Category: Niko’s Soap Box

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Kardboard Fantasy

05/05

Ended up listing all of the Video Games, that we got at the Flea Market on eBay. You might ask why not just on the website? Well, we’ll be listing games that we personally like on the Kardboard Korner. We might be moving to Shopify soon, as that might be better for us in the near future.

Ran a sale on all the singles on the website. 20% off. Some of you got a great deal. Some of you missed out.

You’ll have to keep an eye out for the next sale. Or you can just subscribe to the newsletter and we’ll let you know when it will pop up.

05/06

Did a restock on Resurgence of Power, for TCG Player and eBay.

Since our Cinco de Mayo coupon did pretty good, we decided to add one more day to it. Didn’t do so great today.

We’re sponsors for the Fun Run that our kids go to school at. And we got our T-Shirts in today. These ones look better than last year’s shirts, and plus we have the Kardboard Korner logo on the back. Can’t go wrong with that.

05/07

It’s Wednesday, and that means we’re heading to the Flea Market, in hopes of finding our guy there. He was there today, but he had nothing for me. Just half of a Switch game pad. The blue side if you need to know. I left it there.

The Power Supply came in today, now let’s see if we can get this PlayStation 2 to work. I got a bunch of games that I need to test. Once this one is good, I’m going to start on the 3 Xboxs.

It turns on now, but I must have messed something else up.

05/08

It was the Fun Run today, we went to support our kids. Plenty of Coffee provided, so I was happy. I cheered on the kids and took off.

Found some PlayStation accessories while I was out sailing today.

05/09

City wide Garage Sales.

That’s our cue. Dropped the kids off to school and off we go. And, even though it said city wide there weren’t that many sales out there. All we managed to find was a Sully Talking Plush. Which was pretty cool, but not exactly what we needed. We still picked it up though.

As I was starting to head home, I saw a tiny sign, it’s a garage sale sign all right. Had a little trouble finding it. Once I got there, I walked all the way to the back of the driveway, and I see 2 people going through 2 bins full of Vintage Nintendo. I’m talking about Consoles and Games. You name it, it was in there. I just turned around and left. No point in sticking around there.

Now that sucked big time. I was a little pissed off, not at those two. They had every right to grab them all, I would have done the same. I was just pissed that I didn’t get there first. It’s all good though. They got it, as they should have.

Restock for From Nightmares on TCG Player and eBay.

05/10

First off let’s rewind a couple of days.

My son saw a Minecraft Nightlight that I had for sale for when I would go to shows. And, as every 6 year that would see it. He wanted it. Of course he asked for it and I said no. I told him that he can earn it. All he had to do was come work with me for a day or two. He agreed. I also told him that on Saturday he would have to wake up early so we can head out to the Flea Markets.

Today’s the day. I woke him up, and he got up so fast, he got ready in 5 minutes. I was surprised. He was ready to go. He kept asking what do I have to do?

I said just come along for the ride, maybe you’ll learn something.

It was a fun day with him, just cracking jokes in the car.

First Flea Market, we ended up with a couple of XBox 360s, a Dreamcast, Gameboy Color, PS2 Slim, an Ipod, a battery for an Ibook, and some games for these systems.

We were done with that one, and since it was still early, we decided to go to another one. We found one that was off of I-55 which said was open on Saturday. Turns out it was not. We turned around and headed towards another Flea Market, took us 20 minutes just to get a Parking Spot at the last one. You’d think that it would be a great one. But, we did not find anything there.

That was it for today, time to head home.

05/11

Sunday.

It was time to try and test everything that we picked up yesterday. Most of the Consoles had cables and everything, but some were missing a cable or a controller. So, we couldn’t test those.

Out of all the games that were in the package that we picked up yesterday, the only one really worth anything was Gran Theft Auto 2 Collector’s Edition for the original PlayStation. And, that one sold within the hour of listing it.

I might have to find a way to let you all know of the new items before they hit eBay.

Shop for Singles and more at our TCG Player Store!

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The Legend of Kardboard

04/28

Well the Toploaders came in, right as we were running out of our old stock. And, I was about to head on over to the local sports card shop to pick up a few. Sometimes time is on our side. Sometimes it’s not.

We also got a few new Full Arts that are now listed on the site, and some Tears of the Planet Singles that are on TCG Player.

04/29

Started the day off with restocking Opus XVI – Emissaries of Light.

Then I watched the Champion’s League game. Arsenal – PSG. I haven’t watched much soccer since 2013 and I wasn’t surprised that I didn’t know any players, but I still thought I’d know at least one person.

04/30

Wednesday, that means we’re heading to the Flea Market. Pretty much struck out today. The guy that told me to come back didn’t show up. All I ended up finding was a PS2 controller in ok condition. If it works, I can start testing PS2 games.

Turns out that something happened since the last time I turned it on. Didn’t want to start or nothing. Took it apart hoping that maybe something was off. Reached the Power Supply Board and I started smelling something burnt. Got to order one and hopefully it’ll be fine after that.

Decided that I should go through all of my old Consoles. I know that some just need cables, but others like all 3 Xboxs probably need a lot more work.

05/01

It’s raining again. Always on the days that I got Garage Sales to go to. That didn’t stop me though. I still took a drive around and actually found one. Nothing great but did grab a couple of CDs.

Bunch of Legends and Heroes added to TCG Player.

On the way home we found a rummage sale. I didn’t even know that it was going on. Of course I turned the car around and headed straight for it. And, of course as we’re walking in, we see someone walking out with a big Five Nights at Freddy’s Plush. This thing was huge. Not much else was there.

Ordered the Power Supply Board for the PS2. Fingers crossed it will work once I replace it.

05/02

We’re getting a small restock of Hidden Legends in today. They’re already up on the website, and they might be sold out by the time that you read this. There’s also some Final Fantasy VII Anniversary Art Museum Vol.1 and Vol.2.

Went sailing again. It’s almost like no one is having Garage Sales anymore, and the people that do, they want to charge eBay prices for everything.

05/03

Saturday means Flea Market and Garage Sales.

Got up really early today, thinking I’d beat the crowd. I did beat the crowd, and the vendors. I got there around 7:30 and everyone was still setting up. No time to waste, I started making my rounds, decided to walk around a few times looking for anything that would peak my interest. Didn’t find much the first time as everyone was still setting up.

Second time around, about the same.

Just found a Led Zeppelin cassette and a Wii U game-pad, which I needed. I started thinking that this Flea Market isn’t good on Saturdays. it was 2 hours and didn’t find much of anything. Started heading towards the exit, and I noticed a bunch of PS4 games that just made it on to a table. Crash Bandicoot 4, and CTR Nitro Fueled. ended up getting all of the games the gentleman had on the table.

Time to go. Nothing left to find here, other than Vendors selling they’re items at the prices that I would sell.

Off to the Garage Sales.

Drove around and found some. These are always hit or miss. Mostly miss. And sometimes you’re just a second too late. Drove up to one, and saw someone paying for a WWE folding chair from a show.

05/04

Decided to take a lazy day today.

Tested out all the games, made sure they worked, and got orders ready to be shipped out on Monday.

Shop for Singles and more at our TCG Player Store!

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Tales from the Board

04/21

I’ve been looking for Toploaders all morning. They’re out there, they just have gone up quite a bit with these tariffs. We might start looking into alternatives for shipping out cheaper cards.

Also did a restock for Opus XII Crystal Awakening on TCG Player and eBay.

04/22

Purchased Japanese Pokemon EX cards for the vending machine at the restaurant. These are a hit with the kids. 50 cents well spent in their eyes. People have started coming in just to get Pokemon cards, they easily spend 5 to 10 dollars at a time.

Started working on decks for Final Fantasy IV.

04/23

Tried going to the Flea Market this morning. It was rained out. I was hoping to catch my guy there where I got all the Pokemon games last time. Guess we’ll have to wait another week.

Managed to find some Final Fantasy VII Anniversary Art Museum Vol.1 and Vol.2. And also some Hidden Legends. No News on a restock for Tears of the Planet and Legacy Collection.

04/24

It was time for sailing, Garage Sales. Saw a Craigslist post, and I got excited. 15 family garage sale, all at one address. Dropped the kids off at school and headed straight over there. I should have known better. When they hype up the garage sale, that’s when there is mostly junk. Junk for me that is. But, it’s ok I did manage to find a 5 pound scale that I can use at another garage sale.

But, the morning still isn’t over. Still have some time before I have to get to my “real” job. There’s a Rummage Sale going on at a VFW. I got there I didn’t expect much, but sometimes you do find some good stuff. As I’m walking around, I see a gentleman starting to grab a lot of books, I take a closer look, cause curiosity gets the better of me, and he’s grabbing old Stephen King hardcovers. That could have been me if I got there 5 minutes earlier, which I would have, If I didn’t go to Lemont.

But, that’s how it is sometimes. You win some lose some. I did walk away with a Walking Dead figure.

Finished the TCG Player/eBay restock for Opus XIV Crystal Abyss.

04/25

Sailing again. Today wasn’t much better than yesterday, but I did manage to find an auto of Lou Brock. I don’t even know who that is. But, apparently this card is worth around $20. It’s on eBay if you want it.

After that we restocked Opus XV Crystal Dominion. Also added some Yu-Gi-Oh singles as well.

04/26

Nothing of importance today.

04/27

It’s Flea Market Sunday. Didn’t find much for inventory other than New Super Mario Bros Wii, and The Rock Brawlin’ Buddy. But, I did manage to find some things for the office. A tablet and a Chrome Desktop. Still need to figure out if they work or not, but it’s a cheap gamble. can’t go wrong with $15 for both.

Had the little ones with me, we probably walked a few miles going up and down every lane, checking out what each vendor had to offer.

The highlight at the Flea Market for them is always the Lemonade. You buy the cup, and every time you go back, you get to refill it for 3 bucks.

Shop for singles and more at our TCG Player Store!

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The Chronicles of Kardboard?

Yeah, we’re still working on that name.

04/15

Did a restock on Opus X. For TCG Player and eBay.

04/16

After I dropped the kids off at school, I decided to head straight to the Flea Market. I didn’t expect to find much, Wednesdays are usually not that great over there. And, I’m sure glad I did. Plenty of Video Games, Consoles, and Controllers.

Spent the rest of the day testing everything we picked up. And, started listing everything as well. I’d say we sold about 50% of it in the first 24 hours.

04/17

It’s Thursday, and it’s Spring, that means there should be garage sales out there! That means, I’m going sailing! But, there was only one problem. No Garage Sales in sight.

I drove around the usual route I would take. No Signs. Nothing. Just a barren wasteland, and signs for the local elections that happened about 2 weeks ago.

Had nothing much going on for the rest of the day, decided to take the kids to Bachelor’s Grove. It’s an old haunted cemetery. With the graves dating back to the 1800s. It’s a nice little walk and you get to take a glimpse at the history of the local communities.

04/18

Expired SEC.

Spent the morning with HostGator, trying to resolve the issue. They took care of it, so the site is back up. Well, of course it is. You’re reading this on the website.

After that, we restocked Opus XI on TCG Player and eBay.

04/19

Had my seven year old put together orders with me. I had her find the cards, put them in sleeves and toploaders, sign her name on the thank you note, and put the card in the envelope. Took us about five to ten minutes fro each card. But, she’s getting better at it.

04/20

It was Pascha (Greek Easter), we took the day off to cook food and spend time with our family.

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Back On Getting Side-Tracked

Now, where did we leave off?

We did get sidetracked with Tears of the Planet, and everything that came with it. But, now it seams like everything is back on track. For the most part. Running a business feels like it’s a train wreck waiting to happen. We just have to make sure that when things go wrong, we can steer that train back on the tracks. Hopefully we can avoid the wreck and go around it.

And, that’s what we have been doing for the last 6 and a half years.

6.5 Years?

It seems like yesterday.

We started off with an eBay store. I just checked the date too. Nov-26-2018.

It took us quite a while to get that first sale. But, it finally came, and slowly Kardboard Korner began to grow.

I don’t even know how I got to talking about the begining, but I remember that we had gone to the Flea Market, and found some Pokemon packs selling for a dollar. I thought to myself, how are they getting them so cheap that they can sell them for a dollar each. This was back when packs were going 3 for $10 at your local LGS.

Some of you might have already read this story before, and yes those packs were fake.

As you can see, we can get sidetracked pretty easily.

And, I just spent 2 hours looking at Japanese Vending Machines, trying to find a purveyor for Japanese stickers and cards. I’ve been meaning to change up the Sticker Machine at the store with something a little more unique. It seams like everywhere I go that has vending machines, it’s always the same stickers and tattoos that are in there.

Most of them aren’t even worth putting in. The only thing that really moves is the Pokemon card section. I could easily have put in a bunch of bulk, but I decided on Double Rares and anything unique that I can get for around a quarter. Luckily I managed to get a good deal on some Japanese EX cards, and those have people coming in just for the cards. I see people drop in 5 dollars at a time, trying to “Catch ‘Em All”.

Back on the Japanese stickers and cards, I haven’t found anyone selling them.

I’ll keep looking though.

Selling? kardboardkorner@gmail.com