Everybody says support your LCS, here’s my experience.
 

I’ve gotten back into the hobby, so I don’t know everything. This may be the new norm, but in my opinion, it sucks. I’ve been to this shop 3 times. Every single time the owner is sitting by a computer, not 10’ from me and doesn’t even look up from it, because he’s doing a live break. He either has his wife running the counter, or another guy. None of those 2 knows the price on anything and can barely answer any of my questions. They have to ask the owner, who huffs and puffs and tells them that they we are gonna have to just wait a minute. I’ve seen people say that you can negotiate deals with local shops, but I have not found this to be true. I also always wonder if they search cases and boxes, because it would be really easy for them to do. So, what am I missing here? Why support LCS if they act like you are a hassle to be in their store? I’ve bought stuff and he’s literally 3 feet from register and no acknowledgement to me, no thanks, come back nothing...but on his live break it’s thanks man, what else can I help u with. This live break stuff seems to have ruined the hobby to me. And probably the reason why everything is so high in price.

I have to ask since you’re in N Georgia as well...which shop? I hate that you’ve had this experience. I miss the old days

[QUOTE=BraveAtlanta;16079779]I have to ask since you’re in N Georgia as well...which shop? I hate that you’ve had this experience. I miss the old days[/QUOTE]

It’s in Chattanooga, TN. All Star Cards

Shop where you want to shop. Keep it simple.

[QUOTE=Toppsdude;16079742]I’ve gotten back into the hobby, so I don’t know everything. This may be the new norm, but in my opinion, it sucks. I’ve been to this shop 3 times. Every single time the owner is sitting by a computer, not 10’ from me and doesn’t even look up from it, because he’s doing a live break. He either has his wife running the counter, or another guy. None of those 2 knows the price on anything and can barely answer any of my questions. They have to ask the owner, who huffs and puffs and tells them that they we are gonna have to just wait a minute. I’ve seen people say that you can negotiate deals with local shops, but I have not found this to be true. I also always wonder if they search cases and boxes, because it would be really easy for them to do. So, what am I missing here? Why support LCS if they act like you are a hassle to be in their store? I’ve bought stuff and he’s literally 3 feet from register and no acknowledgement to me, no thanks, come back nothing...but on his live break it’s thanks man, what else can I help u with.[/QUOTE]There are always some bad seeds. This is unfortunate.

Same, growing up going to the LCS to buy packs or going to flea markets - those were the days. Unfortunately Atlanta and surrounding is pretty barren on good LCS's. There are decent ones but nothing that even rises to the level of good.

I remember in the small town of Gainesville GA (about an hour north of ATL), there were three of four shops back in the 90s. Shows every weekend in Lilburn and Gwinnett Place. I wish it were still like that.

[QUOTE=Toppsdude;16079742]Every single time the owner is sitting by a computer, not 10’ from me and doesn’t even look up from it, because he’s doing a live break. [/QUOTE]

If the owner is the only knowledgeable person that works there, he should be letting someone else break on-line while he supervises. He's got it all mixed up.

[QUOTE=BraveAtlanta;16079868]I remember in the small town of Gainesville GA (about an hour north of ATL), there were three of four shops back in the 90s. Shows every weekend in Lilburn and Gwinnett Place. I wish it were still like that.[/QUOTE]

I’m originally from Gainesville. Are you from there? I loved West Hall Sports and the Lilburn show! (It was never the same when it downsized to Ventura Mall...what a shame)

Had a similar experience locally here in NW Florida. I gave them another chance and it has been great since. Maybe just a bad day?

[QUOTE=Toppsdude;16079742]I’ve gotten back into the hobby, so I don’t know everything. This may be the new norm, but in my opinion, it sucks. I’ve been to this shop 3 times. Every single time the owner is sitting by a computer, not 10’ from me and doesn’t even look up from it, because he’s doing a live break. He either has his wife running the counter, or another guy. None of those 2 knows the price on anything and can barely answer any of my questions. They have to ask the owner, who huffs and puffs and tells them that they we are gonna have to just wait a minute. I’ve seen people say that you can negotiate deals with local shops, but I have not found this to be true. I also always wonder if they search cases and boxes, because it would be really easy for them to do. So, what am I missing here? Why support LCS if they act like you are a hassle to be in their store? I’ve bought stuff and he’s literally 3 feet from register and no acknowledgement to me, no thanks, come back nothing...but on his live break it’s thanks man, what else can I help u with. This live break stuff seems to have ruined the hobby to me. And probably the reason why everything is so high in price.[/QUOTE]

He shouldnt be huffing and puffing, but as a LCS owner it is tough.

90-95% of the business is online these days and you have to cater to your money base, but that does not mean be rude to others.

He has the other employees to help and some of the frustration may have been directed at them and not at you when he huff and puffed.

We had someone come in our shop Saturday, they sent an employee searching for $1 cards in our eBay boxes and then walked when we wouldnt come down from $180 to 25. Now our employee spent an hour and half that they were not listing and no sale happened.

We didnt huff and puff though. Just went about our day and next customer we helped the same way and will continue to do so as a shop.

Burton's in Frederick, MD closed (I think, ten years ago) but no store will ever replace it in my heart. If Robbie is on these boards, hello!

[QUOTE=DevonMPalmer;16080280]Burton's in Frederick, MD closed (I think, ten years ago) but no store will ever replace it in my heart. If Robbie is on these boards, hello![/QUOTE]

My grandfather used to always take me there!

[QUOTE=Cavaliercards;16080062]He should be huffing and puffing, but as a LCS owner it is tough.

90-95% of the business is online these days and you have to cater to your money base, but that does not mean be rude to others.

[/QUOTE]

this is true with my LCS, which Ive grown to know by first name. every time I walk in its either him or his mom running the shop and they are very attentive.its a more rural area of NJ but they definitely get traffic. usually, he's on the computer managing their ebay account. he also runs silent auctions in house in the back, which is a huge money maker for him and he's got alot of room for inventory and does private signings.

I know the values of what he's got in stock and I usually won't buy singles because of his prices. but I have in the past and he won't beat me up and I won't beat him up and sometimes ill cave when I can personally inspect my purchases. I try to frequent him when I can. he's easy to work with and I dont mind spending a few extra vs online supporting his business. just sucks he's so locked into "book value" and goes by Beckett vs online pricing. some of his stuff is grossly overpriced. but for supplies, ill go back here and there.

You’ll unfortunately have bad card shops, but at the same time, you’ll find wonderful & friendly card shops. In my area, there is one card shop I really dislike going to because the owner is pretty annoying. The other 4 or 5 shops are great. Don’t base your opinion about all card shops or the hobby on one bad card shop. I hope you have more card shops around.

[QUOTE=Toppsdude;16079742]I’ve gotten back into the hobby, so I don’t know everything. This may be the new norm, but in my opinion, it sucks. I’ve been to this shop 3 times. Every single time the owner is sitting by a computer, not 10’ from me and doesn’t even look up from it, because he’s doing a live break. He either has his wife running the counter, or another guy. None of those 2 knows the price on anything and can barely answer any of my questions. They have to ask the owner, who huffs and puffs and tells them that they we are gonna have to just wait a minute. I’ve seen people say that you can negotiate deals with local shops, but I have not found this to be true. I also always wonder if they search cases and boxes, because it would be really easy for them to do. So, what am I missing here? Why support LCS if they act like you are a hassle to be in their store? I’ve bought stuff and he’s literally 3 feet from register and no acknowledgement to me, no thanks, come back nothing...but on his live break it’s thanks man, what else can I help u with. This live break stuff seems to have ruined the hobby to me. And probably the reason why everything is so high in price.[/QUOTE]

that sucks dude, honestly.

my local card shop is in South Texas, and they are awesome. It's a son and pop shop, and both dudes are really cool, they remember everybody's name so as soon as you walk in, they immediately greet you, which is really cool.

the dad is cool, but caters more to the big hitters in the shop, especially if they walk in right after i walk in, so i deal more with the son, but still, overall, it's a great shop.

what i like, is that the son is a smart guy and you can literally carry an hour long conversation about cards or whatever, kind of reminds me of the movie The Barbershop. I've gone in before and all of a sudden, two hours have passed before i even made a purchase.

[QUOTE=oplum29;16080419]that sucks dude, honestly.

my local card shop is in South Texas, and they are awesome. It's a son and pop shop, and both dudes are really cool, they remember everybody's name so as soon as you walk in, they immediately greet you, which is really cool.

the dad is cool, but caters more to the big hitters in the shop, especially if they walk in right after i walk in, so i deal more with the son, but still, overall, it's a great shop.

what i like, is that the son is a smart guy and you can literally carry an hour long conversation about cards or whatever, kind of reminds me of the movie The Barbershop. I've gone in before and all of a sudden, two hours have passed before i even made a purchase.[/QUOTE]

Being from Texas you would have appreciated our recent conversation about Texas Pete or Tabasco by time it was over one of our regulars was on his Mike Trout is overrated speech.

[QUOTE=Cavaliercards;16080422]Being from Texas you would have appreciated our recent conversation about Texas Pete or Tabasco by time it was over one of our regulars was on his Mike Trout is overrated speech.[/QUOTE]

LOL epic wish i had been a part of that gem of a conversation :)!

Go to Don’s in Portland, Maine.

Nicest LCS operator in the world.

Great shop too.

[QUOTE=DevonMPalmer;16080280]Burton's in Frederick, MD closed (I think, ten years ago) but no store will ever replace it in my heart. If Robbie is on these boards, hello![/QUOTE]

hey I live in Frederick, what store would you recommend?

Growing up in Central Jersey, as I kid, I remember the LCS's to have that barbershop feel. You'd look at the same shelves over and over again, finally buy some packs and rip them right there. All the while, the dad's would be chatting it up about everything going on in the world. The owner would be involved in every conversation all the while, keeping the kids entertained too.

These were small shops too, but we'd easily stay for an hour, one dad would go buy coffee for everyone and there was never a rush to leave.

Great memories, unfortunately it was during the late 80's and I don't have too much to show for it!

Sorry for the bad experience OP. LCS are going to be hit and miss based on the owner fo that shop. The shop that is close to me is good and the owner is fair and easy to talk to you. I guess I am lucky that way, I don't know of any other shops close to me.

As far as you last comment, yes breakers are one of the biggest issues in the hobby right now and are the leading driver of increased prices on wax. Allocations for LCS suffer as well. They end up paying more and getting less.

Had a scummy LCS owner locally for awhile. He went out of business. Total crook who bragged about pulling hits from cases and selling them on ebay. Soured me on lcs's.

Don’s in Portland really puts the emphasis on kids.

It’s almost heartbreaking to see it live in person.

Because, in the real world, #@#@#@#@ ain’t like that.

I've been to All Star before...the breaker is the dad. The son runs the store and was super helpful every time I've been in there (around 3 to 5 times). They "break" all day, every day. He goes live on YouTube and stays there soliciting breaks from their followers all day. I don't like their business model, but I guess it pays the bills.

Have you tried Marty's in Chattanooga...he's a good guy, but I think he's closed right now due to the virus. There's also Sugar Bear's, but he's a small shop with not a whole lot of inventory. Scenic City is another good one too...I like this guy the best, but he doesn't have a huge store.

Also, Dalton Stamp & Coin has some inventory...if you have the time to wade through it...he's not very well organized, and it's hit or miss whether he's in the shop that day (he runs a very successful construction business as well).