Comic book and sports card shops are a popular place to sell baseball cards in CT. There are several shops around the state that are dedicated to buying and selling cards and comics. Places like Baseball Cards Plus in Waterbury, Heroes and Legends Comics in Bristol, and New Britain Comics in New Britain are known for having knowledgeable staff and paying fair prices for collections. Selling to a local shop allows you to do an in-person evaluation and sale. Be prepared to negotiate slightly as retail shops need to make a profit when reselling.
Online marketplaces are another viable option. Sites like eBay and collectors Facebook groups allow you to post photos of your cards and accept offers from potential buyers around the world. This widens your potential customer base significantly compared to a local store. You’ll need to properly package and ship the cards yourself which adds some work. Photograph cards well with good lighting and clearly describe their condition to maximize prices. Understand that online marketplaces take a commission on completed sales, usually around 13%.
Card shows and conventions give you access to dozens or even hundreds of dedicated collectors in one location. Major baseball card shows are held periodically throughout Connecticut, usually on weekends, where tables are rented by individuals and shops to buy and sell collections. Do some research to find dates for upcoming shows. This is a great way to network and sell rarer or higher end cards, but you’ll likely need to bargain harder than at a local store. Bring a price guide for valuations.
Consignment with specialized card shops is an option if you want to avoid haggling with buyers directly. Places like Beckett Collectibles in East Hartford will assess your collection’s value, set fair individual or lot prices, display the cards for sale in their store and online, and mail any sales while taking a small cut (often around 30%) of the proceeds for providing this service. It takes longer to sell everything this way but takes pressure off you for interaction with customers.
Auctions provide excitement but require more work. Contact local auction houses about inclusion in one of their sports memorabilia auctions. You’ll need to provide descriptions for each lot. Auctions achieve some of the highest prices but require listing fees, insurance while consigned, and a percentage cut by the auction house (as much as 25%). Do research to appropriately value rare memorabilia assets for reserve pricing. Publicity surrounding live auctions often draws serious collectors.
Personally contacting local card shop owners and asking if they’d be interested buying particular notable rarities from your collection in a private sale can also yield solid prices. High end collectibles may appreciate more through a curated specialty shop than a public sale. Be sure to shop cards around to multiple potential buyers to get the highest offer.
No matter the method, properly researching recent sold prices for comps, photography and grading conditions accurately, and dealing fairly and honestly with others are important for success in reselling a baseball card collection. With the right strategy, Connecticut collectors have numerous reliable options for turning cards back into cash. Let me know if any part of the process needs more explanation after reading this overview.
