Tag Archives: mercari

MERCARI BASEBALL CARDS

Mercari has become one of the top online marketplaces for buying and selling baseball cards over the past several years. The app provides a user-friendly platform for collectors of all levels to buy, sell, and trade cards both modern and vintage. With the recent spike in the popularity of baseball cards, especially amongst a new generation of collectors, Mercari has capitalized on the growing hobby.

Some key reasons why Mercari has emerged as a preferred marketplace for baseball cards include:

Wide Audience and Customer Base – As an e-commerce app with millions of users, Mercari exposes baseball card listings to a large potential buyer base. This increases sales chances compared to smaller sites and platforms.

Low Fees – Mercari only charges a flat 10% fee on final sale prices. For higher priced rare cards, this is much lower than fees on sites like eBay which can be over 12%. This has attracted more vintage card sellers.

Easy Selling Process – Selling on Mercari is very straightforward. Users simply take photos of their cards, write descriptions, set prices and ship to buyers. Payment is handled through the app.

Buyer/Seller Protections – Mercari has buyer protection policies for items not as described or not received. They also have seller protections against fraudulent transactions or returns. This provides confidence for both parties.

Mobile Optimization – As a mobile-based marketplace, Mercari lends itself well to the growing number of collectors who prefer using their phones versus desktop to buy and sell. Navigation and checkout is seamless on iOS and Android.

While eBay still leads in total baseball card sales volume given its longer history and larger size, Mercari has seen explosive growth and taken notable market share in recent years. A look at some of the top baseball card varieties and editions commonly found being actively bought and sold on Mercari:

Vintage/High End Cards (pre-1980)

Most valuable vintage cards include rookie cards of legendary players like Mickey Mantle, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, etc. Graded versions of these in high grades routinely sell for thousands or even tens of thousands.

Complete vintage sets from the 1950s/60s like Topps, Fleer, and Leaf are highly sought after and change hands frequently on Mercari, often in the multiple thousands price range depending on condition.

Rarer vintage oddball issues/subsets from minor leagues or independent regional sets have an extremely dedicated collector base and move briskly at 4-5 figure prices.

Modern RCs and Parallels (1980-present)

Rookie cards of recent superstars like Mike Trout, Ronald Acuna Jr, Fernando Tatis Jr see enthusiastic bidding up into the hundreds depending on player production level and cardyear/set.

Color/ parallel insert rookie cards from modern blocks like Update, Chrome, etc command a premium due to their scarcity, often 3-5x the base rookie price. Rainbow parallel sets are popular projects.

refractors, autos, patches and 1/1 printing plates of today’s top young talents like Soto, Vlad Jr, Ohtani regularly sell for $500+ even before they’ve established themselves as impact players longterm.

Vintage Autographs (pre-1990)

Authenticated vintage signatures of iconic players like Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson naturally fetch astronomical prices well into 5 figures. Even common signed cards from the 1960s can sell for $500+ in average condition.

Modern (post-1990) autographs are also active though prices have softened some in recent years due to an oversaturation of autographed memorabilia hitting the market. Cards signed in-person carry the biggest premium over mail-away/kit signatures.

Real autograph rookies are exponentially rarer than base rookies and warrant paying a substantial premium, even into tens of thousands depending on the player involved, their accomplishments, and perceived future hall of fame chances.

Team Sets, Parallels & Inserts

Full team sets from the 1980s/90s/2000s like Topps, Bowman, etc are popular for collectors to finish or assemble. Prices can range from $20-200 depending on the specific year and team.

Insert sets involving parallels, framed cards, autographs that were inserted randomly throughout retail wax boxes, are coveted by collectors chasing complete sets. Prices vary greatly by the specific insert and the player depicted.

Some tips for using Mercari effectively as a baseball card buyer and seller:

Take high quality, well-lit photos that highlight all card details like centering, edges, autograph authenticity markers etc. to build trust

Clearly list full team/player name, set name/year, condition assessment, any flaws for full transparency

Pack securely with plenty of padding to prevent damage during shipment

Message potential buyers/sellers to negotiate, provide discounts for bundles, or request additional photos if needed

Stick to the pre-agreed upon sale price and ship promptly once paid to maintain positive feedback

Consider accepting reasonable offers, as many collectors are browsing casually and compromise may result in additional sales

With its straightforward interface, millions of active buyers and competitive fees, Mercari has gained immense traction as an alternative marketplace for moving both common and valuable baseball cards. With the hobby’s reawakened popularity, the baseball card sales on Mercari show no signs of slowing.

SELLING BASEBALL CARDS ON MERCARI

Selling Baseball Cards on Mercari: A Comprehensive Guide

Baseball cards have been a beloved collectible for generations. With the rising popularity of apps like Mercari that allow hobbyists to buy and sell directly with each other, selling baseball cards online has become a lucrative business opportunity. To succeed on Mercari requires knowing how to effectively market, photograph, price and ship your cards. This comprehensive guide will cover everything you need to know to start profiting from your baseball card collection on Mercari.

Getting Started

The first step is to download the free Mercari app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Create a profile with your name and location, then link a valid payment method like a bank account or debit/credit card. Mercari charges a 10% fee on each completed sale to cover transaction processing and shipping label discounts. They also offer a free shipping discount to buyers on all orders over $35.

Photographing Your Cards

High quality photos are essential to attract buyers. Make sure your cards are in near mint or better condition without creases, stains or other flaws before listing. Use a light colored surface and natural lighting for photography. Hold the card firmly but gently between your fingers so it lies flat without bending. For rarer or more valuable cards, take extra closeup photos of any identifying signatures, markings or imperfections.

When uploading photos, choose the highest resolution your device allows. Make sure all details are clear without shadows or glare. Include at least one full body shot of the front and back of each card for reference. List any relevant information like the year, set, player or rating in the caption or description for search optimization. Well-lit, sharply focused photos will make your cards stand out from poorly photographed listings.

Pricing Your Cards Accurately

Researching sold comps on eBay is the best way to price baseball cards properly for Mercari. Look up the same player, year and condition to get a sense of recent selling prices. Factor in any unique attributes that may increase or decrease value like autographs, serial numbers or defects. It’s better to price cards slightly higher than risk underselling. But be competitive with active listings from other sellers.

Include details like the brand (Topps, Bowman, etc.), specific set or series, player name, position and any identifying codes or numbers in the title. Proper keywords allow buyers to easily search and find your listings. Price cards individually whenever possible for maximum visibility. Lots or bundles tend to get fewer views long term on Mercari. Stick with standard price increments (99 cents, $2.49, $4.99 etc.) for optimized searching.

Promoting and Selling Your Listings

Once live, promote new listings periodically by sharing them to followers. Share at different times of day when traffic is higher. Aim to share each listing at least 3-5 times over the first few days to reach new eyes. Respond to any questions from interested buyers promptly to build trust. Consider offering combined shipping discounts for multiple wins to entice bulk purchases from collectors.

Be prepared to negotiate within reason if buyers make offers. Gently educate lowball bidders on fair market value if needed. But also stay flexible, as moving inventory quickly is important too. Accept non-local cash offers only if the buyer agrees to pay for tracked insured shipping. Shipment confirmation emails are auto-generated on Mercari for seller and buyer protection after items are marked shipped by the seller.

Shipping and Post-Sale Support

Use sturdy toploaders or cardboard backing for added protection during shipment. Ensure any valuable cards are sufficiently padded against damage from crushing. Mercari provides discounted USPS shipping labels at checkout to choose from including First Class mail up to 16oz or priority options. Package securely, tape fully and don’t overstuff mailers. Retain receipt scans as proof of postage in case of disputes.

Be responsive to questions about order status. Rate buyers promptly after confirmed delivery. Issue prompt refunds if return items arrive back unopened within 3 business days as allowed by Mercari policy. Most importantly, pack orders with the care you would want if receiving a purchase yourself to build repeat clientele through exceptional service. Word-of-mouth will be your greatest marketing asset.

As with any new business venture, it takes time and experience to succeed. But with the above guidance on photographing, pricing, listing/sharing cards and providing top-notch customer care – selling baseball cards on Mercari offers collectors a viable way to monetize their hobby and generate additional income. Consistency and constant improvements based on data and consumer feedback will determine long term profits in this competitive market space. Start small, learn and grow your baseball card trade business wisely over time.

Online marketplaces like Mercari have opened the door for motivated sellers to profit from their baseball card collections. By properly researching card values, capturing detailed photos, strategically promoting new deals and providing excellent post-sale support – hobbyists now have the tools to build sustainable income streams from their favorite pastime. With diligence and commitment to quality service, dedicated traders can turn occasional transactions into full-fledged small businesses on this popular venue.