Opening a small store: need inventory help

[Ramjak Sports]

Well, I finally have realized a dream of mine. I am opening a very small card/memorablia store in a small town and need some help from other store owners/ members on opening inventory

Here is the help I need. I am well versed in hockey, as I am in the middle of Saskatchewan. So no need for help there. BUT i want to carry some of every sport and some non sport cards as well.

I am not going to be open every day as a matter of fact, but want to have a good selection when I do open. Money is not an issue, but I do have a semi budget to work with
Basically, I need help with what is the better value/selling football,baseball and basketball. I know UFC and have that covered.
Any ideas would be very helpful.
Also, anything that I might not of thought of. I am going to carry lots of autographed stuff, so any leads in that area would be greatly appreciated also.

Thanks for the help, and feel free to pm or email me: [email protected]

Thanks again! I am looking forward to this new avenue of the hobby for myself.

[sandlotcards]

Good luck with your store. One word of advice is to be prudent on how much inventory you purchase up front. You definitely want to have a good selection but you don't want to purchase so many cards that you won't have man power to get them organized and priced in a reasonable amount of time. I'm sure you'll get a lot of other good advice here but this is the one thing I can speak of from experience. Take your time and get a feel for what sells well and what people are looking for.

[jdawg]

whats the point of having a store if it wont be open everyday lol..if thats the case might as well hit up a swap meet..i can see if you own the building outright but if your renting it not being open everyday is silly

[Care4Card]

You can't go wrong with recent Rookies, Refractors and low numbering.

Avoid base and Jerseys.

And, rule number 1, buy in BULK only... you'll run out of gas quickly otherwise.

Good luck with that.

[Ramjak Sports]

whats the point of having a store if it wont be open everyday lol..if thats the case might as well hit up a swap meet..i can see if you own the building outright but if your renting it not being open everyday is silly

I pay minimal rent a month. under $300 all expenses included.

It is a small town, and I own a very sucessful contracting company, so I will not have time to be open everyday. I am hoping that once the store is open, instead of having stragglers coming in every day or so, they know when it is open, and come on that day(s). (saturdays and one evening)
Being open during the day on the weekdays is not feasible to say the least.

This is just an extension of the online I have been doing. I have been sucessful online, and this is basically another outlet for those sales

[Ramjak Sports]

You can't go wrong with recent Rookies, Refractors and low numbering.

Avoid base and Jerseys.

And, rule number 1, buy in BULK only... you'll run out of gas quickly otherwise.

Good luck with that.

No, I think that my question in the OP is misunderstood. I know about singles etc, buying in bulk.
I am looking for help on whick BOXES to carry more than anything. NOT singles etc. I have those, but am wondering about WAX on the shelves. What is best to carry as for which lines, best bang for the buck in the areas outside of hockey.
Also, I am not very up on the magic and other non sport cards and would like to carry a small selection for the kids etc that come in too

[xposipx]

No, I think that my question in the OP is misunderstood. I know about singles etc, buying in bulk.
I am looking for help on whick BOXES to carry more than anything. NOT singles etc. I have those, but am wondering about WAX on the shelves. What is best to carry as for which lines, best bang for the buck in the areas outside of hockey.
Also, I am not very up on the magic and other non sport cards and would like to carry a small selection for the kids etc that come in too

Depends on your customers. If it's kids and a mid-low income area you need to just carry the basic boxes and make the spx/gridiron gear's your higher end. If you are dealing with adults in a higher income area try and sell cases and do in-store group breaks and make the spx/gridiron gear type products your lower end with black/supreme/NT/exquisite-type stuff your high end.

[Bluedogcards]

I agree with xposopx I hate going into shops and there is no low end stuff to buy,, sometime i just need to open packs to get rid of the itch

[Care4Card]

Yes they are right.

Basic packs from lower ends boxes, like Topps Baseball / Football. All hobby but low end (like 4$ a pack) and they will become impulse buy for your customers.

This is a basic in retail... Impulse buy is good, really good for your business.

[poochcake0220]

get some pokemon yu-gi-oh and magic cards... kids kill for the pokemon and yu gi oh and magic appeals to people of all ages. I help out at a card shop a few days a week and Magic sells like water