West Coast Dealer Signs Exclusive Contract
For decades, Burbank Sportscards has been a well-known, influential hobby shop on the West Coast.
A trusted brand in the eyes of hobbyists, owner Rob Veres knows never to let a good deal pass him by. So, when Veres saw the opportunity to partner with Fanatics Collect, he didn’t hesitate.
Burbank Sportscards inked an exclusive contract to move its 40-million-card inventory from eBay to Fanatics Collect’s Buy Now marketplace. Formerly known as PWCC, Fanatics Collect was launched in mid-July.
“We want our brand to be synonymous with the Fanatics brand when it comes to trading cards,” Veres said. “I think that this is the way to go about it.”
Veres met with Fanatics Collect executives at the National Sports Collectors Convention in Cleveland and was impressed with what he heard. He is thrilled to be the first big dealer to join Fanatics Collect’s platform.
“I think we’re uniquely positioned to do it,” Veres said. “Fanatics told us, ‘We think you’re the best fit.’ When they come to you and give you the first crack at this, you really have to think hard about that.”
Burbank Sportscards Making the Switch
Burbank Sportscards has been selling through eBay since 2003. It was difficult for Veres to leave eBay, which was so helpful to his company over the years.
Veres noted that the switchover to marketplaces will not change how the card shop operates or the fees for customers making online purchases.
“The price points will basically be the same,” Veres said. “We are motivated to buy more merchandise and hire more people. I think our selection is going to grow. We want to fill every single hole possible on that platform. The buying is being accelerated, as well as the processing, scanning, and database work.”
Transferring his entire inventory to Fanatics Collect isn’t quick or easy. Veres hopes to have the bulk of the inventory in its new home by the end of September.
Veres said his cards will start appearing on the Fanatics Collect platform in two to three weeks.
Burbank Sportscards owner Rob Veres signed an exclusive contract to sell his cards through Fanatics Collect. (Photos courtesy of Burbank Sportscards)
Burbank and Fanatics Collect | Bigger and Better
In correlation with its switch to Fanatics Collect, Burbank Sportscards will be moving into a new 14,300-square-foot building at a major intersection in Burbank. The larger facility will allow Veres to have his entire operation under one roof. Roughly 8,500 square feet will be retail front, while the other roughly 5,500 square feet will house offices and its fulfillment center.
“We have a lot of confidence in this deal that helps us justify moving,” said Veres, who is shooting to be in the new building by early to mid-November. “But the killer thing I think we’re going to do is have kiosks in the showroom. You’ll come in and you’re looking for Jude Bellingham cards. I might not have a Jude Bellingham section, but I have three or four of his cards in showcases. And I’ve got 78 different Jude Bellingham cards online. Now, that customer comes in, and we’re going to have these cards in the building.”
In a cards-on-demand service, a Burbank Sportscards staffer can pull any card while a customer is shopping at the store.
“We wouldn’t be able to provide this without the Fanatics deal giving us the confidence to move into this giant building and putting almost everything under one roof,” Veres said.
Check out Fanatics Collect “Buy Now” marketplace as Burbank’s forty million cards are added to the listings.
