More Boring Card Shop Random QUestions

[rokcrawler08]

So DUnno If U Remember But A Few Months Back I Asked How Hard It Was To Get Product For a Brcik n Mortat Store...Well NOW i Have The CHance At A Rent Free SPace Inside Another Business, With Full Acces To Advertisement.

SO,............

Ive Been Thinking, until I Get A STable Consumer Base, Would You

A) Purchase From Locals/Flea Market (My Two Mini LCS Options)

or

B) Purchase From Internet...(Ebay/Blowout/DA) Etc.

Just To Get STarted?


Lmk, THanks!

[tarheelsnipe]

You're talking about buying to resell? I guess if those were the two options, I'd go with buying from the internet. I haven't seen any card shops that can beat the prices.

[FlyersFan]

Yea none of my locals can beat the prices at blowoutcards.com, I would go with them. Also I usually pull pretty descent stuff when I buy boxes from them and if that is pretty consistent it could do a lot for your customer retention.

[Qwikflipz]

Obvious the internet is VERY cheap, and I think a LCS cannot run without some sort of internet business. LCS stay open for the people who usually will buy a pack/box for a slight lost to them, to keep the business running. I spend $27 on packs today at a LCS (Could of gotten them for $15 on DACW). But hey, it keeps him running. I wouldn't want him to close up, I like getting a quick fix on the way home from work.

[BizzyDesigner]

If you're buying from locals, you're going to have to make the price you buy from them higher to make any money -- And at that point why is anyone going to buy from you when they can there and get it for that price? Buy online if you want to be able to offer the best prices you can and be competitive.

And how the heck did you manage to write all of that capitalizing each word? That's maddening.

[rokcrawler08]

I Have A Bad Problem With That, Would You BeLieve Me If I Said I Type Around 55 WPM Like This? Lol....Bad Habits...

Yea My 2 Locals Prices Are Rediculous, I Paid $115 For A Box Of Classics While Ago...When I Coulda Paid $90 For It Online...Even I Sold It For $100 When I Had My Shop Open...Id Still Be Lower Than Both....The Flea Market Sells 09-10 SPGU For $200....Internet Sells For >$170.....

[tarheelsnipe]

Be careful cutting your profit margins so close. You're assuming that everything you buy will sell. Make sure you account for losses on the products that don't move off the shelf. After the first 3-6 months, you'll have to cut the price to move the product to stay in line with the internet discounts. I've seen a lot of LCS's go under because they buy too much of one product and lose money. It's tough guessing what consumers want.

[xavieronly1]

When you buy 1 box at $90, and sell for $100, I am not sure it is worth the time being as a business. The profit margin is just so low and can't even cover the labor, and rent fee.

[ponyboy]

You'll DEFINITELY need a consumer base..that's for sure. With or w/out product!!
If you DO manage to get your hands on a bunch of boxes..be it old or new, you can always get rid of them. I found the best was to entice 'Free Pack' giveaways in store. ..i.e. Pack wars..contests..buy a box - get a couple free packs..etc.. Make sure you can get a customer base first.
Create a small 'online website/store' That should help you out in moving any stale product.

My big advice:
BUY OLD!! With the market the way it is..people are going BACK to the old stuff..old inserts are doubling everyday in the market and theirs a surge in old box sales.
MJ $20 inserts are hittin around $25-$30..depending on the inserts.

Evan~~

[carmenscardcloset]

I would spend the money on typing lessons. Lol jk jk

IMO, Internet