CARDIACS Sports & Memorabilia — Local services in Apex

This is a lengthy review for locals and out of towners.

Things I like about the shop:

The shop (both the original and the Charlotte location) are extremely clean and instantly makes you want to look around. It's also very organized and they even sell beauty products for your significant other (candles, soaps, etc). As being a recently new local, I've been in this shop countless times and have gotten to know the owners and some of the staff. All are always engaging, friendly, transparent, and willing to talk hobby. Seth is the main reason I come back because when I first moved here from the DMV area, he was the first person to welcome me into the shop and genuinely chat me up. My original hometown doesn't have any shops or many card shows, so this was a breath of hobby fresh air to find Cardiacs. I am a long time collector, as well as a breaker of 6 years. I sell a lot of cards at once and they always tell me upfront (what they are looking to buy at that time, how much they will consistently offer and may bargain with you more for a good lot, and will take the time to comp the cards out with you). They have tons of TVs to watch live sports events and encourage you to come to the shop to watch. The Owners and staff are incredibly nice and engaging. The sports side of the shop is my focus and both Seth & Jon always take good care of me. Have a great time chatting with them and they know me by name. Their knowledge in the hobby is very high and they have a good setup at local card shows. Believe it or not...not all shops are capable of streaming and they've been streaming on Twitch and Instagram Live. They are very responsive on social media. Sports, they use all the modern comping tools to give a fair and accurate value to what you're selling, as well as any offers on what you may be interested in buying. They have a ton of tables to sit down and/or rip the wax products you just purchased. They have a large selection of bargain boxes for Sports. They are connected with the Shopify app, so you can purchase a vast variety of supplies, wax, and fan gear from their website. The Shopify app also allows you to use your cash back rewards on your future Cardiacs orders (only through the Shopify App).

Things They Can Improve Upon:

Their Sports Box Prices Used To Be Somewhat higher, but have recently been more in tune with hobby market prices. They will have great deals, but would like to see it more often...even if it's for a limited time promo.

They typically require booking online for appointments to sell your cards. I only ever sell to Seth or Jon, but eventually would like to feel like I can trust all of their staff to make me the same fair offers on my cards.

They typically offer 70% cash, but that can fluctuate on what you bring in. Again, I personally only sell to Seth or Jon and can't speak on if this is what all their friendly buying staff will offer. In the future, I would love to see them post more update buying lists again. That's always helpful.

All in all no shop is perfect, but I personally have a great time coming to this shop and it definitely earns 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. Highly recommend asking for Seth or Jon, just to meet them and build a hobby connection worth having these days. Hope this helps everyone looking to buy...

Here's what everyone needs to understand about this business. I had recently gotten back into the hobby and went up there to purchase a box of 2012 bowman. I paid $120. Upon coming home and doing a little research I found out that this same box was selling online for about $65 online. Although it was my fault for not doing my research and outright trusting them, I paid almost double. I felt like an idiot. A couple of months later Cardiacs sent out an email blast (that I had signed up for) stressing support your local shops. I replied with my story and how I understood that they have an overhead, etc, but that I felt taken advantage of. I did not receive a reply but instead was just taken off of their mailing list as I have not received an email blast from them since. This annoyed me as I couldn't believe that they wouldn't address the concerns of a paying local customer who has spent well earned money in their shop, which is what their blast that I replied to was aiming for. Fast forward to tonight. I found myself in the Cary mall, where they have set up shop for the holiday. I had a couple of beers at Dave and Busters with my girlfriend and one of her friends previous to going Christmas shopping. Upon leaving D&B I walked right past their shop. Seeing one of the owners in there I decided to go in and address my concerns as a customer who has spent a couple of hundred in their store. I presented my case exactly as I have here. I also pointed out the fact that they are selling Duke Snider and Bob Feller autographed baseballs for $200. Both of these men signed everything put in front of their face up until the day they died, usually for free. They are hardly rare and have a retail price of $20-$30. Jay Dudley, one of the owners, refused to address anything I presented, threatening to call the police (of which he is one), even picking up the phone and at least acting to dial while telling me that I was trespassing. I asked if I had done anything wrong or disrespectful other than ask a business owner that I support about my concerns as a customer. He said that he would not speak to me and was only "asking me to leave" because he smelled alcohol on my breath, only offering to address me in an email later. I am typing this about an hour later, does this seem like the rantings of a drunk madman or a customer that was refused to be spoken to about his concerns involving a business that is charging outrageous prices and ripping off the public at large, many of whom are probably unaware about how much they are being taken for? This experience was very eye opening to the fact of how much they appreciate your support of their business, he would not even answer any of my questions and at least pretended to call the cops instead. Moral of the story is, this business does not care about you as a customer, unless you silently enjoy paying way more than is fair. I wonder why hobby shops are...

Update /w Response for Owner Reply

There’s no reason to be selling products at inflated market value when they’re still actively in print. For example, both Prismatic and Journey can still be found at MSRP from other retailers. While pricing above MSRP may be understandable for out-of-print products, applying those same markups to new releases—especially ones confirmed to be printed for the next two years—feels like price gouging.

In fact, your prices are even higher than Triangle Card Store, which is already known for its poor pricing practices. That leaves customers to assume one of two things—neither of which are good:

You've lost access to your distributor and are now sourcing from resellers (a questionable business move).

You still have your distributor but have become overly focused on profit margins (an even worse message to send loyal customers).

When Prismatic launched, you had a great thing going—fair prices, even if slightly above MSRP, and strong community support. But based on the unsold inventory I saw recently, it seems fewer people are buying now, likely realizing they have better options elsewhere.

Remember: you need your customers—but for currently available products, customers don’t necessarily need you. If this pricing strategy continues, I’d honestly prefer you stop selling Pokémon TCG entirely and focus on your sports card offerings instead.

Original Review:

Im so disappointed on this store I couldn't believe the new low score reviews still decided to visit. I became a frequent buyer visiting at least once or twice a week always leaving with something.

They had a very good practice selling pokemon ETB's and other products for close to MSRP unsealed, that was great but now they abusing the system. I hope customers learn this is not right and buy less from the store till they decide to go back. If that happens I gladly change my review score.

If their a new release of pokemon series on Friday and by Monday you still have stuff that is horrible sign that not worth buying from here. They are multiple ways to get the stuff at MSRP. The market value of this new products is not stable and going down people should never buy at those prices unless is a old series that not printed anymore. Can guarantee this will cause reduction of visitors.

I may continue visiting even leaving empty handed hoping they go back to the how was before. Even Triangle Card Store was selling Booster Boxes for...