Is it still possible to become a part time dealer?

[batkidiii]

I love to collect vintage baseball and was wondering if it is possible to become a samll, part time dealer in baseball cards? I just want to earn a little extra money to then turn help grow my personal collection. Any thoughts, or ideas for making my hobby passion into a side job?
Also, what are some ways that you would recommend in obtaining cards for resell. Thrift stores, garage sells, ebay???
I'm just kicking the idea around in my head. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Byron

[travrosty]

yeah, you just do it, find cards anyway you can, ask around, go everywhere, start small, build contacts, look for some you can flip. Don't put pressure on yourself. Small is good to start.

[batkidiii]

Thank you, Travis. I have my own baseball card room that looks like a mini card shop. I even have a glass display case, so I thought, "Why not try to make it an actual working card business?" If I decide to try my hand at selling cards, I will certainly start very small.

[BeanTown]

Purchase large lots with tremendous breakup value. Then find a place to sell like Ebay, Amazon, or an auction house where you break it up into individual lots.

[batkidiii]

Finding the large lots is the question. Where would you start to find them? Craigslist, ebay?

[batkidiii]

I'm not looking for a quick buck. In fact I would try to be fair with whoever I do business with, whether its buying or selling. Life is about your passions and I feel that it would be extremely satisfying being more active with my love of baseball. I think I like the no name players as much as the superstars. Its the rich history that each vintage card holds that I really appreciate.

[BeanTown]

Major auctions... Example. REA lot 10...

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by batkidiii

Finding the large lots is the question. Where would you start to find them? Craigslist, ebay?

There are many 'part time' guys out there..i would make sure you identify current market prices on cards you are looking for ..then look to buy them...

if you have any 1954s topps I can be your first customer.....


I did buy this REA Lot
http://bid.robertedwardauctions.com/...x?itemid=38234

I think the break up value should exceed what I paid ....people with many of the cards aren't willing to pay for the whole lot so there is value selling them card by card...

[buymycards]

There are many ways to go about this. In my case, I set up at cards shows. Sometimes I am able to buy large lots from other dealers and sometimes customers walk into the show looking for someone to buy their cards.

Some of the smaller card shows will give you 4 tables for $35, some are $30-40 per table, and the price goes up from there. It helps to bring an assortment of items, because you never know what people will ask for. Bring all 4 major sports, vintage, new, auto's and GU. Card shows can be a great way to blow out your junk that is difficult to sell on eBay.

The most difficult part of being a dealer is finding inventory to resell. Remember, you make your money when you buy. If you pay too much for your inventory, you won't be able to sell it for a decent profit. One of the most difficult things to do is too walk away from a collection because the price is too high. If you can't buy it for a price that you are comfortable with, just walk away and don't look back.

Being a part time dealer can take a LOT of time. Looking at collections, scanning and listing on eBay, getting ready for shows, setting up at shows, all eat up time.

Check Craigslist, flea markets, newspaper ads, etc. Check the BST and other card forums for possible inventory. Make sure that all of your friends and co-workers and relatives know that you are looking for cards and you will be surprised at the number of leads that can be generated from word of mouth advertising. Print some business cards. Don't forget Facebook and Twitter.

In my case, I have a full time job, so I can't devote a lot of time to being a dealer. My goal is to make a little money so I can buy cards for my Louisiana collection without using my personal funds.

Like everything else in life, if you work hard and do your research, you should be fine.

Good luck! Rick