What would it take to open Card Store

[00bolt]

i currently am a business owner. I own a trophy store, sell different kinds of awards from tball trophies for local ymca team to crystal awards for corporate businesses.... i have a couple empty display cases that would be perfect for putting some cards in and having a little side business... doesnt really go with trophies per say, but always have kids in the store.... just need a new phone book ad and waaalaaa....

my question is, is there even money in this business these days? I mean with the trophy store I buy parts wholesale, then turn around and sell for a profit... but with cards i dont presume it works the same way... i guess maybe with brand new boxes/packs you could get a discount... but dont most people want certain cards, etc.... not like i can just go buy a Walter Payton RC for half off because I own a store....

so this question is pretty vague i guess, but whats the key to owning a card store? something that sounds 'fun' but maybe just a big headache... afterall, all ones iv ever been to seem to go out of business anyway... maybe thats a clue

[Truerarities]

Idk, I think you'd be fine with just stocking packs, sure, some people want single cards but I think more people would be happy with buying hobby packs (i.e. stuff they can't get at Target).

[bblair_2002]

If you want to make money in cards these days,you need to sell gaming cards like Yu-Gi-Oh and Magic-The Gathering as well as the sports stuff. The sportscard shops in my area wouldn't be around anymore if it wasn't for gaming cards.

[dani0100]

If you are already a collector and have the opportunity to put some cards out in your store, you might as well give it a shot. I think putting out some singles of teams popular in your area, and a selection of wax packas, you'd get a good sense of whether there's enough interest from your existing customers.

I think you have a great ready-built customer base and there's very little risk if you already own a store with some display space available.

Best of luck,
Miguel

[vikingfan101]

Well, some people just would come in and sell you bulk cards to unload em. Then you can resell em.

[Kai]

my local store is a sports card store and trophy store (Hansen's cards and trophies) and they seem to have a ton of business, every time im there there's someone bustin packs and layin money on the counter

[Cacciato]

Definitely pack sales are backbone to card shop business. Simply put, most folks LOVE to rip packs. And like bblair said, Yugi-Oh! and MTG type cards are a MUST because it draws in more customers than those that just collect sports cards. Single cards do sell, but certainly should not be the sole basis for a physical location type shop (as opposed to an online only shop). It might also be worthwhile to do some research and see if there are any card shops that are close to your business. If there are, it might be tough competition to get customers who already frequent the other store. From my experience it is rare to see card shops close together because of the competition.

[00bolt]

there are actually no shops even around still in business which is weird because its not like i live in the country.... its Arlington, Texas.... home of the Rangers, soon to be Cowboys, 6flags, etc.. this is a big city but no sports card shops anymore

[Truerarities]

Here in Santa Fe (the capital of New Mexico) our last card shop closed down about a year ago. We still have a gaming store that gets a lot of business but they don't carry and sports cards. My advice is to just buy a couple boxes of a nice low-mid end hobby product and put them on your counter in your trophy store, see if you get any interest.

[mattyfatty4]

I live in the Dallas Area Metroplex and I'd probally stop by if you opened up a shop.