Life long dream coming true?

[tonsofcommons]

I have finally grown a thick skin to the crap collections.

I will definitely have a reserve for collections that come in that will be worth picking up.

 

[MojoDan]

Not that its imperative, but do you have beckett annuals to look up cards from oddball series for people? I know I always appreciate it when the owner takes the time to help in any way possible.

 

[tonsofcommons]

I am going to subscribe to Beckett Online for all sports.

 

[mchenrycards]

One thing I was always told when I opened my shop...DO NOT OPEN PACKS!!!!!! resist the urge but DO NOT OPEN PACKS!!

You are essentially flushing your profits if you consume the product you are trying to sell. You will get enough cards from the box crackers and the walk ins. There is no need to open packs...let your customers do that!

 

[MojoDan]

Another thing that I was appreciate of (that you dont really have to plan for).

When you see someone that comes in with a high dollar card in a beat down card holder, offer to replace it for them. A new Sleeve/Toploader or if you have a spare screwdown goes a long way imho.

 

[tonsofcommons]

One thing I was always told when I opened my shop...DO NOT OPEN PACKS!!!!!! resist the urge but DO NOT OPEN PACKS!!

You are essentially flushing your profits if you consume the product you are trying to sell. You will get enough cards from the box crackers and the walk ins. There is no need to open packs...let your customers do that!

I thought this was going to be my biggest problem, but I think I will be able to resist the urge.

 

[Super Mario]

One thing I was always told when I opened my shop...DO NOT OPEN PACKS!!!!!! resist the urge but DO NOT OPEN PACKS!!

You are essentially flushing your profits if you consume the product you are trying to sell. You will get enough cards from the box crackers and the walk ins. There is no need to open packs...let your customers do that!

Or at least create some sort of incentive based treat for yourself. Like you make a certain amount each day/week/month or something, and you are awarded a break of something.

I agree though. Sports cards are freaking addicting. Once you start busting, it's hard to stop. And it's very expensive.

 

[mchenrycards]

One thing I was always told when I opened my shop...DO NOT OPEN PACKS!!!!!! resist the urge but DO NOT OPEN PACKS!!

You are essentially flushing your profits if you consume the product you are trying to sell. You will get enough cards from the box crackers and the walk ins. There is no need to open packs...let your customers do that!

Or at least create some sort of incentive based treat for yourself. Like you make a certain amount each day/week/month or something, and you are awarded a break of something.

I agree though. Sports cards are freaking addicting. Once you start busting, it's hard to stop. And it's very expensive.

The incentive should be higher profits and a successful store.

Too many shop owners screw themselves by cracking open product when they have eager customers waiting to spend their money on that same product. I opened product when I owned my store and it almost cost me dearly. I got a handle on it and realized that profit and livelyhood take precendent over the need to open product. Live through your customers breaks because they will keep you in business and you most likely will get the cards from their breaks eventually anyway!!

 

[mjbuchanan80]

When are you opening up shop? Going to see my brother-in-law in Oskaloosa for Labor Day weekend.

 

[tonsofcommons]

When are you opening up shop? Going to see my brother-in-law in Oskaloosa for Labor Day weekend.

Earliest will probably be October 1.

 

[Sportsnutcards]

Is your picture drawn to scale? I think you are understimating the size of the showcases, tables etc in regards to actual space for your store.

 

[tonsofcommons]

Is your picture drawn to scale? I think you are understimating the size of the showcases, tables etc in regards to actual space for your store.

It is. I'm going by the measurments given on the website:

https://www.storesupply.com/pc-12848-74 ... 65201.aspx

Tables measure 72 x 24

 

[cgilmo]

Is your picture drawn to scale? I think you are understimating the size of the showcases, tables etc in regards to actual space for your store.

It is. I'm going by the measurments given on the website:

https://www.storesupply.com/pc-12848-74 ... 65201.aspx

Tables measure 72 x 24

don't buy them new

hit craigslist

 

[tonsofcommons]

Right now that is just worst case scenario pricing. If this gets off the ground, definitely going to try for cheaper cases.

 

[FortyFour]

Looks awesome!

 

[Guest]

Eddie-

Not sure what the gambling/games of chance laws are where you are but I have found that this game brings in a lot of $$ and you are able to get rid of crap at the same time.
Basically, you draw a grid on a poster board with 6 rows of 6 squares in each row and 6 columns of 6 squares in each column. In each square you place a card. In the harder to get combinations (1-1 and 6-6) you place a higher value card. Maybe you fill the rest with higher valued commons and inserts and some g/u. Then you have a 2 different colored die. Each roll will cost you a $1.00 and you are guaranteed to win a card with a BV of at least (insert what you want here) with the chance of landing something of higher value. The kids love this game and they win something with every roll!

Just a thought.

There was one of those at a shop in a little strip mall here of spinning a wheel for prizes, although everything on it was complete crap, the best prizes were little $3 plaques with base cards. I'd say go with one bigger stakes one, have a $1 wheel for the kids with cheaper prizes, and then maybe a $10-$25 one for the gamblers, have sealed boxes and nicer autos

 

[JoshHamilton]

Regarding shelving: check the newspaper for going-out-of-business sales at retail stores. You can find gondola shelves and glass display cases for super cheap (I've bought display cases for $75). You might need to provide a business license to buy. Several times they didn't care, a few times I had to provide one

Have good customer service. This is a MUST with sites like Yelp and Foursquare being top search results on google. 20 years ago you could be a dick to someone and he might tell 5 people. Now, he can tell everyone who has Internet access...which is effectively everyone

 

[Guest]

One thing I was always told when I opened my shop...DO NOT OPEN PACKS!!!!!! resist the urge but DO NOT OPEN PACKS!!

You are essentially flushing your profits if you consume the product you are trying to sell. You will get enough cards from the box crackers and the walk ins. There is no need to open packs...let your customers do that!

Nothing wrong with just opening one or two packs so you can show what the base set and some of the rookies look like to put next to the box, in case there are people coming in that don't know a whole lot about the newer products. 1 sale like that pays for the single packs you open for display.

 

[tonsofcommons]

Regarding shelving: check the newspaper for going-out-of-business sales at retail stores. You can find gondola shelves and glass display cases for super cheap (I've bought display cases for $75). You might need to provide a business license to buy. Several times they didn't care, a few times I had to provide one

Have good customer service. This is a MUST with sites like Yelp and Foursquare being top search results on google. 20 years ago you could be a dick to someone and he might tell 5 people. Now, he can tell everyone who has Internet access...which is effectively everyone

Yeah, I am checking with shelving, but I really like the Slatwall and the cost for everything for slatwall is pretty minimal (Around $600).

I'm not concerned with customer service. I feel I have pretty good customer service.

 

[Brewer Andy]

Awesome Eddie! Best of luck!