Selling your baseball card collection can be a great way to make some extra cash, especially if you have some rare and valuable cards. With so many options online, it can be difficult to determine the best site to use to get top dollar for your cards. This article will provide an in-depth look at some of the top sites for selling baseball cards and help you choose the right one based on your needs.
eBay – eBay is likely the first site that comes to mind for most people looking to sell their baseball cards. With millions of active buyers, eBay gives you access to a huge potential customer base. Listing is free and eBay only charges final value fees on successful sales. You have full control over pricing, descriptions, and can accept offers. EBay takes a roughly 10% cut of the final sale price. Feedback is used to rate sellers so building a good reputation is important. Photos are a must to attract buyers. EBay is a great choice if you want maximum exposure but are willing to pay transaction fees.
Sportlots – Sportlots is one of the largest and most trusted online marketplaces specifically for trading cards, memorabilia, and collectibles. They cater exclusively to this niche market. Listings have bidding and “Buy It Now” options like eBay. Sellers pay no listing or transaction fees but Sportlots does take a percentage commission from final sales, usually 10-12.5%. Feedback and reputation matter here too. Sportlots has a large, active buyer base and also offers consignment and auction services if you’d rather not deal with individual sales. They can attract serious collectors willing to spend more.
COMC (Collectors.com) – COMC stands out for offering several seller-friendly features. There are no listing, transaction, or final value fees charged to sellers ever. Instead, they generate revenue through monthly membership fees from buyers. Cards are stored and fulfilled by COMC, removing the hassle of shipping for sellers. They also photograph and describe each card, saving you time. Individual cards can be listed for sale or included in COMC’s group auction marketplace. Downsides are they may not attract as many casual buyers as eBay and you give up some control over pricing and sales pace. But it’s a great hands-off option.
Facebook Marketplace – Facebook’s marketplace has become a popular spot for local sales of many collectibles including cards. Listings are free and you deal with cash transactions in person. This allows you to avoid fees while ensuring the other person can physically examine what they are buying. Your potential audience is limited to your local area. You also lose many buyer protections that online marketplaces provide. It’s best as a supplemental sales channel rather than primary one. Meet in a public place for safety.
Reddit – Subreddits like r/baseballcards and r/sportscardtracker have active communities for trading, selling, and discussing cards. You can make individual “for sale” posts with photos and prices. While Reddit doesn’t have the scale of eBay or Sportlots, it allows you to tap into dedicated collector networks. Some sellers report moving expensive, rare cards here because the buyers are true enthusiasts. There are no fees. Downsides are that you have to build reputation over time and sales pace may be slower with a smaller pool of potential buyers.
Twitter – Yes, even Twitter can be used to sell cards these days. Many collectors maintain baseball card Twitter accounts where they regularly post photos of cards and prices. Engage with the baseball card community by liking, commenting and retweeting to grow your following over time. Then utilize your account to advertise individual cards for sale. Twitter’s advantage is reaching a highly targeted collector audience but you need patience to see results. Only use it alongside other major platforms.
Consigning with Local Card Shops – If you have valuable vintage or star rookie cards, consider directly consigning select items to a local card shop. Reputable brick-and-mortar shops still move high-dollar cards and have buyers looking to make big purchases. The shop will promote and display your cards, handling the sale for a percentage (often 25-30%). You avoid fees but lose some control and money with their cut. Only consign your best cards and be selective about which shops to work with based on their sales history.
Auctions – Platforms like Heritage Auctions and Robert Edward Auctions specialize in high-profile card auctions with collectibles regularly selling for thousands or tens of thousands of dollars. You’ll need rare “investment grade” cards in Near Mint or better condition to qualify. You’ll also be charged an entry or buyer’s premium on top of the hammer price. Auctions are best for unique, valuable cards rather than common ones. Do your research to understand market values and how the auction process works. Consigning is also an option with some auction houses.
The best site to sell your baseball cards will depend on factors like the value and condition of your cards, how much effort you want to put in, and your preferred method of connecting with buyers. eBay is hard to beat for maximum exposure but also charges fees. Sites like COMC and Sportlots cater specifically to card collectors while removing listing hassle. Local consignment is an option for your best cards. Consider using a mix of the major platforms plus smaller specialty sites/apps to cast a wide sales net. With the right strategy, you can maximize the return on your childhood baseball card collection.
