Card Shop Insider

Card Shop Insider

Leisure EN ↓ 50 episodes

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. Follow us on socials: https://linktr.ee/cardshopinsider

Author

Card Shop Insider

Category

Leisure

Podcast website

podcasters.spotify.com

Latest episode

Jun 20, 2025

Where to listen?

Podcasts in the app Replaio Radio Coming soon

Podcasts are coming to the app soon. Install now and be the first to see a whole new take on podcasts

Get it on Google Play Install for free Android almost 10M downloads · 4.8 rating iOS soon

Episodes

E51: Biggest Magic: The Gathering Pre-Release Ever? | How to Run a Successful Card Shop Event 20.06.2025

In this episode, John S. McCully breaks down what it was like to host the biggest Magic: The Gathering pre-release event in history. 🚀 He shares real-world insights on how to run a successful card shop, increase event attendance, and build long-term customer engagement through credibility and community-building.🔍 Whether you're looking to start your own TCG store, improve your game store eve...

E50: How to Price Product as a Shop Owner 04.06.2025

E50: In this episode, John discusses various pricing strategies he uses at his LGS for trading cards, including sealed products and singles. He shares insights on how to price items competitively while maintaining customer loyalty. The conversation also covers the challenges of pricing supplies in a fluctuating market and strategies for maximizing revenue in collectible card shops.

E49: From Beanie Babies to TCGS - the TCG Owners Journey 28.05.2025

E48 In this episode of Card Shop Insiders, Noah and John discuss the ins and outs of running a local game store. John shares his journey from selling Beanie Babies at flea markets to opening a game store, focusing on the challenges of inventory management, the impact of digital gaming, and the importance of community engagement. He provides insights into a typical day at the store and offers valua...

E48: Taxes, Tariffs, and TCGS 21.05.2025

John shares his thoughts on how taxes and tariffs impact the local LGS.

E47: How to Run an LGS: Customer Retention and Getting Repeat Business 30.04.2025

After running his store for more than 20 years, John, the owner of a small LGS in North Carolina, shares his experience and discusses why it is important to retain customers for repeat business. He shares insight into how to turn first-time buyers into repeat customers and the value of long-term patrons in the collectable gaming retail market. E47

E46: Running an LGS: How to Handle Scalpers 29.04.2025

E46 In this episode of Card Shop Insider, Noah and John talk about how a local game store can handle scalpers who come in looking to score a quick-fix and whether or not resellers present a problem for the hobby industry.

E44: Selling TCG Cards at Conventions? Should you sell at a convention if you are a small gaming store? 28.04.2025

E44 After running his local game store for 26 years, John shares his feelings on selling at conventions or events.

E43: Why your LGS shouldn't take presales 25.04.2025

E43 After 26 years in the business of selling Magic: The Gathering and other TCGs, John tells you why he doesn't take preorders and why new business owners shouldn't either.

E42: Veteran LGS Owner Answers Business Questions About Running a Shop 24.04.2025

E42 - John, long time LGS owner answers questions from one of our Patrons about how to run a game store. Topics include selling sealed product, How he got started in the hobby, customer loyalty programs, product allocation and distribution, and LGS events. Support the channel and get BTS video content and collectible gaming news: patreon.com/CardShopInsider00:00 Exploring the Card Shop Business Mo...

E41: How Pokémon TCG Supply Issues Impact Local Game Stores 23.04.2025

John owns a small local game store and shares his opinions about how recent Pokemon TCG distribution issues are impacting small stores and grassroots gameplay. We also cover exciting new Magic: The Gathering News including Final Fantasy crossover informationE41

E40: Spotting Fake Cards 22.04.2025

John owns a small local game store and shares his opinions about how fake cards can impact your LGS.

E39: How Weather Impacts Your Local LGS and More 12.02.2025

E39: John flies solo and discusses how recent winter weather impacted his small local game store. He also discusses upcomming news from around the TCG industry with updates on Gundam, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and Magic. Additionally, John reflects on significant historical events that occurred on January 13th, providing listeners with a blend of gaming insights and historical context. 00:00 Introduction and Con...

E38: Should you be loyal to your LGS? 07.02.2025

E38: John and Noah discuss various aspects of running a local game store, including pricing strategies, customer loyalty, and the impact of online shopping on local retailers. They explore the importance of maintaining relationships with customers and the challenges posed by online competitors. The conversation also touches on the significance of local retailers in the gaming community and conclud...

E37: When and how to change direction with your gaming business 05.02.2025

In this episode, John discusses the card shop business, sharing insights on market trends, product offerings, and strategies for success. He emphasizes the importance of pivoting in response to customer needs and market changes, while also sharing fun New Year's facts to engage listeners. Takeaways Owning a card shop offers numerous opportunities to pivot. You have to make decisions on the fly...

E36: Reflections on Post-pandemic LGS Ownership 30.01.2025

In this episode of Card Shop Insiders, John and Noah discuss the latest news in the card gaming industry, including updates on Magic: The Gathering, theft in the card grading industry, and the challenges of insurance for card shops. They also explore the current state of Star Wars Unlimited and Pokemon card demand, reflecting on the post-COVID landscape of card gaming. The conversation wraps up wi...

E35: TCG News + End of Year Business Tips 26.12.2024

In this episode of Card Shop Insiders, hosts John and Noah discuss various aspects of running a local game store, including community engagement, trading card market trends, and end-of-year retail strategies. They share insights on product availability, customer feedback, and the importance of maintaining a clean and inviting store environment. The episode also features fun holiday facts and a dis...

E34: AI Solves Card Shop Problems?? 24.12.2024

John and Noah cover the latest TCG news on 12/4/2024 including new packaging for MTG, OP Details for Lorcana, and a potpouri of gaming news from around the industry. For this weeks business topic John used AI to generate a list of challenges that local game stores face and discusses his perspective on some of the top issues. 00:00 Intros 00:26 Listener Comments and Response 01:25 News: Elon Musk a...

E33 Latest and Greatest LGS TCG News PLUS inside the business re: what we do when the shop is closed 26.11.2024

In this episode of Card Shop Insiders, hosts Noah and John delve into the latest news and updates from the world of collectible card games, including Yu-Gi-Oh!, One Piece, Pokemon, and Magic: The Gathering. They discuss community engagement through charity events, tournament announcements, and product updates. The conversation also touches on quality control issues, theft incidents in card stores,...

E32: Off Days and More 14.11.2024
E31: Saving Money at Startup 13.11.2024

Podcast E31 In this episode of Card Shop Insiders, hosts Noah and John discuss various topics related to the gaming industry, including recent news in collectible card games, market trends, and the challenges of running a card shop. They delve into specific games like Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and Magic: The Gathering, sharing insights on product releases, grading, and inventory management. The conversa...

E30: Where to Get the Money to Start Your LGS 11.11.2024
E29: More on How to Pay for Your Card Store 10.11.2024

Podcast Episode 29: Experienced local card shop owner, John, discusses recent news about MTG, Star Wars: Unlimited, Lorcana, and other prominent TCGs. For this week's main topic the duo discusses how to finance your dream of opening a card store. 00:00 Show Intro 00:13 Welcome and Overview 01:31 News: New Yu-Gi-Oh Set Announced 01:50 News: One Piece TCG News - Possible Cancellations?! 05:03 News:...

[E28] Funding Your Dream Card Store - Breaking Out the Savings to Open an LGS 24.10.2024

Successful shop owner discussing how to fund the startup costs for a local game store (LGS). In this episode of Cart Shop Insiders, hosts John and Noah discuss the growing popularity of trading card games, highlighted by a recent Sports Illustrated article featuring Olympic athlete Noah Lyles. They delve into the challenges faced by local game stores, particularly in online sales and inventory man...

E27: Preparing an LGS for Disaster 17.10.2024

In this episode of Card Shop Insiders, hosts Noah and John discuss various topics related to the gaming industry, including security measures for local game stores, new game releases, the impact of recent bans in Magic: The Gathering, and the importance of disaster preparedness for small businesses. They also share personal experiences from a recent trip to Disney, highlighting the challenges and...

E26: How your LGS can Learn from Other Businesses re: Loss Prevention 14.10.2024

In this conversation, the hosts discuss the setup of their podcast, ensuring everything is recording properly. They express their intention to engage with their audience and explore new topics, while also planning to address comments from their Patreon community. The discussion emphasizes the importance of audience interaction and feedback in shaping future content. 00:00 Intro and Welcome 01:23 N...

Listen to the Card Shop Insider podcast in Replaio

Radio and podcasts in one app - free, with no sign-up. Install today and do not miss the launch

Get it on Google Play

Replaio is not a podcast publisher; show names, artwork and audio belong to their authors and are distributed through public RSS feeds.