Thursday, February 2, 2012

What Makes A Good Card Shop?

When you think of a card shop, what is the first idea that comes to mind? What do you expect to see when you walk in? Ideally, if you ran a card shop, how do you expect the experience to go?

I know we all have our favorite and least favorite locations, but what makes them that way?

I'd love any and all feedback.

2 comments:

AdamE said...

The number one most important thing is friendly knowledgeable staff. After that I want to see it organized. An uberorganized store and even great prices won't make up for a friendly persin behind the counter.

Some people will say prices on everything. I would rather there not ba a price. That way I can pile up a bunch of cards and say how much knowing the bigger the stak the cheaper the cards.

Fuji said...

1st Inning - Friendly Staff - You can never have enough friends who speak "cardboard"

2nd Inning - Bargain Bins - I'd hit up my local shop at least once a week if there was a chance I'd find a PC card in the bargain bin.

3rd Inning - Selection - I've been to several shops where they have 20 boxes or less... and for some reason I'm turned off. I want the option of busting a pack of 1985 Donruss baseball if I want to.

4th Inning - Competitive Prices - Obviously it's impossible to match online shops prices... but there's no way I'll buy a box from a shop for $100, when DA or Blowout sells it for $65.

5th Inning - Trade Nights - I've never been to one, but I've heard about them on YouTube & read about them on blogs... seems cool.

6th Inning - Autograph Signings - Loved going to these when I was younger.

7th Inning - Pack War Nights - About 10 years ago, I worked at a shop that held these. They gave out a ton of prizes and drew in collectors from all over the area. $50 got you a ton of packs... a few hours of entertainment... pizza and soda... and at the bare minimum a door prize.

8th Inning - Help Set Builders - One of my local shops has singles from almost every set imaginable (only problem is their prices are unreasonable - see 4th inning).

9th Inning - Kid Friendly - Like Whitney sang... "I believe the children are our future..."