Local Card Shops – Your most convenient option is to take your cards to a local collectibles or sports card shop to see what they will offer you. Most card shops buy collections and individual cards on a regular basis. They need to make a profit when reselling so will typically offer you 50-60% of what they think they can resell the cards for. This is a good quick option but you likely won’t get top dollar. Check online reviews and get quotes from multiple shops to compare offers.
Online Card Stores – Larger online retailers like Craigslist, eBay, and Amazon offer convenient ways to sell your cards online. On sites like eBay you can list individual cards or your entire collection via online auctions which reaches collectors worldwide. This opens your potential audience but you become responsible for packaging, shipping, and payment processing. Listings with clear photos and detailed descriptions tend to attract more interested buyers. You have a chance at a higher sale price than a local shop but it requires more effort on your part.
Sports Card Shows/Conventions – Periodically throughout the year, larger sports card and collectibles shows are held where dozens or even hundreds of dealers gather in one location to buy and sell. Taking your cards to a show allows you to get offers from multiple professional dealers in one trip. The dealers at shows are even more profit-driven than local shops so prices may be on the lower side. It’s good for moving bulk lots of common cards. Be sure to research upcoming shows in your area.
Direct to Collector Sales – For high-end vintage or star player rookie cards, your best option is marketing directly to avid collectors. Post your collection on baseball card collectible forums, Facebook groups, and subreddits to try and find interested collectors. Dealers are middlemen so going direct can often secure a much higher percentage of the current market value for your top cards. It takes effort to research values, wait for the right buyer, and facilitate the transaction yourself. This approach works best when you have true gem-mint graded vintage cards.
No matter the option, doing some research on current active market values for your cards’ conditions is critical to getting top dollar. Resources include websites that track recent eBay sales, Beckett Price Guides, auction records on PWCC Marketplace, and discussions with experienced collectors. Take the time to properly organize, store, and protect your cards until selling. A well-presented collection in quality holders is more desirable. Lastly, be sure any dealers, shops or buyers have a positive reputation. Getting the right price and a smooth transaction requires diligence on the seller’s part as the baseball card market continues to grow each year. Proper research and vetting of options will help you choose the best way to sell your collection.
