Nascar Fans! I want to open a Nascar resale shop, but after seeing this eBay listing should I be worried?

Question

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=110262045970&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=001

I am not a Bobby LaBonte fan, but aren't Action Nascar Replicas worth more money than this? I almost bid on one last week that went for $4.99. Is Nascar collectables a dying fad?

Answer 1

It depends on where you live. Since arriving in Ca. in '90 I have seen only 1 out of over 25 NASCAR shops survive more than 3 years and I believe the only reason it has is because it's an RCCA backed store that only stocks the least expensive Action collectibles. No Platinum or Elite stuff. Strictly Club.(Some HOTO). Ca. is for the most part void of avid NASCAR fans though. You're talking about a small % of consumers as well. Not to mention an economy that's just starting to go down the s**+**er. Very risky in my opinion no matter where you live. Most fans are casual and not prone to buy anything other than K-Mart type stuff.

Answer 2

Depends what you mean by a "shop." A physical store could be tough. Remember, just because you have a knack for something or an interest doesn't mean finding a brick and mortar outlet will generate much. However, if you use the store AND stir up a lot of E-bay or other on-line business, the store, if modest to rent, provides you with many more tax breaks on the company than working from your home - where you can only break-even (technically).

I guess what I'm saying is if the rent is reasonable and you use it as your office too, to run on-line store, it could be to your advantage. You can set up some retail in the store and if you generate walk-in traffic, great. If not, and you can support yourself on-line, it doesn't matter that much. If you're totally relying on walk-in traffic to do a lot business, it's probably going to be tough. There are so many ways to acquire collectibles, that unless you're in a larger market where NASCAR is big, people won't likely drive far to get what's at their fingertips already.

Answer 3

Yes nascar collectibles are a dying fad. Like someone else said, nothing is "rare" anymore and today's economy is too scary to put money in collecting toys. Unfortunately unless a driver were to get killed, no one is likely to see big sales of that stuff anymore.

Answer 4

Well it's the economy.   No one has $$ any longer for the stuff. Manufacturers make more and more for profit, nothing is "rare" anymore.  You may be selling a little bit but don't count on it as a living.   I live by a racetrack (in New York) and there is an NASCAR store attached to an icecream place.  I can't tell you how many times the little NASCAR place changed hands because they can't make a go of it.  No one is buying memorabilia anymore.  Or at least not to the point where one can make a living or even as a side job.

Answer 5

It depends on the driver and car. Booby isn't that great anymore. I like Booby, but he just isn't a contender anymore. Plus that is a few years old. The Earnhardt cars sell great, i bought a few (4-5) last year between 200-400 a piece. I bought Jr's unraced version of the 01 Pepsi 400 for 150.00.

Get good stuff, and it will sell. Remember, its a buyers market. Get what the people want, and they will come.

Answer 6

My 1st thought is.....when did he drive that? The description doesn't say what series it was in or when it was raced! If YOU had all that I might be interested. All car's are worth different money. There buy it now price is $25 bucks and starting bid is 9.99.

I'll bet you he has from 5 to 15 invested. He'll make atleast 5 on shipping. If it goes for 25 they'll make 15 minimum.

There's many different levels of quality and detail that each die-cast manufacture puts into it. The best quality one's are simply higher and the best that are significant are the highest. I would consider this particular car an "also ran". (more race talk than sales but still means the same) Meaning, It didn't win Daytona or anything. It's just one paint 'scheme' Bobby Labonte ran somewhere at somepoint.  



Also, I can tell you from experience that I've never lost money on ebay. Maybe on a 'per item' listing. Sometimes broke even. But in whole. Nope, never lost.

You have to research(as your doing now) to find out what goes for what $. Include your ebay and shipping expenses and your cost on the item and determine what your minimum sale price should be.

Certain cars that you put on for 10 bucks may sell for $300. Some sell for 10 dollars. Don't gouge shipping charges but don't lose money either.

Answer 7

if ya live around and track or in big city yeah you can make some money if ya buy stuff off ebay and resell it