Online Marketplaces – There are several large online auction and marketplace sites that are great places to sell individual cards or entire collections. Some good options include eBay, Amazon Marketplace, and bidding sites like heritageauctions.com. On eBay, you can set up an online store to sell multiple cards at once or individually. Taking good photos and providing accurate descriptions will help cards sell. Make sure to research recently sold prices for comps. eBay and similar sites take a small cut of sales but provide a huge potential buyer base.
Online Sports Card Marketplaces – Dedicated sports card trading/sales sites like SportsCardForum.com, BlowoutCards.com, and COMC.com specialize in moving cards and are trusted by buyers and sellers. On these sites, you can set prices, sell individually or in group lots, and ship orders yourself. Buyers are other serious collectors so rarer/high-end cards do especially well. Sellers pay small consignment or listing fees on sold items.
Local Card Shops – If you have a local collectibles or sports memorabilia store, stop by to check interest in your cards. Consignment may be an option to avoid upfront fees and let the shop’s buyer traffic work for you. Shops often pay 60-70% of sale price and handle customer service. Many will also purchase collections outright for a set price if you’d rather sell everything in one transaction.
Local Online Buyers – Using apps like OfferUp or Facebook Marketplace, you can advertise your cards locally for sale pickup only. This attracts collectors in your area who may spot something they need for their set. Meeting in a public place like a local coffee shop provides a safe sale environment. Only shipping is avoided – you still must research prices, pack securely, and handle money exchange.
Card Shows – Regional and national sports card shows bring hundreds of dealers and thousands of buyers together in event spaces like convention centers. You can rent a dealer table and bring your cards to directly sell to shop owners and fans. Larger shows on weekends draw serious traders and collectors. Table rental ranges from $50-200 depending on the show size. Research upcoming dates and locations in your area.
Consignment Shops – As an alternative to cash-only sales, some local memorabilia shops will accept cards on long-term consignment. This allows cards to sit unsold for months while the shop advertises and displays them. When sold, you receive 60-70% of the final price paid once the item is picked up or shipped. The shop handles display, sales interactions, and record-keeping. It may take a year or more for harder-to-sell cards to move at consignment shops.
Grading & Certification Services – Top condition vintage or highly valuable modern cards may do extremely well if professionally slabbed and graded by PSA or BGS first. This draws serious investors willing to pay up for authenticated high grades of desirable cards. Getting a card certified does require upfront costs of $10-30+ per card depending on bulk submission options you choose through the grading company. Only worthwhile for pristine key pieces in a collection.
No matter which sale route you pursue, be sure cards are properly stored, protected and shipped. Researching market values on recently sold listings is crucial for pricing. Provide lot photos showcasing the fronts and backs clearly along with accurate descriptions of player, year, condition issues etc. Sellers must be trustworthy, ship promptly once payment is received, and build their online reputation over time through positive reviews. With patience and diligence using these outlined options, you can maximize the return on your old baseball card collection. Let me know if you need any other tips for a successful sell!
