How to Buy and Sell Sports Cards

Trading cards isn't just about swapping with buddies. The real buying and selling takes place at card shows and sports memorabilia auctions.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Sports Cards Price Guides
• Beckett Sports Collectibles Subscription
• Plastic Sports Card Sheets
• Sports Cards

1. Go to sports card dealers or Internet sites listing information on upcoming card shows and auction sites. Price guides, sports magazines and newspapers also highlight the main trading events.
2. Visit shows and auctions, including online auctions. (Many events require entrance fees.)
3. Examine all tables, attractions and vendors at shows.
4. Purchase sports cards you're willing to part with emotionally. Take into consideration the time and effort of reselling the cards.
5. Find a dealer who ideally will buy everything if you wish to sell - there is usually one at every show. Ask the dealer the price he or she is willing to pay. Try not to state a price yourself.
6. Bid rationally at auctions for memorabilia, raising each previous bid in small increments.
7. Make a deal if reasonable. Accept only cash from a dealer, if possible, and look over all paperwork in larger deals and auction purchases.

Tips & Warnings

• Research all merchandise you have your eye on at card shows and auctions, and look up its value in price guides.
• Watch trends in value for newer cards in order to estimate future prices.
• Try trading - rather than strictly buying and selling - with dealers.
• If you have something truly valuable, expect the dealers to come to you.
• At an auction, scan the room to check out potential bidders. Fans of merchandise will likely bid much more for merchandise that may not be as valuable - for example, a Chicago Bulls fan may bid a great deal for a Michael Jordan card.
• Newspaper classified ads also list availability of sports cards.
• Be aware of dealers using different price ranges in determining value for your cards, including high/low estimates.
• Watch for dealer and auctioneer scam tactics. Look for auctioneers to start their bid extremely high and then lower the price to make it seem that a card is going for much less than it should.
• Watch for built-up hype over rookie cards, insert cards, promotional cards, hologram cards and other special cards that may be rare, but not valuable.