Byline: BOB GARDINIER Staff writer
The number of sports cards and collectibles dealers who operate out of Capital Region storefronts has dwindled considerably in just five years, and those who remain have been forced to specialize and devise ways to deal, trade or barter with customers far afield.
``More and more, the storefronts are going out of business,'' said Elliot Leberman, operator of Hudson Valley Sports Card Exchange in Colonie. ``It's tough. People are losing their jobs, or fear they might, and are becoming more selective, spending less.''
To make a profit, Leberman and dealers like him, whether they own a store or work from their home, have learned to look nationally, even globally. The tools of their trade as we head into the 21st century will not only be the telephone and the U.S. mail, but computer bulletin boards, online services and the Internet.
One recent afternoon at Affordable Sports Cards and Comics in Cohoes, owner Tony LePage did more business over the phone than over the counter.
``It's weird. I'm here in Cohoes and now 90 percent of my business comes from out of town, Utica, Syracuse, Massachusetts,'' said LePage after fielding a call from Florida. ``I've even sent stuff to Puerto Rico.''
LePage says he keeps an edge on the market with a small mail order operation on the side.
``This is the softest part of the country for this business. The Capital Region is getting worse,'' LePage said. ``When people don't want to spend the money, you have to find ways to get rid of the stuff.''
The edge these dealers have is an energetic core of customers who have kept the business from becoming just a passing fad. These regulars aren't afraid to speculate. They might have bought a pack of Drew Bledsoe cards last year for $75, now worth less than half that after the quarterback's disappointing year. On the other hand, they may have bought rare Mickey Mantle cards a decade ago that are very valuable now.
There are 30 storefront dealers in Rensselaer, Albany, Schenectady and Saratoga counties, LePage estimated. Just five years ago, there were at least twice as many, he said.
Collectibles and sports cards stores contain a colorful plethora of small items, from coins, limited-edition statues and models to sports cards with such names as Donruss, Upper Deck, Topps and Pinnacle. On the walls hang autographed sports shirts, pictures, baseballs, footballs, football helmets and basketballs. Aside from the original sports card business, which now includes auto racing and the Albany River Rats, there is a wider collector card business that covers everything imaginable.
You can purchase cards of TV series such as ``Star Trek'' and all its spinoffs, ``Baywatch'' or ``Beavis and Butt-Head.'' Just down the aisle may be collectible cards for Norman Rockwell paintings or Betty Boop.
Leberman is not on line. He does not buy and sell over a popular service called SportsNet.
``I know people who do, and I work through them to get stuff and get rid of stuff,'' Leberman said. ``I can get anything in a few days' notice that way.''
Mike Dzembo of Poestenkill is one of the online dealers Leberman and LePage ask for help. Dzembo deals solely by computer on SportsNet and other online services and is arranging to get a World Wide Web site on the Internet to expand his home business.
``You can put an item out on a bulletin board and get bids and pick your best,'' said Dzembo.
``Three or four years ago, everything sold well. Now you have to have far-flung connections,'' said Dzembo, who has been dealing seriously for about six years. ``Years ago you needed connections to get stuff. Now you need connections to get rid of stuff.''
