About Us

Welcome to Riptide Collectibles 🌊 — your premier online destination for sports cards, trading card games, and unique memorabilia.

Based next to North Topsail Island, North Carolina, we bring over 10 years of experience in the hobby to collectors across the country. After a brief hiatus, we’re back stronger than ever as Riptide Collectibles, combining our deep roots in the industry with fresh energy and an even stronger commitment to the community.

We specialize in:

• Factory-sealed hobby and booster boxes
• Graded singles and raw cards
• Sports memorabilia
• Popular TCG products including Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Magic: The Gathering
• Premium hobby supplies

Whether you’re a seasoned veteran chasing rare hits and building competitive decks, or just beginning your collecting journey, we’re here to help. We source every product through legitimate, authorized channels and stand behind 100% authenticity with every order.

At Riptide Collectibles, we’re passionate about more than just selling cards — we’re building a community. That means:

• Competitive pricing
• Fast & reliable shipping
• High-energy live shows (join us every Tuesday & Saturday night!)
• Honest communication and expert advice
• A genuine love for the hobby that drives everything we do

Thank you for choosing Riptide Collectibles. We can’t wait to help you grow your collection and share in the excitement of the hobby

Our Story

 

Riptide Collectibles  represents the next exciting chapter in a journey that began in 2017. What started as JT’s Sports Cards & Collectibles in a tiny 400 sq ft storefront in Loves Park, Illinois, grew into a thriving multi-location business through dedication, resilience, and customer support.

From humble beginnings with limited inventory and very little starting capital, we built strong relationships with distributors, launched our first website, introduced popular "Pick-A-Pack" breaks, and hosted live shows.

At our peak, we operated two stores, employed a dedicated team, and created a vibrant community around the hobby we love. Though industry challenges in 2022 led us to sell the property and take a step back, the passion never faded.

In late 2025, we returned to the hobby with renewed energy and a fresh perspective. We've rebranded as Riptide Collectibles and are now based in the beautiful coastal town of Sneads Ferry, North Carolina — part of the Topsail area along the Crystal Coast. We're applying everything we've learned over the past nine years to build something even better

What We Stand For

• Authenticity First — Every product we offer is sourced through legitimate, authorized distribution channels. We stand behind the authenticity of everything we sell.

• Customer Obsessed — Our collectors are the heart of this business. We pride ourselves on fair pricing, fast shipping, clear communication, and building long-term relationships.

• Community Driven: — We believe collecting is more fun together. That's why we host high-energy live breaks, group events, and create spaces where collectors can connect.

• Smart & Sustainable Growth: — We've learned from the challenges of the industry. Today, we're more focused, selective with inventory, and committed to steady, responsible growth.

Meet the Crew

Justin - From a young age through his mid-20s, he was an avid collector of sports cards. His passion for the hobby was rekindled in 2015 when Trysha encouraged him to purchase a large sports card collection from a neighbor. Shortly beforehand, a hand injury provided him with significant free time. He invested hundreds of hours meticulously pricing the collection, working both independently and alongside Trysha. This experience sparked his desire to own a card shop. Just two years later, he became full-time operator of a thriving card shop. 

Today, Justin is the owner and operator of Riptide Collectibles, successfully running the online business at riptidecollectibles.com. He also serves as the host of Riptide’s live shows, where he engages with collectors through interactive content, and community-focused events.

Trysha - She has been passionate about sports both as a participant and a dedicated fan since childhood. Her interest in sports cards was ignited in 2015 when she and Justin purchased a large collection. She dedicated many hours to researching and mastering card values and pricing. Throughout the brick-and-mortar years of the business, she maintained a successful full-time career, which limited her day-to-day involvement—much to her disappointment. Trysha continues to play an essential role in Riptide’s live shows, and they simply could not happen without her assistance.

Today, Trysha is a full-time mother to a lively toddler. Despite her busy schedule, she remains essential to the ongoing success of Riptide Collectibles. She expertly manages the backend operations of the live shows — processing orders, resolving issues, and ensuring everything runs smoothly. She also lends a hand with shipping whenever she is able.

Justin & Trysha  turned their passion into a business in 2017. After navigating the highs and lows of the hobby industry, they're back with Riptide Collectibles — smarter, more experienced, and more excited than ever to serve the collecting community. 

Here’s to many more years of chasing cards, building collections, and enjoying this amazing hobby together.