Someone Please Convince Me...

mintacular · #1 09-25-2009, 08:49 PM

Over the last few weeks I've become increasingly depressed/concerned about the future of our hobby (sports cards).

I grew up collecting big time during the late 80s when cards were huge. Since then, for multiple reasons (already discussed), the hobby has shrunk, and shrunk, and shrunk....But fortunately, since I've reentered the hobby in '2005, 80% of my purchases have been in vintage cards which I believe will always atleast hold water.

However, in terms of my future business (I would like to own a hobby shop), will today's generation ever except cardboard as an acceptable form of memorablia? With bobbleheads, auto helmets, etc. do you think cardboard can ever work for this generation?

Thanks for your thoughts. I realize this is a bit of a ramble but would like to see where it goes (if anywhere). -Pat "Mintacular"

Scott T · #2 09-25-2009, 09:02 PM

As a hobby, cards are a wonderful diversion. As an investment, I am not so sure. Vintage cards seem to hold their value more than modern stuff does and they also don't seem to flucuate on a day to day basis like their modern counterparts.

As far as opening up a shop, I would think it would be hard to make a go of it. (Maybe try an Ebay store first to test the waters?)

jcmtiger · #3 09-25-2009, 09:06 PM

You are right, vintage cards will hold their value.

I would not want to open a Baseball card/Memorabilia shop right now. I really think those days are gone. Shops will never thrive like they did in the 1970's and 1980's, just my opinion. Also if you want to deal in vintage, a hobby shop would not be the right choice.

Joe

mintacular · #4 09-25-2009, 09:22 PM

So you are saying owning a shop if selling vintage is not worth the overhead cost? And the other replier seems to suggest owning a retail sports mem. is impossible. I would argue it is possible but one really has to know their stuff.

ChiefBenderForever · #5 09-25-2009, 09:33 PM

It would be really tough, the new stuff you have to agree to buy the same amount of boxes of every issue they put out. Although now that Topps has exclusive rights it might not be so tough. Newer basketball does well as far as selling boxes or packs, especially exquisite. Hooking up with Mitchell & Ness and other authentic jerseys would be key as well but no matter what you do you can't compete with ebay prices.It would be very tough to keep a good flow of vintage inventory coming in.
It would be cool but very tough unless you can find cheap rent in a great location. The chain stores Shinders started again around here after the owner went to prison on drug charges and they went out business for several months. They sell tons of wax,supplies,comics, magazines, and lots of porn. Cards are an afterthought and just a bonus for them but they are making it work. Best of luck.

fkw · #6 09-25-2009, 10:34 PM

Card Shops and Card Shows are done! IMO

Why only sell to a 30-50 miles radius, when you can save all the overhead (utilities, rent, employees, etc.) and sell to the whole world on the internet.

Years ago many shop owners found out they can dump their store, move to Florida, sit on the beach with a laptop, open a site on the internet, and sell to the whole world. All with less bills, employees, and headaches.

I wish I could do this, I have the beach, but the internet is another story

3-2-count · #7 09-25-2009, 11:16 PM

Frank is dead on. The internet is now king.

Potomac Yank · #8 09-26-2009, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mintacular

Over the last few weeks I've become increasingly depressed/concerned about the future of our hobby (sports cards).

I grew up collecting big time during the late 80s when cards were huge. Since then, for multiple reasons (already discussed), the hobby has shrunk, and shrunk, and shrunk....But fortunately, since I've reentered the hobby in '2005, 80% of my purchases have been in vintage cards which I believe will always atleast hold water.

However, in terms of my future business (I would like to own a hobby shop), will today's generation ever except cardboard as an acceptable form of memorablia? With bobbleheads, auto helmets, etc. do you think cardboard can ever work for this generation?

Thanks for your thoughts. I realize this is a bit of a ramble but would like to see where it goes (if anywhere). -Pat "Mintacular"

*

Are you concerned about the hobby, or a potential business???

Not to worry about the hobby ..... It will be there after you, and I are gone.

drc · #9 09-26-2009, 01:50 PM

I agree with Jeff. I've before thought that they only realistic way to have a small brick and mortar sports memorabilia or Hollywood memorabilia or whatever store is if you are already successful online. Heck, maybe then you could add live in store auctions. It's possible (I said possible) having the multiple avenues to sell might prove good and even an advantage to just selling online.

Lastly, you start a business where you objectively think it will be successful beforehand and not because of your sentimental tastes or conceptions. Do you know why Amazon.com specializes in books? Because Jeff Bezos determined that books was the best product to sell in his business. Whether or not he personally loved books and reading was neither here nor there. If he had determined that selling oven mitts was the best product despte the fact that he hated cooking, Amazon would have specialized in oven mitts. If starting a baseball card store makes lots of money and you love baseball cards, that's great. But loving baseball cards and being sentimental about your local childhood store, won't make an unprofitable business model less unprofitable ... Now, if you already have a profitable online business selling sports cards, that would at least give you a buffer to test out a store for a short period to see how it works. If the store hears nothing but crickets, you at least know you can move your store inventory online. In fact, the store inventory may be stuff you would have sold online anyway if you hadn't started the business. Many small retail business owners are both a bust and stuck with inventory they can't unload except at a small fraction of what they paid-- and the loss on the inventory can tower over other costs, like the lease.

drc · #10 09-26-2009, 02:44 PM

My family favorite "failed business" story was my uncle who was an engineer for NASA. He decided he wanted to be his own man and go into business as an independent space industry consultant, and took out an ad for his services. The only response he got to the ad was a guy wondering if he was hiring. Luckily, my uncle was only out the cost of ad and was the first to laugh at story.