In addition to single sports cards, card sets, card collecting supplies and boxes/packs of sports cards we also sell a full line of licensed sports merchandise (coffee cups, key chains, blankets, plaques etc.) We have a large customer base always looking for the latest hobby release by Upper Deck. It seems these days the average collector has shifted to the higher end products (SP authentic and SPX are great examples of this).
What got me into the business was a combination of four things that really interest me:
1) Numbers. Card numbers, statistics and card values.
2) Organization. Putting cards in order, building sets, organizing by player or team etc.
3) Business. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting/Business Administration from Oswego State University and am a business manager at my day job so opening and running a baseball card business was a dream come true.
4) Lastly, and maybe most importantly, the love of Sports!
Sam is a classic sales guy and entrepreneur. Salesman by day and salesman in the store. He also has a love of sports and opening a sports card store was his dream as well. We, as partners have always tried to have roles in the business that utilized our respective strengths.
Working with the customers is truly enjoyable part of the business. We have an opportunity to make a kid’s (or grown-up’s day) on a daily basis. It is truly amazing that giving away an old
pack of Upper Deck baseball cards at the end of a card sales transaction can generate the reaction it does. Our employee break area has letters from customers thanking us for the great service they receive by our carefully trained managers and staff. Giving a child 3 or 4 cards of their favorite player free with the purchase of that ten dollar rookie card; Priceless! We have young adult customers that started coming into our store ten to twelve years ago.
Upper Deck products are by far the best in the hobby. Consistency from year to year, great value for the money as well as outstanding product spokesmen over the years. Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, etc. No wonder Upper Deck still stands tall when many other card manufactures have fallen by the wayside. Selling Upper Deck products allows us, as sports card dealers to know that our customers are going to get high quality products with good value for their money spent. This combination makes it very easy for us to recommend Upper Deck when a customer comes in and asks, “Which card pack would you recommend?”
All-Star Sports Cards has a variety of locations on the east coast, stop by today!
9596 Carousel Center Drive
The Shops at Ithaca
40 Catherwood Road
607-257-2381 (phone and fax)
Raleigh, North Carolina 27612
