More bad news for online breakers

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by notoriousrmb

Ah, you are trolling. Got it.

Hobby shops should be offering a unique in-person experience for their costumers. One that differentiates them from online sellers. That means costumer service. That means having the latest product available to buy. That means having needed supplies. That means organizing events that help to foster a sense of community in the hobby.

[notoriousrmb]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

Hobby shops should be offering a unique in-person experience for their costumers. One that differentiates them from online sellers. That means costumer service. That means having the latest product available to buy. That means having needed supplies. That means organizing events that help to foster a sense of community in the hobby.

Yeah my LCS already does that without Fanatic's meddling.

Now they can do less of that, and at higher prices with less product. Not sure how having less ways to purchase and increasing prices make a shop better.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by notoriousrmb

Well the select few break partners are not "Direct" accounts. That's a completely different thing, this thread and discussion was about the shops being limited on how they can sell product.

Re-read the thread title: "More bad news for online breakers".

I still think Fanatics will ultimately allow LCS's to break on their platform with restrictions. In the meantime, they want them shoring up their local business to better serve their communities.

[hermanotarjeta]

Originally Posted by notoriousrmb

Exactly, it'll never work.

Shops these days fit into two categories:

1. The old man shop. This guy has had a shop for years, has his way of doing things and if Fanatics wants to pile rules and regulations on his business with these new high wax prices and severely reduced allocations, he'll just retire. Not worth his time. He wants to open and close when he wants and its a part time job anyways.

2. The startup shop. The hustler guy who saw money in cards in 2020-2022 and opened a store. He'll do breaks online, swap wax with other shops on dealernet, setup at shows to push his PSA 10s and rarely wears a shirt on camera. If Topps wants to take away his breaks, reduce product and limit his flips, he'll also be out of the game and on to the next hustle.

All that is left will be the small group of stores that will do whatever it takes to keep getting product. But how many $200 jumbo boxes of Series 2 will they take to sit on the shelf and make a $30 profit on?

Fanatics is killing their brand slowly because they are clueless of how this all works.

Shops will still exist as pawn shops.

Fanatics doesn’t sell singles, won’t buy singles back from you, does not sell supplies, and is not located in your neighborhood for instant gratification.

Shops may no longer carry the newest wax, but they will have older wax.

They will be fine.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by notoriousrmb

Yeah my LCS already does that without Fanatic's meddling.

Now they can do less of that, and at higher prices with less product. Not sure how having less ways to purchase and increasing prices make a shop better.

Like I wrote, hobby shops will close and it will naturally benefit those who remain. Strong shops will survive and thrive.

[notoriousrmb]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

Re-read the thread title: "More bad news for online breakers".

I still think Fanatics will ultimately allow LCS's to break on their platform with restrictions. In the meantime, they want them shoring up their local business to better serve their communities.

Re-read the actual thread. Its about shops who also provide online breaks. Did you even click on the link?

So is my LCS going to be a soup kitchen on Thursdays? Pick up trash along the highway on Friday? I don't think putting a Topps logo on a shelf in their store to show off their 18 boxes they were allocated is going to better serve my community.

[ThoseBackPages]

Originally Posted by hermanotarjeta

Hobbyists are finally hitting an existential crossroads - what exactly is your hobby doing for you and are you going to continue?

I mean, when it comes down to it, do you really REALLY need to purchase cards to sustain your life?

absolutely. Collecting ends when one stops breathing.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by hermanotarjeta

Shops will still exist as pawn shops.

Fanatics doesn’t sell singles, won’t buy singles back from you, does not sell supplies, and is not located in your neighborhood for instant gratification.

Shops may no longer carry the newest wax, but they will have older wax.

They will be fine.

If they choose not to be a part of Fanatics' direct account program, they likely will miss out on the best new releases. Their costumers will naturally go to hobby shops who have what they want.

When I got back into the hobby, I bought singles exclusively from eBay, even though I'd occasional visit hobby shops. Why anyone would bother to go to a hobby shop to buy singles is beyond me, aside from kids who are new to the hobby and would like to gawk at a wide selection of cards.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by notoriousrmb

Re-read the actual thread. Its about shops who also provide online breaks. Did you even click on the link?

So is my LCS going to be a soup kitchen on Thursdays? Pick up trash along the highway on Friday? I don't think putting a Topps logo on a shelf in their store to show off their 18 boxes they were allocated is going to better serve my community.

Yes, I read the SCD article. I've already watched multiple videos on the subject.

Why only 18 boxes? When the shop's competitors go out of business or no longer buy direct, they'll get a lot more costumers and will need more inventory to sell.

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

Originally Posted by hermanotarjeta

Hobbyists are finally hitting an existential crossroads - what exactly is your hobby doing for you and are you going to continue?

I mean, when it comes down to it, do you really REALLY need to purchase cards to sustain your life?

I guess I’ve never really felt (and still don’t feel) that Topps need to “do something for me”. This isn’t a two-way relationship. They make a product and I buy it. I felt the same way back when I collected comics more. Topps doesn’t owe me anything, and I’m not obligated to buy what they make. No hard feelings either way. It’s a transactional relationship.

[majestik101]

Originally Posted by notoriousrmb

Exactly, it'll never work.

Shops these days fit into two categories:

1. The old man shop. This guy has had a shop for years, has his way of doing things and if Fanatics wants to pile rules and regulations on his business with these new high wax prices and severely reduced allocations, he'll just retire. Not worth his time. He wants to open and close when he wants and its a part time job anyways.

This is my LCS. Been in business since the 1980's. Shelves buckling from the weight of sealed product, prices marked up 20-35% higher than online, a lot of disorganization, and the shop is filled to the brim with cases and cases of retail and Wal-Mart and Target exclusive blasters at a 25-30% mark-up. He's already said he's going to ignore what Fanatics wants and is just going to keep doing things his own way. Basically, to stick it where the sun don't shine.

[mrb842]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

Fanatics is going to make breakers with direct accounts break on their platform. Breakers are going to have abide by Fanatics' standards -- no more swiping hits from costumers.

I'm sure what this is what this is really about "caring about the little guy". They're the new G-Men of cards. Jimmy Stewarts here to protect you, the hardworking apple pie eating American who just wants to collect.

Not.

[GlenSepper]

Originally Posted by hermanotarjeta

Hobbyists are finally hitting an existential crossroads - what exactly is your hobby doing for you and are you going to continue?

I mean, when it comes down to it, do you really REALLY need to purchase cards to sustain your life?

Many posters here need to flip/move/break cards/boxes/cases to sustain their current lifestyle, yes.

[hermanotarjeta]

Originally Posted by GlenSepper

Many posters here need to flip/move/break cards/boxes/cases to sustain their current lifestyle, yes.

And they need to be prepared to find a different way to make ends meet, if that’s the only thing the hobby does for them.

[notoriousrmb]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

Yes, I read the SCD article. I've already watched multiple videos on the subject.

Why only 18 boxes? When the shop's competitors go out of business or no longer buy direct, they'll get a lot more costumers and will need more inventory to sell.

These are card shops, not Walgreens.

If one goes out of business, there's not one a block away that will pick up the business. If people lose their hangout, they will move onto something different, not everyone will go to another shop miles across town, assuming one even exists.

If you have to ask why only 18 boxes, its obvious you aren't aware of how allocations work these days. I'd suggest talking with your local LCS, then coming back to this thread.

[hermanotarjeta]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

If they choose not to be a part of Fanatics' direct account program, they likely will miss out on the best new releases. Their costumers will naturally go to hobby shops who have what they want.

When I got back into the hobby, I bought singles exclusively from eBay, even though I'd occasional visit hobby shops. Why anyone would bother to go to a hobby shop to buy singles is beyond me, aside from kids who are new to the hobby and would like to gawk at a wide selection of cards.

I can turn my old cards into instant cash at a card shop.

However, fanatics won’t buy any of the cards back that I pulled out of their products that I paid them money for.

[Crosby 87]

If Fanatics can get people to spell "customers" right , I'm all for them.

[AwesomeBrian]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

Fanatics is going to make breakers with direct accounts break on their platform. Breakers are going to have abide by Fanatics' standards -- no more swiping hits from costumers.

'Fanatics standards'. Backyard Breaks is the first breaker highlighted in the Fanatics Live promo video. Your argument is stopped dead in it's tracks right there.

[mossoholic]

For the ones not favored by Topps and not ok with only making around 25% profit on average we will see a mass exodus in 2025. Huge portion of current panini money tree members will be looking to sell their business 6-12 months before the Fanatics full takeover. Including all of the big 3.

[AwesomeBrian]

Originally Posted by notoriousrmb

These are card shops, not Walgreens.

If one goes out of business, there's not one a block away that will pick up the business. If people lose their hangout, they will move onto something different, not everyone will go to another shop miles across town, assuming one even exists.

If you have to ask why only 18 boxes, its obvious you aren't aware of how allocations work these days. I'd suggest talking with your local LCS, then coming back to this thread.

This.

My 'good' LCS is already an hour away. The closest one is filled with flipper kids hunting Kabooms from retail blasters. If the good one closes, I have nothing for hours.

[DrSatanicus]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

Hobby shops should be offering a unique in-person experience for their costumers. One that differentiates them from online sellers. That means costumer service. That means having the latest product available to buy. That means having needed supplies. That means organizing events that help to foster a sense of community in the hobby.

Why do you keep saying "costumers"?

I've seen you do it in 4 or 5 different threads now.

Is it supposed to be humorous or something?

[metallicalex777]

Originally Posted by DrSatanicus

Why do you keep saying "costumers"?

I've seen you do it in 4 or 5 different threads now.

Is it supposed to be humorous or something?

I'm guessing because of this: https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1544736

[kyle1707]

Not sure if it takes a year or 5 years. But this is going to go bad

Buying everything up paying way to much.

[atk825]

Originally Posted by hermanotarjeta

Shops will still exist as pawn shops.

Fanatics doesn’t sell singles, won’t buy singles back from you, does not sell supplies, and is not located in your neighborhood for instant gratification.

Shops may no longer carry the newest wax, but they will have older wax.

They will be fine.

Fanatics just acquired PWCC. So yah, they are very much in the selling and buying singles business.

[imbluestreak23]

Originally Posted by MoreToppsPlease

Calling the sports cards a hobby an “industry” is absolutely silly though, it seeks to legitimize selling in a simple, unregulated hobby.

Besides, opportunistic card flippers exist throughout anything that’s collectible. For this reason, Fanatics doesn’t have a meaningful exclusive or “monopoly” as flippers could simply move to one of thousands of other unregulated hobbies, to thrift stores, etc., and make things more expensive there.

For as long as I've had a hole in my butt, it has, and will continue to be an industry