The Old Brick and Mortar Card Store

[ullmandds]

I used to make a habit out of checking for bb card stores when I'd visit a new city...back in 92-93' while visiting cleveland Ohio interviewing for dental college...I found a store...maybe on euclid ave that had tons of vintage. I ended up buying a nice red hindu t206 and 2 e97 b/w's...ahhhhh...those were the days...even though I overpaid for them all!!!!!!

[peterose4hof]

When I used to have a brick and mortar store, I would keep a few T206s and 33 Goudeys prominently displayed in a display case. I priced them really high on purpose with no real intention on selling them. They were great conversation pieces.

[bigtrain]

Have a local guy who has a case in one of the antique co-ops in town. Same deal. He puts out a couple of T206 commons in fair condition for $100 bucks each. They are not really for sale. What a tease.

[mattsey9]

Originally Posted by bigtrain

Have a local guy who has a case in one of the antique co-ops in town. Same deal. He puts out a couple of T206 commons in fair condition for $100 bucks each. They are not really for sale. What a tease.

There's an antique store here in town that has a fake T206 Wagner, appropriately labelled, with a $50.00 price tag on it. I saw it, and didn't even bother to look at what else he had figuring it was similarly overpriced.

[z28jd]

Originally Posted by mattsey9

There's an antique store here in town that has a fake T206 Wagner, appropriately labelled, with a $50.00 price tag on it. I saw it, and didn't even bother to look at what else he had figuring it was similarly overpriced.

A card store in Eatontown, NJ back around 1989-91, had a fake Wagner with a $50,000 price tag. If you picked it up, and flipped it over, he had another tag the said something like "$50,000 for near-mint, this card is vg, so $15"

Apparently someone saw the card, but never saw the back. They broke into his store one night and stole the card. Not 100% sure, but I believe all he lost was that card

[peterose4hof]

Originally Posted by z28jd

A card store in Eatontown, NJ back around 1989-91, had a fake Wagner with a $50,000 price tag. If you picked it up, and flipped it over, he had another tag the said something like "$50,000 for near-mint, this card is vg, so $15"

Apparently someone saw the card, but never saw the back. They broke into his store one night and stole the card. Not 100% sure, but I believe all he lost was that card

When baseball cards where in their heyday (late 80s / early 90s) we had several break-ins and attempted break-ins. Often the thieves walked away with junk we couldn't care less about, but occasionally they got some good stuff. Fortunately, it was all insured.

Oftentimes customers would ask, "What is your most expensive card?" I cringed a little every time I heard this because it made me wonder if they were "casing the joint".

[Gamebits]

Originally Posted by peterose4hof

Oftentimes customers would ask, "What is your most expensive card?"

Easy answer: my credit card

[x2drich2000]

Originally Posted by bigtrain

Have a local guy who has a case in one of the antique co-ops in town. Same deal. He puts out a couple of T206 commons in fair condition for $100 bucks each. They are not really for sale. What a tease.

Tom, is this one of the antique shops in Somerville?

Judson, I think I know the store you were talking about. The changed names for like a month or two before closing the door. I was only in once before they shut down, but was actually really impressed with the inventory.

Dj

[hangman62]

I used to always visit two well stocked vintage stores in CHI area - Graffs on Miwk Ave and Zekes...both closed a few yrs ago and went the way on internet.
And in NJ..I see a place around Woodbridge NJ - Rookes and Stars.. just closed a few weeks ago..

[sycks22]

I was up in the mountains of NC a couple weeks ago and we stumbled on this tiny shop. I was expecting tons of newer stuff, but he did have a bunch of '80's uncut sheets and I picked up a couple '85 Topps Puckett / Clemens / Mcgwire sheets for $10 a pop. They're not worth a ton, but still pretty fun to have. You could tell the old guy was so excited to see anyone and make a couple bucks.

[judsonhamlin]

Hangman62 - Rookies and Stars was the second shop I referred to. Sorry to see him go under, but not terribly surprised. He had bought and then sold a second location in Westfield and had a huge theft a few months back. Tough business these days.
And the place on Rte 28 in Middlesex did change hands at the end but didn't last long.

[buymycards]

Hi Adam, 2-3 years ago there were two shops on the same road about 2 miles off of the strip on the edge of Chinatown. Both had some decent 50's and 60's cards, but they were more interested in purchasing cards for their ebay store. When I was in Las Vegas last year both shops were gone.

My wife and I like to take the bus and spend a lot of time away from the strip. We check out card shops and antique stores, but we haven't had much luck with pre-war cards.

If you use the hotel phone book to look up card shops make sure you call ahead before you make your visit. Most of them are closed. Same thing for antique stores, although there are several decent antique stores within walking distance or a short bus ride from the strip and the prices aren't bad.


Rick