thecardbeat Whether you are a 12-year-old going to rip wax on a Saturday afternoon, or you just left the office and you’re stopping by your LCS hoping to land a couple of autographs of your favorite players, it is no doubt that trips to the card shop are always enjoyable. The choices are plentiful, and the options are many. You have packs, boxes, autographed cards, relics, game-used memorabilia, graded cards, and so much more. Needless to say, it can be overwhelming, especially when on a limited budget.
However, trips to the LCS shouldn’t break the bank. Throughout my years of collecting, I’ve learned a few tips that can help you get the most out of your next trip to the card shop.
1. Cash is King
Credit card fees can be expensive, and although you don’t have to pay them, the merchant does. You, however, have to pay taxes on a credit card purchase, so at the end of the day, nobody wins when you pull out that credit card. Instead, bring some cash with you. It’s there, it’s visible, and it’s the easiest way to get a deal done. Everybody wins.
Tip: Since PayPal, Venmo, and Cashapp fees are relatively minimal, these apps are great alternatives to cash, too. Always make sure you and the seller are aware of any potential fees associated with the money transfer should you decide to complete a purchase with a money transfer app.
2. Develop a Great Relationship with the LCS Owner(s)
Before I proceed with this point, hear me out. I am in no way implying that you should develop a superficial relationship with your local card shop owner in order to score great deals. This is something that should be developed over time. My best buys have not been on an auction ending on eBay at 2 am (even though I’ve landed great deals this way also). My best deals have been made with my local card shop owners. This happens naturally. Since the shop owners know you are a regular visitor, you enjoy spending time in their shop, and know that you’ll spread a good word for the business, they will often give you a great price when you buy, especially multiple cards from them. For example, several months ago at my LCS, I was eyeing 5 cards – a Tom Brady 2015 Topps SP, an Alvin Kamara Elite RC /25, a Melvin Gordon RC Auto /25, and a Derek Carr Silver Prizm RC. All together the prices marked added up to $100. The LCS owner said he could sell the mini bulk lot for $70. These are the kind of deals I’m talking about.
3. Bring Your Trade Bait
Do you have a few cards that you’ve enjoyed for a sometime and don’t mind parting with them in exchange for that card that you’ve been eyeing for a while at your LCS? Well bring them with you! It is important to remember that unlike other shops of differentiating sorts, card shops do not get a weekly supply of individual cards to put up in their showcase… they rely heavily on what people bring them. More often than not, the LCS will be happy to take in some of your cardboard and offer you credit towards the card(s) that you are targeting.
Tip: The LCS is going to want players/teams that they know will be saleable. In order to increase your chances of earning credit, or maximizing the trade value of your cards, make sure to bring players that are in high demand such as Kobe, Jordan, LBJ, Trout, Jeter, Tatis, Brady, Mahomes, etc.
4. Buy in Bundles
Save yourself the embarrassment, preserve your integrity, and for the sake of card collecting, don’t lowball excessively! You might as well tell them they are overpriced, or tell them you’re stingy and won’t pay nowhere near their asking price. Usually, I’ve found the 80-85% offers to be accepted most of the time, and if not, a reasonable counteroffer is usually made. When buying multiples, these numbers tend be (successful)
$12/Offer $10
$25/Offer $20
$60/Offer $50
$100/Offer $85
You get the idea…
5. It’s OK to Ask Them for an Opinion
Whether you are eyeing a card for your personal collection or trying to buy an investment piece, sometimes the best thing to do is to ask for an opinion. It’s important to remember that LCS owners own a card shop because they love the hobby. It’s ok to ask them questions regarding a card, or cards, you’re thinking about purchasing. I was once debating whether buying a Yogi Berra Leaf Auto or a George Springer Topps Five Star Auto, the price difference was not much, so I asked the LCS owner which he would choose between the two. Without hesitation, he said he’d go straight for the Berra. He was already in the Hall of Fame, had a stellar career, and since he had passed away, his autographs were limited. Springer, although an excellent athlete, still had much to prove.
