Selling baseball cards online can be a great way to make some extra cash from your collection. With so many different marketplaces and auction sites on the internet, it can be difficult to determine the best place to sell your cards. In this article, we will explore some of the top options for selling baseball cards online and provide tips on how to get the best prices.
One of the most popular and established sites for selling sports cards and memorabilia is eBay. With millions of active buyers, eBay gives you access to a huge potential customer base. As the world’s largest online marketplace, eBay has built up a high level of trust with buyers over the past few decades. Selling on eBay is also very straightforward – you just need to create a listing with photos and a detailed description of the card or cards you want to sell. Be sure to research recently sold prices for comparable cards to help price your items competitively. eBay takes a final value fee that is usually around 10% of the final sale price.
While eBay is great for exposure, their fees can eat into your profits on lower priced cards. For common or lower value cards, a site like COMC (Cardboard Connection) may be a better option. COMC is one of the largest online marketplaces that specializes exclusively in trading cards. They have a huge database of buyers actively looking for specific cards to complete sets. With COMC, you send your cards to them and they professionally photograph, describe, and list them for sale on their site. They take a smaller flat commission rate per card sold rather than a percentage. This makes them more cost effective for selling cards priced under $10-20 individually compared to eBay. COMC also pays you monthly for any cards that sell rather than making you wait for an auction to end.
Another excellent option for selling baseball cards is through Facebook groups dedicated to the hobby. There are many large groups with 10,000s of members actively buying and selling cards. The benefit of Facebook groups is you can often get top dollar for your cards since serious collectors frequent these communities. You’ll need to post high quality photos of your cards along with descriptions and be prepared to ship promptly. The downside is there is no site taking a cut, so you are responsible for transactions, shipping, and handling potential issues. Stick to trusted groups with administrators to help mediate any disputes.
For rare and high-end cards that could sell for hundreds or thousands, your best bet may be a dedicated sports card auction house. Two of the biggest names in the industry are PWCC Marketplace and Goldin Auctions. Both run traditional English-style auctions as well as “buy it now” fixed price listings. While the fees tend to be higher than eBay at 15% or more, auction houses offer the credibility and trust of established businesses that serious collectors demand. They also have buyer/seller insurance policies to protect expensive transactions. Marketing and promotion from the auction house can help maximize prices as well. Just be prepared to ship priority overnight for expensive sales.
Whichever site you choose to sell on, there are some tips that can help maximize your profits:
Make sure any expensive or rare cards you sell are professionally graded by companies like PSA or BGS. Third party grading adds credibility and assurance of condition for buyers.
Take clear, well-lit photos showcasing the front and back of each card from all angles. Photos are key to selling online.
Provide a detailed description of the card including any flaws, the grade if applicable, and relevant information about the player/set.
Check recently sold prices on the site or through platforms like eBay’s “Sold Listings” to appropriately price your cards competitively.
Package cards securely in a rigid case or toploader within a bubble mailer or box with tracking. Buyers want to know their purchase arrived safely.
Respond promptly to any questions from potential buyers. Communication builds trust for a sale.
With some research into the best platforms and applying these selling tips, you can maximize the returns from your baseball card collection and make some nice extra income in the process. Selling online opens your cards up to a huge potential buyer base worldwide. By picking reputable sites and services, you can feel secure selling even your rarest and most valuable cards.
