Locations
A major part of trading is the community, and I don’t mean just the players I see at every event. Some of the people who are instrumental in keeping this community going are people you have probably never heard of, and that is what this series is all about: showcasing the people behind the scenes in the Magic financial community.
The first rendition of this article series had me interviewing a very well-known player in the financial world, Jon Medina, and though he had a lot of useful information, it was probably things you have heard before if you follow him on Facebook or Twitter.
This week, I want to present a far less recognizable—but equally important—member of the community. Carter Hatfield is a regular trade floor grinder in the mid-west who has his own eBay business and local shop scene. I was able to pick his brain about exactly what it takes to run a business while not necessarily being a retail location. I hope you enjoy this Q&A session as much as I did; I truly feel that Carter and other members of the community who are like him do not receive nearly enough recognition for keeping the cogs turning in this community.
I am a service focused dealer of Magic singles. I buy and sell cards, run an eBay business, and have a list of people I source cards for and provide them with singles for their decks.
What event caused you to start looking at this as a business?
Back in the early 2000s, a group of us in the area were getting into Vintage. I couldn’t really afford it, so I took to dealing on the side as a way of supplementing my income so I could afford Vintage. It kind of grew from there.
What did you do before you entered this market, and what has made you choose to stick with this?
I have done a lot of things; I was a financial planner back in the early 2000’s (got in right before 9/11—bad timing!), nightlife promoter, restaurant manager. I’ve been all over the place! I stick with this because I love this game, and this allows me to work my own hours and to work from home to see my family every day.
Has eBay been lucrative? Do you have any other outlets for cards?
eBay has been good to me! It requires a lot of work and a good working knowledge of prices—up to the minute—but it pays off. I also have a lot of people locally whom I source cards for, build decks for, and so on.
How do the fees and time factor into your cost when you are looking to pick up cards?
I have to factor fees into the price of things when I pick them up to ensure that my profit margin is right—or that I even have one! Time also factors into things—I can pay more for a card I know will sell in a couple of days than a card that will sit there for two months before it moves.
Have you had any terrible experiences with eBay?
In the past few years, less than 1% of my sales have had issues with cards “not showing up,” and this happens domestically as much as internationally. Back in 2006, when I quit and sold all of my Power 9, I learned a few hard lessons about shipping large-dollar items overseas.
I had a play set of foil Japanese altered Dark Rituals and a Time Walk that I shipped overseas to Italy. After three months, the package was returned to me with a nonexistent address. It seemed weird, but I contacted the buyer, he gave me a new address, and I shipped it. Two days later, I got a credit card chargeback. /face
Always be honest with people and treat them with respect. Making money on the side by trading or dealing is very different than doing it for a living. Your customers are your life; cherish them accordingly.
Do you play Magic as well; if so, what formats?
I play a lot of Legacy, and I enjoy Vintage and Commander as well. I also have an old-school, five-colored Highlander deck, but I only know a few people who still play that format.
What are your goals and aspirations moving forward? Is eBay the end, or are you looking to move onto bigger and better things?
eBay is fine. Very soon, I will be launching my own website (PerfectStormMTG.com), and this will be integrated with my eBay store and TCGplayer as well. I also just started sponsoring a team locally, so hopefully soon, they will start posting some results and getting our name out there.
Where do you see yourself in terms of Magic in five years?
That is hard to say. I hope to be in a brick and mortar somewhere in southwest Michigan—but honestly, selling on the Internet and to my expanding customer base in the area is just fine!
Do you have a family, wife, and kids? If so, how do you adjust to being tied up with Magic a lot of your time between events and the business? Do you have any words of advice for those looking to put more into Magic who have families?
I do! I have a wonderful girlfriend named Jessica, and we are raising three children—Juliana, Carter, and Trent. Sometimes, it is hard for them to understand why Daddy spends so much time in front of the computer, but they also remember what it was like when Daddy worked seventy hours a week an hour from home, and I think this is preferable.
Starting your own business isn’t for everyone, and it can put a strain on your family, so it is something you will want to discuss with your partner before you start it—and be honest with him or her about how much time it will take (all of the time).
Do you think what you do is a positive for the community? What do you have to say to all the naysayers who feel financial Magic hurts the community?
I do; I provide a service. That may be providing you the cards you need, getting you the cash you need, or allowing you to trade all that old, rotating Standard stuff into dual lands so you can finally play Legacy!
What is your favorite part about Magic and the community that comes with it?
The people by a long shot—I have met some of my best friends because of this game.
Always treat people with respect. Be upfront and honest about who you are and what you do. If you help people, it will pay dividends.
Anything you would like to say to the community in regards to your business, plugs, shout outs, or just general comments?
I would like to thank Aaron Katz for sending me his Pro Power when I have needed it the most, and of course, I couldn’t do it without the guys who help me with the store—George, Chris, Travis, and Deshaun
Well, you can find me on . . .
- eBay
- PerfectStormMTG
- Facebook – The business page!
Before we part I wanted to ask you, if you had to list the top eight best floor traders (in no particular order) who would they be? Would you be willing to pit yourself against these people as a gentleman’s competition for bragging rights?
I can’t honestly name eight floor traders off the top of my head—I don’t like to step on anyone’s toes—and as much as I’m always up for some friendly competition, I’m sure I wouldn’t stand a chance!
It was an honor to be able to interview Carter, and I truly hope people are beginning to realize how many people it truly takes to make the Magic financial world what it is today. Though it may not seem as though one person on eBay can make a difference, each person who lists and contributes to that sector provides players and collectors with more options while at the same time keeping the prices reasonable.
If you see Carter at a major event, sit down and trade with him; you may find that not only does he have what you need, but he can carry on an enjoyable conversation at the same time. Like anyone who has stuck around in this community, Carter isn’t looking to make insane value off any one trade, but he instead devotes his time and effort to turning a small profit from a multitude of trades and sales.
I hope you enjoyed this week’s edition of the financial section at Gathering Magic and will join me next week as I talk about a topic that has never even crossed my mind before a conversation I had this past week with Adam Styborski. I will be talking about bulk and buy listing, and how best to make a solid chunk of money from another man’s trash. Until then, I hope you enjoyed this interview, and feel free to send me any comments or feedback you may have.
Ryan Bushard
