Sports Cards Store Owners

[pwaldo]

Also a tip when your in most of these shops. I say most because some shops are run by SOBs and this will never work and you'll never want to buy anything in those anyways.

But all you have to do is sometimes ask them if they could do better on the price. If something doesn't have a price and you ask and then they tell you X amount and you say "that's a little too high for me" most of the time they will lower the price a bit to get it sold. Some dealers/shops price stuff so that they can lower it in this fashion.

But coming out and telling the guy "shop X has it for this price" or "on eBay it sells for this" is probably going to piss him off more than anything else.

[GDScards.com]

I am a owner and the feeling most owners have is that Ebay is part of reason for the decline in this hobby..

Its actually the people selling the boxes and cases for less then cost that drive down the value of the single cards.

Personally I feel he should of tried to work something out with you... Stores live and die by their customer satisfaction. Since alot of owners have this guys attitude it should be no suprise that hobby stores only last a handful of years.

[golfermatt91]

gdscards ur banner is too big 300by100 pixels

[MossMan]

Yeah, he's always in a pissy mood...I've never purchased any cards from him because he is so overly priced. The only thing I buy from him are card supplies. He just seems disgusted when people ask him to look at something in a case, like when I ask for his boxes that he keeps his gu'd/auto's in, it's like a big chore for him. I would definately be more likely to pay a little more if he actually acted like he liked his job and wanted to please his customers.

[GDScards.com]

He is probally already on his way out of business.

[The Vikes]

pwalso: I like your response on the approach. Of course hindsight is 20-20. I think if you have an offer in your head, you offer it and see what happens. Just like these boards. Mentioning E____ rubs card shop owners the wrong way. Creating a relationship with a shop will go a long way. Buying supplies that actually have margin really goes a long ways. Buying Beckett's from a card shop also is huge. If they don't sell, they have to pay shipping to send back, plus wait for $. I'm a Card show owner that had to close. I blame the card companies as well. They have to do something to keep the card shops open. Offer more "card shop exclusive" products. These card companies are amazingly greedy and carry that corporate mentality. That's 1 part of the business I haven't missed.

[Seablazer]

I don't really have the same problem with my card shop, only with boxes... Not with packs or singles... Usually with packs or singles, I can work a deal with the owner and she'll hook me up, but her prices for boxes are a little ridiculous.

I once brought in some Leaf Limited BB cards for trade, and she got VERY VERY VERY mad that I bought them on the internet... I bought a 20bx case for just under $900.. I basically explained that when I'm making a case purchase, I have to go for the best possible price... If I bought 20 from her, it would have cost me a shade over $1400...

I'm sorry, but I'll buy packs and singles from the local card shop, but boxes and cases, I will go to who ever has the best price. What I really don't understand is that her store has EXCELLENT sales and they are at nearly every show in North America with a couple tables.. She knows that there are plenty of dealers out there that have great prices, but still won't budge on her prices for cases/boxes... I draw the line there.

[Star_Cards]

well said pwaldo.

[rayny1]

I`ve noticed that card shop owners do get all pissy when you start asking questions. I have about a dozen stores within a 25 mile radius give or take and quite a few more within an hour drive. The closest store to me has an owner who seems to get a bit pissy when I ask for a certain card he might have. I`m told, in a somewhat angry way to look for it myself through his boxes on the shelf. I simply think it`s easier if he can point me the way or at least suggest what box in might be in. I usually only buy supplies from him and I`m in and out in a few minutes. Don`t want to "waste his time", if you know what I mean. There is one store I could spend hours in because the owners are super people. T-Wall Sportscards on Rt. 23 South in Pompton Plains, NJ(could be Wayne, NJ too. Not sure). I usually stop in there on a Thursday if I`m running early and waste a good 30 minutes+. I actually look forward to visiting that store. I still think eBay is a better option for me. So much nicer shopping in my pajamas and slippers without wasting gas or the facing attitudes by certain store owners. :)

[pwaldo]

Yeah, he's always in a pissy mood...I've never purchased any cards from him because he is so overly priced. The only thing I buy from him are card supplies. He just seems disgusted when people ask him to look at something in a case, like when I ask for his boxes that he keeps his gu'd/auto's in, it's like a big chore for him. I would definately be more likely to pay a little more if he actually acted like he liked his job and wanted to please his customers.

If that's his attitude then I wouldn't shop there either.

It seems like a lot of people who own shops have this attitude and I always just walk out. If they don't want to get me stuff which is their business then screw them.

And I blame these people for ruining it for the good card shop owners because people get a bad taste in their mouthes after visting a place like this and they will think all places are like that.

If you own a shop that sells ANYTHING (not just cards) the number one rule is that you have to be nice (or atleast come off as nice) to your customers. Your going to always be interacting with them so if you have a sucky personality your just going to drive people away which is going to hurt your sales.