Penny Pincher's Guide to Collecting Baseball Cards

If you love collecting baseball cards, you are certainly not alone. There are millions of cards to choose from. Some people collect their favorite players or teams, while other collect specific years, brands, or sets. There is no right or wrong to collecting, but it would be a waste to pay full price for your cards. This penny pincher's guide to collecting baseball cards will help you get the most cards for the least amount of money.

The absolute best place to buy cheap baseball cards is eBay. Some might consider this the worst place, because of the number of people that are actively bidding on eBay each day. However, there are way more baseball card sellers on eBay than there are bidders. Thousands of baseball cards sell on eBay every minute for only a small fraction of their book value.

The Beckett price guide is considered the "bible" of baseball card values. Buyers and seller refer to this guide in order to see how much their cards are worth, how much they should pay for new cards, and what they might be able to sell their cards for. The problem that newcomers to the baseball card world encounter is that they think the prices in this guide are set in stone. This is far from the truth. In actuality, there is a unwritten rule amongst those active in the baseball card world that unless a card is extremely hot or rare, it usually is only worth 10% of the high book value listed. That's right, 10%.

If you are hoping to sell baseball cards, this is likely crushing news. If you are wanting to purchase new cards for your collection, you should jump for joy. There are exceptions, of course. Cards that are extremely limited, older cards, and some autographed and game used memorabilia cards can sell at their high book value, or even higher. By and large though, most cards fall into this unspoken 10% area.

There are several reasons to visit eBay. For one, there is no larger selection of baseball cards in one spot. Additionally, this large selection means that there are always extreme baseball card bargains to be had. There simply is not a buyer, or more than one buyer, for all of the over one million baseball cards on eBay at any given time. The vast majority of eBay sellers are trustworthy, and now more than ever, sellers are offering free shipping deals. Purchasing a baseball card that you need for your collection for a dollar or less is well withing the realm of possibility.

There are other auction sites where you can find baseball cards. Sites such as ePier, Bonanza, iOffer, and many more have thousands of such listings. Generally, the deals found on these sites are not as extreme as eBay deals, but they may be worth checking out if you are looking for specific cards and cannot find them on eBay.

Make Money Selling Sportscards and Sports Memorabilia

eBay Baseball Cards Buyers Guide

Those that like to buy baseball cards likely already use eBay as a source. However, many do not know how to get the best deals on eBay baseball cards. Consider the following information before placing your next bid.

eBay has become a buyer's market. It is completely overloaded with sellers and products, including eBay baseball cards. What this means for you as a buyer is that you will be able to buy baseball cards at extremely low prices. In order for items on eBay to sell for high prices, there needs to be more than one person interested in an item. With over two million baseball cards listed at any given time, there is simply no way for each auction to draw interest from two or more people.

While individual cards are cheap, if you like to buy baseball cards in lots, eBay is the place to be. Single card purchases, no matter how cheap, will eventually become less cost effective due to the amount of shipping costs you might pay. However, eBay baseball cards that are offered in lots are not only inexpensive, but can drastically cut down on the amount of shipping you pay while building your collection.

There are cards that you will likely have to pay premium prices for. Often these are hot baseball rookie cards, vintage baseball cards that are in excellent condition, and extremely limited edition cards, such as one of one's. Autographed and memorabilia cards used to fall into the category, and some still do. However, most of these are now plentiful, and unless they are limited or feature a hot player, will not command high prices.

Individuals that buy baseball cards to complete sets should consider eBay their best friend. Base cards, inserts, refractors, and other parallels are just a few of the eBay baseball cards that set builders can find on the popular auction site. Depending on the set you are trying to complete, you may be able to find the cards you need in only a short period of time. In addition to eBay, consider checking out the Beckett Market Place, where three million sports cards are listed for sale.

eBay's "Buy It Now" option should be considered if a baseball card you need is listed this way, and the price is reasonable. Many prefer this option to bidding, as there is no guess work or bidding wars involved. However, bidding for eBay baseball cards has it's perks. I cannot even tell you how many baseball card auctions I have won for a penny. Penny auctions were originally a hot trend, as they were used to increase bidding, and for a while it worked. Now that the market is overcrowded, this strategy is only minimally effective.

Using eBay to buy baseball cards is quite a lot of fun. New cards are posted each and every day, and if you enjoy the thrill of getting a great bargain, eBay is the place you want to be. There are millions of eBay baseball cards to choose from, and collector's everywhere are taking advantage of this useful marketplace.

5 Tips To Buying Trading Cards

The trading card industry is one of the most popular in all of collectibles. With everything ranging from race used sheet metal to game-used bats and rookie cards of tomorrow’s hottest stars, the manufacturers of trading cards have changed the way people collect. Some time ago, the greatest insert in a wax pack was a stick of bubble gum, but today it’s so much more.

With such popularity comes great wealth, for both manufacturers and collectors, and a few tips to consider when dealing with trading cards will make the hobby not only one of profit, but also of fun.

Condition. When shopping for trading cards, pay close attention to the condition. A mint card is one that is just like new, with sharp corners, no markings or creases. Some companies actually grade trading cards, while others simply let the shopper decide. Trading cards that are in poor condition are noticeable immediately, but ‘good’ and ‘fair’ ratings are open to interpretation.

Authenticity. If you are in the market for trading cards, take special care to learn as much about the hobby as possible. If you are going to spend big bucks on a single card, make sure that you are getting the real deal. A good example is the Michael Jordan rookie card, which was reprinted years ago. It looks so much like the original that even experts have a difficult time distinguishing the original from the reprint. If you are looking for an expensive card, make sure that it is graded by a reputable company and it never hurts to have it checked again after purchase.

Investment. If you are an investor, trading cards may be the hobby for you. It is inexpensive to get started collecting and the future profits can be high. Investors should consider purchasing rookie cards, which will be the first trading card that a rookie player appears on. If the star rises in fame, so will your investment. Additionally, mint condition cards appreciate the most in value.

Reputation & Research. If shopping for trading cards online, especially, find a company that has been in business for awhile. Look for information relating to their return policy, just incase the card isn’t exactly as described. Always be sure to do your research when purchasing trading cards and check the price guides to make sure you are getting a fair deal.

Have fun Most importantly, have fun when shopping for trading cards. While it is a profitable business venture for some, most importantly it is a hobby and should be enjoyed by all who partake.

Why Sports Card Lots Are the Better Bargain

Lots are groups of cards that are sold for one price. Lots are advantageous to both collectors and sellers. Why? They tend to be the best deal. Buying multiple cards at once will allow you as a collector to build your collection faster, and as a seller, lots will allow you to maximize profits.

Purchasing single cards on eBay can be expensive if they are not of extremely high value. While you may find auctions that can be won for as little as a penny, once shipping is added in, the cost could be several dollars. Compare that to lots, in which shipping will still be a few bucks, but for many more cards, and you will see the value.

There are many different types of lots. While some are made up strictly of base cards, there are plenty that contain inserts, parallels, game used, graded, autographs and more. Be on the lookout for high value lots if you wish to purchase them for re-sell purposes. A great example of higher quality lots listings can be found here: eBay Sports Card Lots

If you are tired of the nickel and dime + shipping game, look no further than lots. They are simply the best value for your collecting dollar.