The questions below are the ones that come in most often, grouped into using the directory, listing or correcting a shop, and getting started as a collector. They are written against how this site actually works rather than in general terms, so where an answer gives a number it is the number the directory currently holds: 6,844 listings across 50 states and 3,100 cities, 4,499 of them independent shops and 2,345 national chain locations.
Two things this FAQ cannot answer are worth saying up front. It cannot tell you what any shop has in stock — the dataset behind the site holds names, addresses, categories, contact fields, hours and Google ratings, and no inventory, pricing or event data at all. And it cannot promise a listing is current: the snapshot is dated , individual records carry no per-listing verification date, and shops close, move and change their hours between refreshes. Calling ahead is not a disclaimer here, it is the actual advice.
If an answer below points at a page, the page is the fuller version: About covers sourcing, what gets removed from the directory and how the rankings are computed; Contact is the route for a correction or a takedown; and the guides cover collecting and selling at more length than a Q&A can. Anything not covered anywhere, send to admin@cardshophub.com and we will either answer it or add it here.
Using the Directory
How do I find a card shop near me?
Use the search bar on the homepage to search by city, state, or shop name. You can also browse by state from the States page, then drill down to specific cities, or use the Find Shops Near Me page for geolocation-based results.
What's the difference between TCG and Sports Card shops?
They are directory categories, not stock checks. TCG means trading card games (Magic, Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh!); Sports means baseball, basketball, football and hockey. A 'Both' listing counts under each.
How do I filter shops by category?
Use the category buttons (TCG, Sports, Both) on browse pages to narrow results. You can combine this with a search for more specific results.
Are the shop hours accurate?
We do our best to keep information current, but hours can change. We recommend calling ahead or checking the shop's website before visiting.
Shop Owners
How do I add my shop to the directory?
Visit our Submit Shop page and fill out the form with your shop's information. We read every submission and add shops once we can verify them.
How do I update my shop's information?
Email admin@cardshophub.com to request changes. Include your shop name and the specific information that needs updating.
Is there a cost to be listed?
No, listing in Card Shop Hub is completely free.
Can you build a website for my shop?
Yes. We build websites for card shops and then hand over the keys: the domain is registered in your name, and every file and login is transferred to you when the build is done. You own the site and you run it, and there is no monthly bill. See the For Shop Owners page at /website-services for what's involved and a sample shop site you can click through. It is a separate paid service and it has no effect on your free directory listing or your ranking.
Collecting Basics
What's the best way to start collecting?
Read our beginner's guide at /guides/start-collecting. It covers budgeting, storage, what to buy first, and how to find a local shop.
How do I sell my cards?
See our complete guide at /guides/sell-sports-cards covering pricing, where to sell, and when to grade.
How do I avoid fake Pokemon cards?
Buy from a trusted local shop. Our guide at /guides/pokemon-card-shops covers the signs of fake cards and how to spot them.