✍ The Collector’s Crossroads

by Brews & Breaks

Why are dealers pricing 10–20% over eBay comps while only offering (at times) 60-65% on buys? The math doesn’t add up, and it’s slowly choking the life out of card shows.

Sticker Shock at the Hobby Table

Ever walk into a show, see a card priced at $120, check eBay, and realize it last sold for $90? Then the same dealer offers you $55 on your slab and tells you it’s “fair.” If card shows feel like pawn shops with better lighting, you’re not alone.

The Dealer Math Nobody Talks About

Dealers defend this model with overhead: table fees, travel, grading, inventory risk. Fair points. But the problem is when every table runs the same 20% markup/40% haircut formula, collectors walk out empty-handed. And if you can buy cheaper on eBay with free shipping… why even attend?

"It's not our fault a dealer doesn't know how to source cards properly!"

Why This Hurts the Hobby

1. Kids Get Priced Out – A $10 PC card becomes $20 because “that’s my price.”

2. Dead Show Floors – Buyers lose interest, sellers blame “the market,” and the room feels like a flea market with attitude.

3. Collector Fatigue – If every deal feels like a loss, collectors stop showing up.

How We Fix It

• Transparent Pricing: Price near comps, explain the wiggle room, and trust volume.

• Buy Fairly: Paying 70–75% on liquid cards builds trust and repeat business.

• Reward Kids/PC Hunters: Cut them deals, they’re the future of your customer base.
  

Final Sip:

A dealer table should be a place of opportunity, not a math test where the only correct answer is “you lose.” If shows keep running on pawn shop pricing, don’t be surprised when the only buyers left are ghosts.

Until next time, keep sippin and rippin. ☕🍻💥

#SportsCards #CardShows #SportsCardInvesting #SportsCardHobby #SportsCardCollector #DealerMarkup #SportsCardMarket #BrewsAndBreaks #TheCollectorsCrossroads

Let me know if you’ll be there.

Here in Grand Rapids Michigan Legends Sports!

Anyone going to the White Plains Show this weekend?

I love seeing everyone’s pickups from the show. My goal was to spend less than $300, and I did exactly that. I think I left under budget after 4 days at the show.