What is it like to sell full time?

[90feetaway]

Happy holidays to everyone first of all. I'm curious if anyone would be willing to share what it's like selling cards, memorabilia and related full time? For example, is it somewhat enjoyable due to the nature of the items or strictly business? Is moonlighting to something else common?

John

[Rich Klein]

I'm surprised no one has responded. Since everyone who is, or has been full-time has different experiences, I think this is an very interesting question.

[daves_resale_shop]

I sell memorabilia part time... All of my profits are used to secure items for my collection... I think that I'd lose some love for the hobby if I had to rely on memorabilia sales to support my family...

[Bicem]

^^this^^

[Snapolit1]

If I had any job where I had to deal with the public constantly I'd be an unhappy guy. Just can't do it. Been there, done that. Just don't have the patience any more.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

If I had any job where I had to deal with the public constantly I'd be an unhappy guy. Just can't do it. Been there, done that. Just don't have the patience any more.

Me neither ...

[Brian Van Horn]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

If I had any job where I had to deal with the public constantly I'd be an unhappy guy. Just can't do it. Been there, done that. Just don't have the patience any more.

Bingo! Meaning as it applies to dealing with the public, not dealing with fellow collectors/buyers.

[rhettyeakley]

Originally Posted by daves_resale_shop

I sell memorabilia part time... All of my profits are used to secure items for my collection... I think that I'd lose some love for the hobby if I had to rely on memorabilia sales to support my family...

This has always been my philosophy regarding the hobby.

That being said, I have been selling long enough that it has kind of taken on a life of its own and I am almost to the point where I need to hire someone to help me manage everything.

My wife has always been pretty supportive of my hobby (probably because when we were dating I had her help me sell one higher end card, whatever that card went for was the money we had to spend on an engagement ring. Once she saw that they weren't stupid pieces of cardboard she gained a lot of respect for what we do and for the passion which we do it with.

Once I graduated from school and had steady income for the family we came to an "agreement" that I wouldn't use "family money" anymore and everything that I sold as far as cards go was essentially mine to buy stuff I wanted (my regular income was for the family).

So far it has worked out well, although I was asked very politely to come up with a down payment on our house with my "card money" which, of course, I did.

[Snapolit1]

One of the best feelings for me in the hobby is selling off something I bought, making a nice profit, and then rolling it into the purchase of something nicer. If I can keep that going for a few hundred years I'm set. I will be a billionaire.

[Republicaninmass]

Worst "sport" ever!! Besides you could do that during the week and do shows on the weekends

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[C-mack]

The comic business is grand! Been working for for the same guy for the past 7 years and I couldn't be happier you're either made for it or now but I'm sure the sports dealers who are successful enjoy their work like I enjoy mine

[mrmopar]

I sold on ebay for a shop in the late 90s for a while and it seemed I was always getting a few jerks/deadbeats/problem makers in every batch I sold. It was uncanny, as I never listed more than about 50-100 lots at a time. I don't think I ever listed a round of items and failed to have at least one problem transaction. I scattered in some of my own items around the same time and had about the same ratio of grief selling for myself. I am pretty laid back and easy to get along with, but I guess I just attracted deviants!

Aside from not really wanting to get rid of anything, the hassles of the packaging and mailing aspect and now the concern with chargebacks and claims by crooked buyers (I never accepted paypal, as this was all done before it became a requirement), I dread even the thought of trying to sell that way ever again. The reality is though that my kids have zero interest, so I need to get rid of it all someday and I am not getting any younger.

[90feetaway]

(thanks Rich for the friendly bump on the post too). It seems like a challenging, somewhat frustrating and marginally profitable business to most.

[vthobby]

Originally Posted by 90feetaway

(thanks Rich for the friendly bump on the post too). It seems like a challenging, somewhat frustrating and marginally profitable business to most.

John,

Just like most of the jobs we work in day after day after day.........

I had my own card store for 11 years in the 1990s. Would not have traded that experience for anything.

I'm close to starting back up and quitting my full time employment but will change with the times and be internet focused: eBay, comc, amazon, net54, blowout boards, card shows, etc......

There are still a lot of nice collections out there to be had but tying yourself to 1 location nowadays seems tough. Very tough as in trying to get out and buy collections if you are tied to that 1 spot all day every day!

Can't wait to "pull the trigger" so to speak on crossing back into that world full time!

If you know what you are doing, passionate about it, good at customer service, then you should be fine. I know I will.

Peace, Mike