Companies That Buy Baseball Cards
Baseball cards have been a beloved hobby for generations, with collectors amassing huge collections over the years. As interests change and collections grow, many card collectors eventually decide to sell some or all of their cards. This is where companies that buy baseball cards come in. They provide an outlet for collectors to cash in on their collections when they’re ready to sell.
Some of the largest and most well-known companies that purchase baseball cards include:
Card Collector Universe: Based in Seattle, Card Collector Universe is one of the largest buyers and sellers of sports cards online. They purchase individual cards as well as full collections. Collectors can get instant cash offers online or send cards in to be reviewed and receive an offer. CCU is known for their competitive pricing and fast payment processing once a deal is made.
Sports Cards Plus: Operating since 1987, Sports Cards Plus is a leading buyer and seller of sports memorabilia, including cards. They have retail locations across the country as well as robust online buying and selling platforms. Collectors can visit one of their stores to have their cards reviewed in person or initiate an online sale. Sports Cards Plus is trusted for fair pricing and expertise in valuing collections.
PWCC Marketplace: Formerly known as Professional Sports Authenticator, PWCC is a leader in third-party authentication and grading of trading cards. They also run an active marketplace where collectors can list individual cards or full collections for sale. PWCC buyers scout the marketplace daily, looking to acquire collections to resell on their site. Sellers benefit from PWCC’s reputation and large buyer base.
Dave and Adam’s Card World: With retail stores in Ohio and Pennsylvania, Dave and Adam’s is a major buyer and seller of sports cards both online and in-person. They have decades of experience evaluating collections and pay competitive prices. Collectors can choose to take cash offers or receive store credit to use towards new cards. Dave and Adam’s is known for their collector-friendly policies.
Steel City Collectibles: Based in Pennsylvania, Steel City Collectibles focuses solely on buying entire baseball card collections. They pay top dollar for vintage and modern collections alike, with an emphasis on high-end stars from the 1950s through 1980s. Steel City prides itself on treating sellers with respect and paying promptly once deals are finalized.
In addition to these larger companies, there are many local card shops, memorabilia stores, auction houses, and individual collectors actively seeking to purchase baseball card collections. When deciding who to sell to, collectors should consider factors like pricing, reputation, payment methods, and seller experience. It’s also a good idea to get offers from multiple buyers to ensure the best possible deal.
Pricing for baseball card collections can vary greatly depending on several factors:
Condition of cards – Near mint/mint cards in protective sleeves are more valuable than worn/damaged cards.
Rarity of cards – Rookie cards of star players from the 1950s onward are highly sought after, as are unique promotional/variation cards. Common base cards have less value.
Completeness of sets – Full sets in excellent condition command higher prices than partial sets or loose cards.
Authenticity – Only professionally graded/authenticated cards can realize maximum value.
Current player/team popularity – Cards featuring modern star players on trendy teams are more desirable at any given time.
Vintage versus modern era – Cards from the 1950s-1980s vintage era are almost always worth more than comparable modern production cards from the 1990s onward.
When selling to a company, collectors should expect to receive somewhere between 50-80% of a card’s estimated market value, depending on its condition, rarity, and other factors. Companies need to factor in costs like grading, storage, and reselling efforts into what they can pay. Still, reputable companies aim to treat collectors fairly.
Some collectors opt to sell individual premium cards rather than entire collections. In these cases, sellers stand to potentially realize even higher percentages of market value. The time and effort involved in picking out, grading, listing, and selling cards individually is much greater than a bulk collection sale to a company.
When it’s time to cash in a baseball card collection, dealing with an established company is usually the easiest and most secure option. Comparing offers from multiple buyers helps sellers maximize their financial return on cards that in many cases were a treasured hobby for decades. With many reputable companies actively seeking collections, finding a fair price is very achievable.
