Author Archives: Kevin Brexit

WHERE DO I GO TO GET BASEBALL CARDS GRADED

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The major companies that provide grading services for baseball cards are Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), Beckett Grading Services (BGS), and Sportscard Guaranty Corporation (SGC). These companies have established reputations for expertise, consistency, and integrity in the industry.

To get a card(s) graded, you will need to package it properly to ensure it arrives safely and create an account on the grading company’s website. Most accept submissions by mail. When creating the account, be sure to provide accurate contact information as this is how the graded cards will be returned to you.

Next, you need to research the submission tiers and options being offered. Many grading companies have different levels of service – standard, economy, express, etc. that vary in turnaround times and costs. PSA offers various tiers from 48-hour express to 90-day standard. Choosing the right service depends on your budget and timeline needs.

The submission tiers generally require you to indicate the desired grade level, quantity of cards, and often have minimum value thresholds. Express services tend to have higher minimum values of $500-$1000. Read all submission guidelines carefully.

Your cards need to be packed securely inside submission slabs, toploaders or other approved holders. Use acrylic safety sheets between stacked cards to prevent scratches. Place the holders inside a shipping box with ample packing material like bubble wrap or air pillows to avoid damage during transit.

Clearly write your name, submission number and grade level on the outside of the box. Be sure to include a printed shipping label and any paperwork showing cost of service selected. I’d suggest registering valuable submissions for insurance as well.

Once received, the trained graders at the company will carefully examine each card under precise lighting and magnification based on established standards. Factors considered include centering, corners, edges and surface for any flaws or imperfections that could affect the final numeric grade.

After the grading process, the qualified staff will encapsulate qualifying cards in tamper-evident plastic holders that securely display the card and grade. This protects the card and allows potential buyers to clearly see its condition and authenticity.

Graded cards are then returned to you, typically within the stated turnaround window. With express services, some companies offer email notification when the cards ship back. Upon receipt, inspect the holders for any damage during return transit before considering reselling.

Getting vintage or valuable baseball cards graded can significantly increase their collectible value and liquidity in the marketplace. The certification and numeric condition grade provide buyers confidence in the card’s authenticity and quality. Following the submission guidelines of the top authentication companies helps ensure your prized cards receive the respected evaluation they deserve. I hope this detailed overview provides helpful information on the baseball card grading process.

WHAT 1983 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS ARE WORTH MONEY

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One of the most valuable 1983 Topps baseball cards is the Ryne Sandberg rookie card. Sandberg went on to have a Hall of Fame career playing his entire career with the Chicago Cubs from 1981 to 1997. He won the National League MVP award in 1984 and was a 10-time All-Star and 9-time Gold Glove winner. In pristine mint condition, Sandberg’s rookie card can be worth over $1000. Even well-worn copy in played condition may fetch $50-100 due to its iconic status as one of the best second basemen ever’s first card issued.

Another valuable rookie from the ’83 set is Garry Templeton of the St. Louis Cardinals. Templeton made six All-Star teams in his career and won a Silver Slugger award in 1980. As a shortstop who hit for both power and average in his prime, Templeton’s rookie in gem mint condition could command $300-500. More typically graded copies sell in the $75-150 range.

Staying with rookie shortstops, the Ozzie Smith card is also highly sought after by collectors. “The Wizard” played 19 years for the Cardinals and Padres and revolutionized defensive excellence at shortstop, winning 13 Gold Gloves. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2002. An unfathomably mint Smith rookie could be worth thousands, but condition-graded copies usually sell between $150-350 depending on overall look and centering quality. Even low-grade versions still attract $20-50.

Seattle Mariners outfielder Mickey Brantley’s rookie card stands out as one of the most valuable “common” cards from the 1983 set in top condition. Brantley hit 31 career home runs over seven seasons but never quite lived up to his potential. Still, his card in pristine mint condition with sharp corners and centering can sell for $150-250 because it was undershipped and undercollected compared to other rookies at the time.

Staying in the Mariners organization, a Cal Ripken Jr. rookie card serially numbered to 487 copies makes for one of the rarest cards from the ‘83 set. Ripken would go on to break Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games played record and cement his Hall of Fame career primarily with the Baltimore Orioles. In impeccable condition, this Ripken rookie parallel holds value around $500-1000 due to its limited print run. Non-serial copies still bring $50-150 based on grading.

Moving further down the rarity scale but maintaining high collector interest, the Darryl Strawberry rookie card ranks among the most iconic commons from the 1983 Topps issue. Strawberry played seventeen seasons with six teams but made his biggest impact with the New York Mets, winning Rookie of the Year in 1983. Even well-worn ungradable examples can sell for $25-50. Pristine near-mint to mint versions command $150-300 given his stature and popularity as one of baseball’s most talented yet troubled stars.

While not technically a rookie card, Mike Schmidt’s card featuring his 1982 stats is notable as one of his lower printed cards early in his Hall of Fame career. Schmidt slugged his way to three MVPs and continues to hold the record for most home runs by a third baseman. Mint copies regularly appraise for $125-250, with significantly played versions seeing $15-50 in sales depending on the extent of wear.

Steve Carlton’s card isn’t particularly rare from a print run standpoint, but holds value recognition for his Hall of Fame career and status as one of the best lefties ever. “Lefty” won four Cy Young awards between 1972-1982. Respectable near-mint to mint condition copies sell within the $50-100 range.

One of the more visually striking cards featuring an action pose is that of Dodgers ace Fernando Valenzuela. “Fernando-Mania” took the nation by storm in 1981 when he won Rookie of the Year and Cy Young honors. His card is iconic representing Dodger fandom during that era. Issue price grade and centered NM/MT copies will sell around $40-80.

Rare error cards or test prints that include additional images or text variations on the front can increase values significantly if proven authentic. One such example is the 1983 Topps Cal Ripken error card showing an upside-down image that has sold for over $1000 in the past. Other scarce test prints depicting Don Mattingly or Ozzie Smith could command $400-600 to serious ‘83 Topps collectors.

Highly rated rookies, Hall of Famers, and popular players from 1983 in pristine near-mint to gem mint 10 condition can be worth $50-300. Common stars in respectable 8-9 grade sell in the $10-50 range depending on the name. But condition is absolutely critical, with well-loved copies often topping out around $5 even for big stars. The 1983 Topps set remains a classic and highly collectible vintage issue with cards that hold value based on player pedigree, scarcity and preservation. With care and research, discerning collectors can find affordable gems and potentially lucrative long-term investments in this beloved release.

ARE ANY 1988 DONRUSS BASEBALL CARDS WORTH ANYTHING

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The 1988 Donruss baseball set is considered one of the most iconic and collector friendly issues from the late 1980s. While it may not contain any true gem mint rookie cards of future Hall of Famers, there are several stars featured that make certain cards hold value even today. To determine if 1988 Donruss cards are worth keeping, selling, or investing in, we need to look at a few key factors:

Population and Condition: Donruss printed extremely high numbers of cards in the late 80s, so almost any regular base card from 1988 can be found in circulation. This keeps prices relatively low compared to rarer sets from the same time period. Condition is critical – even heavily played or worn copies of common players have very little worth. To have any sale value, 1988 Donruss cards need to grade at least Near Mint or higher. Get them professionally graded by PSA or BGS if possible.

Star Players and Rookies: While they may lack true rookie debuts of future icons, 1988 Donruss does feature several established stars who drove interest in the set at the time of release and maintain appeal as vintage collector pieces today. Ken Griffey Jr. and Frank Thomas cards from the set remain popular even in lower grades. Mark Grace, Will Clark, and Ozzie Smith are other position players whose high finish cards still trade hands. On the pitching side, Roger Clemens, Dwight Gooden, and Orel Hershiser see steady demand. rookie cards for Jeff Bagwell and John Smoltz also hold value despite not being true rookie seasons.

Parallels and Inserts: Beyond the 888 card base set, 1988 Donruss featured several parallel and specialty subsets that created opportunities for rarer, more valuable cardboard. The gold #/250 parallel cards offer a premium option. Additional insert sets like Roll of Honor, Diamond Kings, and Leaders see collector interest too in high grades. Factors that raise the bar include serial numbering, autographs, or refractors. These specialty pieces have the most upside for appreciation over time.

Modern Interest and Nostalgia: While not nearing the prices commanded by flagship 1980s sets like 86 Fleer or 87 Topps, 1988 Donruss does benefit from growing collector popularity for late 80s/early 90s cardboard in recent years. Modern fans appreciate the classic design elements and enjoy pursuing stars from their childhoods. This baseline nostalgia ensures the set remains relatively desirable and liquid compared to many issues from other sport or time periods of equal production size. Values are stable and some star cards see appreciation over long time horizons.

While 1988 Donruss is certainly not a mint condition investment like ultra-rare vintage offerings, there are cards from the set today that hold value away from casual collectors just looking to complete a set. Base cards need to grade wonderfully to have selling potential above a few dollars. But parallels and stars like Griffey Jr., Thomas, Bagwell present worthwhile long term pieces too. With increasing retro sports card popularity, 1988 Donruss remains one of the more accessible yet enjoyable 80s basketball sets to collect from both an enjoyment and potential profit standpoint. In the right grades, yes several cards from this release can be considered worth holding onto or selling today for a strong bidder.

To recap the key points in even more detail – while scale of original printing limits prices on common base cards to just a dollar or two in anything less than gem grade:

Star cards like Frank Thomas, Ken Griffey Jr. will appeal to team collectors and hold $5-15+ value in NM-MT condition

Rookie cards for future stars Jeff Bagwell and John Smoltz have a $10-25 range depending on player pictured and condition

Key veterans from the late 80s like Ozzie Smith, Will Clark, Roger Clemens maintain $3-8 interest

Specialty parallels like the gold #/250s and autographed/refractor inserts surpass $50 readily in top condition

As nostalgia grows, appreciation over decades makes even commons from sets like ’88 Donruss stable investments

Professionally graded gems of the above stars could command $100-400+ based on modern comps

Set completion remains viable goal due budget nature of most cards’ prices today

So in summary – while perhaps no modern financial home runs, 1988 Donruss does offer numerous collectibles and investments above junk wax status when obtained and preserved pristinely. Growing retro culture keeps this set relevant for both casual fans and savvy vintage speculators alike. Condition, as always, remains key to any card having lasting monetary worth or appeal down the road. But for accessibility and fun at reasonable cost, 1988 Donruss endures as one of the most recommended 80s issues to focus a collection around.

HOW CAN YOU TELL THE VALUE OF BASEBALL CARDS

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There are several factors that determine the value of a baseball card. To accurately assess what a card may be worth, it’s important to understand each of these factors and how they impact valuation.

One of the most important determinants of value is the condition or state of preservation of the card. Baseball cards can deteriorate and lose value over time through creasing, fading, corners becoming worn or rounded, edges becoming frayed or the presence of stains, scratches or other defects. The best preservation a card can have is to be in mint or near mint condition. This means the card is still in pristine condition similar to how it would have looked straight out of the original pack. A card in mint condition usually commands the highest value. As the condition of the card declines from there, so does the value. A worn, very played condition card may have very little monetary value. So carefully examining every aspect of the condition of the card is crucial.

Another key factor is the year the card was issued and the scarcity of that particular card printing or series. Older vintage cards from the early years of the 20th century before modern mass production techniques are usually more valuable, since fewer were printed. Within a given year, certain players featured on cards may have been bigger stars or more prominent than others, making their specific card more in demand. Individual player performance and career accomplishments also impact card values over time. Iconic players who had huge success tend to have cards that appreciate in value more. Promotional or special subset cards inserted less frequently into packs are typically scarcer and fetch higher prices. Understanding when and how a card was printed provides important context for its rarity and demand.

The specific brand, set and card number also hold significance. Certain brands, like Topps and Bowman, tend to be more valuable options versus lesser known brands. Flagship annual sets issued by the major brands see higher volumes sold and are usually a safer investment versus minor or short print runs. Within a given set, certain serial numbers can be more sought after and valuable for various reasons like associations to uniform numbers. Knowing these details lets you properly judge a card against others from its period.

Grading or authentication of a card’s condition by a reputable third party service, most notably Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) and Beckett, adds legitimacy and a benchmark for its condition. Grade levels range from 1-10, with higher being better. A card receiving top grades of PSA/Beckett 9-10 labeled as “mint” can be exponentially worth more than ungraded counterparts. This grading process has become an important piece of baseball card valuation protocols.

Lastly, factors like autographs or memorabilia pieces further enhance a card’s value for collectors. Relic cards containing swatches of game-worn jerseys or autograph cards signed by the athlete pictured are usually far more sought after and expensive than basic trading cards. Discerning the different levels of rarity for special card types is important.

To determine a baseball card’s value, a detailed examination considering all of these elements is needed – the card’s condition, its year/set/brand/player details impacting rarity, any grading certification, and special autograph or relic versions. Properly analyzing these will provide the most educated insight into what a specific card may be worth on today’s secondary market. With so many variables, baseball cards require expertise to accurately assess value.

HOW CAN I FIND OUT WHAT BASEBALL CARDS ARE WORTH

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The most accurate way to determine the value of your baseball cards is by doing some thorough research. Start by carefully examining each card to note its details such as the player name, team, year it was issued, the sport depicted, and the issuer (such as Topps, Fleer, etc.). Taking the time to record these specifics will help tremendously when you begin researching prices.

After compiling all the relevant details about each card, your next step is to use online pricing guides. Sites like BaseballCardPedia.com and SoldPrice.com are excellent resources that allow you to search by player name, year, brand/issuer, and more. Simply enter what you know about the card and it will return recent sold prices from eBay and online auctions to give you a close estimate of fair market value. Be sure to check prices from multiple sources when possible for accuracy.

Sometimes general online pricing guides won’t have record of every single obscure player or rare variation. In these cases, it’s wise to also do some searching directly on platforms where collectors commonly buy and sell cards. eBay is the largest of these marketplaces, so setting up specific searched for the details of your cards can turn up recent comparable sales. Just be sure any listings you find as examples have actually been sold, not just listed, to get an accurate sold price.

For especially expensive and valuable vintage cards, your best bet is to contact a professional authentication and grading service like PSA or BGS. They can not only authenticate the card is genuine but also assign a precise numeric grade between 1-10 on its condition and aesthetics. A third-party grade almost always factors significantly into a card’s worth, with higher grades exponentially more valuable than lower grades for the same card. Services like PSA and BGS also track sales of their holdered and certified cards, so their price guides provide some of the most authoritative insights on market value.

Of course, there are always some caveats when using online sold prices and guide values to judge a card’s actual resale potential if you choose to sell. Factors like recent player performances or achievements, upcoming induction into the Hall of Fame, or currently trendy subsets can dramatically spike short term demand and prices for certain cards. Make sure to look at sold prices over longer periods for a more stable value indication rather than relying on single recent auction anomalies. Also remember that the prices guides represent average marketplace value – actually getting a card to sell at that price takes savvy listing, marketing, and potentially waiting for the right buyer. Condition of the specific card you own versus the general grades used in guides could also impact sale prices.

No matter what resources you use in researching values, it’s always wise to interpret any prices you find as an estimated range or guideline rather than an ironclad precise figure. Markets trend up and down, condition errors happen, and interested buyers’ availability varies daily. Having a general ballpark value in mind based on thorough research ensures you don’t undersell your cards but also avoids unrealistic overpricing. Taking the time to learn as much as possible about specific cards, comparable market sales, trends, and the intrinsic factors impacting value will serve you well no matter if you intend to add to your collection or possibly sell parts of it someday. With diligent research following these steps, you can feel confident about the true worth of your baseball cards.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO SELL BASEBALL CARDS ON EBAY

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There are a few different costs involved with selling baseball cards on eBay. The main costs are eBay listing fees, payment processing fees, and shipping costs. Let’s break down each of these fees:

eBay Listing Fees: Whenever you create an eBay listing to sell an item like baseball cards, eBay charges an insertion fee. For trading cards and collectibles like baseball cards, the insertion fee is normally 35 cents per listing if the starting price is under $10. If the starting price is $10 or higher, the insertion fee is 50 cents per listing. In addition to the insertion fee, eBay also charges a final value fee on the total selling price of the item including shipping costs. For trading cards and collectibles, the final value fee is generally 10% of the total sales price. For example, if you sell a baseball card for $10 with $3 shipping, the total sale price is $13. eBay would charge you a 10% final value fee of $1.30 on that sale.

Payment Processing Fees: Whenever a buyer pays for an item on eBay using PayPal, eBay charges PayPal fees on the transaction. For domestic U.S. payments via PayPal, PayPal charges a fee of 2.9% of the total sale price plus a flat fee of 30 cents per transaction. For example, on a $13 transaction as mentioned above, PayPal would charge 2.9% of $13, which is about 38 cents, plus the 30 cent transaction fee, making the total PayPal fee 68 cents on that transaction. These PayPal fees apply to electronic payments from U.S. domestic buyers. There are also international transaction fees if shipping internationally.

Shipping Costs: In addition to eBay and PayPal fees, sellers are responsible for the costs of shipping each item to the buyer. Shipping baseball cards usually averages $2-5 for standard First Class Mail service within the United States, depending on the size/weight of the package. Sometimes Priority Mail shipping is needed for larger card lots and that can cost $6-10 typically. Factoring in packaging materials like penny sleeves, toploaders, cardboard and bubble mailers, average shipping costs tend to be $3-7 per order within the U.S. for baseball cards. International shipping tend to cost significantly more, usually starting around $10-$15 for simple First Class International shipments.

Other Costs: There are a few other smaller costs involved as well. First, sellers need supplies like penny sleeves, toploaders and other packaging materials to properly ship cards. These supplies typically run $0.10-$1 per item depending on what’s needed. Second, sellers pay for their eBay seller fees (10% fee on final value up to $250 per month) which allows them to list up to 250 items per month for free. Larger volume sellers may go over the 250 item limit and pay extra insertion fees. Third, banking/payment processing services like Coinbase charge around 1-2% to move funds from PayPal to bank accounts. Fourth, sellers may spend time listing items which has an opportunity cost of their own labor.

To summarize all the average potential costs of selling baseball cards on eBay:

eBay Insertion Fees: $0.35-0.50 per listing
eBay Final Value Fees: 10% of total sale price
PayPal Transaction Fees: 2.9% + $0.30 of sale price
Shipping Costs: $3-7 average within US
Supply/Packaging Costs: $0.10-1 per item
Seller Fees: 10% fee up to $250 monthly limit
Payment Processing Fees: 1-2% to transfer funds

Factor in all these potential fees and costs, the breakeven point to profit from selling a single baseball card on eBay is around $5-8 typically after fees. Sellers need to aim for profit margins of a few dollars on each transaction to account for these eBay, PayPal and shipping related expenses. High volume sales help improve profitability by spreading the fixed listing/seller fees across more transactions. Sourcing cards cheaply through auctions and estate sales can also boost margins. With careful pricing and cost management, baseball card selling can be a profitable venture on eBay.

There are various fees and costs involved with selling collectibles like baseball cards on eBay. Understanding these potential expenses upfront is important for setting profitable listing prices and managing expectations. With the right cards, pricing strategy and sales volume, sellers can earn good returns after accounting for all the eBay and PayPal fees and shipping costs.

HOW TO FLATTEN BASEBALL CARDS

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Flattening curled or warped baseball cards is an important part of properly preserving your card collection. Left unflattened, cards can become permanently damaged from creases and folds over time as they are handled. The goal of flattening is to gently press the card flat without causing damage. Here are the basic steps:

To start, you will need the curled or warped baseball cards you want to flatten. You will also need a few smooth plates of glass or plexiglass cut to the same size as standard baseball cards. These plates need to be very clean and free of debris so they do not scratch the cards. Newspaper, paper towels, or felt sheets are also needed as cushioning layers between the cards and plates.

First, lay out several sheets of newspaper, paper towels, or felt on a flat work surface. This will provide a soft cushion for the cards. Arrange the sheets to be slightly larger than the baseball cards and glass plates. Next, carefully lay one of the curled or warped cards face down on the cushioning layer.

Now lay a sheet of paper towel or felt directly on top of the card. This helps prevent scratches. Place one of the clean glass or plexiglass plates on top, ensuring it fully covers the card. You may need to gently shift it around to get the plate perfectly straight and aligned over the card.

Once the sandwich of card, paper, and plate is made, you need to apply gentle, even pressure to flatten the card. Stack heavy books, such as encyclopedias or textbooks on top of the plate. Make sure to distribute the weight evenly across the entire surface. Leave the stack under pressure for at least 24-48 hours. The longer you can leave it, the flatter the card will become as it fully dries in the pressed state.

After the allotted flattening time has passed, carefully remove the books and plates. Slide a thin spatula or card between the paper layers to gently lift each piece off one at a time. Check the condition of the now-flattened card. If it still appears slightly curled or warped, repeat the flattening process for another 24-48 hours under pressure. Often just one session is enough to fully flatten most cards.

Proper flattening takes time and patience, but it is well worth the effort to preserve the condition of your valuable baseball card collection. Storing cards flat in protective holders, pages, or boxes helps maintain their shape once flattened. Periodically checking cards and repeating the flattening process as needed can keep collectibles in top presentable condition for decades to come. With care and the right techniques, even seriously warped cards can be restored to like-new condition.

This covers the basic multi-step process for safely and effectively flattening curled or warped baseball cards at home. Taking care to use clean glass and generous cushioning helps prevent scratches while carefully applying consistent weight ensures cards flatten fully without damage. With time and patience, treasured cards can be proudly displayed knowing they will stay preserved in top condition for years of enjoyment. Let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions!

DOES DONRUSS STILL MAKE BASEBALL CARDS

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Yes, Donruss does still make baseball cards, however the company has gone through some ownership and branding changes over the past few decades that have impacted their baseball card production and release schedules.

Donruss began producing baseball cards in 1981 and was a major brand in the industry throughout the 1980s. They were known for innovative sets like their X-Fractors parallel insert cards in the late 80s that featured photographs with “X-ray” type effects. In 1992 Donruss lost the MLB license to produce official on-card photos and team logos to rival brand Upper Deck. This was a major blow to the Donruss brand.

They continued producing cards throughout the 90s but had to resort to using artist-drawn renderings instead of actual photos on many of their base cards. Their market share declined significantly during this period as collectors favored the photorealistic cards from Upper Deck and later brands like Topps Finest and Stadium Club that took over the high-end market.

In 1996 Donruss was purchased by entrepreneur Jeffrey Power. He moved production to Canada and rebranded the company as Playoff Corp. Playoff Corp continued releasing Donruss baseball cards through the late 90s and early 2000s but they became more of a mid-tier brand rather than a major competitor to Topps and the like.

In 2001, Playoff Corp lost the MLB player’s union license, further limiting their photo and trademark usage. Their releases became more generic and they started primarily focusing on insert sets rather than large base sets in following years. By the mid 2000s, Playoff Corp/Donruss baseball card production had slowed considerably.

In 2007, Panini America acquired the remaining assets of Playoff Corp, including the Donruss brand name. Panini had been a leader in European sports cards and stickers for decades but was looking to expand in the US market. They saw value in the Donruss brand history and retro appeal to collectors.

Under Panini, Donruss brand baseball card production ramped back up. They started releasing regular annual set releases again from 2008 onward. With Panini’s bigger licensing deals, the Donruss sets returned to using actual player photos on many cards rather than illustrations. Parallels and hit inserts became a bigger focus to appeal to collectors.

Some notable Panini Donruss releases of the late 2000s/2010s include 2009 Threads of Greatness, 2011 Diamond Kings, 2014 Diamond Anniversary, 2017 Diamond Anniversary Tribute, and 2021 Elite Extra Edition. While not among the top sellers like Topps Series 1 or Bowman, these sets have found success by tapping into the retro Donruss nostalgia many collectors still feel.

Panini has also blended the Donruss branding into some larger multi-brand baseball products over the past decade such as Chronicles, Diamond Kings, and Illusions. These crossover sets help keep the Donruss name in front of collectors alongside Panini’s other baseball brands like Bowman, Contenders, and Status.

So in summary – while the company has changed ownership a few times and brand recognition has fluctuated, Donruss baseball cards absolutely continue to be produced today under Panini. They have found new life appealing to collectors’ retro interests rather than trying to directly compete at the top of the modern market. Barring any future MLB licensing issues, it’s very likely Donruss cards will continue to be part of the annual baseball card landscape for years to come.

DO PAWN SHOPS SELL BASEBALL CARDS

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While baseball cards are not a primary merchandise category for most pawn shops, many pawn shops will accept baseball cards as pawned or purchased items and some do sell used baseball cards as part of their inventory. Here are some more details on how and why pawn shops may deal in baseball cards:

Baseball card collecting is a multi-billion dollar hobby and some collectors end up needing quick cash or want to liquidate parts of their collections. As a result, pawn shops provide an option for collectors to sell cards they no longer want. People may pawn or sell cards to pawn shops for a variety of reasons – they need cash quickly, want to downsize a collection, want to get rid of lesser value commons and duplicates, or have financial difficulties and need to raise funds.

When customers pawn or sell items to pawn shops, the shops take these items into their inventories and will then resell them to other customers. This provides pawn shops some potential revenue stream from baseball card transactions even if cards are not a major sales category for them. Shop owners recognize there is a demand from some customers to purchase used cards, so keeping some in stock makes business sense.

Pawn shops are mainly focused on quickly turning over higher value items like electronics, tools, jewelry and musical instruments that resell quickly. Cards take up more space per dollar of value compared to these other categories. So pawn shops usually only keep common/less valuable cards in stock and quickly sell higher priced pieces to online card retailers and collectors. They aim to avoid storing collections long-term.

Still, savvy pawn shop owners know the baseball card market well enough to spot cards and sets that have retained or increased in value over decades. Occasionally they may purchase or accept very valuable older rookie cards, complete sets or autographed memorabilia as pawns and include them in their inventories priced to sell. Discovering a valuable gem among pawned cards can provide an opportunity for profit.

Condition is also very important when pawn shops consider purchasing cards. They want to resell cards that are in reasonably good shape without creases, stains or wear, as damaged pieces are harder to find buyers for. Any cards accepted as pawns are also carefully examined to ensure they are authentic and not counterfeits before being placed for resale.

The level of baseball card inventory carried by different pawn shops can vary significantly based on available space, the interests of owners/employees, local demographics and card collecting culture. Shops located in areas with many lifelong fans may keep a larger stock. Rural pawn shops far from major markets likely only deal with cards occasionally if at all. Younger owners less familiar with the sport may pay little attention to cards also.

But in cities across America’s baseball heartland like Boston, Chicago, St. Louis, New York and Los Angeles, some larger suburban and downtown pawn shops devote shelf space year-round to displaying rows of commons and stars from various eras at affordable prices. They aim to attract walk-in customers specifically seeking cards to add to collections or reminisce.

During the summer when interest peaks, these shops may expand their card offerings if inventory allows. They compete with card shops and card shows for customers. And their prices tend to undercut what those specialized retailers charge to entice buyers.

While baseball cards are secondary for most pawn shops compared to other goods, sellers do have the option to liquidate unneeded pieces through pawn shops and shoppers can sometimes discover affordable used cards as part of pawn shop inventories – especially in areas with more enthusiastic baseball fan bases and collectors. So pawn shops provide a marketplace niche for cards even if it’s far from their main focus. Their role supplements that of traditional card shops and online selling venues for the millions participating in card collecting every year.

While baseball cards may not be a core merchandise category or primary source of revenue for most pawn shops, many pawn shops will accept cards as pawned or purchased items and some do maintain small assortments of used cards for resale purposes. This allows both collectors wanting to downsize and shoppers seeking affordable cards to interact with the category through pawn shops on some level, even if cards occupy a minor position within broader pawn store business models focused more heavily on quickly turning over higher valued goods.

WHERE TO GET BASEBALL CARDS GRADED IN PERSON

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Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) – PSA is widely considered the gold standard in third-party grading for collectibles like sports cards and memorabilia. They have several physical locations around the United States where you can drop off cards to be graded, including offices in California, Texas, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Michigan. When you submit in-person, you’ll fill out a submission form providing details about the cards and service level requested. PSA offers different turnaround times and pricing based on the tier of service selected. For standard grading which takes several weeks, there is no additional cost to submitting in person versus sending by mail. PSA representatives will inspect the cards when you drop them off to ensure the order is correct before they are securely packaged and sent to their main grading facility. You’ll receive an email notification when the grades are complete and then can make arrangements to pick up the cards.

Beckett Grading Services (BGS) – Like PSA, BGS is a leader in the industry and known for their transparent grading standards. They have two physical offices located in Texas where you can submit cards for grading – one in Dallas and one in Houston. The submission and pickup process is very similar to PSA’s in-person system. BGS also offers different turnaround times from expedited to economy, with mailing generally costing a bit more than submitting in person. Bringing the cards to the BGS office allows you to ensure they are in the order requested and discussed any special grading notes or concerns with a representative directly.

Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) – While PCGS is better known for coin and currency authentication, they do also accept sports cards for grading. They have over a dozen authroized PCGS grading centers across the U.S. that are equipped to accept in-person card submissions on consignment. Like the other top companies, you’ll fill out a detailed order form and pay the grading fees upfront based on the tier of service. In-person submissions have a nominal drop-off fee but no postage charges. At the designated grading center, trained numismatists will organize and package your order securely for shipping to the main PCGS facility. Once the grading process is complete, you will be notified and can arrange to pick up your cards from that same center.

Sportscard Guaranty, LLC (SGC) – Having grown significantly in popularity since their founding in 2000, SGC has established themselves as a leading third-party grader. Their main office that serves as the drop-off and pick-up point for in-person submissions is located in Illinois. The basic submission process mirrors the others mentioned, with form completion, pre-paying fees based on turnaround time needs, and an inspection of the cards upon drop off. SGC prides itself on fast return times even for bulk submissions, making them an efficient option when quick grading turnaround is a priority. For individual collectors or those with smaller orders, the in-person route provides the reassurance of verifying cards are as described before shipping.

There are a few other regional independent authentication companies as well that accept hand deliveries, but the four outlined above represent the most reputable national grading services. Taking cards directly to a grading company’s physical office helps ensure your submission goes smoothly and allows an extra layer of quality control and communication during the process if needed. For high value cards or collections, using an in-person grading option is often preferable to trusting them to the postal system for delivery. With care taken in preparing your order forms and packaging, submitting in person is a reliable way to get vintage or modern sports cards authenticated and encased by the experts.