Online Marketplaces – Some of the largest and most popular options for selling cards online include eBay, Amazon, and COMC (CardSphere Online Market Center). eBay has been the biggest online marketplace for sports cards for many years, with millions of listings and buyers globally. Selling on eBay offers the chance to reach a huge potential audience but you’ll need to price cards competitively and pay listing and final value fees. Amazon has grown their sports card sales in recent years and offers sellers Prime visibility but they take larger fees compared to eBay. COMC is one of the largest online dealers and provides photography, grading, and sales services but they take a larger cut of sales compared to peer-to-peer sites like eBay.
card shops. This provides the advantage of being able to examine cards in person and avoid shipping costs and risks. Card shops need to make a profit when reselling cards so they typically offer sellers a lower percentage of the expected resale value compared to selling directly to another collector online. Still, shops provide a reliable cash offer locally without any listing or selling fees. Some of the largest national chains include Dave & Adam’s Card World, StarCollectibles,and Steel City Collectibles. For highest prices, seek out specialty card and memorabilia shops in major hobby hotbeds.
Auction Houses – Consignment with major auction houses like Goldin Auctions or Heritage Auctions provides the prestige of a “legit” dealer authentication and worldwide marketing. Auction houses take larger commissions (often 20% and up) and you’ll need valuable rare cards to earn an auction. You also lose direct control over pricing and have to wait for scheduled auction dates that may be months away. Auctions are best for one-of-a-kind rare vintage cards but usually not the best option for common modern cards.
Peer-to-Peer – Websites like Baseball Card Exchange, Trading Card DB, SportscardForums and Facebook trading groups allow collectors to buy and sell directly with each other. This provides the lowest seller fees and control over pricing but requires more effort to find buyers. You’ll need to describe items accurately, ship safely, and handle any post-sale issues yourself. Photos and measurement tools help establish trust. For common cards, peer-to-peer sites can result in the highest net profits with effort.
Conventions and Shows- Major hobby conventions like the National Sports Collectors Convention or regional shows provide an opportunity to meet collectors in person and potentially sell cards on site. Booth space usually has rental fees but you don’t pay any sales commissions. It takes time and money to transport inventory and staff a booth. Local shows are best for moving collectible volume whereas national conventions attract major buyers. Consider a show if you have a large existing collection to sell quickly.
Specialized Dealers – For valuable vintage cards graded PSA/BGS Gem Mint 10, consider consigning cards to or setting up a direct sale with an elite vintage sports card dealer. Top dealers have the auction house scale and relationships but take a larger commission. A dealer may pay a fair price upfront, albeit less than an eventual auction, to gain control of a true star item for resale into their marketplace.
Weighing your card volume, target prices, and willingness to market yourself will guide the best sales approach. Larger fees accompany more hands-off selling at shops/dealers versus direct peer-to-peer sites. Consider trial options to maximize profits based on your card inventory, timelines, and risk tolerance. With some research, you can choose the ideal sales outlets to move your collection and realize the best returns.
