I’m looking to start a TCG Player stores and would appreciate an tips you might have. Particularly things you prefer sellers to do and things you prefer they wouldn’t do.
I’m not new to selling, I currently run a LEGO parts store and have for the past few years.
At this point I just plan on listing duplicates and stuff I’m not interested in. If it sells it sells, if it doesn’t it doesn’t. I’m not looking to quit my day job, just help offset the cost of my ever growing collection.
I’ve took the liberty of making a few orders of with various priced and quantities of cards to see how other sellers do shipping. With my LEGO store everything ships in a bubble mailer or box. Of the video’s I’ve seen, PWEs seem to be a popular choice for a couple cards.
It seems Holo’s and Reverse Holo’s seem to get confused a lot, so paying attention to that will be important. I don’t have anything older than Evolutions so at this point most items will be pack fresh.
I’d really be curious to hear thoughts on shipping. Since PWEs seem to be popular, what’s the preferred method. My guess what be a top loader with team back for a couple cards, I’m a fan of painters tape vs scotch tape, but really don’t like tape at all.
So if you have any suggestions or tips it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
You seem to basically know what to do. My advice is to ship <$20 orders in PWE. Penny sleeve + top loader + something to ensure the card/sleeve don’t fall out (a team bag or tiny piece of tape, etc.). For orders over >$20, use a bubble mailer and purchase the cheapest tracked option (will cost ~$3).
Honestly just ship cards out on time and make sure they are properly packaged like you mentioned and you will be fine. From my experience, buyers on TCGplayer are more understanding and easy to work with than eBay buyers. They also don’t open Item Not Received cases left and right like on eBay. Probably because most of them are actually players who just want the cards.
Based on the thought you’re putting into this, it seems like you’ll be a good seller.
I’m only a buyer, not a seller on tcg player. One main difference on tcg player vs. ebay is that most lower priced cards aren’t listed with a picture. I don’t expect PSA 9/10 perfection when I buy “near mint” on tcgplayer, but it’s annoying when cards listed as NM are actually LP/MP. On the other hand, it’s a pleasant experience when it’s clear that the seller was conservative in how they listed their conditions.
for PWEs, I like the slightly bigger ones where you can stand the card up and it fits snug so it doesn’t move around in the envelope.
I limit 3 cards per top-loader, I tape the side of the top loader to the PWE as the PWE fit the card snug top to bottom.
I do recommend putting in a 5-10% discount code/$5 off/free shipping whatever it may be in your envelope for customer retention. Depending on where you’re selling if it’s feasible.
Buying custom PWE in bulk may be a little more expensive but it saves tons of time & allows you to add logo/website good for branding.
I’ll use PWE usually up to $50 for multiple cards and $25 if its a single card
as @seafoamarticuno, said from a buyers perspective they don’t expect Mint cards a lot of sellers on TCG do pull the 10s some don’t whatever your business model looks like it may be an advantage or something to consider.
I don’t buy raw cards from someone that also sells graded cards I think its a conflict of my personal interest.
Shipping schedule; what works for you but be transparent make sure its timely esp without tracking.
If I have tape on the top of my top loader I frown
Just an example say someone buys a Ninetails off me if that set had a vulpix and it’s not much work for me I’ll throw that in there as it’s usually about a nickel.
That’s about all I can think off the top of my head, best of luck!
If you are going to put pictures with your listings (which it is completely fine and usually not necessary unless it is a bit more expensive), take pictures of both the front and back. I see a lot of sellers post pictures of just the front and it seems to just defeat the purpose of adding a picture in the first place.