NBA BASKETBALL CARD SHOP in PERTH A1 Cards and Gaming * 0400784795 *

[Matt26]

Re: Hobby/card shop - Should I chase my dream ! Or am I just dreaming ?

Having helped run a card shop through the 90's, I can offer only one piece of advice if you are going to open a shop.

Diversify.

Personally, If I were in your situation, I reckon there is a market for doing something similar to checkoutmycards.com on a local level (NBA/AFL/Rugby League)

You could work from home, you would cut out a lot of your overheads, and still be involved in something you love.

My 2 cents.

Cheers
Matt

 

[A1CardsandGaming]

Re: Hobby/card shop - Should I chase my dream ! Or am I just dreaming ?

Having helped run a card shop through the 90's, I can offer only one piece of advice if you are going to open a shop.

Diversify.

Personally, If I were in your situation, I reckon there is a market for doing something similar to checkoutmycards.com on a local level (NBA/AFL/Rugby League)

You could work from home, you would cut out a lot of your overheads, and still be involved in something you love.

My 2 cents.

Cheers
Matt

Great suggestion Matt ! Due to my lack of personal interest regarding AFL collectibles, I have thought a gradual increase in that section would be the best way to do it. Initally I will target star players that I am confident will sell. I will more than likely look at buying a big lot at some point and sell individually while I wait for my stock levels to grow over time. I guess the biggest trick is finding out what is and is not going to sell. The mystery of the unknown makes it even more exciting

as for working from home, As I stated earlier that my wife is 100% behind the idea... part of that backing is probably to get my hobby room dismantled you know how the girls say one thing but the fine print is in there somewhere
plus the personal touch will be great for the hobby

 

[Cobretti]

Re: Hobby/card shop - Should I chase my dream ! Or am I just dreaming ?

oh i forgot to mention. not sure if someone else has (too busy to read all posts)

keep a list of people's want lists in store. that way they will come back to see if anything was found and hopefully buy more products whilst they are there.

 

[nathanblack]

Re: Hobby/card shop - Should I chase my dream ! Or am I just dreaming ?

If the store front is big enough I'd buy some pool tables or pinball machines. Get the kids in there while they wait for their trains. From my observation NBA is big but more online and perhaps an older audience. Newagents are more AFL than NBA and the target audience seems younger (10-15yo). I think a big AFL content is more important.

Turning stock over shouldnt be an issue. You can always sell slow moving stock on ebay to keep cashflow up. You will need to buy/trade with customers. Dont over pay for a single but be generous enough.

Goodluck.

 

[A_Iverson_I]

Re: Hobby/card shop - Should I chase my dream ! Or am I just dreaming ?

If the store front is big enough I'd buy some pool tables or pinball machines. Get the kids in there while they wait for their trains. From my observation NBA is big but more online and perhaps an older audience. Newagents are more AFL than NBA and the target audience seems younger (10-15yo). I think a big AFL content is more important.

Turning stock over shouldnt be an issue. You can always sell slow moving stock on ebay to keep cashflow up. You will need to buy/trade with customers. Dont over pay for a single but be generous enough.

Goodluck.

Not a bad suggestion about the pool tables etc..... but the last thing you want is to attract a bunch of kids that just like to hang around in there to use the free entertainment & not buy anything.

 

[Brett Szabo]

Re: Hobby/card shop - Should I chase my dream ! Or am I just dreaming ?

pool tables or pinball machines

I would have lots of suggestions, as I have been to many card stores, but the above idea made me think of a new one.

Didn't every place that used to sell cards also have the NBA Jam arcade machine.

Entertainment, nostalgia and generating income all at the same time.

 

[lilreddevil]

Re: Hobby/card shop - Should I chase my dream ! Or am I just dreaming ?

Another thing you'll have to factor in is fluctuations in the currency rate.

Right now we are seeing our dollar at never before seen heights against the US.....but it wasn't that long ago it was at 60c....and it can get back there quickly.

Haha just want to add something about fluctuations. Now I'm no economist or financial analyst but one thing I can say is that those fluctuations will be a thing of the past for at least the next 10-15 years. The Australian dollar should do nothing but stay high, I'll just do a quick explanation so you know I'm not just making up s***

The Aussie is going down at the moment because of Osama's death, increasing consumer confidence in America's economy. However, they are STILL in recession and are literally screwed for the time being. Nothing's coming out of America (except for Panini cases ) and nothing new is happening. Interest rates are still at close to 0%! In Australia, the mining boom seems to be just starting, inflation is rising and interest rates will increase soon. The mining boom means more demand for Aussie goods and only when America starts getting its act together will the Aussie go back to parity.

Hope you take this into account and forget worrying about fluctuations. No matter if you like or hate Gillard, she's doing something for the economy, and the massive $40billion relief package of hers was a genius idea

On topic: Love the idea! I was just talking to a few members through PMs as a passing comment, that I would love to open a shop in Sydney, maybe near Parramatta, but I'm wondering that in like 10 years all you guys will be gone

This thread is giving me lots of ideas

But just want to compare your shop to Good Games which is a pretty major chain in Sydney (maybe Australia). They sell Magic cards, Pokemon cards, Yugioh cards just to name a few. Basically cards that teenages and little kids would be interested in. They sell supplies. They sell singles, boxes and cases. They have free cards, like cheap base and 'mana' for kids to take home. They also sell Warhammer toys on the side and maybe this could be a part of your shop if you want a 'hobby' not a 'card' shop. They also have weekly tournaments for these various card games and they also have a small area, maybe the size of...well it fits about 6 tables, seating like 6 people each, for these competitions and trading cards.

If you want I can go scout the Burwood franchise for you and tell you what I notice and can recommend about their operations

Cheers
Bainy

 

[ace e]

Re: Hobby/card shop - Should I chase my dream ! Or am I just dreaming ?

First of all i wish u all the best.
You are a brave man to follow ur dream, many have unsuccessfully tried and failed so be prepared for anything. As a banker, i suggest you make a business plan, do a budget, track your overheads/margins and also an exit strategy for leftover stock. This is a big risk and u have done ur research but the card market is in a lull, other than this forum and ebay there is a flat if not decreasing market on retail "optional" products. Retailers in general are not doing well and u r aiming at a real neiche market, u may want to diversify ur product and possibly include some rare shoes/jersey's/hats to mix it up as these have a lot more margin. Another idea might be a make ur own card as u will have a heap of fillers and can personalise as gift ideas. The photoshop experts on hear can help u design a few templates etc.

 

[Sanctum]

Re: Hobby/card shop - Should I chase my dream ! Or am I just dreaming ?

I did think about fluctuation but my idea is to get my goods cheap enough that I can still compete with online sellers as a last resort but retail is a different game all together

Also have you considered GST on imports?

 

[morethancardz]

Re: Hobby/card shop - Should I chase my dream ! Or am I just dreaming ?

If the store front is big enough I'd buy some pool tables or pinball machines. Get the kids in there while they wait for their trains.

This might increase Insurance premiums for personal injury.

---------- Post added 06-05-2011 at 01:46 PM ----------

I think the advice you are receiving is very good, the key I believe (apart from the obvious basics you are considering; location / rent / competition etc) would be to diversify as much as possible so as to expand your customer base, including things to attract the girls for example;

• Movie memorabilia - Twighlight
• Music memorabilia - Bieber

Best of luck.

Ross

Maybe you could implement you tube busts like Chris Justice From Hobbybox in U.S.A. He seems to get alot of business through doing this as well as running a bricks and mortar store.
Heres one of his vids if interested. YouTube - chri5784's Channel

 

[Dangerskillz]

Re: Hobby/card shop - Should I chase my dream ! Or am I just dreaming ?

Excited to hear you talking about this at NEXUS Terry and glad you decided to pitch you're idea for picking to OZCT. It will be interesting to see what will happen in the following year in regards to the stance on certain people in government pushing for 10% GST on online purchases so that's a certain pro you can weigh up for running a store in the flesh granted that goes ahead. Another thing i would weigh up is that other members have mentioned is stock diversity. I myself collect alot of stuff not just trading cards....for example records, toys, dvd, comics, original artwork, miniatures etc etc blah blah

Anyway if you need a Non-Sport card advisor just hit me up anytime. My advice will come free of charge!

 

[edz]

Re: Hobby/card shop - Should I chase my dream ! Or am I just dreaming ?

In my opinion, your idea sounds good but it needs to be more than a hobby shop. Also, remember to have tables for people to play magic, yugioh, pokemon etc, as i have noticed at waneroo markets (justdabestcards) they have heaps of tables for people to play on. Set up tournaments as well for people (with an low entry fee), keep a website up and keep it constantly updated so people all around perth know when would be the right time to come down and see what you have. Maybe set up a few computers as well, sorta like a net cafe to keep people entertained? I like one of the ideas in the previous posts about pinball and arcade machines, but i guess this would be depend on how much money you have to spare. If you need someone to help you in setting up the business and doing your accounts etc, I will be willing to help =)
Another good idea would be to have some tvs (or maybe just one for start up) with foxtel or something hooked up to it so people are able to watch american sports (nba,nfl etc) and footy. But then again, all this might be a lot of money and a bit risky. Might be better to just have an online shop or something (and therefore may not have to declare the income you earning as it is hard for the Australian Taxation Office to trace this income ahhaha)

Good luck and hope you might the right decisions.

 

[siegeandspike]

Re: Hobby/card shop - Should I chase my dream ! Or am I just dreaming ?

What area (Suburb) are you thinking Terry?

I have worked in a couple of card shops and you have to sell a lot of packs/boxes to pay the bills.

Selling merchandise is an easier way to make $$'s. ie NBA singlets, NBA/MLB caps, Gridiron jerseys etc.
If you need any help with anything, hit me up!

 

[Richo]

Re: Hobby/card shop - Should I chase my dream ! Or am I just dreaming ?

Steve (HSV) & I have talked about doing this MANY times but both agreed we could only do it if we won the lottery as we'd end up busting all our boxes (LMAO)

 

[A1CardsandGaming]

Re: Hobby/card shop - Should I chase my dream ! Or am I just dreaming ?

Steve (HSV) & I have talked about doing this MANY times but both agreed we could only do it if we won the lottery as we'd end up busting all our boxes (LMAO)

Hope it works out for you Tezz but "Dream on" is my honest reply!

I wonder if this thread going to be anything like that Perth Trade Day thread where you talk about it a lot but never actually do anything about it

Are you talking about the same Steve that you threatened to punch out sometime ago ? Oh yeah it is, that's the funny thing about you Paul. You post your idiotic sarcasm in my threads but your comments usually always lack any real substance or decent advice. So why do you still try and find a way to have a go at me on a more personal level. You keep bullying online and threatening people who wont fight back. I doubt you would ever try that crap on me face to face. Either make a decent comment or just Go away ! you are a pest and your negativity is not needed in my threads

---------- Post added 06-05-2011 at 05:37 PM ----------

Thanks again to everyone who has chipped in with some great ideas. I have thought about most of them but the one that does stand out is the video game NBA jam ! Pool tables def wont happen and the thought of heaps of people using it as a drop in zone wont be promoted either ! I will have card tables and chairs for gamers or traders and To begin with I will show NBA classic games in store

Top loaders for any hits is something I thought would be expected and tips for collectors on how to care for their collectibles will always be available

I should know by monday afternoon if this will be going ahead so fingers crossed.

 

[Richo]

Re: Hobby/card shop - Should I chase my dream ! Or am I just dreaming ?

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[DGCollectables]

Re: Hobby/card shop - Should I chase my dream ! Or am I just dreaming ?

wow, it is all coming out in this thread! i thought females were biatchy but this takes the cake

more love less hate!

 

[Mr Paparazzi]

Re: Hobby/card shop - Should I chase my dream ! Or am I just dreaming ?

Good luck thats all I can say mate, think a few people have given you plenty of ideas so not going to ramble, I would eventually like to open a store in Adelaide but yes the market is too small to just stock cards.

Will keep an eye out and if you don't try and live the dream it will always be a dream, good luck mate.

 

[A_Iverson_I]

Re: Hobby/card shop - Should I chase my dream ! Or am I just dreaming ?

Another good idea would be to have some tvs (or maybe just one for start up) with foxtel or something hooked up to it so people are able to watch american sports (nba,nfl etc) and footy.

Wouldn't you need extra licensing to do that?

 

[Jordan_23]

Re: Hobby/card shop - Should I chase my dream ! Or am I just dreaming ?

I reckon a better idea then the NBA JAM arcade machine would be to have a Wall Mounted LCD and PS3, thinking about what got me back into collecting was NBA2K11 and regular NBA coverage on OneHD, sure theres alot of others in the same boat or waiting at the docks so to speak, with that in mind you could buy a good variety of the latest sport titles and maybe even hold a competition every so often with prizes, also the TV goes to go use when the PS3 isnt fired up, ie sporting events

plus you can get the latest NBA JAM on the ps3, its alot of fun and makes the old classics seem out dated, plus a arcade machine will cost you more then its worth