eBay is one of the largest markets for buying and selling cards, but how do you secure the best prices? Here are our top tips for buying and selling cards with eBay.

We do the majority of our buying and selling through eBay, due to the sheer size of the market. There’s always someone who will be willing to buy your cards, and it’s a simple platform to use. 

We’ve put together a list with top tips for buyers and sellers, which should prove useful if you’re just getting started within the hobby.

Tips for buying cards at cheaper prices:

It’s always a good idea to get a card for the cheapest price possible. After all, the less you spend, the more cards you’ll be able to add to your collection!

Here are 10 top tips for buying cards at cheaper prices on eBay:

1. Take the time to check out recent sales, to get a better idea of what you should be paying for a collectible. Check ‘Sold Items’ on the left tab.

2. Don’t rush into any purchase, no matter how tempting it is. Be prepared to let cards go if the price isn’t right. Don’t get trapped in a bidding war. 

3. Wait until the last second before making a bid, it’s better to do so on mobile for greater accuracy. 

4. Check out the seller, and any feedback they have received in the past. Be wary of new sellers, especially if a price seems too good to be true.

5. Graded cards are a great way to avoid any fakes.  

6. Don’t feel bad about sending over a lower offer. Sometimes, an eBay seller will just want to get rid of a card quickly.

7. Create saved lists of players, sets, cards, or teams you’re interested in. This way, you’ll be one of the first to see any new cards that hit the market. (You can snap up any cheap deals.)

8. Set limits on what you’re willing to spend, and never spend more than you can afford. 

9. Try different variations of keywords to see if you can find more copies. 

10. If you’re looking at auctions, look for anything ending during the middle of the night, or any time that will see fewer users bidding on cards. 

Tips for selling cards at higher rates:

Selling cards tends to take more time, and there’s no point in being ripped off just to make a quick buck.

Here are 10 top tips for selling cards at higher prices on eBay:

1. Ensure you set auctions for at least seven days, and try to end them at peak times, such as on the weekend. 
2. You’re likely to see higher prices if you set your card for sale at a certain price, as well as being open to offers. 
3. Expect to receive numerous lowball offers, especially if you have a rare auto or a graded card that everyone wants.  
4. Don’t be afraid to send a valuable card off for grading, especially if it’s a company like PSA, BGS, or SGC. 
5. Make sure to list the player name, the set, and the card number. 
6. Add extra keywords like ‘PSA’ if you want more hits.
7. You can check out third-party ebay sellers, who tend to be able to sell cards for higher prices. (Of course, they will also charge a small fee, but they will take care of all of the hard work.) 
8. Be prepared to wait for the right buyer. 
9. If it’s a one of one, or a hyper-rare card, check sales for comparable players within the set if possible.
10. Take the best pictures possible, showing any damage. Buyers are going to be more wary if you’re not showing off the card from every angle, especially if it’s not graded. 

Buying and selling cards via eBay: FAQ

Here are the most common FAQs associated with buying and selling cards through eBay:

What fees do I have to pay with eBay? 

Fees tend to be the most important aspect for sellers. There are no additional fees when buying cards. 

When selling, you get a monthly allocation of 1,000 free listings, and the “final value fee is calculated as 12.8% of the total amount of the sale”. However, you’ll have to pay an additional 3% if you’re selling a high-ticket item. Make sure you know exactly what you’ll have to pay before listing a card for sale. 

How to spot a fake eBay sale? 

Fake cards are one thing, but what about fake sales? It’s easy for sellers to attempt to run up bids, causing a real user to pay more if they’re up against a shill bidder. Be wary of any suspicious bids, especially if you’re looking at multiple items from the same seller. 

Can you make money buying and selling cards? 

Yes, you can make good money from buying and selling cards with eBay. It’s not easy, and you’ll need a lot of patience. Sales can be few and far between, so it probably won’t be a full time job, but it’s a good way to add another revenue stream to your household. 

How do you buy and sell cards on eBay? 

You’ll need to make an account with eBay, and enter your payment information. You’ll then be free to bid at auction; or make an offer on an item if the seller allows the user to do so. Take your time and learn about the platform, and check out the tips above. 

You can check out the link below to see the latest PSA 10 rookie cards listed on eBay: 

• Check out the latest PSA 10 rookie cards on eBay 

The best time to sell sports cards on eBay

The best time to sell sports cards will depend on your location, but it’s best to aim for peak times over the weekend, or during a game in which you expect a player to feature. For example, it’s a good idea to have an Erling Haaland card sale finish just after a Manchester City game. As for retired pros, we’d ensure that it’s not the offseason at the very least.