Card Shop Insider

Card Shop Insider

By Card Shop InsiderLeisureGames
Download on the App Store

Card Shop Insider episodes

  • E20: Managing Costs/Expenses as a New Shop

    In this episode, Noah and John discuss the concepts of fixed costs and variable costs in running a card shop. Fixed costs are expenses that remain constant regardless of the volume of sales, such as rent, insurance, and salaries. Variable costs, on the other hand, fluctuate based on the volume of sales, such as product costs and shipping fees. They also touch on the importance of managing costs and making strategic decisions to optimize profitability. In this part of the conversation, Noah discusses the importance of protecting collectibles, including storing them properly, keeping them clean, and planning for their future. He also shares some interesting Snapple facts and warns about scammers impersonating popular companies. The hosts express gratitude to their listeners and Patreon supporters.

    https://linktr.ee/cardshopinsider
    takeaways

    • Fixed costs are expenses that remain constant regardless of sales volume, while variable costs fluctuate based on sales volume.
    • Managing costs is crucial for optimizing profitability in a card shop.
    • Strategic decisions, such as ordering enough to qualify for free shipping, can help reduce variable costs.
    • Understanding the difference between fixed costs and variable costs is essential for effective financial management in a card shop. Organize and keep a detailed inventory of your collection for insurance purposes.
    • Accurately value your collectibles and consider getting them graded for added protection.
    • Store your collectibles properly to avoid damage from heat and light.
    • Keep your collectibles clean and dust-free.
    • Plan for the future of your collection, including who will inherit it or if you want to donate it.
    • Beware of scammers impersonating popular companies.
    • Express gratitude to listeners and Patreon supporters.

      • fixed costs, variable costs, card shop, expenses, rent, insurance, salaries, product costs, shipping fees, profitability, collectibles, protection, storing, cleaning, planning, Snapple facts, scammers, gratitude, Patreon

      45 min
    • E19: Ranting and Raging - Distribution Problems

      Experienced and long-time store owner, John, teams up with a long-time gamer to share their experience and perspective on the topic including discussion of your favorite games including Magic, Yu-gi-oh, Pokemon, Lorcana, and Star Wars Unlimited. Come inside the card shop industry and learn more about the process of opening and running a local card gaming store. In this episode we discuss distribution woes, comparative accounts, and buying practices.


      49 min
    • E18: Takin' Money (Cards and Fees)

      Come inside the card shop industry and learn more about the process of opening and running a local card gaming store. In this episode we discuss point of sale systems, credit cards, and fees.

      They also touch on the future of digital gaming and the challenges faced by local game stores. John expresses frustration with the constant changes and contradictions in organized play and the impact it has on store owners and players. They also discuss the importance of balancing competitive tournaments with casual play.
      Experienced and long-time store owner, John, teams up with a long-time gamer to share their experience and perspective on the topic including discussion of your favorite games including Magic, Yu-gi-oh, Pokemon, Lorcana, and Star Wars Unlimited.

      https://linktr.ee/cardshopinsider
      00:00Show Intro

      00:48News: Magic: The Gathering

      11:58News: Pokemon TCG

      13:33News: Star Wars: Unlimited

      18:12News: Lorcana

      27:20Main Topic: Credit Card Processing

      32:43Understanding Interchange Rates

      37:07Considerations for Credit Card Processing

      42:49"Three E's": Snapple and Aspirin

      55:02Show Conclusion

      55:18Patreon Shout Out

      gaming industry, news, updates, Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh, Pokemon, Star Wars, Lorcana, digital gaming, local game stores, organized play, competitive play, casual play, credit card processing, fees, rates, small business, cost, negotiation, interchange rate, Amex, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, shop around, compare options

      57 min
    • E17: Product Releases

      Come inside the card shop industry and learn more about the process of opening and running a local card gaming store. In this episode we discuss market conditions and trends over the past several years. Experienced and long-time store owner, John, teams up with a long-time gamer to share their experience and perspective on the topic including discussion of your favorite games including Magic, Yu-gi-oh, Pokemon, Lorcana, and Star Wars Unlimited.

      In this conversation, John discusses various topics related to running a card shop, including managing tournaments, handling product releases, setting pricing, and more. He emphasizes the importance of keeping events running smoothly and efficiently, as well as the need to communicate effectively with customers about upcoming products and events. John also shares his thoughts on pre-sales and purchase limits, highlighting the need to balance customer demand with the availability of products.


      https://linktr.ee/cardshopinsider

      00:00 Intro and Welcome

      00:45 Disclaimer and Perspective

      28:02 Lorcana Set Championship Recap

      40:42 The Importance of Communication and Transparency in the Gaming Community

      44:24 Lorcana Errata Announcement

      48:22 Upcoming Magic: The Gathering Set - Bloomburrow

      51:34 Introduction of Value Booster to Magic: The Gathering

      57:33 Main Topic: Managing Product Releases

      01:00:36 Pros and Cons of Pre-Sales and Purchase Limits

      01:08:11 Setting Pricing for New Products

      01:14:49 Importance of Community Engagement

      01:15:20 Three E's


      card shop, gaming industry, challenges, customer feedback, TCG market, government assistance, box mapping, fraud, Star Wars set championship, rules and guidelines, card shop, tournaments, product releases, pricing, pre-sales, purchase limits, communication, customer demand, shout-out

      1 hr 23 min
    • E16: Market Conditions and Trends

      Come inside the card shop industry and learn more about the process of opening and running a local card gaming store. In this episode we discuss market conditions and trends over the past several years. Experienced and long-time store owner, John, teams up with a long-time gamer to share their experience and perspective on the topic including discussion of your favorite games including Magic, Yu-gi-oh, Pokemon, Lorcana, and Star Wars Unlimited.

      The conversation begins with a discussion about the challenges faced by a local game store in receiving pre-release kits for a Star Wars tournament due to distribution issues. The hosts express frustration with the lack of timely delivery and the impact it has on their business and customers. They also discuss the importance of balancing competitive and casual play in organizing events. The conversation then shifts to Magic: The Gathering news, including the release of the Assassin's Creed set and the announcement of the Arena Direct event series. The hosts express concerns about the direct competition between Wizards of the Coast and local game stores. They also touch on the Yu-Gi-Oh! market and the need for companies to learn from successful distribution models. Hobby game sales were flat to down in spring of 2024 as the market adjusted to post-COVID trends. Some retailers were struggling with inventory buildup and declining sales. It was advised for small stores to be cautious about entering a declining market with competition from existing stores. Diversification was suggested as a way for stores to maintain sales, such as branching into sports cards, comic books, or role-playing games. The popularity of podcasts has exploded since 2004, with many Costco members using podcasts to discuss various topics. Building a connection with listeners and providing unique content were highlighted as important aspects of podcasting.
      00:00 Challenges with Product Shipments

      11:29 Cost of Side Events

      25:40 Wizards of the Coast's Arena Direct

      26:53 Challenges in the Hobby Game Industry

      29:09 Diversifying Income Streams

      39:08 The Popularity of Podcasts

      49:35 Fun Facts from Snapple Caps and Taylor Swift's Potential in Magic: The Gathering




      local game store, distribution issues, pre-release kits, Star Wars tournament, competitive play, casual play, Magic: The Gathering, Assassin's Creed set, Arena Direct event series, direct competition, Yu-Gi-Oh!, successful distribution models, hobby game sales, post-COVID trends, declining market, inventory buildup, diversification, sports cards, comic books, role-playing games, popularity of podcasts, connection with listeners, unique content

      1 hr
    • E15: Competition in the Industry

      Come inside the card shop industry and learn more about the process of opening and running a local card gaming store. In this episode we discuss competition - both local and online - and how to handle and prepare for the pressure it creates. Experienced and long-time store owner, John, teams up with a long-time gamer to share their experience and perspective on the topic including discussion of your favorite games including Magic, Yu-gi-oh, Pokemon, Lorcana, and Star Wars Unlimited.


      35 min
    • E14: Store Culture and Community

      Come inside the card shop industry and learn more about the process of opening and running a local card gaming store. In this episode we discuss culture and community inside a gaming store and the hobby. Experienced and long-time store owner, John, teams up with a long-time gamer to share their experience and perspective on the topic including discussion of your favorite games including Magic, Yu-Gi-Oh, Pokemon, Lorcana, and Star Wars Unlimited.

      https://linktr.ee/cardshopinsider

      Summary


      The conversation revolves around the importance of store culture in a card shop. The hosts discuss the need for a positive and welcoming environment for customers and the value of treating everyone equally. They also mention the benefits of having a clean and organized store. John and Noah share their experiences with different types of players and the importance of catering to both casual and competitive players.


      00:00 Introduction

      00:38 Weekend Recap

      02:02 News: MTG

      07:10 News: Lorcana

      20:19 Main Topic: Defining Store Culture

      22:44 Creating a Welcoming Environment

      26:39 Treating Customers and Employees with Respect

      28:33 Balancing Competitive and Casual Players

      31:37 Three E's with John's Snapple Caps

      41:41 Call to Action and Sign Off

      44 min
    • E13: What happens while the store is closed

      Come inside the card shop industry and learn more about the process of opening and running a local card gaming store. In this episode we discuss what goes on with the game shop behind the closed sign... how much time and energy goes into the store when no one is here. Experienced and long-time store owner, John, teams up with a long-time gamer to share their experience and perspective on the topic including discussion of your favorite games including Magic, Yu-gi-oh, Pokemon, Lorcana, and Star Wars Unlimited.

      https://linktr.ee/cardshopinsider
      In this conversation, John and Noah discuss recent events and updates in the gaming industry, focusing on the Star Wars: Unlimited, Lorcana, and Magic: The Gathering. They talk about a recent store showdown event and the winners. They also discuss the challenges faced by game distributors and manufacturers, such as Asmodee, and the impact on local game stores. They touch on the popularity of Magic: The Gathering and the upcoming releases in the gaming industry. John discusses the durability of different trading card games and the challenges of running a game store. He also talks about Disney's actions against a game developer and the importance of staying informed about the gaming community. John shares his daily tasks when the store is closed and emphasizes the value of his time.


      Chapters


      00:00 Show Intro

      00:37 News and Updates

      00:59 Store Showdown and Star Wars Unlimited

      04:30 FFG/Asmodee Cancel SWU Preorders

      11:11 The Cancellation of X-Wing and Armada

      12:32 Games Workshop's Successful Expansion

      13:00 Challenges in Managing a Game Store

      17:11 The Success of Magic: The Gathering

      22:15 Lorcana Set Five Announcement

      28:48 Disney's Actions Against Pixelborn

      35:09 Managing Newsletters and Online Events

      40:45 The Difficulty of Finding Reliable Staff

      48:53 John's Three E's


      55 min
    • E12: Metrics - What to Track and Why

      Come inside the card shop industry and learn more about the process of opening and running a local card gaming store. In this episode we discuss professional services (lawyers, real estate brokers, insurance, accountants, etc.) that provide various services necessary for the LGS space. Experienced and long-time store owner, John, teams up with a long-time gamer to share their experience and perspective on the topic including discussion of your favorite games including Magic, Yu-gi-oh, Pokemon, Lorcana, and Star Wars Unlimited.
      https://linktr.ee/cardshopinsider
      In this conversation, John and Noah discuss various topics related to their podcast and the gaming industry. They talk about their podcast setup, their dislike for the impromptu introduction, and their plans for future episodes. They also discuss Target's new policy to crack down on TCG scalpers and the impact it may have on local game stores. They touch on the recent Lurkana tournaments and the changing rules for top cut. They also talk about the release of the new Magic set and the upcoming Star Wars showdown. Overall, they express their concerns about the state of the gaming industry and the challenges faced by local game stores. In this conversation, John and Aaron discuss the importance of metrics in the gaming industry, specifically in relation to Wizards Play Network (WPN) and the Magic the Gathering companion app. They explain how metrics are used to track the growth of in-store play and determine allocations of promos and products. They also touch on the challenges of managing metrics for different games and the benefits of data-driven decision making. The conversation concludes with the three E's segment, where John shares interesting facts about the dot above the letter 'i' and the sports figure YA Tittle.

      58 min
    • E11: Professional Services

      Come inside the card shop industry and learn more about the process of opening and running a local card gaming store. In this episode we discuss professional services (lawyers, real estate brokers, insurance, accountants, etc.) that provide various services necessary for the LGS space. Experienced and long-time store owner, John, teams up with a long-time gamer to share their experience and perspective on the topic including discussion of your favorite games including Magic, Yu-gi-oh, Pokemon, Lorcana, and Star Wars Unlimited.

      https://linktr.ee/cardshopinsider

      1 hr 15 min

    About Card Shop Insider

    From the publisher's feed

    News and industry insight from a local game store (LGS). Long-time store owner, John, teams up with a life-long gamer to discuss the operation of card stores as a business and to provide updates on your favorite retail TCGs.