General Forum

I've noticed something strange lately around my area. No sports cards at all except a pack or two of hockey. Nothing at Wal-Mart, Target, even Walgreens. Nothing. I just found out that a local card shop owner has been buying it all. Then, he doubles or triples the price. I don't like the owner after something he did in the past so I refuse to buy from him. I'm just fed up. I'm on a tight hobby budget as it is and how this. Am I wrong to feel disgusted about somebody trying to do this to an area? I know there's online sources but it's more fun to be able to stand in front of a dozen choices to choose from. Sorry, rant over. 

 

100% agree man!  Same with the hobby shop in my area.  He's selling blasters for double and triple as well.  I called him out on it too and he said that's just the way the hobby is going now.  Can't stand flippers... I now get most of the cards I want through trades on this site.  I appraciate the good people on here for sure!

It has been going on for about 5 or 6 monthes here in Detroit. There is a dealer north of me that has a crew going around through the entire area and buying up every blaster box once they hit the shelf. I have started seeing a few Targets with limits on the number of cards per person, and noticed different stores putting old hockey out to try and get rid of them.

Yep! The target in Southfield usually only has a couple packs outs at best because they're hidden with the kids toys. It's harder to sneak buy cards online and hide them from my wife. I need them in the stores.

My LCS here in downstate Illinois doing the same.  Only marking a $20 blaster up to $30, but I haven't been back the his store since that started.  That's all I can do.  I'm not a big spender there, and it's an hour drive each way, but he won't be getting any more of my money. At least not until Christmas when I need to buy gifts for my brother.

This is how overproduction of the junk wax era got its start.

Yup. I hear that there are even " breakers " using retail. I WILL NOT PURCHASE FROM THESE PEOPLE, and have even told 1 guy how " upset" I would be if he got stuck with all of his boxes.

I only have 1 Walmart in my town and they have cut their sports card section down to just a couple of feet and it is rarely stocked. The next town over has 2 Walmarts and a Target but I have not checked those stores. I have no interest in buying to flip, if I buy a blaster it is to open it.

This going on all over the country. YouTube and Facebook are full of flippers selling their hits. And eBay has blasters and hangers of everything imaginable for price plus half again or double the Walmart, Target Walgreens price. It is ridiculous because regular collectors can't get cards except through them. Just do a search on YouTube and join any card group and every post is someone selling

I walked over to the card aisle of Target the other night here in NH and they were picked over as well.  Shelf was nearly empty.

I just got back from target near me in pittsburgh and found the 2020 Topps complete baseball card set and found a lot of 2020-2021 upper deck mvp hockey boxes and 2020-2021 opeechee hockey fat packs. You have to look a lot harder. Cards are available don't just go to Walmart or target try other stores. Try rite aid stores or Walgreens. I have been able to find baseball cards at both rite aid and Walgreens you have to know where to look.