When it comes to selling baseball cards in San Diego, there are a few key shops and stores that collectors recommend for getting the best value for their collections. Whether you have common cards, rare vintage pieces, or complete sets, doing your research and shopping around is important to find the right buyer who will pay top dollar. Below are some of the top recommended places to sell baseball cards in San Diego.
Sport Collectors Universe – Sport Collectors Universe has locations in Mission Valley and Poway and is widely considered one of the best places to sell baseball cards in all of San Diego County. As one of the largest and most established card shops around, SCU has buyers on staff that are experts in valuing all kinds of cards from the modern era as well as vintage pieces from the 1950s-1980s. They pay some of the highest percentages compared to other local shops, usually 60-80% of PSA/Beckett values depending on condition and demand. SCU also buys full collections and is able to make bulk purchase offers that can save sellers time versus individually pricing out hundreds of cards.
Dave & Adam’s Card World – With locations in Mission Valley and La Mesa/El Cajon, Dave & Adam’s is another great local chain to check for selling cards. They have a very active online presence and social media communities where buyers and sellers frequently interact. D&A’s buyers are experienced in the hobby and quick to make purchase offers on individual cards or full collections. One advantage over some other shops is their willingness to buy higher-end vintage cards valued over $1000, which some smaller shops may not have the capital for. Sellers can expect to get 60-70% of market value here depending on what is being sold.
Game Keeper – For a more intimate buying experience, the Game Keeper in Poway is highly recommended by many local collectors. As a smaller shop, they are able to spend more one-on-one time with sellers to properly assess collections. The owner Chris is very knowledgeable in the hobby and takes pride in ensuring sellers feel they got a fair deal. Game Keeper pays slightly less percentages than the larger chains at around 50-65% but the personalized service is appreciated. They are also good for selling more valuable vintage cards over $500-1000 given the owner’s buying budget.
Collector’s Den – Located in El Cajon, Collector’s Den is a family-owned shop with a loyal customer base. Like Game Keeper, they offer a smaller store environment where the owners can carefully look through collections. The Den pays fair percentages in the 50-70% range depending on what is being sold. They have a solid reputation for honesty and integrity in the transactions. While they may not offer the highest dollar amounts, many collectors appreciate selling to a local independent shop like the Den that supports the hobby.
Collectors Universe Online – For those unable or unwilling to travel to physical card shops, Collectors Universe Online is a good option for selling baseball cards from home. Run by the same parent company as Sport Collectors Universe, CUO operates an online marketplace where buyers and sellers can interact. Sellers can create an account, send scans or photos of their cards, and receive purchase offers directly from CUO buyers. Payment is handled securely after the cards are received, inspected, and verified. Percentages offered tend to be on the lower side at 40-60% but the convenience makes it worthwhile for some. Postage costs are also covered by CUO.
Local Card Shows – Periodically throughout the year, larger card shows are held around San Diego where dozens of vendors set up tables to buy and sell directly with collectors. These shows are great places to get cards in front of many buyers at once to try and get top dollar or make bulk deals. Vendors at shows will offer percentages in the 50-75% range depending on what they feel they can resell the items for to their own customers. Well-known local shows include the Sport Collectors Universe National, Del Mar Card Show, and North County Collectors Show.
When selling baseball cards, doing research on recent sales data, knowing your material’s condition grades, and shopping offers from multiple qualified buyers will help maximize the return. With some patience and diligence, collectors can usually find a great home and fair price for their cards within the rich baseball card market that exists in San Diego. Making the rounds to some of these top recommended shops is a great starting point.
