Category Archives: BASEBALL CARDS

WHERE CAN I SELL BASEBALL CARDS

Online marketplaces and auction sites are very popular places to sell baseball cards as they allow you to potentially reach a large audience of interested buyers. Some good sites to consider include eBay, Comc.com, TradingCardDB.com, and Sportlots.com.

eBay is the largest online marketplace and gives you access to millions of potential buyers worldwide. As the top site for collecting and sports cards, it will provide you the best chance of getting the most money for your cards. You will need to take good photos of your cards, write detailed descriptions including condition grades, and be prepared to ship orders. eBay takes a 10% cut of final sale prices.

Comc.com is specifically for comic books, trading cards, and collectibles. While smaller than eBay, it has a very active community of card collectors. They charge slightly lower fees than eBay at 9% plus 30 cents per order. Photos and descriptions are still important to sell your cards effectively there.

TradingCardDB.com focuses solely on sports cards and allows users to create a want list so sellers can search for matches. They charge no listing or transaction fees which is appealing to sellers. The smaller user base means less potential buyers compared to the larger auction sites.

Sportlots.com is another sports card marketplace that caters specifically to buyers and sellers in this hobby. Their fees are similar to Comc.com’s model. A benefit is they verify all sellers so buyers can shop with more trust. Like the others, detailed photos and full disclosures are needed in descriptions.

In addition to online selling, local card shops are a good option to consider as well. Here are some pluses and minuses to selling cards at local shops:

Pros:

No fees taken out of sale price like the online marketplaces charge
Quick cash in hand since you don’t have to wait for payments to clear
Shop owners know the local market and collectors so may fetch a fair price
Can avoid shipping hassles by doing an in-person transaction

Cons:

Smaller potential buyer pool than online selling
Shop owners want to resell for profit so may offer you less than their expected selling price
Condition issues are harder to verify without photos so pricing factors that in more
Not as many local shops as there used to be in some areas due to declining hobby
Would need to find a shop that specializes in the sport/era your cards are from

Card shows and conventions are another good option if any are held regularly in your area. Here the pros are similar to a local card shop- quick cash sale, large in-person attendance. Cons can be booth rental fees, travel required to get to the events. Sellers typically get a table to display their items and chat with potential buyers browsing the show. Research local dates and verify attendee numbers.

Consignment selling through certain shops or some experienced individual collectors can work as well. Here the seller avoids all fees but risks getting a lower price since the consigner takes a cut when the cards eventually sell. It may take longer to move large inventory this way. Thoroughly vet potential consigners ahead of time.

For maximizing exposure and sale potential, online marketplaces like eBay provide the best chance due to their massive reach, though fees are involved. Local shops offer convenient in-person local selling as an alternative. Just be sure to provide thorough photos and descriptions no matter where baseball cards are listed in order to attract buyers and get top prices. Researching sold prices on the various platforms can help price cards competitively too. With the right research and listing strategy, collectors have many viable ways to potentially profit from selling off cards.

WHAT 1960s BASEBALL CARDS ARE WORTH MONEY

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The 1960s was an iconic decade in American culture and saw major changes in sports. In baseball, legendary players like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and more were reaching the peaks of their careers. It’s no surprise that cards from this era depicting all-time greats in their prime are highly sought after by collectors. Some of the most valuable 1960s baseball cards worth discussing include:

1964 Topps Mickey Mantle – In gem mint condition, Mickey Mantle’s 1964 Topps card is arguably the most valuable card from the entire 1960s. Widely considered the best player of his generation, Mantle was entering his physical decline in 1964 but stillNearing the end of his historic career. This card has consistently sold for well over $100,000 when graded mint or better. Even well-centered near mint copies can bring $50,000. Mantle’s popularity and legendary status as the “Commerce Comet” make this one of the most iconic cards ever issued.

1966 Topps Hank Aaron – As Hank Aaron was chasing Babe Ruth’s long-standing home run record of 714 home runs in 1966, interest in his cards reached new heights. His 1966 Topps card shows him poised and determined, resonating with fans rooting for him to pass Ruth. High grade copies have sold for upwards of $50,000. Aaron’s legacy as one of the game’s greatest sluggers and his barrier-breaking achievement make this a truly significant card.

1968 Topps Nolan Ryan – Nolan Ryan’s early career was just taking off, but collectors could already see his raw, 100 mph fastball talent. The 1968 Topps card depicts an intense close-up of the fireballing righty. Still relatively affordable in the past, mint condition examples now command $15,000+$ as Ryan went on to shred record books and cement his Hall of Fame case. He remains one of the most admired pitchers in baseball history.

1969 Topps Willie Mays – At age 37, Willie Mays was nearing the end of his storied 24-year career with the San Francisco Giants, but he was still absolutely dominant as one of the game’s all-time greats. Highlighting “The Say Hey Kid’s” incredible lifespan in the majors and unmatched five-tool talent, the 1969 Topps card in top grades is worth $15,000 in today’s market. Over 150 career home runs and haunting defensive plays etched Mays as a true legend.

1963 Topps Sandy Koufax – Sandy Koufax’s unbelievable dominance in the early 1960s culminated with a perfect game in 1965, but the 1963 Topps issue offers a good look at the lefty during his ascendance with the Dodgers. Tall and lanky with a deadly fastball-curve mix, Koufax was well on his way to three Cy Youngs and a record four ERA titles by ’63. His rookie season card is now valued over $10,000 in mint condition.

1961 Fleer Maury Wills – Maury Wills set a new MLB record with 104 stolen bases for the Dodgers in 1962 and won MVP. But collectors could have invested in him a year earlier, as his tough-looking rookie card from 1961 Fleer hints at more excitement ahead. High grade copies are worth $7,500+ in the modern market as one of the set’s biggest stars. Wills helped usher in a new era of speed on the basepaths.

There are plenty of other valuable 1960s stars too, like 1969 Topps Roberto Clemente ($5,000+), 1968 Topps Bob Gibson ($3,500+), 1967 Topps Tom Seaver ($3,000+ rookie) and iconic rookie cards from 1963 Topps like Sandy Koufax, Pete Rose, and Dick Allen. In general, 1960s cards of all-time position players and pitchers are great long-term investments when secured in top condition. Modern grading standards have also helped verify authenticity and preserve Card quality to satisfy serious collectors. As more fans grow nostalgic for this classic era in the game’s history, 1960s cards of legendary players will remain a hugely popular niche in the trading card industry.

ARE THERE FAKE BASEBALL CARDS

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Yes, there are definitely fake baseball cards that are produced and sold. The collecting of baseball cards has become a multi-billion dollar industry and with big money involved, there are certainly those who try to take advantage through the creation and sale of counterfeit cards.

When it comes to identifying fake baseball cards, there are a few key signs collectors look for. One of the biggest and most obvious tells is poor quality paper, ink, and printing. Authentic vintage cards from the 1950s and prior were printed using thinner paper stock and less advanced printing methods compared to modern cards. Fake vintage cards often have paper that feels much thicker and ink and images that look overly crisp or HD compared to the slight fuzziness of authentic aged cards. The corners are also often too sharp on fakes versus the slight wear authentic old cards would have.

Another sign is suspect autographs or stickers on older players. While some hall of famers did sign cards sent to them by the thousands in the 80s and 90s, it’s unlikely a vintage rookie card of someone like Babe Ruth would magically appear with a perfect autograph. Signatures can be analyzed for inconsistencies with how that player signed. Stickered autos are also highly questionable on vintage cards.

Statistics, photos, or text on the cards being incorrect are other red flags. Fakes sometimes contain factual errors that accurate research would have prevented. Examining details of uniform numbers, stage of career, teammates, and more can help expose cards with fabricated or wrong information. Bleed-through of ink between the front and back is common on counterfeits as well.

Pricing also raises suspicions if a card claims to be of super-rare vintage graded mint condition but is priced at only a small fraction of its real value. No knowledgeable collector would let an authentic T206 Wagner or ’52 Mantle go for hobby shop prices. Paper quality testing and authentication through respected grading services like PSA or BGS can determine if a card is forged or not.

There have even been instances of criminal counterfeiting rings uncovered that churned out fake vintage and modern star cards scaled to fool the untrained eye. One known case involved a man in New Jersey who was convicted and served prison time for his role in a ring that produced and widely distributed fake T206s and similar high-value cards.

On the lower end of suspected fakes are many dubious looking cards from obscure smaller companies throughout the 70s, 80s, and 90s claiming to contain short print parallels or serial-numbered cards that don’t match company sets from that era. Without proper documentation and licensing from the original manufacturers, these are often assumed to just be odd fan-made or sham reprints.

While damaging to the hobby, the existence of skillful fakes also shows how much the collecting of baseball cards has grown to involve sophisticated fans analyzing minute details. With a nice vintage collection potentially worth tens of thousands or more, it pays to be cautious and rely on professional authentication services to avoid unfortunate surprises down the road. With knowledge of the signs of forgery, collectors can feel confident the cards in their collectibles are the real things worth protecting and perhaps passing down someday.

Yes counterfeiting does occur within the competitive and lucrative baseball card market. By paying attention to signs like paper quality, sharpness of images, suspicious autographs or details, pricing discrepancies and having questionable cards examined by experts, collectors can avoid potentially fake products and preserve the integrity of their beloved collections.

HOW TO SORT OLD BASEBALL CARDS

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The first step when sorting old baseball cards is to gather all the cards you have in one place. Carefully remove any cards stored in boxes, binders, or other containers and lay them out in one large area. This will allow you to see the full scope of your collection and get organized.

Once all the cards are together, you’ll need supplies to properly sort and store them. It’s a good idea to have penny sleeves to protect individual cards, magnetic or top loader sheets to hold the penny sleeved cards, binders or boxes to store the sorted cards, page protectors or sheets to organize the cards in binders, and labels to identify different subsets of cards within your collection. Having the right supplies will make the sorting process much smoother.

With your cards and supplies ready, it’s time to start sorting. There are a few different primary categorizations you can use: by sport, by team, by player, by year or decade, or a combination of these. Decide which method works best for the scope and focus of your collection. A baseball card collection could be sorted first by sport to separate baseball cards from others you may have, then further sorted by specific baseball teams.

Next, you’ll want to sort your baseball cards within each team subset. Here are some common ways to organize team cards: alphabetically by player’s last name, numerically by uniform number, chronologically by player’s career year or rookie card year. Placing the cards in numerical or alphabetical order makes them easy to quickly find later when looking for a specific player.

As you sort each team subset, also consider further divisions within them. Rookie cards, star players, hall of famers – these are common categories collectors pull out. You may want to highlight valuable and key cards in some way, like putting them in magnetic sheets rather than penny sleeves. Sorting in this level of detail gets your collection very organized.

Another strategy is to sort cards not just by team, but also simultaneously by year or decade of issue. This captures the historical context and changes over time better than just sorting by team alone. You could have sub-subsets of 1950s Yankees cards, 1960s Red Sox cards, etc. This multi-dimensional sorting gives your collection additional richness and narrative.

As you handle and review each card, take note of condition and keep higher grade cards separate. There are well established grading scales like the 1-10 point scale from the Professional Sports Authenticator company (PSA). Sorting by condition tier, like “excellent”, “good”, “poor”, makes it easy to find investment-quality cards later. Documenting condition is important for value.

Once your overall sorting is complete, it’s time to store your organized collection. Three-ring binders with sheet protectors or card pages work well. Arrange the sorted team subsets/categories in alphabetical or other logical order within the binder. Similarly, you can sort subsets into labeled boxes with dividers. The key is having a clear, consistent system anyone can follow to find specific cards.

With your collection now meticulously organized, maintain it going forward. Create a simple database or spreadsheet to track valuables. Periodically review for condition changes or new acquisitions. Consolidate any duplicate cards. Keep binders/boxes in good, safe condition away from direct light/heat sources. A well sorted, stored, and cataloged collection preserves decades of memories and makes your cards easier to research, showcase, and potentially sell one day if desired. With some initial work, you’ll have a baseball card collection you can enjoy for years to come!

HOW TO GET MORE RECRUIT CARDS IN BASEBALL 9

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Baseball 9 is a fun classic baseball management simulation game where you take on the role of a general manager and build your team through drafting, trading and developing players. One of the main ways to improve your team is by obtaining new players through recruit cards. Here are some effective ways to earn more recruit cards:

Play games and complete seasons. Simply by playing exhibition games, completing your team’s regular season schedule, and making the playoffs, you will earn recruit cards as rewards. The more games and seasons you play, the more cards you will accumulate over time. Make sure to play full seasons rather than just individual games to maximize your card earnings. Pay attention to any special rewards you may get for winning your division, league championship, or making a deep playoff run.

Level up your team. As your team’s overall rating increases by developing your current players and acquiring better players, you will unlock higher difficulty levels to play at. The higher difficulty levels give better recruit card rewards, so focus on continually improving your roster. Pay attention to your team level in the standings menu and aim to level up regularly for a boost in recruit cards earned through games.

Complete daily missions. Checking in each day gives you simple missions to complete like winning a certain number of games or accumulating stats with players. Completing the daily missions rewards you with recruit cards. Make it part of your routine to log in daily and knock out these missions whenever possible. The regular mission rewards add up significantly over time.

Play through franchise/season mode. In addition to your regular season schedule of games, playing through multiple full seasons in franchise mode provides numerous opportunities to earn additional recruit cards. You’ll get rewards for completing individual seasons as well as longer-term awards for multi-season milestones. Stick with one franchise for numerous seasons to maximize the sustained card income over the life of that save file.

Level up your stadium. As you upgrade your stadium facilities like seating capacity and luxury boxes, you raise the level of your stadium. Higher stadium levels mean bigger game attendance which translates to more revenue. A portion of that additional revenue comes in the form of recruit card payouts. Prioritize stadium projects that increase levels for a consistent flow of supplementary cards on top of your other earnings.

Watch video ads. The game includes the option to watch brief video ads within the app to immediately earn recruit cards as a reward. These can range from 3-5 cards per ad depending on length. It’s a no-effort way to quickly supplement your card income in small increments throughout play sessions. Be sure to take advantage of all ad watching opportunities as they come up for some essentially “free” extra cards.

Purchase card bundles. As with any free-to-play game, there is also the ability to directly purchase recruit card bundles/packs with real money if you wish to speed up your team building process. Bundle sizes and prices vary but can range from 10-50+ cards depending on the package. For those willing to spend, purchasing bundles provides one of the most efficient means of bulking up your card collection rapidly. Just be mindful of any costs.

Trade wisely. Once you have a solid pool of available recruit cards, you can also work on trading them strategically. Evaluate your roster needs and look to trade away excess cards or ones that don’t align with your team build for more valuable cards that do. Multi-card trades allow you to consolidate your assets. Check prices regularly to find optimal deals for upgrades. Over time, savvy trading can refine your collection at a quicker pace than straight earning alone.

Those are some of the most impactful methods for earning and accumulating more recruit cards in Baseball 9. Commit to playing full seasons regularly, watch for daily missions, level up your stadium, and engage with optional ads/purchases when available. With a blend of consistent playtime and strategic card management through the above approaches, your collection should grow quite large to fuel your team development ambitions in the game. Let me know if any part of this lengthy guide needs further explanation!

IS 2022 THE LAST YEAR FOR TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS

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While Topps has been the dominant force in baseball cards for decades, holding the exclusive license from MLB, their monopoly came to an end in 2022 which has led to speculation that it may mark the end of an era for Topps baseball cards. The situation is complex with many moving parts, so it’s too early to say definitively if 2022 was truly the last year for Topps or if they will find a way to retain a prominent role in the baseball card market going forward.

To understand the changing landscape, we need to look at what precipitated this shift. Topps has held the exclusive license to produce official MLB cards since 1958 in a very favorable arrangement. In 2020 that deal was set to expire. Seeking to leverage their valuable rights and looking to create more competition and opportunities, MLB opened the license up for bidding for the first time. Two new entrants jumped at the chance – Fanatics, the dominant brand in sports merchandise, and The card company Panini, which had long held licenses for the NFL and NBA.

In early 2021, it was announced that MLB granted exclusive multi-year licenses to both Fanatics and Panini, ending Topps’ monopoly. While terms were not disclosed, the deals were undoubtedly much more lucrative for MLB than the arrangement with Topps. To make matters worse for Topps, Fanatics then acquired Topps as a whole later in 2021. So heading into 2022, Topps was now under the control of their new direct competition in Fanatics and their license was gone.

Some saw this as dooming Topps baseball cards. Without the official MLB rights and logo, their cards stood to lose value to collectors. And with Fanatics now owning the brand but also promoting their own MLB license, would they even want Topps to keep making cards? This led to speculation 2022 would be the swan song. The situation is more complex.

For one, Topps still retains the rights to use player names and stats under existing MLBPA players union deals. So their cards won’t completely lack substance. Also, Topps remains a massive brand with over 60 years of history and an entrenched collector base. Simply discontinuing the line would abandon that goodwill. Further, Fanatics may see value in Topps continuing as a lower-priced competitor to drive sales across the category by having multiple options at different price points.

We’ve also seen Fanatics take steps to keep Topps viable, like promoting both Topps and Fanatics/Panini cards on their commerce sites. They also didn’t disrupt Topps’ 2022 release schedule and plans. This suggests Fanatics sees room for both and isn’t aiming to immediately put Topps out of business, but rather transition the brand over time under the Fanatics corporate structure.

There’s also no guarantee the new Fanatics and Panini MLB deals lock them up long-term. Five years from now, conditions could open the door for Topps to potentially bid again themselves for a future MLB license.

While 2022 marked significant changes with the loss of Topps’ MLB license that understandably caused worry, it’s too early to say it was definitively their final year or they are doomed given the complexity of factors at play. Fanatics’ ownership of Topps provides both challenges and opportunities. With clever management of the brand, Topps baseball cards could certainly continue on for many years to come even without those official logo rights. Only time will tell how their role may evolve.

WHERE TO BUY HOBBY BOX BASEBALL CARDS

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One of the best places to purchase unopened hobby boxes of baseball cards is through online sports card retailers and auction websites. There are several reputable online retailers that sell new and sealed hobby boxes from the current and recent baseball card seasons. Some top options to consider include:

Steel City Collectibles: This site has been in business for over 20 years and offers a wide selection of all the major baseball card releases from Topps, Panini, Leaf, etc. They guarantee authentic products still sealed in the factory wrap. Free shipping is available on orders over $75.

DaCards: Another trusted retailer with a large inventory of new baseball card boxes and packs. DaCards has competitive prices and fast shipping. They also sell individual cards, magazines, supplies and accessories if you want to build your whole collection through one site.

BlowoutCards: Known industry-wide as one of the biggest sports card retailers. BlowoutCards stocks every major brand and release. You can find older/vintage boxes too for collecting older sets. They also grade and authenticate cards through their in-house service if needed.

Steele Sports Cards: Operating since 1998, Steele offers great prices on new release baseball boxes as well as supplies, memorabilia and older wax packs/boxes. Their site layout makes it easy to browse current products too.

eBay: The largest online auction marketplace. By using eBay, you have access to collectibles being sold by thousands of hobby shops, dealers and collectors worldwide. Make sure to thoroughly check seller feedback/history before bidding on expensive boxes. Many authentic and sealed vintage boxes can be found for lower prices than retail sites by using eBay’s auction format.

COMC (Cardboard Connection): Primarily an online marketplace for buying and selling individual sports cards. However, COMC also lists unopened hobby boxes and case breaks for sale from verified dealer stores. Their condition grading service provides an extra layer of confidence in box/pack quality.

In addition to online retailers, your local card shop is another good place to check for newly released hobby boxes before they sell out of stock. Stopping by LCS’s (local card shops) allows you to inspect boxes in-person before buying. They may offer bundle/case discounts not available elsewhere too. Be aware smaller shops have limited supplies compared to large online stores.

Whether buying from a local shop or website, there are several factors worth considering when choosing between hobby boxes:

-Brand/Set – Topps, Panini and Upper Deck are the major baseball producers. Consider the specific set, player roster, design and chase cards included. High-end sets have best odds at rare autographs and memorabilia.

-Release Year – Current/last season usually have best resell value. Older classic sets gain appeal years later potentially. Vintage boxes before 1990 are true collecting investments.

-Box Contents – Hobby boxes on average contain 10-20 packs each with multiple trading cards. Jumbo/mega boxes deliver more packs/hits per box. Breakers sell spots in expensive full case breaks too.

-Box Condition – Newly shipped hobby boxes are factory sealed in protective wrap. Pre-owned boxes may have resealed packs posing authenticity concerns despite lower price. Always buy from trusted sources.

-Prices – Box MSRP ranges between $70-350 usually but can spend $500+ on high-end releases. Online shops have best combination of inventory, competitive prices and customer service satisfaction.

With the wide variety of options between online retailers, auction sites and local shops, discerning collectors have many reliable ways to purchase unopened baseball card hobby boxes depending on budget, set preferences and collecting goals. Purchasing freshly packed boxes with team logos still crisp helps collectors build complete rainbow sets or target chase cards with improved odds versus loose packs. Following the tips above will lead to many enjoyable experiences opening wax in search of your next prized rookie card pull. Let me know if you need any other recommendations!

DOES BOOKS A MILLION HAVE BASEBALL CARDS

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Books-A-Million is a major bookstore chain operating over 270 stores across the Southern and Midwestern United States. While Books-A-Million is primarily known as a retailer of books, magazines, and audiobooks, many of its stores do carry a limited selection of trading cards including sports cards, Pokémon cards, Magic: The Gathering cards, and other collectible card games. The availability and selection of trading cards can vary significantly between individual Books-A-Million locations.

The larger Books-A-Million stores that are located in major metropolitan areas or shopping malls are more likely to devote shelf space to trading cards compared to the smaller standalone stores located in rural communities or smaller towns. The trading card selection at Books-A-Million tends to be relatively small, usually confined to a few endcap shelves or a small section within the toys and games area of the store. Customers should not expect to find the same extensive array of trading card products that can be found at dedicated card shops or big box retailers with toy departments.

With regards to baseball cards specifically, the selection tends to be very limited at most Books-A-Million locations. Customers will usually only find a small handful of the most popular current year baseball card products from manufacturers like Topps, Panini, and Donruss. Vintage or older baseball cards are almost never carried. Some of the baseball card products that may be stocked include the current year versions of Topps Series 1, Topps Series 2, Topps Heritage, Topps Chrome, and Topps Update.

Occasionally a Books-A-Million store may have recent retro re-release sets like Topps Archives or Topps Gallery available as well. Finding unopened hobby boxes, blasters, fat packs or even just individual packs of these baseball card products is not guaranteed. Stores tend to focus on pre-assembled “rack packs” containing 6-10 random cards that are sealed with a wrapper. Individual hobby packs are less common to find on shelves.

The limited stock of baseball cards tends to turn over quickly at Books-A-Million since demand is relatively low compared to dedicated card and comic shops. Items may sell out and not be reordered, so customers should call ahead to check actual in-store availability before making a special trip. Stores with larger toy and card sections located within major markets like Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, or Nashville may have a somewhat better selection than smaller locations. But overall, Books-A-Million is not generally considered a reliable brick-and-mortar retailer for serious baseball card collectors.

For finding a wider assortment of current and past year baseball card releases, products like boxes, blasters, and loose packs, collectors are better served visiting dedicated local card shops, comic book stores, hobby shops, or shopping online. While Books-A-Million does carry a token selection of sports cards including baseball at many stores, customers should manage their expectations and call ahead before expecting to find specific baseball card products, sets, or large quantities in stock. The bookstore chain aims to serve casual fans and impulse buyers more so than dedicated card collectors.

While Books-A-Million may have a small offering of popular current year baseball card sets and products available depending on location, the selection tends to be very limited, turnover is high, and specific items cannot be guaranteed. Serious baseball card collectors have better luck satisfying their hobby needs at true collectibles retailers rather than general merchandise bookstores like Books-A-Million. But their card sections can offer a convenient browsing option for casual fans looking to discover what’s new in the baseball card world each year.

HOW MUCH DOES EBAY CHARGE TO SELL BASEBALL CARDS

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eBay offers multiple listing formats for sellers to choose from when listing baseball cards for auction or fixed-price sale. The most relevant listing formats are:

Standard listings – These are the basic listing types available on eBay. For a standard auction listing of a baseball card, eBay charges an insertion fee of $0.35 and a final value fee of 10% of the winning bid amount. For a standard fixed-price listing, eBay charges an insertion fee of $0.35 and a final value fee of 10% of the sale price if the item sells.

Featured listings – For a small additional fee on top of the standard listing fees, sellers can feature their listings prominently on search result pages and category pages to receive more visibility. The insertion fee for a featured auction listing is $0.55 and the final value fee remains 10%. For a featured fixed-price listing, the insertion fee is $0.55 and the final value fee is still 10% of the sale price.

Classified listings – Baseball cards priced under $25 can be listed using eBay’s Classified Ad format. The insertion fee is $0 for a classified ad and the final value fee is a flat rate of $0.30 for items that sell. This lower-cost listing option is best for lower value cards.

In addition to listing fees, sellers also need to factor in PayPal and/or eBay payment processing fees if they accept payment through one of these services. PayPal charges a fee of 2.9% of the total sale price plus $0.30 per transaction. eBay deducts an additional fee ranging from 1% to 2.5% of the sale price if using their managed payments services for checkout.

Sellers may also choose to offer additional features on baseball card listings for an extra fee, such as:

Bold listing – $0.20 fee to make the listing title appear in bold text.

Gallery Plus – $0.30 fee per listing to include up to 25 additional photos.

Shop Explorer – $0.25 fee per listing for potential increased exposure in Search and category pages.

Promoted Listings – Variable fee per click starting at $0.05 for prominent placement in search results through paid advertising.

When determining the total fees for selling baseball cards on eBay, it’s also important to factor in any applicable sales or value added tax requirements. Most countries and states charge a percentage tax on the sale price of the item that the seller is responsible for collecting and remitting.

In addition to listing and payment processing fees, sellers need to understand other non-fee costs involved with selling baseball cards on eBay such as:

Product and material costs for items like shipping supplies, toploaders, team bags for higher value cards.

Labor costs for taking photos, writing descriptions, packing/shipping orders which can each take 5-10 minutes per order.

Costs associated with researching baseball card values, grades, conditions and key identifying details which is important for accurate listings.

Cost of potentially replacing cards if they are lost or damaged during transit. Buyers can open item not received or significantly not as described cases against sellers if issues arise.

By carefully calculating all applicable eBay fees, payment fees, taxes due and other costs involved, baseball card sellers can determine their true profit margins on the platform and appropriately set minimum prices needed to make listings worthwhile. Effective inventory and account management practices are also necessary to minimize fees and sustain an eBay selling business over the long run. With planning and efficient operations, many serious sellers are able to turn baseball card sales into a profitable small business venture on eBay.

While eBay offers very low cost listing options starting at $0.35, sellers need to consider all fees applicable to each transaction as well as their own labor and material costs to determine the full expense of selling baseball cards on the site. Careful accounting is necessary to maintain profitability over many listings and ensure sustainability as an eBay baseball card seller over the long term.

WHAT 1990 UPPER DECK BASEBALL CARDS ARE WORTH MONEY

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The 1990 Upper Deck baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic and valuable sets ever released. The set revolutionized the industry by being the first baseball card manufacturer to use brightly colored photos and include statistics and career highlights on the back of each card. Several key rookies and veteran stars from the 1990 season are featured in the set and have grown tremendously in value over the past 30+ years. Here are some of the most valuable and sought after 1990 Upper Deck baseball cards collectors look for:

Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card: Widely considered the crown jewel of the 1990 Upper Deck set, Griffey’s rookie card in near-mint to mint condition frequently trades hands for $500-$1,000. Pristine, gem mint examples have even sold for upwards of $5,500 given Griffey’s status as a superstar and likely future Hall of Famer. His iconic swing and effortless talent made him a fan favorite from the start. The Griffey rookie is the most valuable card from the set by a large margin.

Frank Thomas Rookie Card: While not as acclaimed as Griffey’s, Thomas’ rookie card still holds great value given his outstanding 21-year career and two MVP awards. Near-mint Thomas rookies sell in the $150-$300 range depending on the exact condition and centering quality. Like Griffey, his card gains more value the higher the grade. A PSA 10 gem mint Thomas rookie sold for over $2,500 back in 2020, showing strong demand persists.

Nolan Ryan Card: Ryan was already a legend by 1990 but his Upper Deck card captures him during a strong age-43 season with the Texas Rangers. High-grade Ryan’s from this set can reach $100-$150 in top condition due to his icon status and record-setting career strikeout totals. Collectors love that the card highlights some of his most impressive stats and accomplishments to that point.

Barry Bonds Rookie Card: While Bonds’ legacy and Hall of Fame case is controversial due to steroid allegations, his early-career collecting value remains high. Mint condition Bonds rookies trade hands for $75-$150 depending on exact specs. Like Frank Thomas, higher grades significantly boost the price – a PSA 10 specimen recently sold for $2,100.

Rickey Henderson Card: “Henderson,” as his card is simply labeled, captures the speedy leadoff hitter late in his Oakland A’s tenure. Near-mint examples sell in the $50-75 range reflecting his Hall of Fame playing career defined by base stealing prowess before steroid era controversies impacted player collections. Condition matters greatly for this card’s price.

Bryce Harper Rookie Card: Harper was a teenage phenomenon with huge hype coming up in the Nationals system. His 2012 debut exceeded expectations and collectors scooped up his 1990 Upper Deck card in anticipation of future success. Pristine examples have reached above $300 as Harper became a perennial All-Star and NL MVP in 2015. Even well-centered near-mint copies trade for $75-150.

Cal Ripken Jr. Card: Ripken was already a multiple-time All-Star and Gold Glover by 1990 but going on to break Lou Gehrig’s famed consecutive games played record cemented his legend status. Near-mint Ripkens command $50-75 while gems over $150 are within reason considering the respect for his durability and production at the shortstop position for so long in Baltimore.

Ozzie Smith Card: A wizard with the glove at short, Smith’s defensive wizardry made him a fan favorite for years. Near-mint copies attract $40-60 in sales while high graded gems recently cleared $150. His accolades like 13 straight Gold Gloves and induction into the Hall of Fame keep collectors pursuing pristine specimens of his 1990 Upper Deck issue.

Dennis Eckersley Card: Eckersley transformed from a struggling starter into a unanimous Hall of Fame closer with Oakland in the late 1980s/early 90s. Near-mint copies of his ’90 UD card usually sell between $30-50. Higher grades boost value given his dominance as arguably the best reliever of his generation defined by a flurry of saves and ERA titles.

Roberto Alomar Rookie Card: Alomar achieved Rookie of the Year honors in 1990 launching a career that led to the Hall of Fame. Mint condition copies often reach the $50-75 range supported by his all-around excellence and longevity in the league for over two decades playing second base at an elite level.

Kenley Jansen Rookie Card: Jansen emerged as a top closer for the Dodgers this past decade. His rookie issue saw a surge in interest and price since his debut. Even well-centered near-mint copies now sell above $30 with demand projected to stay strong if he continues piling up saves toward Cooperstown consideration down the road.

The 1990 Upper Deck baseball card set is a bona fide treasure chest containing the rookies of future stars and Hall of Famers Griffey, Thomas, Bonds, Alomar and others in addition to capturing legends already well into their careers like Ryan, Ripken, Eckersley and Henderson. Finding pristine, high-graded copies of these prized cards has grown increasingly difficult and competitive over the past 30 years. While the Griffey and Thomas rookies reign as kings, demand remains robust across the entire set for talented players from that era at the height of the traditional baseball card industry before the sports memorabilia boom took off. The classic designs, photos and informative stats on the back cemented 1990 Upper Deck as a true collector’s set for the ages.