How do you figure out how much to charge for a group case break?

[iluvfish2]

We have had lots of questions about this so I figured I'd try and write something up for this

Not all products make great group break products. Typically products with lots of base cards work best for team breaks. Those with a few cards (Exquisite, Triple Threads, or National Treasures for examples) work better as "hit" breaks. A hit typically refers to a game-used card (and/or patch variaitons), autographed card, autographed game-used card, and in some instances maybe parallel card. For those that have done group breaks in the past, if a product has a few base cards, these could become a slot, but most are in favor of randomizing these at the end of the break (random.org is highly recommended).

Now how do you figure how much to charge for a slot in your break? Charge to little and you will end up paying out of pocket. Charge to much and your making to much (keep in mind group breaks should be "non profit." For example, if you've got 10 slots and 1000 bucks into the case, and 100 bucks into shipping, and 100 bucks into paypal fees, then your total costs are 1200 bucks. Given 10 slot holders, each slot would cost 120 bucks (keep in mind group breaks hosted here should not be configured for profit).

In the above example, you saw I had factored in 100 for shipping fees and 100 for paypal fees. Here is the best way to figure these in. Each product has different costs.

For example Razor Ink Archives was fairly easy for me to configure since I knew the cards were encased and only came 1 card per pack. So each slot in my group break was 1 card and I didn’t have to buy any supplies. But you may need penny sleeves (regular, or maybe extra thick). Dont' forget toploads either, and these come in various sizes. If your doing base card slots, will they be enough to fit in a lucite case, or do you maybe need storage boxes?

So what about shipping costs? I knew the weight of a comparable card (Razor Letterman) which was 3 oz when placed inside a padded mailer). Using this I could figure out what it was going to cost to ship (rates can also be found on USPS - The United States Postal Service (U.S. Postal Service). One thing to note here - a bubble mailer is considered a package and not an envelope. Prices are different for a letter and a package and You must follow the shipping guidelines (example, any package with e-delivery confirmation must be 3/4" thick or the package is upgraded to priority. Not only do you need to know what your shipping costs will be, but what are you going to ship the cards in, padded mailers, Priority rate boxes? Knowing what I've already got into my padded mailers (11 cents) and that it costs me 9 cents for my shipping labels (I have peel and stick labels that come 2 per 8x11 sheet, so I do not need packing tape to tape this to my padded mailers. It also costs 19 cents to use paypal's e-delivery confirmation. Keep in mind any break you host should have delivery confirmation. This is typically a cheap way of verifying that those within your group break have received their cards. You may also want to factor in insurance, nothing worse that someone getting their cards damaged. You as the host are responsible for the cards until they are safely received. If not, if a slot holder files a claim against you via paypal, you will loose. Another reason to make sure you know who is in your group break. Now one advantage to using the e-delivery confirmation is that its 19 cents. If you go to the post office, this will cost you about 80 cents, you so just raised your slot price 60 cents.

Once you have your entire costs figured in (product costs, mailing supplies, and/or any card supplies), you need to factor in your paypal fees (currently .30 transaction fee and 2.9% ). Example: If someone paypal's you 10 bucks, paypal will take 0.59 of that transaction (0.30 fee and .29 as the percentage). This is why its figured last. If you figure this to early, you will lose money.

If you use a spreadsheet it makes this much easier not only configuring the pricing, but also to keep track of all the slot holders information as it maybe a few weeks between ordering, receiving the case, breaking it, and shipping everything off so tracking down peoples addresses can be fun.

I also would recommend using video equipment and recording the break. Weither its a high or low case break, if you get shorted a card or forget the configuration of a pack, this helps. Also helps avoid anyone questioning the integrity of the breaker when the case is to blame and not the host. Another benefit, blowout will typically offer discounts for video box/case breaks if you follow their rules for obtaining the discount. Even more savings for the slot holders!

Additional things to consider:
If someone wants to pay via a check, why not cut them a break on their slot price since your not taking in the paypal fees.
What if someone buys more than one slot? This is very common. But seldom are slot prices adjusted for multiple slots. Your shipping costs are greatly reduced (typically the 1st ounce of a package is the most expensive (currently 1.22), but additional ounces are only 0.17. So if someone buys 2 slots, if your are figuring on a 1 oz package, instead of charging the slot holder 2.44, why not figure on charging them 1.39? This saves the slot holder 1.05 plus since they made one payment you to, you saved 0.30 in the paypal fees, but if they’re buying more than 2 slots (or your packages are heavier) this difference is even greater!