Basketball cards make fantastic hobbies, keeping you busy as you search for and organize your collection. At some point, though, you may consider selling your best pieces, especially given the money on offer.
The fact is that the basketball card industry is booming right now, and there’s a range of options for making money. To help you get the best for your buck when you decide to take the plunge, we’re going to look at how to sell basketball cards in the best ways possible for your collection and your purse strings.
Step 1: Identify the value of your basketball cards
There’s an undeniably healthy market for basketball cards, and things can get a little competitive. As such it’s vital to value your cards carefully. Luckily, vintage cards, in particular, can be worth a fair amount in the seller’s market, especially if there’s a high demand for the player in question. Speaking of players, working out what cards you have happens to be a fantastic in-point for your valuation process.
A few different things determine card value, and checking the backs of any cards you want to sell will reveal key features to consider, including –
- Manufacturer
- When in player’s career card was issued
- What set it was issued in
With these key factors in mind, you should be able to do a pretty easy online comparison with other cards of the same ilk, giving you a rounded idea of how much you can realistically expect. Do note that these details alone don’t account for variations in pricing due to factors such as condition or supply and demand at the time of searching.
Step 2: Get basketball cards appraised
Due to those limitations, professional appraisal is also worthwhile to help you sell basketball cards. While having a rough figure in mind beforehand still matters, this next step can confirm precisely how much money you’re sitting on, and there are two main options to consider to get appraisals off the ground.
- Get cards appraised online
Online appraisal is the easiest option, with many online companies now offering this service. Even better, given that appraisal tends to be mutually beneficial, many do so for free. Of course, you should always research the company in question to ensure they’re reputable. Once you’re happy, simply photograph or scan cards and upload them to a collector’s site with some basic details on condition etc. - Take cards to a local card shop
Equally, you may choose to take cards to a local card shop. Do note that online may still be your best bet if you don’t live near such a shop, a fact you can check with a quick online search. If you are lucky enough to have one nearby, though, taking your cards straight in could see you enjoying those same appraisal benefits face-to-face.
Step 3: Decide where to sell your basketball cards
Once you’ve got a rough idea of price, it’s time to think about where you want to sell. Often, a collector will make an offer after a valuation, but you shouldn’t always jump right in. Admittedly, your research should ensure that the seller is sound, but it’s still well worth looking around to ensure you’re selling in the best place for your collection.
Selling to a card shop is an obvious convenient choice as it takes the hassle out of your hands. It can also be a lucrative option, especially in towns with NBA teams. Auction houses and garage sales are another in-person solution but are very dependent on the right buyer at the right time.
By comparison, online sources are typically preferable for putting pricing power in your hands while making sure that your listings reach the right collectors. Even here, though, you face options such as –
- Professional collectors — The same collectors who appraise your cards can make an offer, or even sell your entire collection. This brings a whole lot of ease to the process, as well as ensuring professional expertise in terms of which cards are hot or not.
- eBay, Craigslist, etc. — Equally, you could list each card yourself. Note, though, that this will take a fair amount of time, and may see you accepting a lower price than a professional would be able to offer for the same card.
Basketball cards Q&A
- How much should I expect if I sell my vintage cards?
As we’ve touched on, vintage card prices vary across the board and depend a great deal on condition. As a rule, cards from the 1980s onwards aren’t worth a great deal and may be best kept for a garage sale. That said, a rare vintage card in quality condition, especially pre-war, tobacco cards, and similar could fetch a fantastic price in the right places. - Will my collection continue increasing in value if I wait to sell?
It’s natural to assume that waiting to sell will see you earning more, but that’s not necessarily the case. Vintage card prices have decreased by around 10–30% since their peak in the 90s due to issues such as a lack of new collectors. With that in mind, selling sooner rather than later could be the best way to make the most money. - Does card value increase with professional grading from PSA?Collectors often believe that PSA grading increases card value, a fact that can be used to charge eye-watering amounts for the service. Ultimately, making sure grading is worth your while means being sensible about how much you pay, and making sure you have some idea of value in advance.
Sell basketball cards on GemCard
Online selling platforms may be best for making money on your collection, but not all are created equal. That’s why GemCard has gone above and beyond to stand out above the collector’s crowd with information gathering across marketplaces, grading by the world’s two largest third-party authentication services, and more. If you’re sitting on a collection that you think could be worth something, then you certainly shouldn’t hesitate to head to https://www.gemcard.co/ today.
