I have been reading what collectors have said about this new deal on offer from ESP.
I know I am going to get shot down for this but overall this is where it is hard for a dealers.
I dont expect to get any sympathy here,but I will break it down for you to have a look at theses numbers as a shop.
If I buy one of this new ESP deal the case plus a set of the 33 cards.
Theses cases are on eBay right now for $1250 without the extra set.
With the cost of a case and maybe sell for $1250 I would need to sell 8 cases just to cover rent for one month that not insurance,electricity,travel,phone and Internet.
How many dealers who are on here or even eBay will sell 10 cases a month just to cover cost to run a shop.I no their will be people who will say its your choice to have a shop but otherwise where do you go to buy what you want.
I do have to admit I do like this idea that they are trying but it's now December,Christmas time no hope to sell this if it came out in early to mid feb as a nice lead up to get people in the mood again to collect this may work.
Next year I do believe is make or break for the NRL as jerseys being 160 and most clubs having at least 5 jerseys so if you have to have one of each jersey that $800 to start with.
Next year you will see a lot of people selling their collectings to get by and mark my words you will lose 10% of dealers not only on eBay but shops as well.
I do beleive that the first set next year needs to be a set of commons just so they kids can start collecting cost no more than $2 a pack.
I said to someone today in my shop that the AFL keep growing and unless the whole of the NRL gets back to looking after the fans it will be to late for the game.
This is where the crunch will come that I am starting to stock AFL cards and other items it will be taking away space for me to display NRL gear,I hear on here all the time when I have items but that shop stock,unless the shops and sellers on eBay and website get the support their will be nothing around to even collect,because you will be buying it for 7-11,newsagencys servos.
After another phone call today as to why theirs every chance I will not take up this offer from ESP,their comment was why would you bother with cards.