Why doesn't Target,Walmart etc sell hobby?

[cardcollectorman]

This whole card company thing of not selling hobby to retailers is stupid. There are very few hobby shops out there and retail costs the same as hobby yet has much less in them unless you love base.

[cgb_orl]

Imagine the damage if pack feelers got a shot at hobby product. I think the potential for theft or damage would be too great. Besides if there was a method to revitalize stores, this may help in getting one close to you.

[vinny407]

Wal Mart does sell hobby sometimes. One close to me has 3 boxes of 08 Bowman Chrome baseball for $49.99 right now :)

[bballCT]

Wal Mart does sell hobby sometimes. One close to me has 3 boxes of 08 Bowman Chrome baseball for $49.99 right now :)

Yep, I've also seen packs and boxes, never basketball though.

I agree with the thread, seems like this would be a market worth expending into. Huge possibilities in term of marketing to the masses. Obviously something is holding it back...

[jprt80]

I guess it all depends on whether or not you enjoy going to the LCS. Hobby packs/boxes are the only reason to go to a shop now since singles are so easy to find on-line. If retail stores had hobby boxes they would be able to put them at much lower prices than hobby shops and that is really the #1 money maker for any LCS. Sorry you don't have any card shops in your area, but I don't see why anything should have to change. Hobby shops are the getting harder and harder to find, yet w/o them I believe the hobby would die. It is also important to note that they wouldn't be hobby boxes anymore. There is nothing wrong with things the way they are.
P.S. If you are paying the same amount for your retail packs as your hobby packs you're getting ripped off.

[WilyWestbrook0]

I guess it all depends on whether or not you enjoy going to the LCS. Hobby packs/boxes are the only reason to go to a shop now since singles are so easy to find on-line. If retail stores had hobby boxes they would be able to put them at much lower prices than hobby shops and that is really the #1 money maker for any LCS. Sorry you don't have any card shops in your area, but I don't see why anything should have to change. Hobby shops are the getting harder and harder to find, yet w/o them I believe the hobby would die. It is also important to note that they wouldn't be hobby boxes anymore. There is nothing wrong with things the way they are.
P.S. If you are paying the same amount for your retail packs as your hobby packs you're getting ripped off.

Perfectly stated!

[rocketfan86]

A couple of years ago, a nearby Wal-Mart sold hobby boxes of 2008-09 Upper Deck. I bought one and i remember getting a Cedric Simmons autograph...i don't know what the GUs were. I think it went for $59.97.

[tbcgregory]

I've never seen hobby at Wal-mart, but when I was up north a few months back, at a Meijer's (a lot like if Walmart and Target had a big child together) I found a bunch of 2010 blaster boxes of Bowman Chromes for $10 each.

[bjtheman1]

I remember a few years back a Walmart by me had 05-06 Upper Deck & 04-05 Sweetshot Basketball boxes, they were also in a clear plastic housing. I guess to make stealing them a bit harder. There's one as well by me that has the 2008 Bowman Chrome Baseball Hobby Boxes too

[spuds1961]

The Walmarts by me have had some hobby boxes,2009 signature stars baseball and 2010 timeless treasures football 69.99 and 59.99 respectively,the only hobby I saw at target was a 2008 ud soccer for 11.99 of course I bought it,pulled 2 gu and a case hit auto of juan pablo angel # 27/30.I think the reason you don't see more hobby at retail stores is what others have stated it helps keep the lcs in business,usually the only hobby boxes you will see at retail are the products that flopped on their initial sales.