Where to Sell Basketball Cards To Get The Most Money

Do you have a large basketball card collection that you want to sell? Well, now would be a good time to find a buyer.

With the world of sports cards booming right now, you have a good chance of securing a good deal.

It’s not going to be easy, though. If you make one bad call, you would diminish the value of your cards. You need to think of how, when, and where to sell basketball cards.

Lucky for you, we’ve covered all of these points in this article so you can make a profitable deal.

Why You Should Consider Selling Basketball Cards

If you’re reluctant to sell your basketball cards because of their sentimental value, we can change your mind about that:

• It’s lucrative: With a good collection and proper timing, selling basketball cards will get a good sum of money.
• It’s easy to find buyers: With a seductive offer and the rising popularity of trading cards, you won’t face any trouble finding a buyer. 
• You’ll find multiple venues: Whether it’s online or face-to-face, an auction house or a card shop, you’ll find different platforms to make a sale in.
• It’s flexible: From private collections to estate sales, there are various ways to collect profitable cards.

Problems With Selling Basketball Cards

At first glance, selling basketball cards seems the perfect job for a basketball enthusiast. 

Selling things online has its downsides, though, and you should have a realistic idea of what you’re getting into.

1. It’s Not as Profitable as You Think

Unfortunately, not all basketball cards sell for a lot of money. You need to have a sought-after card to get a profitable deal.

2. It’s a Gamble

The value of basketball cards depends on players’ performance and popularity. If players don’t perform well in a few games, their popularity declines, and so does his card’s value. 

3. It Can Be Overwhelming

If you buy basketball cards to sell them later, you know there’s an overwhelming number of card sets.

It’s crucial to keep a close eye on different players to know which cards are popular now and which cards could be valuable later. 

4. They’re Hard to Maintain

A card’s condition plays a role in determining its value. Unfortunately, the slightest sign of damage, whether it’s a light scratch or a bent corner, can diminish a card’s value.

What You’ll Need to Sell Basketball Cards

If you want to sell your basketball cards for a high price, you need to have the proper tools to make a good sale. That includes:

• Storing tools: Part of securing a good deal is keeping your cards in good condition. Your best bet would be to invest in binders, pocket sleeves, or storage boxes.
• Examination tools: Buying cards with the purpose of selling them is risky, as not everyone will sell you authentic cards. If you’re going to grade your cards, you need to have the right tools to inspect it yourself. Magnifiers and grading equipment are great to inspect your cards’ surface, centering, and corners.
• Good pictures: If you’re going to sell your cards online, you need to make them as presentable as possible. Even a valuable card needs complementing photos to look appealing.
• Payment method: You need to determine a convenient way to receive your payments. You can use your bank account, PayPal, Venmo, or Apple Pay.

Where to Sell Basketball Cards?

When it comes to selling basketball cards, you have various dealers and venues to choose from. Each venue has its advantages, and you need to choose one that caters to your needs.

We’ve gathered popular card-selling platforms that you can choose from instead of posting a listing on Craigslist or on Amazon Marketplace.

1. Beckett

The best part about Beckett is that it specializes in sports cards, with over a hundred million cards on the marketplace.

What Makes This Option Great

You can take advantage of the website’s worldwide reputation and look for people selling similar cards to yours. That way, you can set a realistic price for your sales.

Unfortunately, you can’t get money from selling cards on Beckett unless you’re a registered dealer, which is not free.

That means it’s better to use Beckett when you have valuable cards to sell.

• Fees/Commissions: 5% of your item’s price + monthly $6.99 to become a registered dealer.
• Payment Methods: Registered bank account or PayPal.

2. eBay

You saw this one coming. Whether it’s basketball, football, or even Pokemon cards, eBay is another great option.

What Makes This Option Great

Not only is it one of the largest platforms to sell items in, but it also has an entire section dedicated to basketball cards. You get 250 free listings per month, but you’ll have to pay $0.35 for each additional listing.

• Fees/Commissions: 13.25% of the total amount of your sale up to $7,500 + 2.35% on the portion over $7,500.
• Payment Method: Registered checking account

3. ALT

Similar to Beckett, ALT specializes in selling cards. The app’s designers had one goal: providing you with the smoothest sale on the market.

What Makes This Option Great

To make sure you find buyers as fast as possible, ALT grants you listings both on their marketplace and eBay.

You’ll receive your payment after seven days of making the sale. There’s even a pricing tool to help you determine the value of your cards. Once the app approves your submissions, you can get up to 60% of your cards’ value in advance.

• Fees/Commissions: 5% of your item’s total price + $5 for vault storage per card.
• Payment Method: Registered bank account.

How to Sell Basketball Cards: Step-By-Step Instructions

Now that you’re all set, it’s time to make the sale. As the most crucial step, there are several factors you need to consider before and during the sale.

Step 1. Learn What Makes a Card Valuable

You want to know the factors that affect cards’ value and how they apply to your cards.

It takes time to learn, but it’ll help you avoid scammers. Fear not! We’ve gathered all the elements that factor into a card’s value.

The Rarity of Your Set

Not all sets are produced at the same rate. Some have a longer print run than others. Cards from Panini’s Donruss set won’t get you a high price because they’re more common.

If you look at Flawless, though, you’ll notice it has a shorter print run. That’s why its cards are more expensive.

Parallel Cards

Parallel cards are regular cards with extra pizazz. That may include a different design, foil stamping, or an autograph. As the more visually appealing version, and sometimes rarer, parallel cards tend to be pricier.

Grade of the Card

A card’s grade is proof of authenticity. Naturally, a graded card is worth more than the raw version.

Even a graded card’s price can fluctuate depending on its grade. A PSA 10 card can be worth up to four times the price of a PSA 9 card.

The Popularity of Players

The player on the card is the most decisive factor in determining a card’s value.

A Michael Jordan card is sure to get a better price than that of an average player. A player’s value isn’t determined only by their legacy, though.

Some collectors like to invest in top-tier rookie cards. The idea here is that when these rookies become big, their cards will sell for more than what they bought them for.  

Step 2. Know the Price of Your Cards

If you’re new to the basketball card industry, it’d be difficult to determine the value of your cards. In that case, you have to do extensive research to avoid scammers.

The easiest way to determine your cards’ value is to bring them to a local sports card shop for an appraisal. If you’re not sure where to find a sports card shop, google it.

If you don’t have any stores near you, you’ll have to resort to online platforms. While Beckett can help you know the price of your cards, there’s a more efficient way.

Nowadays, there are websites dedicated to pricing sports cards. Whether it’s Market Movers or Card Ladders, these websites can tell you the price of a card and how popular it is right now.

The biggest downside is that they’re not free. While Card Ladder has a free version, it’s not as premium as the pro. If you’re a dedicated seller, they could be worth the investment.

You can also use eBay. This is, by far, the easiest way. You can go to the “sold items” box on the left side and see how much your cards were sold for before. This should give an accurate idea of your cards’ value.

Step 3. Determine the Selling Platform

You have to determine whether you want to go online or to a local dealer. Both have their pros and cons.

Selling your cards to a dealer is faster, and the face-to-face experience can be reassuring. Unfortunately, you don’t have much control over the price, as you’re limited by what the dealer will offer.

Selling sports cards online is more work. You’ll have to take good photos of your cards and communicate with potential buyers. It’s also more tedious, as, unlike selling to a dealer, you might not get a buyer right away.

The upside is that you determine the price yourself.

Step 4. Be Selective With Your Buyers

If you want to get a good price for your cards, you have to be picky with the buyers. A sports card shop would be a good choice. As an entity that specializes in sports cards, you know the people who work there know what they’re doing.

Bring your cards over, and have professionals appraise them. Unfortunately, they’re going to offer you a lower price to be able to make a profit when they sell them.

For online buyers, take a look at their profiles and see if they have a good reputation.

Step 5. Sell Different Cards in Different Venues

Not all basketball cards are salable. You’re going to have a hard time selling low-value cards to dealers or online. In that case, your best bet would be going to a garage sale.

You can sell your cards in bulk to someone who’s looking to buy them for cheap.

You can also target sports card shows. These are mobile events where you can find potential buyers and sellers. You have a good chance of selling your cards there, as these events gather serious card collectors.

Keep in mind that different shows have different rules. In some shows, you have to book an appointment to sell cards. Other shows require a fee to let you sell your cards. 

Things to Consider When Selling Basketball Cards

Now you have everything you need to sell your basketball cards—well, almost everything. Below are our best practices of selling a product.

The Playoffs

This end-of-season tournament is a good chance for your card’s value to increase. 

Several players become hot on the market after an outstanding performance in the playoffs, increasing the value of their cards.

It’d be more profitable to time your sale with the player’s peak performance in that tournament.

The City You Live In

Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Boston have the biggest basketball markets out there. You can get a better price if you sell your cards in any of these cities.

Frequently Asked Question

Here are some frequently asked questions to help you gain a better understanding of the cards industry.

Are Michael Jordan basketball cards worth money?

Michael Jordan’s cards vary in price. Some of them go for as little as $2, while others are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

What are the most expensive basketball cards on the market?

The most expensive basketball cards include:

Card	Price Range	Highest Selling Price
The 2009 Stephen Curry Autographed National Treasures Logoman Rookie Card	$180,000-$264,000	$5.9 million
2013-14 Panini National Treasures Giannis Antetokounmpo Autographed Horizontal Rookie Patch	$85,000-$110,000	$1.8 million

Similar Tutorials to Check Out

Did this article pique your interest? Well, we have comprehensive guides on how to sell different types of cards too.

• How to Sell Baseball Cards: A step-by-step guide on how to sell baseball cards, from pricing them to identifying a good buyer.
• How to Sell Pokemon Cards: Learn how to sell Pokemon cards, the value of different editions, and how to get the best price.
• How to Sell Gift Cards: A comprehensive list of all the legit websites on which you can sell different types of gift cards.

Wrapping Up

Now you know where to sell basketball cards. Before you get into the card industry, though, you need to know its pros and cons to avoid unrealistic expectations.

You also need to have a solid understanding of your cards’ value. Do your research well, set a realistic price, and find a proper buyer.

The best part about selling basketball cards is that you have different venues to sell in. Whether it’s online or face-to-face, you won’t have a problem finding a buyer.

Let us know what you think and share this article with your friends if you thought it was informative.