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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>peter chao</b><p>A large number of card stores already have an internet presence. On the side the store owners are buying and selling on E-bay or buying at online auctions.<br /><br />For some reason, they seem to think that their customers don't know about the internet. But of course they do.<br /><br />If the store owners have room for it, why not have internet ascess in their store?<br /><br />Have a set-up like Kinko's where you can stick your credit card into the computer and you are billed for the time on the computer. Also, it sends the message that you are not afraid of internet competition. Not only that you can give advice as to who the reputable internet sellers are.<br /><br />Peter C.
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>Matt</b><p>The card shop would not offset the cost of having an internet kiosk with the additional business brought in as a result of having it. Simple economics.
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>Miguel</b><p>I'm not sure that selling Internet access is profitable for anyone in the U.S. anymore (where there are so many free WiFI spots everywhere you look...contrast this with many parts of the EU, where access is less available in public areas).<br /><br />However, I do like the idea of card shops being more "hang out" types of places than they have been historically. Why not have free WiFI access, some seating, a big screen TV, and maybe some (packaged) refreshment for sports fans. In the winter, you could play baseball videos/DVDs until live baseball came back.<br /><br />Recently I was back in my hometown in the midwest (Pop. ~70,000), and I was very delighted to discover that a new sports card shop had sprouted up. I went by and was really impressed -- they specialized in older unopened material, which is one of may favorite things to buy and collect, and also had a decent selection of post-war vintage. It gives me hope that similar shops may appear, perhaps with a similar focus on older material. In order for these or any shop to survive, however, I think they need to figure out what they can offer that will compete with eBay and the deep discounts one can get online. In the alternative, they can run their shops as primarily warehouses and showcases that support their online business, and do not seek to make a profit from the brick-and-mortar store alone.
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>Tom Boblitt</b><p>why would you want access for someone to buy something from someone else in your store? Storeowners typically sell stuff for more than ebay or the internet, so you'd be shooting yourself in the foot. <br />
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>Bottom of the Ninth</b><p>Whenever I see a new Peter C thread I am drawn to it like a moth is to light.
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>peter chao</b><p>Tom,<br /><br />You won't be damaging your business. Customers are going to be using the internet at home or the office anyway.<br /><br />Peter C.
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>jay wolt</b><p>This idea makes no sense.<br />Why would a card shop clear off an area from <br />selling their wares to buy computers & place them where anyone<br />can view eBay or other internet sites from the competition?<br /><br />What is the possible upside for the card store owner?
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>dennis</b><p>What is the possible upside for the card store owner?<br />they would be more like kinko's?
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>MVSNYC</b><p>what a ridiculous idea...<br /><br />
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>peter chao</b><p>Suppose your prices are competitive with the internet?<br /><br />Peter C.
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>Joe D.</b><p>inside the card store / next to all of the vintage cards and the internet connection....<br /><br /><br /><br />how much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?<br /><br /><img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14> <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14>
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>MVSNYC</b><p>peter- nickel's worth of free advice:<br /><br />just stop right here...move on to something else, you are gonna get slaughtered...
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>jay wolt</b><p>Perhaps Supermarkets, Department Stores & Resturants<br />can implement this idea too!<br />Pure Idiocy!
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>MVSNYC</b><p>jay, i think you actually meant "idiosyncrasy"...<br /><br />(a characteristic, habit, mannerism, or the like, that is peculiar to an individual).<br /><br /><img src="/images/wink.gif" height=14 width=14>
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>david Poses</b><p>i always thought it would be cool to have a bar at a laundromat. <br /><br />just a thought...
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>Jim VB</b><p>How about a Law Office, with a Starbucks-like atmosphere in the reception area. You could swipe your credit card and use their computer to access Westlaw right there! No need to actually sit and talk to those busy lawyers! During most of the day they could use big screen TVs to show reruns of Law & Order, Matlock, and even Perry Mason!<br /><br /><br />National franchise under the old standby name of Dewey, Cheetum & Howe.
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>Jason L</b><p>I hope you put on the bullet-proof vest for this thread...<br /><br />you asked, "what if your prices are competitive with those on the internet?"<br /><br />I don't see how a dealer could be competitive if they are, as you suggested in your original post:<br />1) paying rent and overhead for the store<br />2) paying for a PC plus internet hookup for customers<br /><br />I get the idea with regards to trying to create a place to hangout...like a shopping destination, or some sort of cultural phenomenon, but unless you're also selling high-calorie coffee-related drinks for $3-4 per cup, I don't see how this is going to work.<br /><br />
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>Brian Weisner</b><p><br /> We had one in College, called "Suds and Buds"..... But it went out of business because people were to drunk to do there laundry... <br /><br /><br /><br /> Be well Brian<br /><br />PS Thread is done....
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>How about a combination baseball card store and brothel? You don't see those every day.
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>MVSNYC</b><p>hi barry, that's a great idea, but i'm sure you'd be overpaying for a Near Mint Piece... <img src="/images/wink.gif" height=14 width=14>
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>Michael- you and I are enterprising souls...I think we could pull it off. <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14>
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>Joe D.</b><p>thats a splendid idea.<br /><br />but it is very important that the product offerings are not consistent.<br /><br /><br />Unlike the cards offered..... the brothel should offer shiny, altered is a plus, and definitely not pre-war.<br /><br />
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>Dave S</b><p>Maybe with the Holidays approaching, card shops should consider making-up gift cards and offering them at Wal-Mart and Giant Eagles?<br />Maybe they could even team-up with ATT or Verizon for computer-time to use and buy at the kiosks?
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>Have you heard about the near-sighted hooker?<br /><br />You have to hand it to her.
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>peter chao</b><p>I'm glad you guys like the idea...I'm putting my life savings into a new age baseball card store. <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14><br /><br />Actually, your prices would have to be a little higher than the internet, but wouldn't you be willing to pay a little more from a storeowner that was honest and unafraid of the competition?<br /><br />Peter C.
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>MVSNYC</b><p>what is this obsession with being "unafraid of the competition"? i could be "unafraid" of Mike Tyson, but if i get into the ring with him, he would punch me into the 5th row...what is the importance of being "unafraid"?...pride?
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>Rob</b><p>Barry / Mike, you guys will need someone to grade/authenticate the Brothel section of your enterprise. I'm your guy!!<br /><br />Rob<br /><img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14>
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>Despite its seaminess, there is something intriguing about a brothel. Maybe we can all get together and work on it, kind of a Net54 project.<br /><br />And as customers leave, they get a voucher to use towards a vintage baseball card. It's a perfect meeting of two worlds.
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>MVSNYC</b><p>Barry- best of all, our "professionals" will be "unafraid of the competition"! hahahaha...
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>Al Simeone</b><p>Ah another well thought out Peter C post. Just when you thought it was safe to come out and play Peter C drops another gem of a post. Well done Peter!!! Still waiting to see some of your collection! Oh thats right your scanner sucks. Remember christmas is right around the corner!
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>Eric</b><p>"i always thought it would be cool to have a bar at a laundromat. <br /><br />just a thought..."<br /><br /><br />I too have seen these. On the flipside, I knew of one when I was in school called Buds and Suds. The laundromat was downstairs and the bar was on the second floor. That one seemed to thrive. I've seen a couple more sprout up around Wisconsin.....but of course something like that would be successful there. <br /> <br />
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>Jerry</b><p>Sloate's Vintage Card Bunny Ranch
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>Wasn't the Bunny Ranch in that HBO Cathouse special?
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>Jason L</b><p>you said in an earlier post:<br /><br />"...but wouldn't you be willing to pay a little more..."<br /><br />No.<br /><br />Just.... No.<br /><br />No, I wouldn't.<br /><br />almost positive.<br />yes, definitely not.<br /><br />No.
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>peter chao</b><p>Jason,<br /><br />Would you be willing to pay more to get your card right away instead of waiting a week.<br /><br />Being unafraid of the competition, just refers to being honest and letting people know what the prices are in the marketplace. Let's be frank the people who shop regularily for vintage cards already know the prices before they walk into your store.<br /><br />Peter C.
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>Steve</b><p>Another quality troll, by Mr Chao<br /><br />My guess, We break 100 before the night's through!
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>Lance</b><p>Sloate's & Throats?<br /><br /> OR<br /><br />Sloate's & Slow Ates?<br /><br />Barry,<br /><br />I do not know the correct pronuciation...
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>Rhymes with coat.
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>Bottom of the Ninth</b><p>Can anyone, besides Peter C, tell me the point of this thread? Prior to this thread there really had not been a Peter C sighting for about a week. I concluded he found something to do at his office. Peter when you were much younger (chronologically speaking) you must've loved when the kids taped the "Kick Me" signs to your back. Just a guess. <br /><br />Greg
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>Brian Weisner</b><p><br /> Hi Barry,<br /> How about "Master of your Domain"......<br /><br /> Be well Brian<br /><br />PS I'm an excellent grader.... and I won a contest.<br /><br />
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>Lance</b><p>Sloate's and Throate's...The best '69...Topps in Town!<br /><br />Maybe Peter C. could be the linen manager?
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>chris bland</b><p>LOL at "Sloate's and Throats"<br /><br />
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>Brian- at Sloate's and Throats you need not be master of your domain. That will already be taken care of. <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14>
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>Brian Weisner</b><p><br /> Hi Lance,<br /><br /> Nice one..... I was going to go with: "Get Luckey at Leons" with a nice RED neon sign... Be well Brian<br /><br /><br /> PS Sarno would be a great Manager...smiley....
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>MVSNYC</b><p>"Being unafraid of the competition, just refers to being honest and letting people know what the prices are in the marketplace."<br /><br />does this statement make sense to anyone?
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>Brian Weisner</b><p><br /> Hi Barry,<br /> Go buy Mr. Pitt some new socks... or Kramer some new birds... smiley..<br /><br /> Be well Brian<br /><br /><br />PS I have to lob you a changeup every now and then.
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>Brian Weisner</b><p><br /> Sarno,<br /> Have a cold one.... and stop trying to make sense out of Peter's post.<br /><br /> Be well Brian<br /><br /><br />PS Did you win anything this week???
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>Seth B.</b><p>Sloate's Throats is fantastic. I sat for five minutes trying to come with anything close, and I couldn't do it. <br /><br /><br /><br />Edited: Oh, what's the point anymore?
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>Brian- I was watching that episode too. I love when Karen sings at the end...no voice at all.
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Card Stores and the Internet
Posted By: <b>MVSNYC</b><p>"Maybe Peter C. could be the linen manager?"<br /><br />this was a great line!<br /><br />hi brian- i'll be the talent scout here in NYC, <img src="/images/wink.gif" height=14 width=14>
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