If you're like us and grew up collecting sports cards in the '80s and '90s, then your local sports card shop was likely the best place to buy the hottest cards and your favorite players. However, the sports card landscape has evolved over the years, and gone are the days where you could pick up a hobby pack for a decent price. The majority of sports cards are now sold on the web, and with that in mind, we will focus this article on the best places to buy sports cards online. Below is a list of major players in the online sports card marketplace.
EBAY
With the most extensive inventory of sports cards, from vintage to modern, and the largest community of buyers and sellers online, the eBay marketplace is without a doubt the number one place to buy and sell sports cards online. With so many active buyers and sellers, eBay has essentially become the official price guide for the sports card market.
The eBay marketplace is user-friendly and straightforward, making it seamless for collectors to navigate the platform. With dozens of filters and sort options to narrow down your search, including by sport, team, player, card attributes, and grade, collectors can find precisely which sports cards they are looking for.
If you are uncertain of a card’s value and want to know how much to pay, eBay’s recently sold items is one of the best tools available. To see recently sold items on eBay, look for the filter on the left-hand side of the screen labeled as "Sold Items," which, as the title suggests, shows all of the most recent sales and can be used as a price guide when looking for cards to buy. Although there's no guarantee the card hasn’t gone up or down in value, you at least know that you paid the same as the next guy.
While eBay does an excellent job at monitoring seller performance, it’s always best to check the seller’s feedback and communicate with them before making a purchase. If you are buying from a seller with a good feedback score (close to 100%), there is a strong likelihood the listing is legitimate, which minimizes your risk of being scammed. However, if anything does happen, be sure to reach out to eBay customer service, as they do a fantastic job of protecting buyers and ensuring they get exactly what was advertised or their money back.
CHECK OUT MY CARDS
If you haven't heard about Check Out My Cards or COMC, then this is your lucky day. COMC is another major player in the online sports card marketplace and houses over 26 million cards from thousands of sellers located under one roof.
If you are looking to quickly buy and flip sports cards, the COMC platform is for you. You can buy cards from multiple sellers and combine them into one low-cost shipment, or with just a few clicks, you can immediately relist them on the platform to make a profit.
As an alternative, if you have sports cards at home that you wish to sell, you can mail them to COMC, and they will list them for you. For a small fee, COMC will categorize the cards, take high-resolution scans, and list them on their site for sale. They also offer an option to cross-list the cards on eBay for added exposure.
MYSLABS
MySlabs is a relatively new player in the online card marketplace, though it has quickly made a name for itself. Due to their low selling fees and strict screening process, MySlabs is ideal for buyers and sellers.
As a true peer-to-peer marketplace for collectors interested exclusively in slabs and sealed wax, MySlabs is a comprehensive platform designed for collectors seeking to avoid high auction and consignment fees. Like eBay, MySlabs inventory is uploaded, sold, and shipped by the sellers. Though, what sets MySlabs apart is their fixed 1% commission fee, designating MySlabs as an attractive marketplace for sellers to move cards quickly and for buyers to browse competitively priced sports cards.
SPORTLOTS
Often overlooked due to its haphazard website, Sportslots is a valuable resource for buying lower-end singles, bulk cards, and completing sets. The minimum price for cards on Sportlots sits at only $0.18, making it the go-to destination for buyers on a budget. Sportslots grants buyers the opportunity to scoop up cards for cheap to either keep in their personal collection, or flip for a profit on eBay, COMC, Facebook, and other online platforms.
Many sellers on Sportslots have 10, 20, 50, or more of the same card giving collectors the potential to pick up bulk lots of undiscovered prospects, often at low prices. With this in mind, you can buy a player in bulk, sit on the cards until they have a breakout game, and then flip them for a profit.
AUCTION HOUSES
In the ever-evolving world of sports card collecting, auction houses have become a cornerstone for enthusiasts seeking rare, high-end, and historically significant sports cards. Unlike traditional online marketplaces, auction houses such as PWCC, Goldin, Heritage, and Pristine offer a curated selection of items, bringing together both buyers and sellers in a competitive yet secure environment. Below are some of the unique offerings and advantages of engaging with auction houses.
PWCC Marketplace stands out with its comprehensive Vault service, providing collectors with a secure storage solution that also includes a sophisticated marketplace for trading cards. Their auctions often feature rare and highly sought-after cards, drawing in serious collectors and investors alike.
Goldin Auctions has carved a niche in the sports memorabilia world with its high-profile auctions that often include rare sports cards, autographed memorabilia, and unique sports-related items. Goldin is known for its exceptional customer service, transparent operations, and the ability to fetch record-breaking prices for rare items, making it a favorite among high-end collectors.
Heritage Auctions, another leading name, offers a wide array of collectibles, including sports cards. Their extensive expertise in various collectibles sectors provides a rich, diversified selection for collectors. Heritage is particularly noted for its expertly curated auctions, extensive research, and detailed descriptions of items, offering a deep dive into the history and value of the sports cards on offer.
Pristine Auction specializes in daily and weekly auctions that cater to a wide range of collectors. Pristine is recognized for its user-friendly platform, diverse offerings, and stringent authentication processes, ensuring all items are genuine and accurately described. This accessibility and reliability make Pristine a go-to auction house for both new and experienced collectors.
DEALER WEBSITES
- CardsHQ
- Burbank Sports Cards
- Blowout Cards
- Dave and Adam’s Card World
- Steel City Collectibles
- Dean’s Cards
- Charm City Cards
FORUMS
Sports card forums are a great way to interact with the sports card community and offer dedicated threads for buying and selling cards. Forums are an excellent alternative to e-commerce sites like eBay and COMC because you have the opportunity to build a personal connection with other sports card enthusiasts. One of the perks of sports card forums is that if you are trying to complete a set and list it on a thread, collectors will proactively reach out if they have the missing cards you are looking for. Two of the most popular sports card forums are:
SOCIAL MEDIA
The intersection of sports card collecting and social media has transformed the hobby, creating vibrant communities across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Each offers unique benefits for showcasing collections, making connections, and trading cards. Instagram excels with its visual format, Facebook with its specialized groups, and Twitter with its concise communication. As collectors navigate these spaces, understanding the benefits and drawbacks of each platform is important for a safe and rewarding experience.
- Instagram: IG is arguably the most fitting social media platform for showcasing your collection since the entire platform focuses on pictures. There is a vast community of sports card collectors on Instagram, and it's easy to make connections and buy cards. As with any social media site, ensure you only make deals with other reliable and trustworthy collectors.
- Facebook: There are countless Facebook groups dedicated to the sports card hobby, with some of them focused on specific eras, teams, players, and types of cards. Facebook groups are a reliable way to buy, sell, and trade cards; however, be cautious when dealing directly with other parties because there is minimal protection on transactions.
- Twitter: Similar to Facebook, there is a strong collector community on Twitter. While Twitter only provides 280 characters, it's easy to interact with other buyers and sellers to strike up a deal. As with Instagram and Facebook, vetting the other party will help minimize risk during transactions.
Although there are endless options for buying sports cards online, one of the most significant advantages of acquiring sports cards online is your ability to compare prices across platforms. Online marketplaces make it easy to find the cards you're after, ensure you're not overpaying for cards, and allow you to spot deals when you come across them.
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