In recent years, many customers have been lured to online retailers. It's convenient and sometimes cheaper. Online retailers have less overhead, they can get items at wholesale prices and they don't need to pay sales tax. Internet sales have traditionally gotten around sales taxes when the buyer isn't based in the same state as the seller. Originally there was no sales tax at all,  but later, sales tax was implemented for retailers that had offices within the buyer's state.

The latest proposal, passed by the U.S. Senate and soon to be under consideration in the House of Representatives, would force any online retailer with $1 million or more in sales to charge the sales tax that the buyer would normally pay if they were buying from an entity in their state.  The earliest it could be enacted would be this October.

Higher Prices for Online Purchases?

Only a small number of sports collectible businesses would likely be affected because of the $1 million minimum.  However, Dean Hanley, owner of Dean’s Cards in the Cincinnati area, has built his company entirely online and it’s developed into a seven-figure operation.  Over the last ten years, he’s hired numerous employees to keep up with orders, acquire collections and keep track of the company's 1.5 million card inventory.  Hanley believes the sales tax he’ll likely be forced to tack on to orders will amount to more work for accountants and quite possibly, higher prices.

Dean Hanley of Dean's Cards

“I think this has huge implications for small business, including our hobby,” he told Sports Collectors Daily.  “Nothing good comes out for this for the consumer.  I think you’ll see businesses that will have to pay the taxes raise their prices by anywhere from 15 to 25 percent because not only do they have to cover the tax for the state their order is coming from, which is usually eight to ten percent these days, but they have to cover processing fees and will have other expenses to ensure they’re in compliance.”

Online retailers may face more competition from stores and smaller sellers who are immune from the tax.   Larger companies may make the transition more easily, but smaller businesses will probably find it very difficult.

The whole concept isn't a shock to Hanley but he wishes more thought had gone into the current proposal.

“I’m not so naïve as to think the internet would always be able to escape sales tax,” Hanley said.  “ At some point it was going to happen but the way this is being carried out is just wrong in so many ways.  If they wanted to do this fairly, dealers would pay the internet sales tax to their own state instead of having us pay it in every state that has a sales tax.  The elected officials who put this together figured that if it’s spread around, it can’t come back to haunt them.  It’s sort of like ‘they didn’t vote for us, so we can’t get in trouble’.  It’s sort of like 1776, taxation without representation.”

Unlike the Senate, House members seem to be more cautious, with committees set to look at the overall impact before any vote is taken.

Effect on Buyers, Sellers

Leighton Sheldon of Just Collect, another major online seller who also does a few major shows each year, agreed with the notion that it was another unnecessary intrusion on business and indicated collectors may be more cautious when buying but he doesn't anticipate a drastic change.

" I don’t think it will be an issue for us in the near future," he said.  " However I do think consumers will have more of a reason to buy goods in a brick and mortar store rather than the internet."

It's possible customers won't even blink with the addition of sales tax on their order. When a customer purchases sports cards or memorabilia it is usually not an item they can easily find locally. That  means that most customers may not be dissuaded by a slightly higher price.  The biggest issue many sports memorabilia dealers are likely to encounter is the new paperwork and documentation required with sales. It is very likely companies who have more than $1 million in sales will need to fill out sales tax forms for each of the states that they do business in. They will also need to be able to calculate the sales tax due for all of these states so that they collect the correct amount from the buyers.  Software would likely do that for them but it will have to be implemented.

“The difficult part of this won’t be the tax itself, it’s knowing the regulation and being able to execute what you’re being asked to do as a seller,” Hanley said.

Sports memorabilia dealers may have to upgrade their checkout systems to compensate for this change and may need to consult an accountant to find out what they need to do regarding sales tax. Sales tax often needs to be paid on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis and it would have to be done for each state. How often tax is paid often depends on the amount of revenue for each state and this would require additional calculations.

Long-Term Impact

Many of those who sell online are barely aware of the proposed tax changes.

“I think you’ll see businesses who have been trying to grow their business but have seen their revenue cross that threshold and are now forced to collect sales tax in dozens of states will just say it’s not worth the hassle and get out.   Some will just do whatever it takes to stay below that tax threshold so they don’t have to deal with it.  I think there’s a huge advantage in keeping your revenue just under that $1 million level.”

Hanley sees the tax as potentially putting a road block in front of entrepreneurs who have built a strong business online.

“The benefit to buying online is that the selection is better, the service is often better and the merchandise is cheaper.  I call it the ‘great middleman’.  We’ve been able to build our business on that and really focus on the collector.   This may mean you’ll lose some of that because of the regulation.”

Hanley isn’t about to close up shop.  He’s worked too hard for that and internet commerce continues to carve out a huge portion of  consumer spending.

“We’ll adjust," he said if the bill becomes law.  I’ll figure it all out because I love my job. “

Current star Andrew McCutchen and Hall of Famer/1960 World Series hero Bill Mazeroski are among the headliners on the autograph stage.

Additional autograph guests include current and former Pirates Starling Marte, Neil Walker, Pedro Alvarez, Jason Grilli, Garrett Jones, Michael McKenry, John Candelaria, Bob Friend, Dave Giusti, Grant Jackson, Bob Robertson, Don Schwall, Kent Tekulve, and Frank Thomas with more athletes to be added.

About 15 local and regional dealers are expected to have booths at the show which will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Visit www.huntauctions.com/store for signing schedule, pricing, and to order autograph tickets.

In all, over 900 lots were sold in the auction, with over $1.24 million realized.

The 1932 U.S. Caramel set, with each card grading a uniform ‘8’, was sold card-by-card after total bids for the 31-card set totaled slightly higher than the bidding for the complete set as a whole.  The cards sold for approximately $213,000 combined.  Memory Lane also parted out 1952 Bowman Large football as well as 1955 and 1957 Topps baseball collections.

“We had a lot of fun breaking some iconic sets,” said Memory Lane’s J.P. Cohen.  “This auction again showed the strength of high grade vintage cards, whether they were Hall of Famers or cards from rare sets that collectors have on their want lists.”

The selling price of the Ruth card, which included a 19% buyer’s premium, is nearly double what a PSA 8 example sold for less than seven years ago.  The Lou Gehrig card was sold for $28,061 while the Rogers Hornsby brought $16,975.

Inside each of its catalogs, Memory Lane included replica cards from the set, each offering a $100-500 discount off of the purchase of one of the lots.

Other vintage baseball cards setting new price records for their grade during the auction included a 1957 Topps Mickey Mantle PSA 9 which sold for $21,049, again nearly 100% higher than the last PSA 9 sold via another auction company just six months ago.  Collectors also bid to new heights for a 1955 Topps Roberto Clemente PSA 8 ($9,944), a 1959 Topps PSA 9 Bob Gibson rookie card ($7,438) and a 1949 Bowman Roy Campanella PSA 9 ($7,512).

Ruth, Mantle, Clemente and other baseball icons again fared well.  An early Ruth photo by legendary photographer Paul Thompson sold for $11,882. A 1970 Topps Tom Seaver graded PSA 10, rocketed to $10,644, a 1957 Topps Brooks Robinson rookie card graded PSA 9 brought $6,780, a 1961 Post Cereal Mantle graded PSA 9 sold for more than $3,000 while a hand cut 1963 Jello Clemente graded PSA 9, sold for $4,248.

Among the most popular items in the auction were several lots of vintage unopened material including several 1970s boxes and a 1952 Topps wax pack, still sealed after 61 years and graded 8.5 by GAI.  The pack sold for $15,432.  A 1967 Topps cello pack, featuring a Mickey Mantle card on top and graded ‘8’ by PSA, sold for $12,011.

Those collecting high grade sets never shy away from the opportunity to land a PSA 10.  That’s why the card of a Washington Redskins punter from 1971 soared to $1,550.  The Mike Bragg card will surely help a collector’s quest to build the finest set of ’71 Topps football cards.

Hockey card collectors circled around a 1951 Parkhurst Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard rookie card graded PSA 8.  When bidding closed, it had sold for $7,378.

With the busy summer months approaching, Memory Lane is making plans for its next catalog auction and you can expect to see some of those items at the upcoming National Sports Collectors Convention in Chicago.  Those who consign items to the auction will receive a free five-day pass to the show.  Contact Memory Lane at (877) 606-5263 or visit their website.

Best Match Items Ending First Newly-Listed Items First Price + Shipping: Lowest First Price + Shipping: Highest First

1932 US Caramel James Madison Presidents PSA 5 EX $15.61 (9 Bids) Time Remaining: 8h 32m

1932 US Caramel James A Garfield Presidents PSA 55 EX+ $18.50 (7 Bids) Time Remaining: 8h 32m

1932 US Caramel Ulysses S Grant Presidents PSA 5 EX $22.72 (9 Bids) Time Remaining: 8h 32m

1932 US Caramel James A Garfield Presidents PSA 5 EX $14.54 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 8h 32m

1932 US Caramel Chester A Arthur Presidents PSA 5 EX $15.15 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 8h 32m

1932 US Caramel New York Yankees Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth PSA Graded LK $3,499.99 Time Remaining: 1d 3h 48m

1932 US CARAMEL LOU GEHRIG PSA 4 SUPER RARE HIGH END CARD YANKEES $2,036.00 (16 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 4h 34m

1932 US Caramel 23 Jimmy Foxx PSA 4 Vg Hall of Famer $899.95 Time Remaining: 2d 6h Buy It Now for only: $899.95

1932 US Caramel 11 Rogers Hornsby PSA 4 Vg Hall of Famer $1,899.95 Time Remaining: 2d 6h 3m Buy It Now for only: $1,899.95

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This year, Panini will crank out a 44-card base set with 22 rookie cards devoted to all four major sports and limited to 499.  A bigger deal, though, might be the blast from the past they’re promising with brand names from the days when the card maker was known as Donruss.

Panini will use 1990s-era designs of Leaf Studio, the two-sided Team Pinnacle, Museum Collection and the ongoing Elite series try and snare the kids of that era, many of whom are fathers today.  During the early 1990’s, there were hobby shops virtually everywhere and fathers and sons spent a lot of time in them.  Now, Panini will have to expand the program online since there are large sections of states that simply don’t have a sports card shop within a reasonable driving distance.

Cards from the 2012 Panini Father’s Day promotion continue to sell fairly well in the secondary market with two unautographed Andrew Luck Cracked Ice cards selling for more than $150 in the last 10 days.

The 2013 Panini Father’s Day will take place the weekend of June 16 with more details to come.  You can grab a glimpse at some of the cards that will be inside those packs in the gallery below.

[Show as slideshow]

Best Match Items Ending First Newly-Listed Items First Price + Shipping: Lowest First Price + Shipping: Highest First

MICHAEL FLOYD 2012 Panini Fathers Day Rookie Card RC 382 499 6 BGS 10 $25.00 Time Remaining: 3h 39m Buy It Now for only: $25.00

2012 Panini Fathers Day Jeff Saturday Pro Bowl Jersey Patch SP $0.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 5h 34m

JOSH HAMILTON PANINI FATHERS DAY 2012 AUTOGRAPH $24.99 Time Remaining: 5h 43m Buy It Now for only: $34.99

1 5 DIRK NOWITZKI PANINI FATHERS DAY 1 2012 PAST PRESENT $6.13 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 6h 9m

5 5 JASON TERRY 2011 NBA CHAMPIONS FATHERS DAY 2012 PANINI 3 $0.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 6h 11m

2012 Panini Fathers Day Legend Set 1 11 LEMIEUX BIRD MONTANA RYAN + $9.99 Time Remaining: 6h 12m Buy It Now for only: $9.99

3 5 DESHAWN STEVENSON 2011 NBA CHAMPIONS FATHERS DAY 2012 PANINI 7 $0.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 6h 12m

GABRIEL LANDESKOG 2012 PANINI FATHERS DAY CRACKED ICE RC ROOKIE BGS PRISTINE 10 $499.99 Time Remaining: 18h 40m Buy It Now for only: $499.99

2012 PANINI FATHERS DAY STEPHEN STRASBURG $2.00 Time Remaining: 22h 39m Buy It Now for only: $2.00

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Indianapolis is also probably America’s largest city without a major sports hobby show event.

The wait is over.

Those attending the inaugural Open Wheel Collectibles and Sports Memorabilia Expo at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in a few weeks should be in for a treat. “It will be the melting pot of the racing collectors, and sports memorabilia aficionados. In many cases they are one and the same person” states John Douglas, one of the event’s owners along with his wife, Joyce. “People are here from across the country and around the world.”

Mario Andretti at a previous Indy show

Douglas  first started promoting memorabilia events in the early 1970's.  He's signed up at least one auction house, several sports card and memorabilia dealers and many of those who specialize in the racing items fans have come to expect from a show held during Indy week.

The event will run Thursday, Friday and Saturday, May 23-25 at the DuPont Pavilion, the same building that was named The Our Land Pavilion and housed the National Auto Racing Memorabilia Show- NARM- from 2005-2012.

Heritage Auctions is the event’s title sponsor and will be previewing one of the finest auto racing collections to come to auction.  Some familiar Midwestern dealers have signed up as well.

1911 Indianapolis 500 program

“When I decided to go this route of merging sports and auto racing memorabilia, on Indy 500 weekend, one of the first people I called was Wayne Johnson. I’ve known Wayne for about 25 years and his opinion was important to me. Not only did he encourage me, he was the first to sign on and reserve tables,” Douglas said. “Every serious collector in Indiana, and most of the Midwest, knows Wayne. After speaking with him, I was very optimistic. This Expo event has some very real possibilities.”

Attendees can bring items in to the Expo to sell or trade and some will take advantage of the opportunity to meet with the Heritage people who will be present.

Expo hours are 4:00-8:00 on Thursday. The Hoosier Hundred auto race will be run on Thursday at the Fairgrounds beginning at 8:00. Friday hours are 1:30-7:30, and Saturday hours are 9:30-4:30. Saturday is Family Day with reduced admission. Saturday will also bring a Mini-Indy Quarter Midget Race where these fans can attend the collectible event. A 5K running event is also scheduled on the Indiana Fairgrounds property that day.

For more information, visit www.OWCshow.com.

Vintage ‘nodders’ have increased in value but even those produced for stadium giveaways across North America have huge followings.  Nowhere, however, is the bobble head bigger than in Los Angeles.

One might think southern California would be too hip for such nonsense.  Again, one would be wrong.  In fact, the Dodgers will do ten…TEN…bobble head giveaways this year, continuing a tradition that has captured the fancy of fans and collectors for several years.  L.A. will honor everyone from Sandy Koufax to Don Sutton to Vin Scully to Matt Kemp to team owner Magic Johnson.

Get this…the Dodgers sell a ten-game bobble head ticket plan and it was one of the team’s best sellers in 2012.

So what gives?  The Daily Breeze went in search of answers and even found a local shop that specializes in bobble heads.

Why not a ballpark?

Room that will be home base for the show

Why not, indeed thought Chicago area promoter Dan Campana.  This Saturday, he’s taking his show promoting talents to Fifth Third Bank Ballpark, home of the Kane County Cougars who will host the "Take Me Out to the Card Show" from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

In the planning stages for months, the event will take place at the Class A Midwest League team’s upper deck level overlooking the stadium.   It will include about 20 dealers from around the Midwest, a few autograph guests, pack wars, box breaks and hourly drawings.  Panini America has contributed prizes.

"Every show has to start somewhere," said Campana.  "I'm excited by the response the show has received from the hobby community and local media. Overall, I expect a fun day."

The show has gotten quite a bit of attention in local newspapers and on radio shows in addition to the publicity provided by the team, which is affiliated with the Chicago Cubs.

Campana says he's sold out the Super Suite (shown above), which as has 18 tables, as well as four private suites with a variety of table/display set ups.  They'll use some additional space - three tables or so - for the autograph signing and merchandise area.

Admission is $3 for adults along with children age 13, with $1 from each admission being donated to Ozzie's Outreach, the Cougars' charitable foundation. Youth baseball and softball players wearing their team uniform will receive a special door prize.

Both the team and the promoter are hoping it proves to be a win-win idea with the ballclub looking to win over some collectors who might not otherwise go to a minor league game and Campana hoping the hobby picks up some collectors who walk around and catch the collecting bug.

Chicago Blackhawks legend Hockey Hall of Famer Denis Savard is scheduled to sign autographs from 10-11:30 a.m. Autograph pricing is as follows: $15, or two for $25, on any item except for the Blackhawks Ambassadors "Blue Line" photo, which is $40. Authentic Autographs Plus will have pucks, mini-sticks, mini-helmets and 8X10 photos available for purchase. Local favorite Randy Hundley will sign autographs from 12-1:30 p.m. Autograph pricing for the former Cub catcher will be $10 or two for $15, on any item, with an additional $5 for inscriptions.

A few dealer tables are still available.  For more information, check out the show's Facebook page or contact Campana at dan@dancamcom.biz.

The three-day events has some autograph guests including Trent Richardson and Sam McDowell, but the stars of this show are the vintage sports cards and memorabilia that line virtually every dealer’s table.

The show is a bit of a throwback.  It’s not an event for those whose primary goal is looking for hits in brand new product.

The Strongsville show attracts dealers from many different states and the focus is on pre-1980s material.  The older, the better.  If you are looking to fill out a vintage set, find some Hall of Famers, a T206 or two or some old game used bats, someone can probably help you.

About 50 dealers are expected to set up in one of the hotel’s ballrooms for the show, which is held every April.

The show got a local boost with this story in the News-Herald.

Kane, a professional illustrator for the likes of Amazon.com and The Wall Street Journal, created a one-of-a-kind painting featuring hand-painted portraits of Jackie Robinson on a classic Spalding baseball glove from the 1940s.

"There is a glove in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown that Jackie used that looks exactly like this one," said Kane. "It adds an authentic touch to the art."

Kane's detailed acrylic painting on the antique leather also includes intricately lettered highlights and stats from Robinson's ground-breaking 1947 season -- also a major focus of the film '42.'

"It's been an educational experience researching Jackie's career and life for this painting," said Kane, who spent about 40 hours creating this glove art.

The Jackie Robinson glove art has been well-received by the pro baseball community and visitors to his web site, www.PaintedGloveCollectibles.com.

There will be a solo gallery show of his unique baseball art in New York City slated for October, 2013, which will include this glove.

"Creating this Jackie Robinson art is my way of appreciating his story and it's satisfying when the artwork sparks others interest in his amazing life and achievements," said Kane.

The team will wear Number 42 during their road game vs. the New York Yankees on Tuesday  to honor the legacy of the Hall of Famer and commemorate the 66^thanniversary of Robinson breaking Baseball's color barrier in 1947.

The entire D-backs front office, including D-backs Manager Kirk Gibson, attended a special preview of the movie "42" last week as part of an all-employee outing at a local movie theater.

"There has been no one with a greater impact on the game of baseball than Jackie Robinson and we are humbled to help celebrate his life," said D-backs President & CEO Derrick Hall, who was recently named to the Commissioner's On-Field Diversity Task Force. "It is important that we continue to tell his story to future generations of Americans and that includes our front office members and fans. Our employees relished the opportunity to see '42' and we know our fans will enjoy seeing so many of his rare baseball cards on display at Chase Field."

On April 25, the D-backs will recognize the MLB All-Star Arizona Diamondbacks Branch Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year CJ Slater and announce the formation of a scholarship program for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix. Slater will be the inaugural recipient of the scholarship in honor of Robinson. The D-backs will recognize Jackie Robinson Foundation scholars in a special pregame ceremony.

Kendrick’s ‘Dimaondbacks Collection’ includes the PSA 8 graded T206 Honus Wagner card.  His vintage Robinson cards will be on display at Season Ticket Headquarters located at section 111 throughout the game for fans to take photos.

In addition, some of the game-worn jerseys from this Tuesday’s game with the Yankees will be available via silent  auction. Additional game-worn jerseys will be auctioned off online at dbacks.com/auction.

Best Match Items Ending First Newly-Listed Items First Price + Shipping: Lowest First Price + Shipping: Highest First

2012 Topps Jackie Robinson A Cut Above Die Cut INSERT PSA 10 POP 1 1 1 1 in 150 $22.00 Time Remaining: 1h 42m Buy It Now for only: $22.00

1955 TOPPS JACKIE ROBINSON PSA 4 $106.50 (18 Bids) Time Remaining: 3h 19m

1955 Topps Jackie Robinson Brooklyn Dodgers 50 SGC 60 EX 5 PSA 5 $152.50 (27 Bids) Time Remaining: 3h 59m

1950 Bowman Jackie Robinson Brooklyn Dodgers 22 PSA 2 $152.50 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 5h 37m

1955 Topps double headers Jackie Robinson psa 75 nm+ 25 26 $950.00 Time Remaining: 6h 13m Buy It Now for only: $950.00

1953 Topps 1 Jackie Robinson PSA 1 Hall OF Famer $80.57 (14 Bids) Time Remaining: 6h 51m

1983 Donruss Hall Of Fame Heroes Jackie Robinson 6 PSA Mint 9 P179 $19.00 Time Remaining: 7h 55m Buy It Now for only: $19.00

1983 Donruss Hall Of Fame Heroes Jackie Robinson 6 PSA NM MT 8 P179 $10.00 Time Remaining: 7h 58m Buy It Now for only: $10.00

1964 topps all Star banquet Jackie Robinson psa 8 rare $300.00 Time Remaining: 10h 22m Buy It Now for only: $300.00

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