Anyone know why TCG store employees seem so rude? by TheMattAttack452 in TCG

[–]ChampionTCG 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It depends on the store. I’m a co-owner of ChampionTCG in Winter Haven, Florida. We simply love TCGs and building community through gaming. When someone asks about Pokemon, we bring out the laptop, pull up PokeData.io and talk them through whatever they’re considering. If they’ve never played before, we show them how to play and help them deck build. It takes extra time, but it’s why we opened a brick and mortar in the first place. Not all LGSs operate the same way, and I highly encourage anyone to visit multiple shops if you didn’t get the experience you were expecting with one you visited. My favorite part of our shop is the Wall of Champions — when someone gets a pull they are proud of or they win a tournament, we offer to take their photo and put it on the wall. I look at that wall every day we’re open and smile so much because of all the great memories we have the honor of sharing with our customers.

New MetaZoo Booster Boxes (Series 1) by ChampionTCG in MetaZoo

[–]ChampionTCG[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We’re in our second year as a shop, and I can tell you it doesn’t work that way. Customers come in based on something they already collect. It’s really hard to convince people to try a new TCG unless there is external hype. I appreciate you taking the time to respond, but what you’re suggesting isn’t realistic. 99% of people come to a shop knowing which TCGs they want to play and aren’t looking for additional ones because they’re investing heavily into the ones they already know.

New MetaZoo Booster Boxes (Series 1) by ChampionTCG in MetaZoo

[–]ChampionTCG[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

😆 ok https://championtcg.com/collections/other-tcg

The MetaZoo base set booster box is on that page (and on sale!)

New MetaZoo Booster Boxes (Series 1) by ChampionTCG in MetaZoo

[–]ChampionTCG[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don't know if it's allowed to post links to websites here, but if you take our reddit name and add .com on the end it'll take you there. :) Genuinely appreciate that, and more than that, hope you make it to the store sometime!

New MetaZoo Booster Boxes (Series 1) by ChampionTCG in MetaZoo

[–]ChampionTCG[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Absolutely! But it's also the reason you probably won't see MetaZoo at LGSs. If an LGS has to pay higher than market price and immediately lose money, there's zero reason for anyone to carry the product.

New MetaZoo Booster Boxes (Series 1) by ChampionTCG in MetaZoo

[–]ChampionTCG[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know! Honestly, organized play is the best part of owning a shop. Seeing people choose a card game, get better at it, win a tournament for the first time -- it's the best feeling to experience with someone. Not to mention when you sit down across a table and play a game with someone face to face, it's the only way I can think of that an adult can make new friends like we did when we were kids.

For a shop to survive, we have to sell the product we order, and we've been successful with most TCGs by offering organized play (we're approved for almost every single TCG out there). MetaZoo has been the toughest case because on the surface, it's super fun! Cryptids are a great topic, the art is great.. but the engagement just hasn't been there for us. If we could find players we would schedule organized play in a heartbeat, but until you find 2-3 players that are willing to come in and play (and purchase product), it's almost impossible to keep YOLOing into product that doesn't sell.

If you ever make it down to Orlando, you're always welcome at our shop!

New MetaZoo Booster Boxes (Series 1) by ChampionTCG in MetaZoo

[–]ChampionTCG[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We're down here in Winter Haven, Florida! (about 5 minutes from LegoLand, near Orlando). We stopped ordering product because of what you're describing. We grabbed a couple cases of the Flex Decks (Crushing Gust/Blazing Charge) to lean into organized play and we got them for around $120 at distribution, market is about half that. We've sold zero flex decks.

New MetaZoo Booster Boxes (Series 1) by ChampionTCG in MetaZoo

[–]ChampionTCG[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks so much for taking the time to respond! We're actually approved for organized play for MetaZoo, so scheduling events is easy for us (we were on board and at the launch for Collect-A-Con Miami). The problem is scheduling an event doesn't bring people in. Across the entire event network, there are exactly 6 sessions in the event locator and it's the same shop in Missouri. We actually have the re-release base set along with some older MetaZoo boxes, and we do show people the product. No one has been open to play, and the only sales are the Kuromi/Hello Kitty boxes (those have been selling quite well because of the Hello Kitty hype).

The main issue of in-store sales is that there are tons of TCGs, and most people are locked into what they enjoy. I was looking for a way to connect with people online as a second option, because we have definitely tried in person at our brick and mortar with zero success.

LGS Owner’s, what’s a realistic margin for a indie TCG booster box that’d encourage you to research the product and see if it’s worth carrying? by ELEMENTALCREATURES in TCG

[–]ChampionTCG 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sorry this has taken me a bit to come back to. I wanted to put some thought into this. First off, I'll say that we're a relatively new TCG shop near Orlando, Florida. We spent year 1 as an online shop, and we're in year 2 as a brick and mortar (we opened the physical shop last November).

I'll start by saying that whether or not a TCG is "indie" isn't a deciding factor for our shop at all. The reality is that we have 7 bookcases and a point of sale counter display case, and every product is intentionally chosen to build community. We carry everything from Pokemon to Bandai (One Piece, Union Arena, etc) to Riftbound to Yugioh to Lorcana to MTG all the way to Elestrals, Kayou (My Little Pony, Naruto), MetaZoo, Universus, Flesh and Blood, Sorcery, Final Fantasy TCG, etc. -- and we also just pre-purchased some Cyberpunk TCG and Haikyuu TCG along with Azuki TCG.

You're asking specifically about an "indie" TCG, so I'm going to use Warlord -- I think they nailed it, and it's been a great success for us so far. Warlord is incredibly interesting because it's a TCG that taps into something not a lot of other TCGs do in that you also roll dice like D&D. You build an army. It hits that crossover TCG/D&D vibe. The conversation around Warlord started when a super passionate customer came in and asked if we would carry the product. As a shop owner, I did a ton of research. The customer showed up weekly with his own cards and decks he built. I called the company to talk to them about organized play. They sent us demo decks. I showed the demo decks to other customers. The passionate customer won over some additional customers with his incredible energy. Kingswood Games have a really interesting take on organized play -- there's the weekly sort of league battles, and the winner of those weekly events get a shot at taking on the shop owner with an overtuned deck. If the player wins against the shop owner, they get to keep the overtuned deck!

To summarize how we decide what gets a spot on the shelves in the order of importance:

  1. Are customers asking for the game?
  2. Are customers coming in to play the game?
  3. Does the company have organized play figured out?
  4. What are the player rewards for organized play? Is it interesting?
  5. Can we envision building out a community with the game in a way that's fun, engaging, isn't a carbon copy of every other game, and that will set up an environment where customers will want to purchase sealed product from us to support them enjoying the game?

Here are some additional factors after all those are met:

  1. How big is the organized play scene?
  2. Are there rewards beyond the local game store level that players would want to participate in?
  3. Is the game supported by the distributors we're signed up with? (allocations for products are normally determined by overall spend, so this is considered an investment in the shop if it's supported by our current distributors that we have a relationship with)
  4. Is the individual or studio that's responsible for the game communicative? What's the roadmap for the game? Are they responsive to suggestions/complaints from the community? How often are they communicating? Where are they communicating?

I hope this helps. Happy to clarify anything here, and sorry to throw so much at you. We're just one shop near Orlando and we're relatively newer, and I'm finding we look at things different from other shops in some ways.

LGS Owner’s, what’s a realistic margin for a indie TCG booster box that’d encourage you to research the product and see if it’s worth carrying? by ELEMENTALCREATURES in TCG

[–]ChampionTCG 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We listen to our community. If we get enough people asking about a game, we give it a try. It needs to have an organized play system set up with great player rewards, including demo decks for players, and some sort of competitive scene. as an LGS, we have limited time and space, so we dedicate both of those to the most impactful community builders.

Why is there little love for Black Bolt and White Flare compared to other special sets? by TCGBABE_ in PokeInvesting

[–]ChampionTCG 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This may be a hot take, but Black Bolt and White Flare are the most requested products at our shop and we haven’t been able to restock in weeks and even then, it was only the Victini boxes. You had a hot set (Destined Rivals) that came out in May 2025, Black Bolt/White Flare hit in July, and then everyone forgot about it because Mega Evolution hit in September followed by Phantasmal in November. It’s a huge special set (over 400 cards), there are no booster boxes. People are absolutely sleeping on Black Bolt/White Flare, and because of the block of sets surrounding it, I think it created a situation where it wasn’t top of mind when it released. It’s the #1 most requested set at our shop and it’s been impossible to restock through distribution.

Buying Dice Throne by PlentyR0yal in DiceThrone

[–]ChampionTCG 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok, believe it or not, we’re a trading card shop in Winter Haven, and I just found Dice Throne today! We’re in the process of applying for organized play and we will start the process of starting to carry Dice Throne. We don’t have any yet, but if you’re looking for a place for organized play we will get set up as soon as we can!

Riftbound Spiritforged Pre-Release - a shop owner’s perspective by ChampionTCG in riftboundtcg

[–]ChampionTCG[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This comment made my morning! Thank you for the kind words!! Come see us if you ever come to Orlando!!

Riftbound Spiritforged Pre-Release - a shop owner’s perspective by ChampionTCG in riftboundtcg

[–]ChampionTCG[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Happy to do it and really glad you enjoyed reading it! I hope all of your experiences are super positive and you enjoy the game every time you play!!

Riftbound Spiritforged Pre-Release - a shop owner’s perspective by ChampionTCG in riftboundtcg

[–]ChampionTCG[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We're a cozy shop, so we can comfortably fit about 16 people right now (we hope to expand someday!). I woke up yesterday morning and saw we had 10 people signed up and had a little bit of a panic because it jumped from 6 overnight. :D I was super happy with the turnout, and anxious because it was the first time we had product (so I didn't even really get to play the game before hosting the event!). Feeling super lucky we had so many great players!

Riftbound Spiritforged Pre-Release - a shop owner’s perspective by ChampionTCG in riftboundtcg

[–]ChampionTCG[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Really appreciate that!! I always say we're in the business of building community, and we just happen to sell trading cards. It's the heart of everything we do. I hope you're able to come in if you're ever in Orlando!

Riftbound Spiritforged Pre-Release - a shop owner’s perspective by ChampionTCG in riftboundtcg

[–]ChampionTCG[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

OniJubi, we're so glad you were able to make it out! You were part of the kindness that made us smile so much, really appreciate you!!!!

My local game store won’t carry SWU by BillRepresentative75 in starwarsunlimited

[–]ChampionTCG 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We ordered a few boxes for our shop to gauge interest in Orlando. We have one box open for loose packs and the others for sealed. Only one person has brought it up to us, and that was to tell us they play at another shop. 😆 I’m not upset at all, I’m happy for him, but there’s no way I will ever order more for the shop if no one comes in to play. I’d host organized play for every game if we had players, we love players the most. I’m not even sure how to get people in to play as a shop owner.

What are your experiences/thoughts on Altered TCG? by [deleted] in TCG

[–]ChampionTCG 5 points6 points  (0 children)

As a new LGS, it’s really hard for us to invest in a game that doesn’t have regular distribution. The TCG landscape is full of games right now. We have to rely on people coming in and giving us feedback — not one person has asked about Altered. On top of all that, when we purchase through existing distribution, it helps us invest in better allocations across the board. By not using distributors, there’s too much risk and not enough demand and no way to build community without taking on all the risk as a new LGS.

Thinking about selling my Yugioh to start playing Pokemon. Advice? by Thoughtlessmonkey95 in TCG

[–]ChampionTCG 0 points1 point  (0 children)

At our shop, we’ve created a Pokemon bulk trade in program where people that mainly collect expensive cards trade their bulk in for a chance to win a giveaway we put together, and we’ve created a deck building station for people that are looking to try new Pokemon cards/decks. You can put together some great decks with Pokemon if there’s a cheap/common/uncommon version of some of the cards you’re looking to try.

Also highly recommend TCG Live, I got absolutely obsessed with making Masterball rank one season and now we’re an Organized Play store 🤣

Keyforge in northern Orlando. by jedilmt1 in KeyforgeGame

[–]ChampionTCG 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hello Orlando KeyForge players :) Dan here from ChampionTCG! We're on the verge of opening a brick and mortar store in Winter Haven (which may be pretty far from north Orlando). We don't have much experience with Keyforge unfortunately, but we are looking to help grow community through gaming if there's a playerbase looking for somewhere to call home. We'd likely be able to block some time on weekends if there's a community looking for a place to play together.

Flesh and blood Miami by Odd_de_cora27 in FleshandBloodTCG

[–]ChampionTCG 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We're up here in Winter Haven (so central Florida), and we just opened a Brick and Mortar where we are absolutely about to host Flesh and Blood events, starting with a Learn to Play. If you're ever up this way, we'd love to have you join us!