[nyyankeesfan28]

(11-17-2012 01:10 AM)Ziveus101 Wrote:  A couple of things I'd consider would be:

*Making sure another card shop isn't in the same area
A lot of other replies in this thread have mentioned this but I think it'll definitely help if you're shop is the only card shop in town.

*Have a point card system
Basically give the consumer a point card where they get 1 point per 10 bucks or something and once they reach a certain point they get something like 10 bucks off their next purchase or something. However, be warned that some people may fake their points so having some really obscure and rare stamp might be necessary.

*Make a name for yourself (or rather your store) online
And what I mean by that is not only running a website for your store, but also being active in various cardboard related sites on the net. Be active on sites like here, Blowout, Cardboard Connection etc... Host box breaks on Youtube everyonce in a while advertising both the product and your store (you might attract some customers if you pull an insane hit). Having some auctions on eBay everyonce in a while might help as well.

*Offer more than just sports related cards
Nowadays kids (or rather the age 7~13 demographic) are into a lot of the gaming cards like Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh and Magic The Gathering. So it might help to sell those cards as well. Chances are you're store might appeal to families since there's gaming cards for the boys and sports cards for the dads. Selling stuff like Playboy cards to appeal to the older males might be an option as well (especially amongst males who just came into the store because they were dragged there by their friend[s]), sex sells after all.

*Have lots and lots of base cards (and inserts) ready and organized
A lot of people (like myself) go into card shops hoping to pick up some cheap singles to either help complete their PC or to help finish building their sets. Having loads of cards arranged neatly in order of year or company or team will definitely help the customers and might encourage them to come back as soon as a new product comes out. Organizing them all will be a pain, but it'll definitely be worth it.

*Have some cash ready for people looking to sell
Because baseball cards are looked at as an investment there will be people looking to sell some cards for a quick buck. You could also do some creative stuff such as trading packs/boxes for cards.

*Host some nice promotional gimmicks every now and then
Buy 2 Hobby Boxes Get 1 Free, Kids Get 50% Off, Kids Who Bring Their Report Cards And Have Lots Of A's Get 75% Off, The One Pack Challenge: Get A Hit In A Loose Pack And Win An Auto - type promos.

*Make sure you have different areas set up
What I mean by this is that it'll definitely be a huge plus to the customers if you set up tables for people looking to do various things. Such as a table where people can look through all of the singles they need out of the dime-boxes or whatever you choose store the cards in, a table where people who just bought a box of something can sit down, open their box and see what they got (and show it off) and if you're store sells gaming cards, have a table where people can have themselves a little duel. This last one will really help boost sales (singles-wise) if people realise that they have some holes in their stragety and need to buy a card or two to fill it.

Now not many of these'll probably help keep a shop from being a commercial failure, but they'll all at least provide the customer with some of the best service they could've asked for.

I'd definitely go to an LCS like that!

[krykslr]

(11-16-2012 08:15 PM)oneofakindcards Wrote:  The LCS has been replaced by regular people selling on Ebay unfortunately. This is too bad because I think the hobby is better without regular people selling on eBay (or anywhere else for that matter) all the time.

I'm the complete opposite. I'm glad eBay is out there, because people actually place reasonable prices on their cards. Every LCS around me has every card listed at full high book value and refuses to budge at all. I know they have to make enough to cover overhead, but I'm sorry, I'm not paying $80 for the exact same card that I could get for $15 on eBay. I'd be willing to pay a little more to help the shop out, but not at an outrageous level. I mean I can get a box online for $75, and the shops will ask $140. No thanks.

I'm an almost 100% eBay buyer when it comes to singles.

[mjanooz]

I have listened... keep a look out for the "Community" more details coming soon!

[gosports1]

I would like to open another Store on the Beckett Site. My last sale on Beckett was probably for ( 4 of 4 ) 8 x 10- 1997 Dale Earnhardt ,Sr pictures the day he Died at Daytona Speedway. I today still sell The Charlotte,North Carolina- original Charlotte Observer Newspaper ,my stock is getting thin.

[Haze28]

The LCS down the street from me has thrived because they do a lot of promotions, have a great email list that they keep up with emails to everyone about every time a new product comes out, every promotion they do, and they have trade days, autograph signings of a ton of different Chicago sports stars. They have monthly drawings and always have food and drinks and encourage people to just hang out and talk sports even if they aren't buying anything. They keep a strong inventory of wax, supplies and have a bunch of interesting cards in the display cases.

The best thing that they just started doing is price matching, they will match any online price for a product within a month of the release date. Talking to one of the main guys that works at the shop he says boxes have been flying off the shelf since they announced this.

The only thing I wish they would do is start carrying more vintage but they say they keep most of their vintage at the other store because it sells better there.

[chrisa19978]

(11-17-2012 11:46 AM)krykslr Wrote:  I'm the complete opposite. I'm glad eBay is out there, because people actually place reasonable prices on their cards. Every LCS around me has every card listed at full high book value and refuses to budge at all. I know they have to make enough to cover overhead, but I'm sorry, I'm not paying $80 for the exact same card that I could get for $15 on eBay. I'd be willing to pay a little more to help the shop out, but not at an outrageous level. I mean I can get a box online for $75, and the shops will ask $140. No thanks.

I'm an almost 100% eBay buyer when it comes to singles.

You say that but I have gotten some steals at the card shops as well. My last one was for a 2012 Topps Gold Rush Dealer Promo Derek Jeter card which the last 2 sold on ebay for $66.00 and I bought mine for $5.00.

[sfreinker]

I have been to several LCS's in my area and with the exception of one, they are also very heavy into sports memorabilia and local team products (i.e. home decor, shirts, jerseys, and the like.) The one I like the most has just a small card area, but their prices are fair, they have a nice selection of different sports and a great stock of supplies at a reasonable price. They also have signings on a regular basis at one of their five locations. They advertise well in advance and have great players from both past and present. The most recent were Ray Rice and one coming up with Torrey Smith. Their manager is also very knowledgeable about the hobby and always spends loads of time talking to me and answering my questions about the hobby. Even when the store has multiple customers I still feel like the only one in there because after he helps someone he always comes right back and picks up the conversation where we left off. Love my local LCS.