Card Review Club: Card List Methodology

I’ve received a few messages over the years asking how we come up with the card lists that make up the majority of the content on Card Review Club.

Here’s everything you need to know about our card review process, including the criteria we use, and an FAQ section.

How we come up with our lists

We use expert knowledge of the hobby, eBay sales prices, auctions, and more to come up with our ‘best card’ lists.

Before we start any review, we have a preliminary section where we discuss the player or the set itself. Cards are chosen based on new releases, popular demand, and the overall buzz in the collector community. To ensure our lists are diverse, we make sure to include cards from various eras, sports, and regions. This helps cater to a broader range of collectors.

We value feedback from our community. Past reviews and suggestions often influence our choices, ensuring we address what our readers are interested in.

Research Phase: We dedicate a considerable amount of time researching each card’s history, its significance in its respective sport, and its relevance in the current market
Analysis of Trends: We analyze current market trends, focusing on cards that have seen significant appreciation or attention recently

Weighted scores:

Our lists use weighted values to determine the top spots. Criteria is as follows:

Values: We factor in for some of the most valuable cards on the market. The higher the average value, the more likely the card is to feature in one of the top spots on the list. This tends to be the most important factor overall, and weighs heavily in terms of card lists.
Rarity: Rarity will always have a role to play in terms of interest and pricing. The rarer the better, so expect to see rarer cards featured more frequently. This might not always be the case. Parallels fit into this criteria, whether it’s a one-of-one or a popular insert.
Popularity and branding: How popular is the brand, or the set itself? It all has a role to play, especially if you plan to sell a card in the future. More popular brands are likely to take the top spot in comparison to lesser-known sets or releases.
Rookie cards: RCs are always going to sell for a premium, as the first ever cards to feature a player or subject. Most collectors will pay more for rookie cards, so we’ve listed them accordingly.
Potential ROI: Arguably most important, can you expect a decent potential ROI if it’s a long-term hold? Think in terms of a decade, rather than a month or two.

Examples:

Take our list of the most valuable Michael Jordan cards. MJ’s 1986 Fleer rookie takes the top spot, as it fulfills all of the criteria seen above.

The same is true for any of the lists on Card Review Club. We’re constantly aiming to improve the listing process, and will periodically update content to reflect any changes in the market.

CRC FAQ:

Does CRC own any of the cards we link to on eBay?

No, it would be unethical to guide you towards cards we have a vested interest in. I’ve attempted to make the review process as unbiased as possible, giving readers a fair and accurate overview of the best cards that are available at any given time. I might own a copy in my personal collection from time to time, but I’d never link to cards I’m selling myself.

Which cards do you collect?

I predominantly collect soccer cards and stickers, along with UFC, Pokemon, and F1. I also like to keep up with sports like basketball, hockey, and football. I’ve collected everything from MetaZoo to Star Wars cards, and I’m always on the lookout for a new box to rip and review. I’m a fan of vintage releases, and I’ve been collecting cards for over 20 years, beginning with the initial Pokémon craze back in the late 1990’s.

How do we pick players and sets to review?

Normally, it’s just a player or set that I like, or a card that has started to increase in interest in recent weeks. We’re always open to suggestions, so feel free to send a message over if you have a query.