Missed Lesson 1: Build Your Audience?
If you want to actually make money breaking, you have to get your hands on product at good prices. This is honestly one of the biggest challenges early on. Local card shops (LCS) are fine for picking up a box or two when you’re just starting, but unless you have a great relationship with them (or they’re super generous), you’re probably not going to get prices low enough to turn a solid profit.
Long term, you’ll want to look into working with wholesalers or trying to get direct accounts with companies like Topps, Panini, or Upper Deck. That’s definitely easier said than done…most of them have minimum order requirements and usually want to see that you have a real business already (like a brick and mortar shop, a website, regular sales history, etc.). But if you can make it happen, it can be a game changer because you’ll be paying closer to wholesale prices instead of full retail. Allocation through wholesalers like Southern Hobby or GTS can also be tough as they tend to allocate product to their bigger buyers. However, you can’t become a big buyer unless they actually allocate you product. It’s a catch 22.
Another route is teaming up with someone who already has one of those direct accounts. Maybe a bigger breaker, or someone who runs a store but doesn’t want to break themselves. If you can build a good relationship and buy through them, you might be able to get better deals without all the upfront hassle.
No matter where you’re getting your product, you’ve got to be picky. Not every box is a winner. Some products have way more demand than others, and some just flop…fast. Pay attention to release calendars, listen to the buzz in the hobby, and don’t be afraid to pass on stuff that doesn’t seem like it’ll sell. Dead inventory is brutal when you’re trying to keep cash flow moving.
Basically: finding affordable product is half networking, half research, and a whole lot of hustle.
Thanks for reading this lesson. I’ll be back soon with Lesson 3: Manage Your Money.
Missed the previous lessons? Start at Lesson 1: Build Your Audience.
Jaime breaks as The DJAWN Group several nights a week on Breaker Toolbox. If you have any questions or are interested in becoming a breaker, contact him on Facebook or via email.
