The owner was away this week at his beach house in the Carolinas, so that once again left me in charge. As I've mentioned before, we're a true "hobby" shop that carries not just cards and sports memorabilia, but things remote control cars and other things and they're a big part of our online sales. First thing Monday morning, I walked into 12 large boxes of RC car parts … [Read more...] about Shop Talk: When You’re Not Just a “Card” Shop
Shop Talk
Shop Talk: Finals Finality, Father’s Day Packs, Break Room Basketball
It's always great to see history and the finality as professional sports seasons come to an end when a new champion (and champions) are crowned. Whether it's the team as a whole or star individual players who are now even further up the all-time hierarchy, I enjoyed watching the Golden State Warriors put it all back together and win the title. Our owner Jason is actually a … [Read more...] about Shop Talk: Finals Finality, Father’s Day Packs, Break Room Basketball
Shop Talk: Times Are Tough and It’s All For Sale
It seems like we have more and more people each and every day calling, inquiring and stopping in the store in person to ask about us purchasing their items. Once in a while it's cards, memorabilia and other items we actually sell but more often than not, it's stamps, trains, planes, NASCAR diecasts, McDonald's paraphernalia and just about everything else under the sun. It's … [Read more...] about Shop Talk: Times Are Tough and It’s All For Sale
Shop Talk: Passing Out, Prizm Football and Price Decreases
My time at the shop was a little on the light side last week. Apparently I have a new Memorial Day weekend tradition of passing out at some point during the festivities. For anyone that follows the Shop Talk series (if you don't, why the heck not?) you might remember my mishap last year where I passed out face down on my bathroom floor. As much fun as that was, I decided to … [Read more...] about Shop Talk: Passing Out, Prizm Football and Price Decreases
Shop Talk: Steel Curtain Trophies, Bowman Baseball, Prom Night Photo Ops
We had another interesting week at the shop. One day was even more interesting, and heavier, than the rest. Early in the week we were running around shipping our online orders before we opened and I had noticed someone hovering at the door and window. So, once we were within a few minutes of our opening time, I popped the door open and the customer came lumbering in carrying a … [Read more...] about Shop Talk: Steel Curtain Trophies, Bowman Baseball, Prom Night Photo Ops
Shop Talk: For the Love of the Game
I don't know if it just started happening recently or if I just started noticing it recently but I've had a number of guys my age come into the shop looking to get back into collecting sports cards and memorabilia. Yes, you are reading this post pandemic and post pandemic sports card mania. Reengaged and new collectors are still popping out of the woodwork. I've even had … [Read more...] about Shop Talk: For the Love of the Game
Shop Talk: Much Needed Help, New Customers, Big Hits and Another Busy Week
The owner was out of the shop last week as he headed down south in order to get a beach house he owns ready for the crazy summer season ahead. This fact left me manning the shop for the week. Over the past few years when he was out of town I was basically on my own with a few hours of much appreciated help here and there but beyond that the shop was a one man show.To be … [Read more...] about Shop Talk: Much Needed Help, New Customers, Big Hits and Another Busy Week
Shop Talk: When Do We Cut Ties with Our Teams?
I recently shared a meme I found on social media that got some traction.The person that posted it basically asked why as men (and women) do we choose a favorite sports team during our childhood and let it ruin the rest of our lives? Of course, it was posted in jest but, as with any good joke, there lies some truth within.I think that's a fair point, so I took it to the shop and … [Read more...] about Shop Talk: When Do We Cut Ties with Our Teams?
Shop Talk: Heritage Auctions Visit, Prizm WWE Release, Walk-In Collection
This week was a fun, somewhat unique and interesting one at the shop. We had one of the major players in the auction game in town to see little old us.Around midweek we had a representative from Heritage Auctions fly in to meet with a local man (and friend of the store) who had, and was ready to sell, a once in a lifetime collection of non-sports related collectibles. I really … [Read more...] about Shop Talk: Heritage Auctions Visit, Prizm WWE Release, Walk-In Collection
Shop Talk: Scooping Up Low Cost Gems of Rising Stars and Comeback Candidates
For this week's Shop Talk, I wanted to switch it up a bit and do something a little different by focusing on specific players and specific items in each sport that are (or have) become exceptionally popular and also make mention of those on the other end of the spectrum that have dropped off the radar in recent weeks and months. Whether it be cards, action figures, autographs, … [Read more...] about Shop Talk: Scooping Up Low Cost Gems of Rising Stars and Comeback Candidates