No matter what your budget might be, we can all have a nice collection of baseball cards, but no one wants to overspend either.
The selection can seem overwhelming. There are usually at least seven million baseball cards for sale and auction on eBay at any given time. Many of them would be considered “dream cards” for any collector. If some are out of your price range, it doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t find some great cards for your collection.Here are some quick tips for getting the biggest bang for your baseball card buck.
Shop Graded Cards Even if You Don’t Collect Them
Grading has become a major factor in collecting and while it’s great to own Gem Mint (10), Mint (9) or Near Mint-Mint (8), the strict standards of the grading companies mean you can often find plenty of cards that look great but carry a low technical grade. Vintage baseball cards graded 5, 6, or 7 don’t have noticeable creases, which most collectors generally detest. In fact, many cards rated “7” appear to the naked eye to be no different than an 8 or even a
9. Don’t be afraid to buy a PSA graded card that has the “ST” qualifier on it. Sometimes this is for a wax stain on the front. Those can easily be removed with by rubbing the area with a nylon stocking.
If you’re not building graded sets, don’t be afraid to buy a graded card at a great price. You can even crack it out of the holder if you like.
Bargain Hunt When Browsing Auctions
Many eBay auctions start at less than $1. Sellers hope there are enough people interested that the price will reach the appropriate value. However, if the interest isn’t as strong as expected, bargains can often be had.
Buying cards at fixed prices is easier, but a little patience browsing auctions that start low can pay off. Keep it in mind when shopping for common cards with a lot of listings.
Look for Lots
If your goal is to acquire a lot of cards from a particular set, player, or team, purchasing lots offered on eBay is one way to do it on the cheap.
Some collectors prefer to work from “want lists”, buying only the cards they need so as not to wind up with a lot of duplicates. If you’re willing to take on the extra cards by purchasing a “lot”, you can often fill large gaps in what you need for a lesser price, then sell or auction off the unneeded cards to recoup some of the money you spent to acquire the lot.
Watch for lots that include stars and/or high numbers. Those cards are always in demand and even if you already have some of them, you can “flip” them individually, sometimes for a profit, which lessens the cost of your original outlay.
The lots might even include some high-grade cards you could pull from the lot and submit for grading. Not everyone submits and some gems are often found in large lots of older cards. Flipping those, especially if you have no interest in graded cards, can also put money in your pocket.
Compare Prices
eBay’s “sold” search feature is a valuable tool that can be used to compare recent selling prices. Who needs a “price guide” when eBay’s archives are just a click away? If one card has sold consistently for $20 to $30 and the identical card, in the same grade, is available for less on a Buy it Now offer, you’ve just bought below market value and have “equity” in your collection.