[Optimus_Prime]

So today, After weeks of anticipation, I finally made it over to a shop that sells comics and cards. Mainly comics with a bunch of baseball and football with a small corner of hockey cards thrown in the corner and i must say, i was very disappointed. I hear stories of how awesome other card shops are and i was hoping for something, anything, i guess. The owner really didnt even converse with me. I was hugly disappointed in the product that was available. There was maybe 3-5 single cards for sale. clearly this store was not geared for hockey. There was a few packs of prizm, a few packs of score and upper deck. He had about 20-30 boxes of various boxes and packs from the late 90's - 2005-06 but i though the was asking way too much for it. I really wanted a chance at getting some select, but he refused to crack open a box for me so i could buy packs and i didnt want to spend the coin on a full box. He also refused to open a box of the trilogy. I looked at the packs, the racks, the small corner for probably 15-20 minutes trying to figure out what i wanted to do. Never once did he even offer any opinion. Clearly, i needed help. I was confused. I was lost. However, Knowing someday i'll walk into that store like i own the place because its the only place to sell hobby within 70 miles of me, (this was after all my first time, first time jitters i suppose) i wanted to spend some money and i always try to help a local store out. So, I liked the prizm before, So i decided to buy 4 packs at 7 dollars a pack. I told him i'd like the prizm, he took out the box. there was probably 5-10 packs left. He held out the box and i panicked. I froze. All these thoughts of pack searchers, rookie mistakes, choosing the right pack, last pack rule, flooded into my head so i grabbed the top 4 packs, handed him my cash and left. went to my car and drove home. Feeling like it was a complete waste and let down (granted i know it wasn't really a true card shop) i opened them up.

And suddenly, I have a new best friend. His name is Jean. I'd like you to meet him.


Have i told you the story of how much i love this little card shop that i went into today? What a lovely time i had. I think i'll go back tomorrow.

[anavrin78]

Nice pull. The guy that runs my LCS is kind of the same way. I guess he sells mostly baseball and seems upset when I ask about hockey stuff.

[madmack29]

Wait until you become known as his "hockey guy" and it might get better for you.

The closest shop to me has 1 other "hockey guy" besides me. The owner a few hockey boxes, but doesn't seem to order more until what he has is gone. No high end stuff, so Artifacts and Certified are the best I can get there. His prices are consistently about $20 - $30 higher per box than the bigger shops and online, so while I try to support local when I can't always be the that guy. He is very pleasant and likes to talk about sports, so that is a big bonus.

Maybe you can help him out with his hockey section by asking to sell some of the cards you don't want through him - I have done this at a couple of smaller shops that are now out of business.

Congrats on the pull and good luck moving forward.

Nathan

[bluefrozencanuck]

My shop here is fantastic always has lots of people in it. Never hear about any hits, I suppose if it wasn't a Walmart it would be better.

Great pull on the Jean Beliveau, congrats.

[hockeynick1721]

Nice pull. Im assuming this is the place in LO? I never had any luck there. What's sad is that I think I paid $7/pack for Pinnacle when it first came out (2010-11). ::Embarrassing::

[Optimus_Prime]

@blueforzencank - HA! i love it. Suprisingly, My local target has really stepped it up. They've got blasters of select, black diamond, UD, artifacts, etc. Nice wide selection. But they're blasters....

@hockeynick - Yeah. it was the place there. You know the 2010-11 pinnacle you paid 7 dollars a pack for? They've still got them....still 7 dollars a pack

[bluefrozencanuck]

But on the plus side I can buy groceries, and of course a coffee at the golden arches.

[pens1fan]

Congrats on the nice auto pull!!!! Always a fun experience to find a new LCS to visit. I am the "Hockey Guy" at my LCS and love it as all the hockey I get first shot at which he gets in. Congrats!!!

[shierydana]

That stinks that the owner of the shop refused to open boxes for you (missed out on some revenue there). I'm curious if he would have cut you a deal if you had purchased more (doubt it). I personally wouldn't go back, unless that particular shop were my only option for any hockey.

But, you got a nice hit at the end of the day.

[lemieuxfan6666]

Really nice auto congrats