Isnt it funny how...

[Detroitfan113]

I feel you man. My card shop sells card at almost 80% BV. I don't know if this is standard since I don't buy cards that often... but I think that is VERY high.

[Ragnarok691]

I understand the hobby shop pricing system. They get cards wholesale, pay rent, wages, taxes, utility bills, buisness taxes and probably more that I am not ejumacated on. Charging 179.99 for one hobby box of Contenders is utterly rediculious. I work for a 4 star resort and their markup in their shops is 60%. I once caught a peek at what he pays for a case and he is getting the Contenders at 76 a box. He is making 103.99 a box. I saw him sell 20 immediately after 2 cases were dropped off by UPS. I was jonesing so bad for my break that i just gave in a grabbed one. I got a friggin Ingle Martin, Dawan Landry, Hatoli Ngata and Devin AromaTheHutt. Not worth 179 bucks. To make it worse, The original quote a week before was 130. Once the cards showed up it was 150, then once he rang it up he charged 179. I asked some questions but got the usual hoopla. I got the box and a box of Turkey Red FOR 110. I AM RETARTED AM I NOT??? I got my Calhoun Auto out of the Turkey Red at least.

[tutall]

to answer the original poster question about prices..... the reason the boxes rarely go down with market price is because the card shop still has the same amount into the box whether the price has gone down on ebay or not. My shop right now has allen and ginter for 209 a box... he also bought 2 cases when it was VERY hot and it has died down since. He is locked into the prices he paid and doesnt want to take a loss so much like you did with SPA he will wait until someone comes in and wants a box and who cares what the price is. That is the reason though behind prices not falling with the market.

[sivjosh]

Have you guys met any rich card shop owners? I'd say, generally, the hobby card shop isn't a place where you'll find great business minds.

There's a point where they should mark down the old inventory to get some cash to bring in new stuff that will turnover faster. The place near where I live is cluttered with all kinds of old stuff that will just sit and sit and collect dust and not generate a dime because it is too overpriced, and that makes no sense from a business perspective.

[vikingfan101]

Tutall - Point well taken, but most store owners buy low, sell high. When a product is hot, at least around here, the owner will not buy it unless he knows he can make a considerable markup price.

They buy so many cases of something they think will be hot early, that they have plenty, and no longer need to buy more. So they still have low prices locked it.

I do understand what your saying though.

[56chev]

This guy gets it.

I wonder why it is that card shop owners tipically are not the smartest business minds?

Have you guys met any rich card shop owners? I'd say, generally, the hobby card shop isn't a place where you'll find great business minds.

There's a point where they should mark down the old inventory to get some cash to bring in new stuff that will turnover faster. The place near where I live is cluttered with all kinds of old stuff that will just sit and sit and collect dust and not generate a dime because it is too overpriced, and that makes no sense from a business perspective.

[vikingfan101]

The business minded Card Store Owners, are the ones that bring in extra cash via Ebay, and lock in at good prices. Most places must ebay to stay alive now, but definitely, most arent great business minded.

[RenegadeLonghorn]

I rarely visit local card shops. Packs/boxes are overpriced and they sell cards 75-100% of BV. I understand they are in the business to make a profit and there are many more expenses then having an online store. If you want to stay competitive and be in business, lower the prices. This is why I will continue to stick with ebay and trading sites.

[sivjosh]

I'd really like to support the local card shop, but I don't really need "service." I just need a box of cards. I'm not sure what service they can provide anymore? Open the packs for me?