Thinking of opening a shop

[swarmee]

Yes, one of the biggest complaints I have read from shop owners is that it's almost impossible to get new hobby cases from distributors. You can't just order the cases that will be big sellers; you have to buy lousy products just to have a chance at the normal stuff that sells. And even if you request 2 cases of a product, Topps or the distributor might cut your allocation down to 2 boxes and you have no recourse. With how box prices have been climbing sky high over MSRP, demand for cases is up, especially with all the people who have started Group Breaking online. They're willing to pay your distributor 30%-50% more for the same unopened case, because they can spread the costs over hundreds of buyers who are clamoring to pay 3x retail for the same box you're trying to buy and resell at a small margin.

You can do it, but not likely as a shop that caters to vintage collectors. You may want to branch out into Magic, Pokemon, Funko Pop toys, etc. You'll need table space for those guys to play their games or trade, since it's almost impossible to keep enough stock of the right cards to sell directly to them.

How much money are you willing to have wrapped up in inventory? How would you get a business loan? Ask yourself a lot of questions. You might want to start out having a sports card booth in an antique mall in your area to judge the level of interest. One of the big pros to doing that (or having a card shop) is that you have the best chance of someone telling you about their 90s basketball insert collection, or vintage collection they've been lugging with them through all their moves. The old adage says "you make money when you buy."

[Directly]

Three factors- Location, Overhead, Advertising.

First--Try attending some shows or setting up some shows, You might even try a flea market booth, pay maybe 100.00 month. Advantage you have other venders selling all kinds of other items which attracts all kinds of shoppers --instant traffic! I owed a shop and the building in a busy location for twenty years but wasn't needed for any income. Yes we did great before eBay, especially during the beanie baby graze! Was direct with Topps, Upper Deck, Fleer and Wizards of the Coast. I've heard product is difficult to get in any volume to make any money so you would have to diversity, one advantage of a location sellers bringing in items to sell--
A 52 Topps mantle, 52 Topps and 48 leaf Robinson, several Cobbs, Jordan RC came through in our door plus too many items to list --but again was before the internet--

Having a shop for income or fun are two questions you need to ask yourself.--you can always try a shop, get a retail tax licenses, sign a year lease if required at the most, mark out any extra clauses in the contract that requires paying any thing extra, Property taxes, Equipment repairs, etc.-so be diligent with your homework and the decision is yours alone--good luck!

[rats60]

The only way I would open a store is if I could buy an existing store with direct accounts for Topps, Panini and Upper Deck. The distributors really aren't distributors, they are dealers who are looking to maximize their profits and that leaves very little for a store with high overhead.

When I opened stores in 1984 and 1991, it was easy to get those direct accounts. Today it is not and a big reason why I no longer have a store.

[markf31]

I think this is an idea that many on this board may have entertained at least fleetingly in one way or another over their time in the hobby, I know I have.

A little research and leg work on starting your own business can inform you relating to start up cost, taxes, overhead costs as there are a ton of good books out there and of course a simple Google search on starting up your own business.

As for the card shop itself....can a brick and mortar card shop succeed, sure it can and there are a couple in the Pittsburgh area around me that are still surviving. I do believe one key point as you and a couple other posts also mentioned is that you probably need a hook beyond just selling cards to get foot traffic in the door.

These hooks could include:
Your consignment board
One shop near me (prior to codvid) had at least monthly in person autograph signings by current and retired local Pittsburgh athletes
Offering live in-person box breaks at the store
Sell the books of local sport authors and have book signings and open q/a sessions with the author

Good luck in your research and your endeavor.

[rjackson44]

go on you tube and you will get an idea ,,staay away """

[ullmandds]

The only way I'd even consider this...personally...wold be to buy a building where the leased space would pay for the rent for my proposed space...to open a card store.

Or maybe a combination coffee shop/card store??

[Leon]

Nice analysis....

Originally Posted by swarmee

Yes, one of the biggest complaints I have read from shop owners is that it's almost impossible to get new hobby cases from distributors. You can't just order the cases that will be big sellers; you have to buy lousy products just to have a chance at the normal stuff that sells. And even if you request 2 cases of a product, Topps or the distributor might cut your allocation down to 2 boxes and you have no recourse. With how box prices have been climbing sky high over MSRP, demand for cases is up, especially with all the people who have started Group Breaking online. They're willing to pay your distributor 30%-50% more for the same unopened case, because they can spread the costs over hundreds of buyers who are clamoring to pay 3x retail for the same box you're trying to buy and resell at a small margin.

You can do it, but not likely as a shop that caters to vintage collectors. You may want to branch out into Magic, Pokemon, Funko Pop toys, etc. You'll need table space for those guys to play their games or trade, since it's almost impossible to keep enough stock of the right cards to sell directly to them.

How much money are you willing to have wrapped up in inventory? How would you get a business loan? Ask yourself a lot of questions. You might want to start out having a sports card booth in an antique mall in your area to judge the level of interest. One of the big pros to doing that (or having a card shop) is that you have the best chance of someone telling you about their 90s basketball insert collection, or vintage collection they've been lugging with them through all their moves. The old adage says "you make money when you buy."