Online Marketplaces – Some of the largest and most well-known options for selling cards online include eBay, Mercari, Amazon Marketplace, and Decluttr. eBay is likely the best choice as it has the largest customer base of any online marketplace. It gives you flexibility in how you list and price your cards. You’ll want to take clear, well-lit photos and describe the cards and their conditions accurately. Be prepared to ship items safely and quickly once sold.
Mercari is also a good option that takes a smaller commission percentage than eBay. Photos are important on Mercari as well. Amazon Marketplace allows you to reach Amazon’s huge customer base but it requires sellers to have inventory stored at an Amazon fulfillment center, meaning you’d need larger volumes of cards to make it worthwhile. Decluttr focuses on buying used goods from sellers quickly but often at lower prices than eBay or private sales.
Sports Card Shops and Local Card Shows – Search online for sports card and memorabilia shops in your area. Call ahead to ask if they buy collections and get an idea of what prices they typically pay. Shop owners know the market well and may be able to provide appraisals. Card shows are also excellent places to set up a table and sell cards yourself on weekends. Be prepared with organized displays and pricing to draw customers. This allows you to potentially earn more than selling to a shop wholesale.
Facebook Groups and Online Forums – Facebook has many sports trading/selling groups organized by sport, team, or era that are active marketplaces. For example, groups like “Baseball Card Marketplace” each have thousands of members constantly posting items for sale. Be sure to read all group rules carefully. Online forums like SportsCardForum.com also have dedicated areas for collections or individual cards for sale. Both of these options let you reach a wide network of collectors directly.
Consigning with Professional Auction Houses – If you have truly high-end vintage cards graded in gem condition by PSA or BGS, consigning them to auction is wise. Companies like Heritage, SCP, and Goldin provide auction expertise, catalog placement, and worldwide buyer reach to maximize prices. They typically take 10% or more commission on sales. Do research on recent auction comps to gauge card values before consulting with an auction house.
Direct to Collector Sales via Social Media – Use platforms like Instagram, Twitter or specialty trading apps to directly connect with collectors searching for your specific teams or players. Negotiate private sales making offers to individuals. This model takes more time but allows you to earn full asking prices and build new collector connections. Clearly showcase cards with tagged photos and be responsive to queries.
For most casual or mid-level baseball card collections, listing accurately on eBay is likely the best approach. It provides the biggest pool of potential buyers nationwide. For truly valuable vintage cards, seeking auction representation may achieve the highest returns. Taking the time to learn the secondary market and optimize listings/pricing will help sellers maximize profits. With patience and diligent promotion, there are solid options available to turn used baseball cards into cash.
