General Forum

I waited till this issue was resolved before posting.  In early November during Amazon Prime days, I had my son order for me a (5) 5,000-ct boxes from a company called Amiventures through Amazon.  Cost was $70 Cdn. When the package arrived, it held 1 box.  The company contacted my son to give themselves a pat on the back for a speedy delivery and hoping he was enjoying the product.  He replied that we were still waiting for the other 4 boxes.  They said that there was only one int he deal.  Really? $70 for 1 box?  When we said that either they send us 4 more boxes like the ad said (it also said it on the packaging of the box it came in that there were supposed to be 5) or we wanted to return it and get our money back.  They said return it but that there would be a 20% restocking fee. At this point we turned to Amazon and my son filed a complaint.  I also filed a complaint to the Better Business Bureau.

Things happened fast after that.  The owner contacted my son and blamed the individual who had been communicating with my son.  The owner told my son that he would send him a return label and would refund the whole amount if my son removed the complaint he had filed with Amazon within 10 days so that it would not leave a black mark on his company.  We did so and got our refund.  This company has numerous complaints filed against it with the Better Business Bureau (if I recall correctly, it was over 100).

I looked for another buy of boxes, found one that was for 10 boxes for $112 Cdn.  But that company also had several complaints of not delivering the full amount of boxes in the order, all within the last few months.

The cost of boxes has sky-rocketed.  A single 5,000-ct box is selling at $30.  The ads for 5 or 10 boxes are gone.  I believe the companies realized they could make more by selling singles or 2-package deals ($55) than the bulk package of 5 or more.  They realized this but did not pull their ads, having customers order the larger lots.  They chose to try to s**** the customers.  Read the reviews on these companies and you will see several customers got sc*****.

This weekend, I stopped at a Flea Market that I knew sold supplies adn got 3 boxes for $20 Cdn.  She said she had more at home so next time, I hope to pick up another 3.

Yeah, prices for every aspect of this hobby are getting stupid. I notice on eBay that boxes of old junk wax baseball and hockey are double what they used to be, and still not selling. If it didn't sell at the lower price, why would you think you're going to get double? 

I get boxes from my LCS for $5 each, and that's as good as I plan on getting them. Plastics and pages are getting just as bad. Thankfully, for now, I'm alright on those things. Hopefully, as the vaccines roll out and we get back to some bit of normalcy, prices will go back to where they should be.

"This weekend, I stopped at a Flea Market that I knew sold supplies adn got 3 boxes for $20 Cdn.  She said she had more at home so next time, I hope to pick up another 3."

I really liked the ending to this story. Despite all the shenanigans that sellers and hoarders are trying to pull, there's always the flea market folks who are just there to keep the hobby going. I love flea markets. 

That's unfortunate about the Amazon Marketplace experience. I usually avoid the Marketplace unless it's something I can't find anywhere else (out-of-print books, obsolete computer parts, etc). Even then it feels like a crapshoot as to whether things will go well or not.

I feel your pain with the cost of supplies these days. It wasn't that long ago when I'd buy a case of 10,000 Ultra Pro penny sleeves on eBay for $50 including postage. I just looked and the same cases are now in the $150 range. We'd be in a world of hurt if everything had a 200% inflation rate.

I got to be missing something...

https://www.bcwsupplies.com/5000-card-storage-box-full-lid

https://www.amazon.ca/Corrugated-Max-Basketball-Sportscards-Collecting/dp/B01M0DVV6Y/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=5000+Count+Storage+Box&qid=1608129834&sr=8-2

This was the second company I had found where 10 boxes was $110.  Being in Canada, Amazon is easier as, if the product is in one of the their warehouses here in Canada, we avoid the duty brokerage fee.

Nearly every box BCW sells is backordered. I suspect folks know that and are now gouging the stock they have on hand.

I can see why sandyrusty didn't go with that second company. One look at their feedback and I'd be clicking the "Back" button.

Never used this company but they have (25) for $112.39

Wizard Coin Supply

My son saw their feedback and said he wouldn't order from them.  The good thing about ordering through Amazon is that Amazon does protect the buyer.  As soon as we put in a complaint, we saw quick action by the company to rectify the problem.

 A couple of months ago I ordered s bundle of 25 BCW 5000 count boxes from a third party seller on Amazon for about $100 including shipping.  The seller ended up sending my 25 boxes from another brand.  I contacted them and let me know they weren't BCW, and that this brand was available online for much cheaper.  They offered to refund me 20% (rather than the full difference), but I accepted since by that time I had already started putting the boxes together.  Although these other boxes ended up being totally fine, I'd avoid shopping third party next time.