I had a really great experience today...as in one that made me feel like a kid again (which is partially why I started collecting again). I've been on vacation in the Bay Area, and when I travel, I like to do two things: play disc golf (it's almost free everywhere) and hit up local card shops. I went to one shop yesterday and hit up another today. The fact that NBCD was today was a bonus. <P>
When I got there, I felt like I need a brief explanation of how the store was laid out. I saw the typical things: 2018/2019 hobby boxes and single packs available, the higher dollar items behind glass, old hobby boxes at varying prices, and displays of bobbleheads and World Series patches from the Giants recent years. However, there were also 5000 count boxes on the left and back right walls. I had to ask. <P>
As it turns out, there were many boxes of cards organized by year, brand, and number. I needed two commons to complete the 2018 Topps set...found them within seconds. I asked for the 1995 Fleer Provisions Tim Salmon card and found it within seconds. I started digging deeper into my wishlist (2003 Lew Ford anything rookie)...found two cards after a minute of searching my wantlist on the site and the boxes. When it was all said and done, I had found several individual cards, some I was looking to buy and others I was not (for example, I didn't collect while I was in college or as a young dad, so I don't know what many 1999-2015 cards look like). In total, I found 11 cards...a Rocco Baldelli Patch Card (sweet! Twins manager!), a 2003 Miguel Cabrera Topps Prospect card (I hear he's had a pretty good career ;-) ), a Joe Mauer/Justin Morneau Topps Prospect card (yes, both on the SAME card!), and a slough of others. <P>
I also picked up a 2013 Allen & Ginter Trout card, which put me over the "$10 Topps Bryce Harper Promo", but I think the helper (Dave, btw) wanted me to have the Harper card whether I spent enough or not. <P>
Now that it's all said and done, I have a few new cards, a huge recommendation for a great card shop, and a continuously rekindled and renewed spirit towards this great hobby. <P>
~Biz
P.S. For those of you in the Bay Area, check out Steven's Creek Sports Cards: https://www.facebook.com/Stevens-Creek-Sports-Cards-682108868516401/