How I Buy ‘Cheap’ Inventory for My TCGPlayer Business (it’s not easy…)

[@syjohnston6603]

Where are you getting your EV calculations from? If the EV is as high as you say it is, I should be opening pallets of this stuff!

[@GameVitamins]

I use MoxAlpha now, link in the description, and if you want to support, use my code "GV" for 15% off!

[@DiabeticGameGuy]

Ok, I'm not sure if this will work anymore, but I want to share how I got good prices on sealed cards. I spoke to a local game store owner and asked at buying cases at $50 above costs which works out to $5 per box. I had a business license with the state. Buying as inventory vs as a consumer allowed me to avoid paying sales tax on the transaction. The store owner was happy to work with me. I bought a couple cases per set so he got $50-100 which was just profit for him. It also allowed him to keep his volume orders higher. I had been to the store many times as a tournament player, and he knew I wasn't ever going to buy boxes for him at full retail. He also knew I mainly sold online so I wasn't going to be his competition. I'm not sure if you live in a major city, but I did and this makes a difference. He knew that if he didn't work with me, someone else likely would.

[@jetto__421]

but they are getting cases lets say for 100$ per box or 0$ per box, if youre paying 50$ more aren't youon the butt end of margin? assuming I read it correctly, you are paying same as tcg player

[@DiabeticGameGuy]

​@@jetto__421 I was mainly buying in 1998-2000, and the LGS was getting boxes for around $65 ea. I apologize for not being precise as it's been so many years. I would buy a case for $700 which works out to $70 per box. I think the big win for me and the shop owner is that there was no sales tax. There was no shipping fees, and I always paid cash so there were no CC fees for him. He also had no platform fees like TCGPlayer or Ebay back in the day. What I hope Nick takes from my suggestion is to call local game stores in his area to see if he can beat the prices that he's getting online. If his local store beats what he finds online, great then he gets to increase his margin. If not, then he's only spent a couple minutes on a phone call. It only takes one willing storeowner...

[@GameVitamins]

That’s a solid idea! Sounds like going to a local store could be a good move and see what kind of deal can be struck. I’m sure it helps them with allocations in the future too if their spend is higher with their distributors!

[@BrianCripps-y1l]

Way to NOT support your LGS. 😂

[@jetto__421]

@@BrianCripps-y1l when Markov manor was 90$ a box he was still charging 150$ I get it, running abusiness is super hard but..like, still charging markv manor 150 a BOX whe nit was legit 88-90 on tcg. i can only support so much!!

[@Poke_Du]

Nice videos bro! Simple, yet informational.

[@bertrammorris214]

I used to be a $15 patron of Rudy. I never bought a single box from him even though I did intend to. Months of paying $15 a month not because I wanted cheap boxes but because I liked his content. An accident happened and I had to replace my bank card. Which cut off my patron to Rudy. Once I learned of this I went to fix it and discovered he had blocked me. So be careful with your dealings with Rudy. Can't really watch his videos after blocking me after months of money I paid to support his content.

[@sloth9669]

Most businesses block people who don’t pay. The reason doesn’t much matter. Been a patreon of his from 2017 and never had a single issue buying and have always had my messages responded to.

[@malleycattcg]

also curious about the ev calculations, and send the link for the pick ur poisons! sounds like a great idea

[@GameVitamins]

Once I hit the 1000 subscriber mark I'll make a video about the giveaway! Sounds like a couple people like the idea already which is awesome! I use MoxAlpha to monitor box EV. I linked it in the description, use my code "GV" for 15% off!

[@suavecollects49]

Keep at it man! I was in your same spot about a year ago. Now I got a Roca and it's been a breeze being able to sort and make bulk lots.

[@GameVitamins]

Awesome to hear you got to that point! Definitely think it'd level up the game in terms of time in and products I could make.

[@jaredhighlands4604]

I just wait for black Friday and pickup whatever is deepest on sale. Mainly just to have to draft later on but have a place that will sell some for 60-80 bucks a box

[@GameVitamins]

Yeah some that got dumped on Cyber Monday were very cheap with the cash back! Honestly if you buy enough that weekend it’ll keep you busy for a while haha

[@jetto__421]

OKAY GUYS AND @Game Vitamins, my uncle said he would give me a 675 sq ft commercial spot for like dirt cheap rent (less than 400$) should I take the plunge and do it just so I can distruibution?

[@juscallmeric]

Yes but that doesn’t guarantee you distribution.

[@jetto__421]

@@juscallmeric I thought WPN or if youre a LC or type of crop you can get dist?

[@juscallmeric]

@@jetto__421 if you’re moving product and have a sustainable business plan. You don’t just apply and get it is what I’m saying. Some do. Most don’t.

[@GameVitamins]

If you intend to open a store within the commercial space and are able to outfit it to their standards to get distribution rights it seems like a very affordable option if you'll be moving a lot of product. I've certainly seen some stores that have a massive online presence but their physical store is essentially empty. I can't fully speak to it as I haven't gone through that process, but it sounds like it's worth doing some more research on.

[@jetto__421]

@@GameVitamins essentially I would only want to storefront so I get my sealed boxes from distributors as you know they sell them for 94-102$ on release I beleve which only increases our margins by 5-10% which adds up! but yes wil do

[@Atheawesome45]

Wow amazing content!!! I just saved nearly all your videos to my Watch Later. I’d also love to know more about how you calculate EV of booster boxes. I wanted to make a website or application to track these EVs for buying decisions

[@GameVitamins]

Thank you so much! I currently use MoxAlpha. I always check a few extra things out to confirm numbers, but I've found it to be pretty effective. I have a link in my description since people have been asking and if you use "GV" you can get 15% off the first month to try it out!

[@NickFloyd]

I love the givvy idea. As always thank you for the content and teaching others your craft ❤

[@GameVitamins]

Glad you like it! As someone pointed out, my exact idea might not be allowed unfortunately.. but I'll figure something out anyway!

[@AustinIsSoTheMan]

Good Advice! Thank you. I like the giveaway idea with the pick your poison card.

[@GameVitamins]

Heck yeah! Sounds like that will be on the agenda then!

[@MorrieLow]

I’m interested in how you’re doing your EV calculations. Manually? Mox Alpha? Something else?

[@GameVitamins]

First I used MTGBoxSim and averaged out openings, but the website doesn't load a lot of the boxes. I use MoxAlpha to check EV, but will also check the top cards to ensure nothing is skewed in the data because that DOES happen. It's a great tool though! You can use the code "GV" for a discount if you try it out!

[@InkedGhandi]

You talk about buying packs, but what about that bulk you purchased? Was that a bad idea or have you made decent money selling it off?

[@GameVitamins]

I should revisit the bulk in a video. I was finding decent value in it, but I pivoted to more of this strategy because I felt the time it took and payoff was better. Don't need to grade cards, sort sets, etc. That being said, I have definitely sold some of it off, but I haven't uploaded a ton of it. It wasn't 'bad' but just not as cost & time effective.

[@jetto__421]

​ I would like to see a vid of this in the next month or two if you can. I think a saw a pokemon guy that was selling bulk of 500-1000 but it was only netting him like 1-1.50$ after everything on ebay (he said shipping was insane like 20$ or whatever) so he said he was going to stop. hes been in the game for 2 years now selling, at first he couldn't sell and then he redid the price to make it more competitive but just wasn't worth so he said he would stop bulk

[@MagicTheOpeningCanada]

Thanks for the great informative videos. Working on a similar business model hoping to get started in the new year.

[@GameVitamins]

Thank you very much and good luck!

[@AlaskaSkull]

Hey Nick, Love your videos! I wanted to request a video on how you make your shipping labels. I am trying to figure out which thermal printer i should get and then how the process goes to purchase and print labels, but I am getting lost in the rabbit hole. Thanks for any help you can provide!

[@GameVitamins]

On my video about how I pack and ship orders a commenter left a link to a video of how he set them up for the thermal printer!

[@Troy_34]

Great perspective on buying and creative ideas for a giveaway. You ever thought about getting into 3d printing for supplies, mtg accessories or organization like sorters, etc?

[@GameVitamins]

Thank you! I haven't in relation to MTG specifically. I used to print and sell D&D minis many years back haha. But that's something to think about!

[@codycox4309]

Jealous of the amount of cardboard you have haha subscribed as soon as I saw a video from ya. Love the business finance behind the scenes content

[@GameVitamins]

Thank you very much and I’m glad you like it!!

[@ragnorocker7]

What's the 5% amazon credit thing you speak of? I'd love to wait until that to replenish all my work supplies. Thanks!

[@GameVitamins]

Amazon Business Prime via Amex! If you're buying a lot on Amazon, it's well worth having.

[@andrewn28]

What do you think of the TCGplayer subscription ?

[@GameVitamins]

I think it's worth it if you're buying enough product to offset the monthly subscription fee. In my case, I pretty much paid for a whole year's subscription in credit back just on Cyber Weekend, so everything else will just be a bonus. Depends on your situation!

[@andrewn28]

Do you have a discord I can message you on? I’m just starting as well just reached level 4 so we have a similar journey atm mines just with Pokemon just seeing if we can bounce some ideas ?

[@devinweilbacherweilbacherd8645]

Hey man, could you make a video talking about the card order you’re getting or might be getting I’m really interested in getting the magic sorter it’s a smaller scale size of a Roca. I know it has issues but it’s closer to my current wheelhouse and operation.

[@GameVitamins]

I definitely will once I solidify my pick! I've researched the ones out there, so that'd make for an interesting video to touch on some of them. I think Magic Sorter for it's price is definitely a nice option though.

[@bertrammorris214]

But Rudy probably is the best bet for reselling product.

[@georgeplymale8644]

How long can u hold the tcg credit. Till next year?

[@GameVitamins]

According to their website it doesn’t expire. But I’ll likely use it as I see more deals

[@georgeplymale8644]

@GameVitamins Well i was just like save I for next black Friday and compound your savings

[@darthplaguepiss4335]

Hi! I already have an established store on eBay where I sell other items. Do you think it’s a good idea to base my MTG selling platform on eBay instead of TCGPlayer? Thanks in advance!

[@GameVitamins]

I think it depends what you’re going to sell. If you’re doing “custom items” like bulk lots, land lots, etc I’d do that on eBay. Maybe you create an eBay specific inventory as well. I’d have a presence on TCGPlayer too if you want to push volume of singles, it’s just such a liquid marketplace!

[@darthplaguepiss4335]

@ thanks man!!!! Custom items are a GREAT idea! Maybe I’ll build a come nice EDH decks!! Thank you.

[@FabioParis-q5p]

there is only one rule.....know the game and be good at it.

[@Vse8311]

what CC was giving you big cash back @ 10K?

[@GameVitamins]

It was an intro deal on an Amex! This wasn't for this business, just an example of a card I got for another business of mine. But some cards will run pretty great initial cash back deals. Then you don't need to keep the card.

[@Scaran1982]

Are you based our the usa? Just saying deals here in Canada are rare as a unicorn…

[@GameVitamins]

@@Scaran1982 based in the USA!

[@tradewinsofficial]

A fellow ring connoisseur. Where do you get yours from?

[@GameVitamins]

Haha indeed! They're all family rings, one from my grandfather, one from my father, one I had made as well. A few generations from now people will run out of fingers to wear them all lol

[@tradewinsofficial]

@@GameVitamins Love it, dude. Also, going to be shooting you that email today! Thanks.

[@vervastar]

Sorry have to sleep .. but I’ll watch all tmrw. Do you have a good list of ,,, eBay. Use eBay card for best. Or TCG player use PayPal with this type of cash back card.? Thanks

[@GameVitamins]

I don't have a list of cards per se, I'd research what types of deals are available right now. There was an eBay deal with cash back via Chase, that might be over now. Amazon Business is good for the 5% credit. Discover IT had a 5% cash back on amazon maxing out at $75, but that allowed for some good cash off of each box. Just have to see what you have, and what's available at the time. It's constantly changing.

[@ilovepodcasts248]

Hi Nick, I love your channel. I want to start selling cards in 2025. How can I reach out to you directly?

[@tylerhartman4594]

Ok cash back and rewards should be factored into cost. Amazon is good for some stuff. Toploaders around 2 cents each is my cost. Should be cheap to ship.

[@GameVitamins]

I gotta find the top loaders you’re getting! I find those are the most expensive part around $0.06/ea at my cost.

[@tylerhartman4594]

@GameVitamins buy direct from manufacturer. Bcw use code jim10 to save 10% if still works

[@decksdicellc882]

I like your videos a lot, keep it up. However, sourcing product isn't all that hard if you don't own an LGS. Lots of us have our own "Rudy setup" with Patreon accounts that let you buy directly from us. That being said however, Rudy's setup muddies the water a bit with how he can offer such low prices AND cover shipping. He's a multi-millionaire who has more revenue streams than I have fingers on both hands and he CAN buy in the bulk amounts to get prices that low and he CAN cover shipping because the $5 per box he's making, over thousands of Patreon subscribers, more than covers his initial investment and then some. Also, if you're only at the $15/mnth tier for Taco Man, you can only buy 1 case a month from him. For the record, yes my shop has a Patreon too. Gotta shill for myself a bit here as well. But, like with mine and some others, you're going to see higher monthly subs and where the buyer(you) will have to pay shipping, or shipping gets split between buyer and seller. Or even free shipping if you meet certain stipulations with the LGS. Each Patreon is roughly the same but also has their own small differences. If you can't find a Patreon you like, and have a LGS in your area, go talk to them. See if you can work something out directly with them. If you have a national chain though, it probably won't workout that way. There's too many hands in the pot there for a deal to be worked out, most likely. Search for a mom & pop LGS in your area and talk with them.

[@GameVitamins]

Appreciate your insights! I do agree, I mainly mentioned Rudy and the patreon "cheap box" model since he's the easiest to reference, but like you said it's very limiting on what you can even buy from him, so it's not a sustainable way to gather a lot of product. I think talking with other store owners is probably the best way to do it like you're recommending! I just haven't done that yet so I don't want to say anything on it, but that'll definitely be something going forward I'd like to check out. Thanks for watching as always!

[@decksdicellc882]

@@GameVitamins Not a problem at all, man. I'm a small time shop and a super small "nobody" on KZbin but I'm always wanting to throw out some advice (good or bad nobody gives out 100% good advice all the time lol) for people trying to make their way into the space. I don't like to "pull the ladder up" so other places/people can't succeed. If you are interested in buying product, by all means reach out to me and we can talk about things. See if we can work something out where we both benefit.

[@cardboardmimic]

Good systems carry a business light years.

[@GameVitamins]

Agreed! 😎

[@Hermithew]

I don't think you can do a giveaway that has a buy in a few KZbinrs have gotten in trouble for it

[@GameVitamins]

You know.. I probably should do some research first haha thanks for the heads up!

[@georgeplymale8644]

I think ur right to sit on mom draft

[@Studeee]

Hey man, just found your channel, seems like we’re in a similar spot. Would love to connect and talk shop!

[@johnmyers5256]

You should title this, how to start a KZbin channel by selling people the fantasy of running a card store, that only makes money if you don’t factor in time.

[@GameVitamins]

Hahah, it's not a fantasy, it's doable, it just takes time and it's not glorious, as with every business. I run a day-to-day business, do this in the evenings and I've made money off of it. If you want to run any business you need to put in a lot of hours up front that pay off in the tail end, but if I need to explain that, this might not be for you anyway.

[@mrwhite2039]

There's people who have massive tcg businesses. You can go look up some on youtube who make tons of money selling singles. You're just wrong and being negative isn't neccisary

[@johnmyers5256]

@@mrwhite2039 They have distribution, and the fact that you mentioned tons of money means you have no idea what you are talking about.

[@johnmyers5256]

@@GameVitamins Making some profit in no way equates to a business. You would be more correct if you called it a hobby in you're videos.