Sydney card shop...

If you can combine it with comics, I think you'd be able to expand your target audience greatly!

Was thinking of getting a stall at the Salamanca markets in Hobart and seeing how it go's, but would need to invest in at least $2000 of cards to have a verity of stock, so it's not something I'd do overnight because if it don't sell I'd have alot of boxs, not that I'd mind busting them myself, but my miss's on the other hand would maybe not be as happy with the money lost lol

sounds like a good idea,
it would give me something to drive to in sydney and make a weekend out of it.

mat2323 said:

Was thinking of getting a stall at the Salamanca markets in Hobart and seeing how it go's, but would need to invest in at least $2000 of cards to have a verity of stock, so it's not something I'd do overnight because if it don't sell I'd have alot of boxs, not that I'd mind busting them myself, but my miss's on the other hand would maybe not be as happy with the money lost lol

Click to expand...

Yep I agree. I was thinking of having $4,000 worth of low to mid end stock for sale at the local markets. If it doesn't sell I'd sell it at what it cost me to recover my costs or bust it myself.

I think the hobby isn't expanding in Sydney (and possibly Australia) because you don't have the access to the cards like I did back in 94/95. I still remember when I was 6 or 7 looking forward to going grocery shopping with my mum so she could buy me a $2 pack of cards from the front of the local Woolworths in a vending machine. If we are able to provide this service to the younger generation and give them an option of purchasing a pack of cards for a few dollars they will hopefully continue the hobby through to adulthood. I stopped collecting because they removed the vending machine and only in the past couple of years picked the hobby up again.

At the end of the day we all need more participants in the hobby to increase the demand for cases, boxes, packs and even singles. If you have a look at the prices singles are going for it is ridiculous. I busted a Lillard Dominance Refractor from Prizm and its only selling on eBay for $8.99. Surely the ROY refractor is worth more than that.

There is 2 ways the prices of these cards increase.
1) Panini reduces the amount of cards they produce (Not going to happen) or
2) Increase the amount of collectors.

I dont think you can just sell cards you need to sell something else as well like Comics, Video Games, Toys etc.

Maybe some jerseys also? I know that there a lot of people out there that wear jerseys.

muzikandme said:

Maybe some jerseys also? I know that there a lot of people out there that wear jerseys.

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plenty of facebook groups out there too so might link in with them?

Most of the facebook ones sell fakes but honestly you cant tell they are

Rodman91 said:

Most of the facebook ones sell fakes but honestly you cant tell they are

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True, as do some stores!

Agree with Brian Lee.. if you're thinking big, you need to have a diversity of product and with that.. knowledge about the products, which can be hard to do and a pain if you're looking at CCG stuff.

Figurines and comics are a good addition if you have the space.. one comic/figurine shop i went into in the middle of Syd was jam-packed with people but they take up a hoooooogue amount of space, though I'd assume Comics would require a decent wealth of knowledge required to be succesful at selling them and knowing what to stock.

I hope you get some professional advice as well as the advice from card store owners, visit as many as you can and see what works what doesn't, talk to people when they come out of the shop and ask them what they think of the store and what they like and improvements they could provide.

Good luck

SharpysSports said:

Yep I agree. I was thinking of having $4,000 worth of low to mid end stock for sale at the local markets. If it doesn't sell I'd sell it at what it cost me to recover my costs or bust it myself.

I think the hobby isn't expanding in Sydney (and possibly Australia) because you don't have the access to the cards like I did back in 94/95. I still remember when I was 6 or 7 looking forward to going grocery shopping with my mum so she could buy me a $2 pack of cards from the front of the local Woolworths in a vending machine. If we are able to provide this service to the younger generation and give them an option of purchasing a pack of cards for a few dollars they will hopefully continue the hobby through to adulthood. I stopped collecting because they removed the vending machine and only in the past couple of years picked the hobby up again.

At the end of the day we all need more participants in the hobby to increase the demand for cases, boxes, packs and even singles. If you have a look at the prices singles are going for it is ridiculous. I busted a Lillard Dominance Refractor from Prizm and its only selling on eBay for $8.99. Surely the ROY refractor is worth more than that.

There is 2 ways the prices of these cards increase.
1) Panini reduces the amount of cards they produce (Not going to happen) or
2) Increase the amount of collectors.

Click to expand...

I think Panini does not service the "milk bar" type collectors - the kids. I remember growing up every milk bar or newsagency had stuff in the 90's. I now only know of one Newsagency that sells it and the cheapest pack is $4.95 a pop for P&P or $7 a pop for 12-13 elite... how are kids supposed to get involved in that?

I think the hobby has changed/evolved to the current state having to deal with competition and rising costs like all other businesses. It is probably less profitable to do business with a large client base and make less off each person, even though that's a how business becomes sustainable. They went for the high-end approach, expensive cards, more profit out of each customer, less volume production line. It makes sense in the short term, greedy approach. But they should invest 8n the future by letting the kids get involved, set up the next generation of customers.

Once again, thank you to everyone who has taken the time to reply. It has given me plenty to think about.

An update as to where I am at. I am going to go visit as many card shops in Australia as I can to get a feel of what works and talk to the owners face to face (Terry, this is why I haven't contacted you yet). Plus, whilst I am doing this I am going to set up a stall in the local markets to get a feel for the market here in Sydney and to hopefully introduce the hobby to more people. Things have stalled a little due to the fact that I am trying to ground myself and reduce the risk as much as possible. As for the comics and figurines, I couldn't sell anything which I don't have a passion for and as such it would just be a card store.

There are many ideas floating around my head as to what I want the store to look and feel like. I do want to create an experience and not just a card shop. What that experience is, I am not too sure yet but it will be different to the traditional card store.

It may take me a year or so to get a full understanding for the market and whether a shop is a viable option but it is still on the cards…

As for the conversation, keep it going.

You know what, I have visited many card stores in OZ. However, one sticks out in my mind - and that was in Tokyo.
I visited the world famous 'R B 21' - I think that is the name (the one that was always on the back of the Beckett's each month).
When I walked in there I was greeted, asked what I collected and shown around the store. I could definitley see how people would want to return - I think that is what your aim should be. Make people feel like the need to come back or have a desire to bust in your store.

When I eventually selected a few packs of cards (Tokyo was the last stop on my 2.5 months overseas, so my pennies were minimal) to open they had wooden chairs and seating areas with tables. People busted their cards together in this area and it had a 'collectors vibe' about the place - not just like a retail store with some chum behind the counter counting their $15 an hour.

Upon busting my cards the very well mannered store dude offered me green tea (cold, a Japanese thing I spose!) when I was opening my packs. I wanted to stay in the store all day long!
I think you have to aim for something like this, have a store but make it go outside of the 'store' and more so an 'experience'.

You could have pull of the month competitions, photos of collectors with their pulls displayed in the store etc.

Good luck mate, will follow with anticipation.

Regards
Ben

Help Brendan.
I will put up about my experinces when I get a chance in the next couple of days.
I have read what everyone has had to say some I agree and some I don't but we all have our opinions which is what makes it so good.
When I do get a chance to write what I have to say up it will read like a novel,their are a few things first off that are a must do when opening a shop,long hours.

SharpysSports said:

Hey guys,

I'm doing a bit of research as to whether it would be feasible to open a card store in Southern Sydney.

If there was a local shop how many of you would visit to purchase boxes/cases/packs? The includes all disciplines of cards including gaming cards.

I would also hold regular events which would hopefully increase business.

Currently there is nothing around and I often need something local to go pick up a box every now and then. Waiting 2-3 days or up to a week turns me off.

It would be a dream job for me and I have been inspired following visiting Paula at Paula's sports cards in Hawaii.

Obviously there are other factors like price and opening hours but I do think it is something we are missing here in Sydney.

Thanks guys,

Brendan

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What if you run like a stall in a market place maybe just work weekends, all overheads would be cheaper

Frank Dukes 78 said:

What if you run like a stall in a market place maybe just work weekends, all overheads would be cheaper

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Yep that is the plan to start with. Won't be for a while as I complete my research but it is something I will definitely do.

Doing the markets is a good start.
You will get to see where you are at with other collectors and also dealers,when you goto the markets people will get to know you are their.
Start a facebook page just letting people know what you have and where you will be at the markets or even a shop.
Depending on what sort of cards you are selling sports carnivals,if you are selling N.B.A see if you can set up a 3 by 3 metre site at one of the games if you do this you will need public libalilty insurance.
With your insurance find someone who will let you pay month to month because it can cost from $1500 a year and thats startings so if you do a company to do that it may only cost you about $130 a month and make sure your insurance can be used anywhere within australia just in case you find a shop to add to your insurance if you do just the markets a lots of markets do have their own insurance.
Remember if you do look at a shop it is all about location,location & location.
You have a ebay user I.D when doing any listing have your details if you are at the markets or shop,by having a ebay store paying $50 a month listings are 0.20 for by-it-now for 30 days by having your details on their for example last saturday i had someone ring me from the gold coast about something i had on ebay my shop is in Ipswich they drove up to buy the item off me.
Business cards or flyers if you are at the markets,a lot of people will walk pasted but when they have seen you a few times they look and go this guy is here to stay which is what you want.
Aline yourself with a larger dealer that way if someone asked you for something lets say its a $25 card you might get it for $20 including postage then you sell it for $25 does not sound like a lot but if you help them theirs a good chance they will help you.
Ok now for a shop Look around remember if you find somewhere that you like dont signed a lease someone i deal with in sydney is opening a shop at a cut price rate of rent $1000 a week and yes that is correct.
If you find a shop you like have a look if their is more than 3 shop empty the ball is in your court to get the cheaper rent.
Instead of signing a lease get it for month to month for 6 months let them know you are wanting to open a shop otherwise they will think you just going to be here for 3 months then go.
If their are fixtures you need look at buying them second hand to start with or even better make them,some of the best things have been made by people because they know what they want.
The thing about a lease is if you are paying $1000 a week your bond will be three month which is $13000 bond plus you will need 2 months rent so which is $8666 plus bond $21666 before you open your doors then theirs electricty,phone & internet.
When you look at what i have just put about sounds like a lot and it is.
By going into month to month no bond but you will need your rent paid in advance.
Now i can tell you,you can get rent cheaper just look around.
If you go into a shop have a fridge sell drinks out of it so people can buy them that come into the shop.
Know where public transport is for people to come to your shop,just incase someone is traveling a fair distance you can let them know so they can get home.
If you are near a taxi rank have a urn and offer free coffee and tea to the drivers the reason for this is a bit of extra security as they will want to look after you and also how many taxi drivers have kids they walk pasted your counter and go the kids have been good a nice treat for them thats not high priced.
Email all card companys tell them of your plans and ask for promo cards to give away.
Know where their is a carpark around so people can park safely.
Here is one that is a must know,know where the food places are around you what they sell because if you do this people go wow yep i can go 150metres down the road around the corner and pick up my food,when doing this make sure you have extra sits so they can bring it back and have it at your shop.
Unless you have a fair bit of money don't advertise school newsletters,notice boards are a way for people to see you.
When opening a shop dont beleive people will not walk in and want to see what you are doing this is my second shop now and they did that in both shops.
Offer a discount to any local clubs just a way to get noticed.
This is just a small part of things to opening a shop and keep it going.
Have a plan from start to finish while you have a plan you have a direction.
Good luck.

SharpysSports said:

Yep I agree. I was thinking of having $4,000 worth of low to mid end stock for sale at the local markets. If it doesn't sell I'd sell it at what it cost me to recover my costs or bust it myself.

I think the hobby isn't expanding in Sydney (and possibly Australia) because you don't have the access to the cards like I did back in 94/95. I still remember when I was 6 or 7 looking forward to going grocery shopping with my mum so she could buy me a $2 pack of cards from the front of the local Woolworths in a vending machine. If we are able to provide this service to the younger generation and give them an option of purchasing a pack of cards for a few dollars they will hopefully continue the hobby through to adulthood. I stopped collecting because they removed the vending machine and only in the past couple of years picked the hobby up again.

At the end of the day we all need more participants in the hobby to increase the demand for cases, boxes, packs and even singles. If you have a look at the prices singles are going for it is ridiculous. I busted a Lillard Dominance Refractor from Prizm and its only selling on eBay for $8.99. Surely the ROY refractor is worth more than that.

There is 2 ways the prices of these cards increase.
1) Panini reduces the amount of cards they produce (Not going to happen) or
2) Increase the amount of collectors.

Click to expand...

I really like your idea about access.

This is 100% true. I bet you could drag in new collectors if say, your shop was very close to a few schools.
My local shopping center had 2 card stores in it in the 90's. I'd say that the NBA is now just as big now as it was back then, kids are wearing NBA jerseys, even people that don't play ball are wearing jerseys.

You should def stock NBA/American sports caps. The kids are huge on them and that would help greatly.

I think you also need to come up with new ways to make a buck.

In your won shop, you could have raffles to win a box each week. Maybe even see if you can do a BYO license so on Friday people can have a beer after work and bust, ha ha.

I'm in QLD, but I would def visit.

Another key is stocking quality.

The NBL is coming back to hobart, hope it starts more young people in our crazy hobby so some Shops down here stock cards again