Fred Schultz of Cyberzone Toys & Sports in Moreno Valley,
After reading Riley's opinion on minimum pricing, I agree 100% that there should be minimum pricing enforced by the manufacturer. We've been in the hobby business (brick/mortar store) for almost 10 years now, and I can tell you categorically that, without our loyal customer base, we would be out of business already. There are so many flea markets out there and so many 'basementbayers' (this is what I like to call the eBayers), that we really cannot compete as there is so little room for margin. However, the best thing that's ever happened to us was the route Upper Deck has taken wherein, if you do not have a brick and mortar store, you cannot buy or sell their products. You either have to purchase from Upper Deck directly or one of their distributors. The distributors will not sell to you unless you have a brick and mortar store. Hence, we've seen a decline in the new products being pre-sold or sold below suggested retail price.
Hopefully down the road, all the manufacturers get together and once and for all solve this industry problem before everyone goes down the drain, manufacturers included.
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