Outline · [ Standard ] · Linear+ Things Overheard at the Shop......2010 Edition !!!, .....The Madness Continues !!!

[dodgerblue38501]

Well folks, one quarter of 2010 has come and gone. During that time I have been on the receiving end of many a story, tall tale, and "interesting" question regarding sports memorabilia at my shop. Nothing groundbreaking, just the same old silliness..........until yesterday! I had a couple of encounters that I just had to share so I have revived my thread and started a brand new edition for 2010. I hope you enjoy theses stories in the way they are intended.........for a good laugh!

I will include some photos of my shop below to give you a better understanding of the layout to perhaps understand the basis of some of these great questions that I am asked. The photos were taken in December 2009 just before Christmas right after I had added a WWE Collectibles section.

View of My Shop - Left Side


View of My Shop - Right Side


WWE Collectibles Section


For the record, the most frequently asked questions are:

1) Do you buy cards?

2) Are you here every weekend?

3) Are these real autographs?

In response to those well thought out gems, I usually counter with the following answers:

1) Only cards produced BEFORE 1980.

2) I have been at this location for 8 years.

3) If they weren't, I wouldn't be selling them.

The answers that I would like to give after being asked these same questions nine million times might sound something like this:

1) No, all of this merchandise is stolen.

2) No, I travel a lot. All of this stuff folds up and fits into one suitcase.

3) Yes, I signed them myself just yesterday. Careful, the ink may not be dry yet.

Now that I have that out of my system, lets move along and enjoy the first stories of 2010. Of course, read at your own risk........the autographs may not be real, but these people are!

[jwman92]

Yes, its back!

[booth9919]

Thank you!!!

[dodgerblue38501]

My first great question of 2010 came from a guy sporting perhaps one of the most beautifully manicured mullets that I have seen in recent years. He approached me and asked........ "Do you buy cards or just sell them?".........Wow, I haven't heard that one before. I explained to him that I am always looking to add quality inventory but I usually only buy cards produced BEFORE 1980. "Are you here every weekend?", he countered.........this guy is 2 for 2 !!! I then explained that I have been at my current location for 8 years and besides the occasional weekend off, I am in fact there every weekend. He then continued, "My buddy has a big collection that he has been saving since high school. I rescued them from the flood last weekend before they got too wet. There is probably 5 or 10 thousand cards." I then explained that condition was very important as I was only trying to prevent having to look at a pile of soggy early 90s commons in the future. The guy kept on, "These are all in great shape. There is a big garbage bag at least half full!"

After that exhausting tale I encountered a younger guy later in the day that struck me as some one that might actually have a clue. Once we exchanged greetings, he looked over my cards for quite a while. Then he asked another of my favorite questions, "How much do you come down on your prices?" I explained that each display case was labeled with a sign in red letters indicating the level of discount for the cards inside. The guy continued, "What if you buy several cards?" I then explained that I offer additional discounts for larger purchases but there is only so low I can go and make money. The guy continued to look around talking about how sharp my vintage cards were and the great condition of my Joe Montana Rookie Card. He talked about being a grader and selling on eBay. Then he let the cat out of the bag and asked a question that made me wonder if he really knew that much about cards when he asked, "Is the price on the sticker the book value?" I explained that it was Beckett high BV. That is my beginning point and I discount singles from there to low BV or lower. He continued to lose my faith when he said, "I thought I was the last person that did this. I didn't know anyone collected cards any more." That made me wonder who was buying his cards on eBay? Then he asked the mother of all questions, "So if I come in and buy like 10 grand worth, you will cut me a deal?" I almost laughed but confirmed that if he returns next weekend with $10,000 in cash, we might be able to work something out on a few cards. Some people.........

If those two weren't enough a guy came in and stopped at one of my autograph cases and began looking at the autographed baseballs, bats, min helmets, etc... He then asked, "Are these autographs really signed?" Ah, yes, another of my favorite questions. I knew what he meant even though his question was poorly worded. I told him that I only sell authentic autographs and I have been involved in the hobby for over 20 years. He continued, "Are you sure?" I confirmed that I do in fact know a little bit about what I am doing. He wasn't finished yet though as he said, "I have seen some over the years that I know weren't really signed." I agreed that there are some fakes out there so you have to know what to look for and educate yourself. Then the guy showed me just how educated he was in the sweet science of sports collectibles when he mad e a bee line straight for the 3/$1 cards. You see folks, a while back I grew tired of people not looking through my boxes of superstar base cards for .25 each so I cut up some extra 9 pocket pages into strips of 3 and took 3 of the .25 cards and repackaged them as "Superstar Triple Plays" 3 Cards / $1.00. This autograph expert purchased $9.00 worth of the 3 packs. Mission accomplished !

The fourth and final shot of the day came from a lady that was yelling at her young son who had stopped to look at my WWE wrestling figures. She turned to the youngster and said, "C'mon you ain't gettin' any toys today. You already have your pork rinds." .............

[cbware88]

Then he asked the mother of all questions, "So if I come in and buy like 10 grand worth, you will cut me a deal?" I almost laughed but confirmed that if he returns next weekend with $10,000 in cash, we might be able to work something out on a few cards. Some people.........

You see folks, a while back I grew tired of people not looking through my boxes of superstar base cards for .25 each so I cut up some extra 9 pocket pages into strips of 3 and took 3 of the .25 cards and repackaged them as "Superstar Triple Plays" 3 Cards / $1.00. This autograph expert purchased $9.00 worth of the 3 packs. Mission accomplished !

The fourth and final shot of the day came from a lady that was yelling at her young son who had stopped to look at my WWE wrestling figures. She turned to the youngster and said, "C'mon you ain't gettin' any toys today. You already have your pork rinds."  .............

I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Gadsden86]

Dang next time need to get the toy 1st then the pork rinds. LOL.

[Kmart6nets]

Maybe you should start stocking pork rinds?

Great stuff as always Chad...

[jaderock]

Glad u revived it...we missed u!

[jaderock]

Has "Packlet" grown up and left you for other things in life?

[Gforce083]

Chad, I love y...I mean I love y....wait....I love these stories!

[dodgerblue38501]

Has "Packlet" grown up and left you for other things in life?

Oh no, Packlets is doing fine. He came up to me Sunday and proclaimed that he hated baseball. His reason.......he was hit in the face with a pitch and if he hadn't been wearing his mouthpiece it would have knocked all his teeth out. I told him that having teeth was o.k. It makes him unique and different from many of the other folks that visit our establishment.

[Kmart6nets]

Oh no, Packlets is doing fine. He came up to me Sunday and proclaimed that he hated baseball. His reason.......he was hit in the face with a pitch and if he hadn't been wearing his mouthpiece it would have knocked all his teeth out. I told him that having teeth was o.k. It makes him unique and different from many of the other folks that visit our establishment. 

That would make me hate baseball too!

[NYStateOfMind1976]

The fourth and final shot of the day came from a lady that was yelling at her young son who had stopped to look at my WWE wrestling figures. She turned to the youngster and said, "C'mon you ain't gettin' any toys today. You already have your pork rinds." .............

Now that the classic stuff I missed!!!

Thanks so much for bringing the thread back Chad!!

As you can see it was sorely missed!!!

[aceecards]

hmmmmm Pork Rinds...

[edgerrin32]

O man I love it! Some times it hurts when I laugh. You should tell them when they ask are the autos real, "yes these are the real ones" "let me show you the fake ones they are over here, they are a little cheaper"!

[NYStateOfMind1976]

    O man I love it! Some times it hurts when I laugh. You should tell them when they ask are the autos real, "yes these are the real ones" "let me show you the fake ones they are over here, they are a little cheaper"!   

Thats a good one Jason

[cbware88]

I told him that having teeth was o.k. It makes him unique and different from many of the other folks that visit our establishment. 

....... Hey; wait a minute. I RESEMBLE THAT REMARK!!!

[road_runner_1964]

Maybe you should start stocking pork rinds?

Great stuff as always Chad...

I was under the assumption or amusement that he did. Isn't that where they came from...

[cardinal]

Thanks for bringing this back!!

[chiefsfan101]

The fourth and final shot of the day came from a lady that was yelling at her young son who had stopped to look at my WWE wrestling figures. She turned to the youngster and said, "C'mon you ain't gettin' any toys today. You already have your pork rinds."  .............

After reading this I can probably imagine what the woman looks like. Overweight, long hair, with a very noticable southern, hick accent( because I can't imagine that being heard any other way). Probably wearing shorts and a stretched out tank top. And the kid was probably short and chubby as well. Either way, I laughed hard when I read this!!!