Online Auction Sites:
Online auction sites like eBay are a great option for selling individual cards or full collections. Selling on eBay gives you access to a huge potential buyer base worldwide. When listing cards on eBay, be sure to include clear, high-quality photos from multiple angles so buyers can properly examine the card condition. Provide detailed descriptions of any flaws. For valuable cards, you may want to have them graded and encapsulated by a reputable third party authenticator like PSA or Beckett first to validate the condition. This can significantly boost the value. Some tips for optimal eBay sales include starting bids at fair market value, offering combined shipping discounts, and providing fast shipping with tracking.

Online Card Marketplaces:
Websites like CardCash, bustingwax.com, and CardCollectorUniverse are dedicated online marketplaces for buying and selling sports cards. With sites like these, you set firm prices rather than using auctions so you’ll need to do research to determine fair asking prices. Sellers typically pay a small commission fee, usually around 10%, when a card sells. Like eBay, clear photos and detailed condition reporting is important. These sites allow you to directly contact potential buyers for simpler transactions than auctions.

Local Card Shops:
If you have a local collectibles or comic shop that deals in cards, they may be willing to purchase collections outright or take individual cards on consignment. Stopping by in person gives the shopkeeper a chance to personally assess condition which buyers prefer over online listings. Due to overhead costs, local shops typically offer lower prices than what could be gotten selling individually online. They need to make a profit when reselling. You also avoid paying any fees this route.

Online Consignment Services:
Websites like PWCC and consignmentcruncher.com connect collectors with reputable sports card dealers who will auction collections on your behalf for a percentage of the final sale price, usually 20-30%. The consignor sets reserve prices and the dealer handles photography, descriptions, auctions, and shipping/payments. This provides access to buyers their auctions receive while not requiring you to do the work. With their cut it may be difficult to surpass what you could earn selling yourself unless extremely valuable items are included.

In-Person Card Shows:
If you live in or near a major city, search online for upcoming regional or national sports card shows. These are events where hundreds of dealers set up tables to buy and sell cards. Wandering tables allows face-to-face conversations to assess interest in individual cards or whole collections. Since dealers want inventory, they often offer somewhat better rates than retail buyers. You’ll need to handle transport and security of valuable items yourself at the show. These also require a time commitment on your part.

As you can see, selling sports cards comes down to how much effort you want to put in versus fees or commissions paid. Online generally offers the widest audience but requires the most work. Consider grading valued cards to increase their worth. Be sure to conduct thorough research to price cards accurately based on comparables recently sold. With the right strategy, you can maximize the return on your baseball and basketball card collection. Let me know if any part of the process needs clarification or if you have additional questions!