Selling old baseball cards online can be a lucrative way to make some extra money, especially if you have rare or valuable cards collecting dust in your collection. It’s not as simple as just throwing photos of cards on eBay. There are a few important things to know before listing your cards online. In this in-depth guide, we’ll cover everything you need to consider when selling baseball cards online, from preparing your cards and researching values, to photography, pricing, payment options, and shipping.
The first step is to go through your collection and carefully assess what cards you have. Take the time to research recently sold listings on eBay to get an idea of what each card may be worth. Not all old cards hold value – many common cards from the 1980s and ’90s sell for just a few cents. Focus your research on older vintage cards from the 1950s-1970s, rookie cards of hall of fame players, and stars of that era. Resources like Beckett, COMC, and PSA/DNA Price Guides are great for checking estimated card values. Take note of any flaws, because even small bends, creases or corners can drastically cut into a card’s price.
When photographing cards for listings, clean them thoroughly first using a microfiber cloth. Invest in a lightbox or create a simple homemade setup with poster boards and clip-on studio lights. Take multiple photos of the front and back of each card showing close-ups of any flaws. High resolution photos are key – at least 2000×3000 pixels so buyers can inspect details. Describe condition accurately in listings using standard grading terms. Pack cards in toploaders or sleeves before photographing to avoid additional wear.
Research recently sold comps on eBay to determine fair starting prices for your cards. Consider using auction or fixed price listings. Auctions create more interest but you risk cards not meeting reserve prices. Have reasonable starting bids below market value. For high-end cards, you may need to use a respected third-party authenticator like PSA, BGS or SGC to verify authenticity and grade quality. This adds costs but trusted slabs increase sale prices tremendously for valuable vintage cards.
When listing cards, provide thorough title and description details. Include the player name, year, set, card number, estimated condition and any other relevant info. Allow returns within reason (14 days recommended). Accept common payment options like PayPal to give buyers flexibility. Clearly specify handling times and calculate accurate shipping costs factoring weight and insurance. Consider offering combined shipping discounts for multiple wins. Promptly ship items once paid using rigid card holders or boxes and get a delivery confirmation.
Offering post-sale support is key to leaving positive buyer feedback. Keep quick response times, politely resolve any issues and accept returns professionally without argument if genuinely warranted. Getting a handful of initial positive reviews in your first 10-20 transactions will help boost your seller ratings which leads to more sales. Be very careful when handling expensive consignment cards – reputable dealing is paramount in this niche collectibles market.
Selling vintage baseball cards online is competitive but with patience and the right presentation, condition awareness and pricing strategy, your old cards can make you some money. Take the time to learn valuable product and market knowledge and deliver a top-notch customer experience. Word-of-mouth will spread for dedicated sellers, and those tricks of the trade may reveal that you have hidden gems sitting in your collection worth more than you ever imagined. With the popularity of baseball card collecting always thriving, now is a great time to cash in on those childhood baseball cards collecting dust.
