My first LCS experience in 28 years....

[shayscards79]

Originally Posted by MRSPORTSCARD

Online is the better experience now. Went to a retail brink and morter and asked them a question about where a product was located after it took 20 minutes to find them and they were clueless. I rather just click on Amazon and have the product come to my door cheaper and no hassles.

But it should be a better experience when it comes to hobby shops. We're not talking about the difference between shopping on Amazon as opposed to going to Target.

I like going to an LCS for the social setting, being around other hobbyists, seeing what I'm buying in person first and being able to trade in person.

Sure, it can be more expensive (although the LCS I went to in Chicago pegged their prices to Blowout's) it's sometimes worth it to not pay for shipping or having to wait. A lot of times paying cash for singles also nets discounts.

[dev6015]

Originally Posted by dashcol

My LCS is the complete opposite of what this place sounds like it is. The shop is only open 1 Day a week, sometimes two. The owner has insanely high prices marked on his wax, but those are admittedly there for the fly by customers. Regulars get much better prices, and when he marks them down he is right around BO prices so I don’t mind paying 5-10% more to keep the doors open.

He doesn’t have prices on singles, you have to just bring him a stack and he will give you a price on the stack, the more cards the better the price. He never looks up the prices, he just gives you a fair price based on how much he feels they should go for. He is usually at about 75-125% of eBay.

I have never had him charge for a one touch, or sleeves/top loaders. I don’t buy them that much, but he has never charged me for them.

He makes most his money off of casual fans who stop in to buy his autographed jerseys. I am constantly seeing him sell those at what I would consider high prices, but they sell so they can’t be too high.

He is also okay with and enjoys people coming in just to talk sports and the hobby. He will let you sit and just talk with no intents of ever buying. So many times we will sit and watch a game, he buys lunch for us all and we just hang out.

If we do buy a big amount of boxes for a group break then he knocks the price down about 25% and throws in a box from the back we didn’t even know he had.

Great guy and great shop!

On a side note, I have seen pics of his collection that he keeps at his house, and it is insane. Full run of Mantle from 1951-1969, pretty sure the same with Willie and Aaron. The guy has been collecting for 50 years and his love of the hobby shows through.

Our dude Bill at Diamond Heroes! A true throwback. I just wish they were open a little bit more or had more predictable hours.

I don't get up there nearly as much as I'd like, but I'll have to let you know next time I do so we can meet up. Happy I could turn you onto the shop a few months ago!

[TraderJake]

My LCS has pretty high prices but if you know them are wiling to pay cash they come pretty close to the online prices which is good enough for me. They are quite friendly though which helps.

[charnick]

Originally Posted by trmpetyjo

Yeah, exactly what I thought too. Guy is telling people his overall experience after going into a card shop for the first time in 28 years, and gets the same treatment in the forums as he did in the shop.

Some wise guy mouthing off trying to be funny instead of trying to help out and encourage a fellow collector.

THIS.gif

[unclemonkey]

MY LCS is pretty good in the Customer Service department.

Has a lot of dime, quarter and dollar boxes.

Everything else is expensive.

Pretty sure he hits Target for his recent released products.

Have no idea how people have a brick and mortar store.

He doesn't even do Ebay or shows.

[cjay101]

The vast majority of sportscard exclusive shops have a walk in location solely to buy from walk in customers, then sell on ebay or likely grade and sell on ebay. I’m familiar with a few in the KC metro area and they’ve all admitted the real money was online. They’re not so much shops these days as they are widower/debtor/inheritor/garage saler sell shops.

[Triple B]

Bad shops don’t last. There isn’t enough money on boxes and supplies to be treating people like trash and expecting them to come back. I’ve seen some bad ones close and couldn’t care less. It’s when the good ones close. That hurts.

[atlcast]

The irony: The OP gmoney328 "Didn't have a stitch of cash"

[cardmole]

Been to 10 or 12 here in L.A. area, and there are only 2 I would return to.

[cardmole]

Originally Posted by atlcast

The irony: The OP gmoney328 "Didn't have a stitch of cash"

First rule when going to almost any LCS is bring cash. Cash is king!

[fulltritty]

Originally Posted by cardmole

First rule when going to almost any LCS is bring cash. Cash is king!

That is the motto of my company CEO. Told it to us in indoctrination and about 10 times in a business acumen class I attended.

[cardmole]

that's cool...lol
In the card business buyers will find that cash opens many doors that credit won't.

[Bowman1951]

Just like there will be stellar restaurants and some you never want to step foot in again......the LCS business is no different. Many oft the newer ones I've had open around me are fully accommodating and jump at the chance to help every single customer.

Sorry you had a bad experience but it sounds like they shouldn't even be open anymore with how you were treated.

And lol at the 1987 Topps.

[rcmb3220]

LCS’s are useful for supplies and junk wax (though not always based on the OP). There’s no reason to go into one otherwise.

[ToddW]

Originally Posted by cardmole

Been to 10 or 12 here in L.A. area, and there are only 2 I would return to.

Pm me if you are willing to share which 2 those are, as I am curious. The ones I've been in don't always live up to the online reputation.

[atoaz12]

Random, but kinda on base, question...

How do breakers get cases/boxes from distribution without also having a brick and mortar?

Don't you have to own a store front in order to get that kind of pricing?

[YouTheManNick]

There is no excuse for running any specialty shop like this be it cards, comics, toys, etc.

You’re selling products that people don’t need. We buy them because we enjoy them. When you own a shop like that every customer matters and should be treated properly. Greeted when they walk in, inquire as to what they’re into, etc.

If I walk into a hobby shop and the employees are surly I walk right out. If I’m gonna spend my extra money on cards I want to give said money to someone who’s not a jerk.

[YouTheManNick]

Originally Posted by ToddW

Pm me if you are willing to share which 2 those are, as I am curious. The ones I've been in don't always live up to the online reputation.

I’d like to know as well. I’ve only been to 4 LA shops, but I like two of them

[jam92102]

Sorry you had a bad experience. My local shop has a ton of singles and goes by half of Beckett, which for the most part is a lot higher than I want to pay compared to comps. Boxes are pricey and selection isn’t that great. I use him for supplies only and buy everything else online.

[dashcol]

Originally Posted by dev6015

Our dude Bill at Diamond Heroes! A true throwback. I just wish they were open a little bit more or had more predictable hours.

I don't get up there nearly as much as I'd like, but I'll have to let you know next time I do so we can meet up. Happy I could turn you onto the shop a few months ago!

Last I talked to Bill, a few weeks ago now, he said he was going to try and at least get open twice a week. Ultimately he would like to get up to 3 days a week like he used to do. I would be happy with just Fri and Sat, but he has a lot going on and this is just a fun venture for him.

I really appreciate you sending me his way, I don’t get up there much because of work, but always enjoy myself when I do get up there!

Originally Posted by rcmb3220

LCS’s are useful for supplies and junk wax (though not always based on the OP). There’s no reason to go into one otherwise.

I can not disagree more. Yes BO will have a better selection of boxes and cases, and I would buy from them when the LCS doesn’t have it. BO is always my next go to, but it is worth the extra 5% to have it that day, and have social interaction and talk about sports. No matter how much I talk to the BO website, it just doesn’t talk back.

Online is great for those who want to open packs but have zero social skills.

[SupermanBrandon]

Originally Posted by ToddW

Pm me if you are willing to share which 2 those are, as I am curious. The ones I've been in don't always live up to the online reputation.

Originally Posted by YouTheManNick

I’d like to know as well. I’ve only been to 4 LA shops, but I like two of them

Im in LA probably 5-6x times a year. This past summer I visited several LA LCS'. I found my home away from home at Burbank Sportscards. That place was incredible. The staff was super friendly. And their customers were just as nice. I ended up sticking around the shop for a couple of hours talking cards.

Originally Posted by jam92102

Sorry you had a bad experience. My local shop has a ton of singles and goes by half of Beckett, which for the most part is a lot higher than I want to pay compared to comps. Boxes are pricey and selection isn’t that great. I use him for supplies only and buy everything else online.

I will never understand why Beckett pricing is still a thing. And you can't convince me otherwise. Not in todays world! When someone pulls out a Beckett, I turn and run the other way.

[gmoney328]

Originally Posted by atlcast

The irony: The OP gmoney328 "Didn't have a stitch of cash"

You’re right, in hindsight I should have brought cash. Was going in there just to get a lay of the land more than anything else. They did have a really good selection and I’m sure if I go back and spend some more time there I could find some gems amid the boxes. I just didn’t like the vibe I was getting. I’ve run businesses before and rule #1 is act like you give a rip about your customers. I had a budget of 500 bucks today in my head, and I spent 5. That’s not good business, cash or no cash.

[atlcast]

Originally Posted by gmoney328

You’re right, in hindsight I should have brought cash. Was going in there just to get a lay of the land more than anything else. They did have a really good selection and I’m sure if I go back and spend some more time there I could find some gems amid the boxes. I just didn’t like the vibe I was getting. I’ve run businesses before and rule #1 is act like you give a rip about your customers. I had a budget of 500 bucks today in my head, and I spent 5. That’s not good business, cash or no cash.

You are right.Being helpful to customers is the only way to do business.Whether they buy something or not.Cash or not.I was just being playful with your name.

[3of5-2]

Cleve's Collectibles in Springdale, AR is one of the best shops you will find anywhere. They have pretty much anything you want, vintage, modern, singles, boxes, cases, memorabilia. It would be hard to go in there and not leave with something. Father and son owners, very knowledgable on everything. They have live breaks twice a month, and a trade night once a month. Always and I mean always, buying.

[YouTheManNick]

@SupermanBrandon I love Burbank. Both Ryan and Rob are great. I used to not like it when I first went there in 2005. It used to feel pretty sterile. But they’ve really done a great job opening it up and making it a place where everyone feels welcome. The prices on boxes are surprisingly good as well.

The other one I like is Beverly Hills cards on Robertson. Matt is awesome.

Still need to check out Bullpen. I hear lots of good things about it