decoy's in the blasters that weigh just as much as the hits.And that is kind of hard to do if you consider that the hits from any given set can all vary because of their thickness.But if somebody were to know enough about whats off and whats a decoy...they would know as soon as they weighed it what they were getting.An auto, a plate, a regular gu, a patch and auto...its possible.All they have to do is know what each one will tip the scale to.

There is grown men out there searching Yughio packs.I seriously doubt it would stop if everything went chaos and retail was just as good of a pull as hobby.But I do think that you are right about the gouging.Not every customer that comes in gets gouged but I do notice I can ask what the price of something is, pass on it, and then the next guy who asks may not be a regular and gets a lot steeper of a price.I am not too sure I like that idea even though it helps me because in my mind it kinda turns people off.How do you know they won't be a repeat customer?

Also...I don't think I am guaranteed anything unless I buy sealed boxes from a dealer and even then...I am lucky if the case hit hasn't been found.It would not surprise me if they were weighing the whole damn box(if in fact it was a type of hit that would undoubtedly weigh more than your average hits) to find them.I don't know that my hobby shop allows searching but I certainly don't think they would notice it right off the bat since a lot of stuff is out on the counter.But I never buy a loose pack from anywhere hoping for anything good except from one dealer and that's it.And that is because I know he doesn't allow searching.But everywhere else...its kind of expected.


I do think hobby shops are still an integral part of the hobby but they are starting to completely phase out.If you have the internet and like to attend a few shows a year just for the social aspect of it all...who needs a shop?I mean...I like going and I do find deals there(not usually on wax though)on things but really other than the time I get to spend BS'ing about the hobby, sports, and life in general, there really is no need to go.So...in my mind they will all be out the door pretty soon.Now more than ever its all about the money.The bad thing is this hobby has never been known for its nice honest dealers.There is probably an army of people who feel like they have been wronged by a dealer somewhere down the road so i can totally see a lot of people wanting it to end and go straight ebay or internet.

 

[jdpreas]

Definitely not. Hobby shops are bad for the hobby. I'd buy there if their prices were lower than eBay, but that would never happen anyway.

Hmm. I'd love for you to expand on this thought. It's a rarely heard opinion and I'd like to hear why you think they're bad for the hobby. (I'm not being sarcastic or mocking you in any way)

I've had an exhausting few days, so my brain isn't working as well as it should. So I can't expand as well as I normally could.

Basically, this hobby was a hobby until "hobby stores". Hobby stores introduced money into the equation, (Correction Card Companies, did and Pannini will too)and that has brought some of the good and all of the bad we're seeing today.

A lot of hobby stores search their packs.(% wise I think your wrong. More wax off the net and the bay most likely is) I'm perfectly fine with guys who go to retail stores and search packs - they're doing it out in the open, fair and square, and there's absolutely no reason why anyone would ever think that they have a fair chance at a pull from a loose pack. (Just plain stupid comment) Hobby stores are supposed to be a place where you know you have a fair shot at a pull, and when they search for the hits, they violate that trust. Again small percentage

Even if they don't search and don't allow searching, they ALL allow people to buy packs until they get the hit, leaving a bunch of worthless base packs for everyone else to buy. It's basically the same thing as searching. (or buying lotto. Does blowout or D&A trash boxes if they are told a case hit was pulled from a box they sold?)

On top of all that, SOME hobby stores gouge their customers. Sure, there are a couple that don't, but 99% <----Disagree of the hobby stores out there gouge their customers every chance they get.

I'm lucky in that I live in an area where I can go to a show every Wednesday where I can buy wax at below eBay prices. If I didn't, I still wouldn't step foot in a hobby store.( What happened to you in a hobby shop? ) Ironically, I just went to Paula's in Honolulu today. But this is vacation and I went because of the box break videos on Youtube, so that's different.How?

The hobby would be better off if they completely got rid of the distinction between hobby and retail. There's no need for it. There's no reason to give unscrupulous hobby stores the biggest hits so that they can bend their customers over to get them.(I Agree) There's no reason why those hits shouldn't be in retail stores where everyone has a shot at them. Put them in blasters so the searchers can't get at them, but put them in retail. Make everything retail.(Disagree)

If you live in BFE, you don't have a card store, but you probably have a WalMart. Those people should have the same shot at getting premium product as people in big cities, and it's looking like Panini understands how important the retail market is.(How?) Thankfully.

 

[Card Magnet]

Definitely not. Hobby shops are bad for the hobby. I'd buy there if their prices were lower than eBay, but that would never happen anyway.

Hmm. I'd love for you to expand on this thought. It's a rarely heard opinion and I'd like to hear why you think they're bad for the hobby. (I'm not being sarcastic or mocking you in any way)

I've had an exhausting few days, so my brain isn't working as well as it should. So I can't expand as well as I normally could.

Basically, this hobby was a hobby until "hobby stores". Hobby stores introduced money into the equation, and that has brought some of the good and all of the bad we're seeing today.

A lot of hobby stores search their packs. I'm perfectly fine with guys who go to retail stores and search packs - they're doing it out in the open, fair and square, and there's absolutely no reason why anyone would ever think that they have a fair chance at a pull from a loose pack. Hobby stores are supposed to be a place where you know you have a fair shot at a pull, and when they search for the hits, they violate that trust.

Even if they don't search and don't allow searching, they ALL allow people to buy packs until they get the hit, leaving a bunch of worthless base packs for everyone else to buy. It's basically the same thing as searching.

On top of all that, hobby stores gouge their customers. Sure, there are a couple that don't, but 99% of the hobby stores out there gouge their customers every chance they get.

I'm lucky in that I live in an area where I can go to a show every Wednesday where I can buy wax at below eBay prices. If I didn't, I still wouldn't step foot in a hobby store. Ironically, I just went to Paula's in Honolulu today. But this is vacation and I went because of the box break videos on Youtube, so that's different.

The hobby would be better off if they completely got rid of the distinction between hobby and retail. There's no need for it. There's no reason to give unscrupulous hobby stores the biggest hits so that they can bend their customers over to get them. There's no reason why those hits shouldn't be in retail stores where everyone has a shot at them. Put them in blasters so the searchers can't get at them, but put them in retail. Make everything retail.

If you live in BFE, you don't have a card store, but you probably have a WalMart. Those people should have the same shot at getting premium product as people in big cities, and it's looking like Panini understands how important the retail market is. Thankfully.

You've made some good points, but how is buying at a show any different than at a hobby shop? What's to stop them from searching your wax before you buy it? Are they going to turn down somebody with money buying packs until they get a hit?

Retail boxes are starting to get one hit guaranteed. I think it's going to be the start of a downfall in hit prices. It's going to start flooding the market. Remember how jersey cards used to sell nice when they were new and rare, or even when inserts were so hard to pull in the Pacific days? Then they were inserted more often. Now you can pick up a jersey for $1 on ebay or at a show. You can still pull good hits from retail, even without a guaranteed hit. I've pulled something better from retail than many will in years of hobby box breaking.

Money was always an equation dictated by the collector's. A hobby shop is just a card show open X days a week instead of once every month or whatever.

 

[AMAZIN HOF COLLECTOR]

Yes....
I've been paying $105 for my 09 Legendary Cuts boxes. ::facepalm::
Now that you have brought it to my attention I might have to look on the bay now. :?

 

[cgilmo]

Yes....
I've been paying $105 for my 09 Legendary Cuts boxes. ::facepalm::
Now that you have brought it to my attention I might have to look on the bay now. :?

eh, its worth 15 bucks more to get it in store.

 

[AMAZIN HOF COLLECTOR]

Yes....
I've been paying $105 for my 09 Legendary Cuts boxes. ::facepalm::
Now that you have brought it to my attention I might have to look on the bay now. :?

eh, its worth 15 bucks more to get it in store.

I think it is.
I just get concerend, and hope that his wholesaler does not "cherry pick" boxes.
Very few shops order direct anymore. He orders 2-4 boxes and waits to sell out before ordering more from the wholesaler.

 

[notjomommasclint]

for cards yes a little bit more for the atmosphere and personal touch is fine. however some of the prices on supplies is insane $1.99 for 100 slickies? yikes!

 

[Card Magnet]

for cards yes a little bit more for the atmosphere and personal touch is fine. however some of the prices on supplies is insane $1.99 for 100 slickies? yikes!

You can pick them up at Wal Mart for under $1.00 (Ultra Pro too).

 

[notoriousrmb]

Local shop here buys his cards from D&A or Blowout and marks them up...guess he doesn't realize anyone can order from those sites at those prices.

 

[XdanX]

Local shop here buys his cards from D&A or Blowout and marks them up...guess he doesn't realize anyone can order from those sites at those prices.

While that being very true, there is a large amount of people who dont do anything internetwise.

 

[ballerskrip]

The key is having the price right...

My shop OVERCHARGES for everything.

If I can get a jumbo box of 2009 Bowman w/chrome for $70, it is $100-$110 at my shop...

Not really worth it to me.

 

[XdanX]

The key is having the price right...

My shop OVERCHARGES for everything.

If I can get a jumbo box of 2009 Bowman w/chrome for $70, it is $100-$110 at my shop...

Not really worth it to me.

would you pay 95 ?

 

[plainwhitejerseys]

Definitely not. Hobby shops are bad for the hobby. I'd buy there if their prices were lower than eBay, but that would never happen anyway.

Hmm. I'd love for you to expand on this thought. It's a rarely heard opinion and I'd like to hear why you think they're bad for the hobby. (I'm not being sarcastic or mocking you in any way)

I've had an exhausting few days, so my brain isn't working as well as it should. So I can't expand as well as I normally could.

Basically, this hobby was a hobby until "hobby stores". Hobby stores introduced money into the equation, (Correction Card Companies, did and Pannini will too)and that has brought some of the good and all of the bad we're seeing today.

A lot of hobby stores search their packs.(% wise I think your wrong. More wax off the net and the bay most likely is) I'm perfectly fine with guys who go to retail stores and search packs - they're doing it out in the open, fair and square, and there's absolutely no reason why anyone would ever think that they have a fair chance at a pull from a loose pack. (Just plain stupid comment) Hobby stores are supposed to be a place where you know you have a fair shot at a pull, and when they search for the hits, they violate that trust. Again small percentage

Even if they don't search and don't allow searching, they ALL allow people to buy packs until they get the hit, leaving a bunch of worthless base packs for everyone else to buy. It's basically the same thing as searching. (or buying lotto. Does blowout or D&A trash boxes if they are told a case hit was pulled from a box they sold?)

On top of all that, SOME hobby stores gouge their customers. Sure, there are a couple that don't, but 99% <----Disagree of the hobby stores out there gouge their customers every chance they get.

I'm lucky in that I live in an area where I can go to a show every Wednesday where I can buy wax at below eBay prices. If I didn't, I still wouldn't step foot in a hobby store.( What happened to you in a hobby shop? ) Ironically, I just went to Paula's in Honolulu today. But this is vacation and I went because of the box break videos on Youtube, so that's different.How?

The hobby would be better off if they completely got rid of the distinction between hobby and retail. There's no need for it. There's no reason to give unscrupulous hobby stores the biggest hits so that they can bend their customers over to get them.(I Agree) There's no reason why those hits shouldn't be in retail stores where everyone has a shot at them. Put them in blasters so the searchers can't get at them, but put them in retail. Make everything retail.(Disagree)

If you live in BFE, you don't have a card store, but you probably have a WalMart. Those people should have the same shot at getting premium product as people in big cities, and it's looking like Panini understands how important the retail market is.(How?) Thankfully.

You should learn how to quote properly. Especially if you're going to insult people. I'm not going to bother to read your response, because the little bit I saw was loaded with insults and stupidity.

 

[plainwhitejerseys]

You've made some good points, but how is buying at a show any different than at a hobby shop? What's to stop them from searching your wax before you buy it?

The show dealers don't search their wax.

Are they going to turn down somebody with money buying packs until they get a hit?

I don't buy loose packs unless they are coming from a freshly opened box. I just tell the dealer what I want to buy and he packs it out.

Retail boxes are starting to get one hit guaranteed. I think it's going to be the start of a downfall in hit prices. It's going to start flooding the market.

Going to? The market was flooded years ago.

Remember how jersey cards used to sell nice when they were new and rare, or even when inserts were so hard to pull in the Pacific days? Then they were inserted more often. Now you can pick up a jersey for $1 on ebay or at a show. You can still pull good hits from retail, even without a guaranteed hit. I've pulled something better from retail than many will in years of hobby box breaking.

I do much better at retail than I ever did in hobby stuff.

Money was always an equation dictated by the collector's. A hobby shop is just a card show open X days a week instead of once every month or whatever.

Money wasn't a factor until stores started opening.