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Deciding to sell some of your cards is a big step, but the hard part is already behind you. Now comes the next challenge: choosing where to sell them. Sounds simple, right? Well, not quite.
What kind of cards are you selling? Are you okay with higher fees if it means a higher sale price? How quickly do you need the cash? Will your card be showcased and marketed, or buried in the back of a catalog? Are you prepared to handle the listing and shipping yourself?
Choosing the right platform to sell your cards is as much an art as it is a strategy. It’s about matching your cards with the platform that has the most motivated buyers for what you’re offering. Sometimes that means consigning with a premier auction house, and other times it means playing the long game with a Buy-It-Now listing on eBay.
Whether you're a casual seller or a seasoned pro, this guide will help you find the best platform to sell your sports cards.
Consider the Types of Cards You’re Selling
The type of cards you’re selling plays a huge role in determining the best platform. Each platform caters to different audiences and excels at selling certain types of cards. Before diving into platform specifics, take a moment to assess your cards based on these three key factors:
1. Estimated Price
What is the likely selling price of your card? Group your cards into price tiers to help narrow down the most appropriate platform:
Tier 1: $10,000+ – Auction Headliners
Tier 2: $2,500–$10,000 – Lower “High-End”
Tier 3: $500–$2,500 – Mid-Range
Tier 4: $100–$500 – “Value” Cards
Tier 5: $0–$100 – Common or Bulk Cards
Higher-priced cards often do best on platforms with dedicated high-end collectors, while lower-priced cards may thrive in marketplaces with broader audiences and lower fees.
2. Era
What era does the card come from?
Pre-War (pre-1945): Rare and highly collectible, best sold via auction houses or specialty vintage markets.
Vintage (1950s–1980s): Perfect for platforms like eBay or collector forums.
Modern and Ultra-Modern (1990s–today): Thrive on trendy, visual-driven platforms like Instagram or graded card marketplaces.
Understanding the popularity of the sport on different platforms can help you find motivated buyers.
Assess Your Desire to “DIY”
Next, you’ll need to assess how much effort you’re willing to put into the sale. Some platforms require a hands-on approach, where you handle everything from listing to shipping, while others manage most of the process for you.
DIY Platforms (e.g., eBay, MySlabs): You’re in charge of creating listings, setting prices, and fulfilling orders. These platforms often offer lower fees but require more time and effort.
Full-Service Platforms (e.g., Goldin, Heritage): These take care of listing, marketing, and shipping, but they come with higher fees and longer timelines.
There can be something satisfying about handling the sale on your own. Seeing a card’s journey from photograph to fulfillment and shipping can be rewarding. If you’d rather hand off the work and focus on other things, full-service platforms could be a better fit.
Evaluate The Platform’s Recent Performance
Platforms rise and fall in popularity depending on market trends, audience shifts, and their ability to deliver results for sellers. Before committing to a platform, research its recent performance.
Reputation: Does the platform have a strong track record of fair transactions?
Buyer Activity: Are buyers actively bidding or purchasing cards in your category?
Trustworthiness: Does the platform offer protections for sellers and buyers?
Decide on Auction, Buy-It-Now, or Private Listing
The method you choose to sell your card will also influence which platform to choose:
Auction: Ideal for high-demand or rare cards, where competition can drive up the price. Platforms like eBay, Fanatics Collect, and Heritage excel in auctions.
Buy-It-Now: Best for cards with stable market value where you’re willing to wait for the right buyer. eBay and MySlabs are great options for this approach.
Private Listings: Useful for ultra-rare cards with a loyal group of player or set collectors. You may be able to get a premium selling privately in high-end Facebook groups or via direct deals on Instagram.
Once you’ve chosen your sales method, it’s time to evaluate one of the most critical factors: fees.
Compare Fees
Fees can make or break your profit margin. Many platforms have a tiered seller's fee structure where your selling fees are lower for high value items. Other platforms will charge you a fixed fee per transaction to make sure they're earning something on low dollar sales. I explored the impact of fixed fees on low value card sales in another Collecting Guide if you're interested in checking that out.
Here are links to the seller fees at a few of the major sports card sales platforms:
So Where Should I Sell My Sports Cards?
Last Updated on 11/21/2024
You’ve figured out what types of cards you’ll be selling and how you’d like to sell them. Now it’s time to match those preferences with where the collectors are buying. Below is a summary of the major platforms for fixed-price listings and auctions, along with their pros and cons.
Fixed Price Listings: eBay:
Pros: Largest customer base across all sports, price ranges, and eras.
Cons: Mid-range seller fees, though fees can be reduced by using a consigner. Requires significant effort to photograph, list, price, fulfill, and ship items.
Pros: Growing platforms with lower fees than eBay. Exclusively for graded cards and focused on modern and ultra-modern cards across all sports.
Cons: Smaller customer base compared to eBay.
Pros: Lowest fees in the market, making it an attractive option for sellers.
Cons: Limited audience and low volume of sales. Only allows graded cards.
Instagram & Facebook Groups:
Pros: Ideal for finding die-hard collectors focused on specific players, teams, or sets. Minimal fees (limited to transaction fees for payment methods).
Cons: High risk due to lack of platform protections or guardrails. Transactions require trust and direct negotiation.
Auction Platforms:
eBay:
Pros: Best option for most cards under $1,000 due to its vast buyer pool.
Cons: Sellers with low feedback should consider using a consigner to build credibility and attract bids.
Pros: Weekly auctions with quick listing and payment processes. Caters primarily to modern and ultra-modern cards.
Cons: Best suited for graded cards, with limited reach for vintage items.
Pros: Exceptional marketing draws highly motivated buyers to monthly elite auctions. Great for high-end or rare items.
Cons: With so many lots, some cards later in the auction can get overlooked.
Pros: The largest auction house globally, known for its seasonal showcase auctions (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter). Fantastic for high-end vintage cards and memorabilia.
Cons: Longer lead times—sellers must wait for the next auction to begin.
The list above isn’t exhaustive. Other auction houses worth considering include:
Robert Edwards Auctions
Mile High Card Company
90s Auctions
Alt Liquid Auctions
Love of the Game Auctions
Memory Lane Auctions
Each of these platforms caters to specific niches within the hobby. Researching their strengths and audience can help you determine if they align with your selling goals.
Conclusion
Choosing the right platform to sell your sports cards depends on your goals, the type of cards you’re selling, and your preferred level of involvement. Whether you’re offloading common cards or liquidating a rare collection, matching your inventory to the right audience and platform is key.
By understanding each platform’s strengths, fees, and recent performance, you can make smarter decisions and maximize your returns. Now, it’s time to start selling and see your cards find their perfect home!