When it comes to selling gaming merchandise of all kinds, you want to get as many advantages as possible. One of the best opportunities for a TCGplayer seller is registering as a Certified Hobby Shop. What Is a Certified Hobby Shop?

A Certified Hobby Shop is a seller that has received official verification from TCGplayer. Certified shops are recognized as licensed resellers of gaming merchandise, and they have a storefront location. A Certified Hobby Shop receives the black canopy icon on our marketplace, letting prospective buyers know that they are buying from a brick and mortar game store. Our data shows that a buyer is more likely to purchase from a Certified Hobby Shop. 


Certified Hobby Shop Advantages

While the largest advantage may be the increase in buyer confidence, resulting in more sales for you overall, there are several other great benefits to becoming a Certified Hobby Shop. Among these advantages, one of the best for your bottom line is the ability to offer presales to prospective buyers.

As long as you meet the following criteria, you’ll be able to start selling products ASAP:

  • You are a Certified Hobby Shop*
  • Made 300 or more sales within the last 90 days
  • Have 99.5% or better Feedback Rating for 30/90/365 day evaluations
  • Respond to all Buyer Messages in under 2 days

These numbers are reevaluated during a 90 day period. Also, keep in mind that you have to opt in to presales, must agree to our terms of service, and all presale payments can only be processed once the product has been officially released. 

*Please note, if your store was recently approved for the Certified Hobby Shop program it will take up to 24 hours for the Presale eligibility check mark to appear on your account, assuming you meet all of the qualifications listed above.


How to Become a Certified Hobby Shop

Signing your shop up to get certified is as easy as a few clicks. To become a Certified Hobby Shop, just click on our chatbot and type in “CHS,” then be prepared to supply the following:

  • Your seller name on TCGplayer
  • Your physical store name
  • The store owner’s full name
  • A picture of the front of your store with signage (one image)
  • The state your store is located in
  • A picture of the interior of your store (one image)*  
  • How you learned about the Certified Hobby Shop program

*Make sure that interior images obscure the faces of customers or staff members, unless you have express written permission from those individuals to use them in promotional content.