Having any trading card graded is a basic pre-requisite for collectors as it adds to the authenticity of any piece and in turn, this also develops any potential resale value further down the line.

It goes without saying too that having a quality grading service is hugely important for any collectors looking to ensure any cards they have at their disposal are genuine and the associated grading markets are growing, with more and more sports trading cards than ever before out there for people to get hold of.

Grading however is of course in the main subjective, which can add an element of inconsistency across cards, with some collectors having a preference for a specific grading service.

That said, most grading services have a hard and fast criteria by which they look to grade each card and PSA and Beckett have revolutionised the sports trading card grading market in recent years by being able to develop a system that accommodates for all levels of card collector.

Often personal preference is the difference between using PSA and Beckett or any pricing structures that either company may have in place but such is the quality of both operations that deciphering which service to use can be tricky business.

PSA Grading

The original and for many the most reputable grading service around is PSA (the Professional Sports Authenticator) who have been operation in the United States and beyond for over 30 years.

With such a rich history and heritage within the sports trading card game, PSA have an unmatched reputation and claim to have graded over 40 million cards throughout their three decades in operation.

Such is the hold on the market that PSA have had for many years, that they do set the blueprint for most cards that hit the market, with rival companies often following suit in terms of any pricing value they place upon a card.

What makes the PSA so sought after is their grading service across a range of sports card internationally, as well as Pokemon cards and even general sporting memorabilia.

PSA grading cost

To many, PSA are the oracle when it comes to the valuation of any collectible and as a result, having a card or item graded by them is often pricey business.

For standard card collectors, the grading service will cost anywhere between $10 per card and up to $500 per card, depending on the value of the card and the grading times requested, which inevitably takes a serious chunk out of any potential resale value.

Any card collectors with a really expensive piece on their hands can expect to pay up to $5000 if their card is worth six figures or more and whilst the percentages don’t stand out, PSA are remunerated handsomely for their services.

PSA grading system

Part of the reason that PSA are able to charge so much money to collectors to have their cards graded is due to the fact that they in essence, invented the grading system that is universal today.

Ranging from ‘PR 1’, which represents a card in ‘poor’ condition, through to ‘GEM-MT 10’, which references a card in perfect nick, the PSA grading system is recognised the world over in the sports card collection sphere and adds real authenticity and value to any piece.

Of course, having to fork out a serious sum in the first place when selling a card can seem counter intuitive but once a card is graded, it does carry serious sell on value and collectors are always keen to see their card higher up the PSA grading scale.

Factors such as colouring, marks, staining and being off-centre are always focused upon by PSA graders, which inevitably to impact both the grading score and the subsequent value but collectors are always happier to have had a PSA grader take a look at a card, before they choose to part ways with their hard earned cash to buy it.

Beckett Grading

Any industry in which only one company rules the roost is often seen as a bit of a monopoly and as a result the emergence of Beckett as sports card trading graders in 1999 has impacted positively on the overall market.

Originally setting out as a baseball card grading service, Beckett has developed exponentially over the past 25 years and are now one of the major players in the sports trading card grading system.

Comparisons to PSA are always drawn and inevitably, each company has pros and cons in terms of the service they manage to deliver for their customers.

Beckett grading cost

Pricing and grading waiting times are two areas of consensus where Beckett tend to prevail, with much more affordable options on the table for traders looking to get their cards valued.

In addition, Beckett pride themselves on their smooth turnaround times, which enables collectors to become more reliant on the services they offer and also assists when it comes to reselling.

Beckett grading system

The Beckett grading system is also seen as a pro for collectors looking to use their services, as they offer a grading to .5 of a number, rather than the whole number service offered by PSA.

Arguing the benefits of each system can be an arduous process but for many collectors, the Beckett system is seen as easier to use and it enables customers to gauge exactly where their card fits on the sports trading card market.

However, the reputation enjoyed by PSA does supersede that of Beckett, meaning an equivalent graded card with both PSA and Beckett will carry more value if it has been graded by PSA.

Taking a deep dive into the relative merits of both PSA and Beckett only serves to prove that they are both excellent sports trading card grading companies, that can add value to any potential resale with their approval.

With PSA providing an elite level service, for those traders who take their collection super seriously and Beckett offering an affordable, but quality option, there is something on the market for everybody with PSA and Beckett.

The post PSA vs Beckett Grading – Which is Better? appeared first on Sports Card Expert.

Whilst the days of popping into the local newsagent to pick up a pack of cards and stickers have long gone, there is still plenty of intrigue and suspense surrounding the sports card industry and they are now more accessible than ever before.

As with most commercial industries, the sports card trading market has moved heavily online, with the way in which people buy products becoming more accessible and convenient by the day.

Not all markets have enjoyed the transition to the online marketplace but sports card have certainly been a beneficiary, with more cards, sellers and buyers than ever before able to connect instantly.

However, this boom in the market has also brought about a huge number of different platforms, from which sports cards can be traded and not using reputable sports card trading services can have disastrous effects.

Issues such as wholesale forgeries, overpricing and undelivered cards are all common within the sports card marketplace but they are not explicit and a relatively small bit of research into the sports trading card marketplace can hugely assist sellers when they are looking to buy from genuine retailers.

Here is a rundown of some of the best places to buy sports cards:

1. eBay

Although it is by no means a new player on the sports trading card market, eBay remains the go-to place for most buyers and sellers when it comes to sports cards.

The USP for eBay on the market is the sheer volume of cards available to buyers, making it more convenient than ever for users to move their cards around.

In addition, eBay doesn’t discriminate against the budget of the user, with a range of cards available at every collectors disposal, making it a real vortex for those chasing sports trading card bargains.

eBay also dominates the marketplace when it comes to the flexibility of options it gives to buyers, making it easy for all those looking to buy cards through eBay to negotiate with the seller and it presents a real guarantee for a buyer, should the product not reach the selling standards required.

Users can also opt to engage in the infamous eBay auction when looking to buy their sports cards through eBay, adding to the potential to pick up bargains or they can make the plunge and purchase their chosen card through the ‘Buy it Now’ feature.

Whichever option the buyer goes for, eBay look to protect the rights of every buyer and for sports card purchasing, that is somewhat of a godsend.

2. Amazon

Amazon were a bit late to the party when it comes to sports trading cards, but they have lifted their game in 2022 and they now have a solid range of cards to buy.

The main benefit of Amazon is their fast postage, so if you need your cards in a hurry – Amazon is an excellent choice.

However, just don’t expect to find any rare and valuable singles for sale. The range of sports card singles is limited on Amazon and they are currently on the lower end of the market – but we expect this to change fairly quickly.

#	Preview	Product	Price
1		Buffalo Bills Cards: Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs, Devin Singletary, Edmunds, Zack Moss, Jamison...	$26.99	Buy on Amazon
2		Kansas City Chiefs Cards: Mahomes, Kelce, Smith-Schuster, Valdes-Scantling, Edwards-Helaire, Jamaal...	$27.99	Buy on Amazon
3		Kris Bryant (5) Assorted Baseball Cards Bundle - Chicago Cubs Trading Cards	$14.69	Buy on Amazon
4		Devin Booker Basketball Cards Assorted (5) Bundle - Phoenix Suns Trading Cards	$17.99	Buy on Amazon
5		Football Cards: Fantasy QBs (27) Mahomes Brady Rodgers Wilson Allen Murray Jackson Prescott Brees...	$49.99	Buy on Amazon
6		Football Cards: QB Goats (12) Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Dan Marino, Steve Young, Aaron...	$29.99	Buy on Amazon
7		Chicago Bears Cards: Justin Fields, David Montgomery, Darnell Mooney, Cole Kmet, Brian Urlacher,...	$19.99	Buy on Amazon
8		Beckett Baseball Card Price Guide 2022: The #1 Authority on Collectibles (The Beckett Baseball Card...	$39.95 $23.99	Buy on Amazon
9		Sticker Collector - Russia 2018		Buy on Amazon
10		Number Necklace for Boy Athletes Number Stainless Steel Black Chain 00-99 Number Charm Pendant...	$9.75	Buy on Amazon

3. ComC

Finding a platform that is both reliable and informed can be a real struggle for buyers within any industry but ComC bucks the trend in the sports card trading market.

Statistical analysis of the card in question is the USP for ComC, who present detailed such as the sales history, price checking for similar cards and multiple buying options, making it a real haven for sports card collectors.

There are some limitations with ComC, principally being the lack of lower value sports cards currently available on the platform but for collectors with higher financial aspirations, ComC is a vortex of opportunity.

4. Facebook

The pitfalls of buying any product through Facebook are instantly there for all to see and the horror stories associated with buying and selling through the Facebook marketplace have been well documented but in the sports trading card world, it is a viable option for most levels of collector.

First and foremost, whilst the sports trading card world is growing, it remains relatively small in the grand pantheon of markets available to users, meaning those who are looking to trade within it are generally pretty well informed.

In turn, this is hugely helpful for buyers, as it regulates many of the buying and selling prices available to users and the personal nature of Facebook, in many senses holds users to account in terms of over inflation of buying or selling price and any potential forgery issues on the sports trading card market.

Limitations of buying through Facebook are mainly found in the lack of hugely rare cards, a turn off for high end collectors, but as a resource to keep a collection ticking over, especially if collectors are releasing their collections in bulk, it is a great option at a collector’s disposal.

5. Box Breaks

Sports card breaks have become a big deal over the past few years for collectors, with the element of gambling proving to be hugely appealing for collectors, regardless of their current haul of cards.

Box breaks are sports card trading in a gambling format, where collectors buy in to a break and then get allocated a set of cards, should they happen to be released in the break.

Risk and reward dovetail here, as collectors can end up buying in to a break that gives them nothing they need, or they can stumble across a break that yields an incredible return.

Relinquishing control when sports card collecting is always a risk but for those chasing a bit of excitement within their sports card collecting, box breaks can be a viable option.

6. Hobby Shops

Hobby shops have long been a mecca for buyers and sellers in the sports trading card market and there remains a place for them on the market today.

As mentioned, being able to buy sports cards online has now become the way to go about things for most sellers but there is a burgeoning hobby shop industry available to buyers, which can often yield bigger profits if utilised correctly.

7. StarStock

One of the newest players on the game is StarStock – a specialist in the rookie sports trading card industry.

It is a very user friendly market place for buyers, as they look to move cards on for hefty prices, but it is emerging as an online selling platform, and it isn’t fully equipped for all collectors looking to pick up a bargain.

For buyers looking for investment cards however, StarStock has a proven track record, specialising in rookie card trading.

8. StockX

Having originally burst onto the scene in the sports apparel market, StockX now trade sports cards online and they are a decent option for buyers.

Being able to identify a card and directly negotiate with the seller is hugely appealing with StockX and their status within the sports trading card world is growing rapidly.

The post Where to Buy Sports Cards appeared first on Sports Card Expert.

In the world of sports trading card buying and selling, eBay has replaced the traditional hobby shops and sports card trading fairs, to become the biggest sports trading card marketplace on the planet.

One of the key appeals with eBay is the sheer number of people that can be accessed via the touch of a few buttons. eBay is incredibly efficient and connecting buyers and sellers all over the world and the sports card market has grown exponentially since its popularity on eBay boomed.

Becoming completely au fait with the workings of eBay has become essential for sports card traders, especially those who are looking to sell their products.

Whilst it can be a little overwhelming initially, once a seller gets to grips with eBay, they can open up their sports trading card business to a plethora of audiences, which can yield significant returns, for all levels of collector.

Here is a rundown of how to sell sports cards on eBay successfully:

1. Create an eBay Account and Get Selling

Having an eBay account is a rather obvious pre-requisite for anybody looking to sell through eBay but sports card traders are always advised to have a separate bank account for all their sports card dealings.

eBay do look to protect the rights of both buyers and sellers at every opportunity but inevitably, not all transactions can be moderated, meaning having a separate bank account for sports card trading is always recommended.

The actual creation of an eBay account is a relatively simple process, with a high level of usability on the eBay home page making navigation super simple – regardless of one’s level of IT expertise.

Once the eBay account is created and verified, users are all set to get selling.

Navigation to the ‘Sell’ page on the eBay home page is situated in the top right hand corner of the homepage and from there, sports card traders are good to go.

2. Listing the Sports Cards

How any item is listed on any online marketplace can have a huge impact in both the audiences the product can reach and the potential popularity of a specific item.

Sports card sales on eBay are huge business and as a result, eBay are very adept at suggesting appropriate titles under which each card is listed.

Google algorithms have taken a real hold across most online trading markets in recent years and that has transcended into the eBay sphere, making it essential that all sellers are on the ball when it comes to keywords and search engine optimisation.

Whilst much is made of ensuring that each card maximises its selling potential within the listing, ensuring that no exaggerations or white lies have been posted in the title is essential too, as buyers expect to get what they have paid for when shopping through eBay.

3. Categories, Descriptions and Details

The lack of human contact given to buyers and sellers when trading sports cards through eBay can open up a real grey area for traders.

Personal interpretation of each card is subjective and consequently, itemising each card appropriately and more importantly accurately, is essential.

Using keywords to categorise any cards is key and eBay work hard to help sellers find similar or even the same cards as the ones they are looking to move on.

From there, sellers can either opt to use a card ‘closest to theirs’ to get started with their listing or they can choose to create a ‘new listing’.

In relation to the details sellers should look to include when dealing their sports trading cards on eBay, accuracy and truth is key.

Particularly in high end sports card trading, each card will have been graded by PSA or Beckett, so optimising the information given to the seller from the outset could be helpful down the line.

In addition, if a card is of a certain age or condition, omitting it completely from the initial description will only cause further issues down the line, so full disclosure is always recommended for all sellers.

4. Types of Sale

One of the key innovations within the eBay marketplace over the years has been the advent of different payment options.

Initially, the auction mode appealed to plenty of users, with many sports card traders able to pick up bargains through unwanted or ill-informed sellers.

Nowadays however, sports card traders are far more au fait with the options available to them within the market.

The ’auction’ sales method remains the most popular for buyers, as they look to cut a chunk off the initial asking price and wait to see if they can hold out for a bargain of sorts.

Of course, this method can create a bidding war – the ideal scenario for sellers, so should a seller have a decent card in their midst, pushing the limits for how much it could go for can yield significant returns.

In more recent times, the ‘Buy it Now’ feature has become one of the most used buying methods on eBay, with buyers not looking to engage in bidding disputes with other users and choosing to bite the bullet and pay for the card they want.

Sellers are always encouraged to add a little more value to any card they are offering through the ‘Buy it Now’ feature, enabling them to guarantee a set return on any sale they make.

Negotiating within the ‘Buy it Now’ feature on eBay has also become a viable option for sports card traders but once again, ensuring the minimum payment received from the buyer is key before pressing ahead with the sale.

5. Pack and Ship

Once the set up and sale is done, it is then down to the seller to organise the packing and shipment of their sports trading card(s) to the buyer.

There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to packing sports trading cards but they are fragile pieces, so ensuring they are flat and well packed is key – as there is nothing worse than a paid for card being damaged in transit to its final destination.

eBay remains the biggest online sports card trading marketplace and it is a valuable resource for all levels of sports card collector.

The post How to Sell Sports Cards on eBay appeared first on Sports Card Expert.

With the online sports card trading industry taking hold in a way that has seldom been seen before, there are thousands of sports cards exchanging hands all over the world on a daily basis.

As a result, not all cards are shipped, packed or delivered in the same way, with each country, person and postal system having a different approach as to how each card reaches its intended destination.

Like most selling industries, having a trademark pattern in place is key, as buyers and customers get to understand the product and from there, can make their own decision as to whether they like the product(s).

The rise of independent sports card sellers however has left a subjective element to sports card trading and there is nothing worse as a buyer and/or seller, than a card being damaged in transit, especially as money would have exchanged hands previously.

Here is a guide as to how to ship sports cards efficiently:

1. Correct Materials are Key

All sports card sellers need to ensure they have the correct materials at their disposal in order to ensure their pieces get to the buyer in immaculate condition.

Bulk buying envelopes is always recommended, from the standpoint of price and continuity, where buyers can begin to become accustomed to the particular standards set by each seller.

Penny sleeves, plastic wallets and top loaders are absolute essentials in the sports trading card world, enabling sellers to ensure that their card is safely packed when it has left them.

More experienced sellers may look to use small scales to weigh their product to the last gram or may even use thin cardboard strips between their cards, to limit the potential of any damage in transit.

As a rule of thumb, being over prepared when selling sports cards is key and looking to protect the card from all potential pitfalls, is the best approach to have as a sports card seller.

2. Get to grips with the sizing

Every single country will have their own rules and regulations when it comes to postal weights and sizes and whilst remembering each international requirement is impossible, building up a database of different information for sports card sales can be hugely helpful.

Small, medium and large envelopes all have different requirements in each country, whilst the weight of each package can also influence the amount one can expect to pay on postage and shipping.

It perhaps goes without saying, that shoving sports trading cards into any old white envelope probably isn’t the best way to go for sellers, especially if the cards hold plenty of value, so understanding the sizing and cost of each sale is key.

3. Be Ready for the Sale

How many sales a sports card trader makes often depends on their aspiration as a collector and the popularity of their collection from a selling perspective.

Regardless of the aspiration of the seller, having a tried and tested method of packing each card is key.

Being ready for every sale entails ensuring that the envelope that the cards are being sent in is ready, with the address clearly written on it and the postage arranged.

The fragile nature of sports trading cards can become problematic for sellers who pack their cards in the envelopes before writing the details of the recipient on it – which can cause pressure and damage to the card in question.

Once the sale is finalised, packing the card safely and securely in the pre addressed envelope is a great habit to get into. From there all postage arrangements can be organised, safe in the knowledge that the card is going to its correct destination, with the card in pristine condition.

When selling graded cards, the stakes are even higher – simply due to the fact that each card being moved on carries a serious amount of value.

Penny sleeves and extra wrapping can seem to be a little bit of unnecessary faffing for sellers but in the long run, they can enable sellers to save huge amounts of money on refunds and time on dealing with disgruntled buyers.

4. Stay on top of the Postage

A small amount of research can go a long way when it comes to how much postage is owed on a particular sale and that additional cost should always be factored in by sellers when initially listing their sports cards.

As previously mentioned, many countries are different in how they price their postage packages and whilst there is no hard and fast rule generally, being better informed will always help sellers.

Postage is a broad church and many companies and postal services do things differently, it is often down to experience of selling when the whole concept of looking to move on cards effectively becomes easier.

5. Don’t Skimp

The temptation is always there for sellers to look to save some precious pennies by economising on envelopes, top loaders and plastic wallets. This fallacy can often have disastrous consequences to the reputation of any seller and precious cards can often return tarnished.

Working to the same logic can cause problems for sellers when they are choosing which method to actually send their packages via, as the transiting stage is always a risk for both buyers and sellers.

Having a rule of thumb is key when looking at how much one is looking to pay when packaging a sports card, as after all, they are hardly heavy items of packaging.

If the card equates to an amount that is affordable to reimburse should something go wrong, then packing the card in a basic envelope is a rational way of posting it.

However, if the card is worth a fair bit of money, saving a couple of dollars on postage is certainly not worth it, when there are plenty of tried and tested recorded postal services on the market.

Regardless of how a sports card is shipped, ensuring that all of the basic requirements are met is a pre-requisite for all levels of collector.

The post How to Ship Sports Cards – A Step-By-Step Guide appeared first on Sports Card Expert.

There are a multitude of reasons as to why the era was coined ‘Junk Wax’ which will be covered later but the affectionate term for the era is a retrospective one. Back in the 1980’s, the world was a very different place, particularly in relation to interests and hobbies and the advent of technology that immerses daily life these days had yet to happen.

As a consequence, sports trading cards became a big deal, which in turn became big business and every organisation worth their salt wanted a piece of the sports trading card pie. The knock on effect was the increase in the number of sports trading card companies, producers and retailers – which completely flooded a burgeoning market in a relatively short space of time.

Over 30 years on and onlookers can now reflect on the Junk Wax Era as a period of quantity over quality and the end result is thousands upon thousands of sports trading cards from that era not having any particular value – hence the term ‘Junk Wax’.

Here is a basic rundown of the Junk Wax Era – a time that shaped the way in which sports trading card collection takes place today:

When was the Junk Wax Era?

The Junk Wax Era of card overpopulation took place the mid 1980’s to the mid 1990’s – or more specifically, 1986 to 1993

Whilst it can sometimes be difficult for some sports trading card enthusiasts to accept, the reality is that there are perhaps more interactive and enticing options out there for the next generation, meaning that sports trading card collection arguably peaked during the Junk Wax Era.

As with any growing trend across the world, there will be plenty of companies jumping on the bandwagon and the overall production of sports trading cards during the Junk Wax Era boomed exponentially, beyond the means of the marketplace – hence the term Junk Wax being linked to the era.

Sports trading card collection has developed since this time though, with lessons learned from the Junk Wax Era and now card producers and collectors alike are more savvy when it comes to how they go about buying, selling and producing sports trading cards.

What was the Junk Wax Era?

Like many marketplaces and industries, once supply outweighs demand, there is an issue within the overall infrastructure for both producers and consumers.

As sports card production boomed in the mid 1980’s, production companies such as Topps, Panini and Donruss continued to pump out cards as quickly as they could. In the initial stages, collectors could not get enough of them, with swap shops opening and children trading their cards on the playgrounds, a common sight the world over.

However, as the 1990’s came around a change in societal habits were on the horizon and sports trading cards were beginning to see a fall in relative popularity. This did not deter the sports trading card producers of course but inevitably; supply began to overpower demand and there became a huge wealth of unwanted and low value sports trading cards congesting the marketplace.

One of the key developments within the Junk Wax Era was the depiction of cards across a variety of players and a wealth of sports, meaning almost every professional athlete from the big 4 sports leagues in America (MLB, NHL, NFL and NBA) were available in sports trading card form – diluting the market somewhat.

With sports trading cards more accessible than ever before and no sense of intrigue or suspense surrounding each sports trading card out there, the mass overproduction of cards effectively killed the market for the next generation of collectors.

Coining the time as the Junk Wax Era has happened subsequently, with observers and commentators referencing the fact that many of the cards produced around that time have little to no sell-on value – even 30 years or so after the initial cards have been produced.

Are there any cards from the Junk Wax Era worth buying?

One of the common misconceptions surrounding the Junx Wax Era is that all cards from that time are worthless and are not worth collecting. Simply put, this could not be further from the truth as there are multiple instances of valuable rookie cards being heralded from the Junk Wax Era.

In comparison to more recent times, there most cards from the Junk Wax Era aren’t part of limited print runs or don’t have any hologram features – meaning that there is generally a lot of the same card on the market – diminishing any resale value.

However, there are plenty of reputable rookie cards from the mid 1980’s to the mid 1990’s, which have gone on to hold value in today’s congested and competitive market. Like anything to do with card collecting, researching the cards and ascertaining the market trends are far more important than which era a particular card has been produced in.

Generally speaking, most card collectors do have an aversion to cards produced in the Junk Wax Era and as a consequence, they are not the most sought-after investment pieces – simply because their value is not expected to rise.

However, there are plenty of decent cards that were produced from the time – which have gone on to hold and exceed value. In addition, not all card collectors engage in the hobby for resale value – so if a card from the Junk Wax era takes your fancy – go for it – just don’t expect to make huge sums of money from it!

Are we entering another Junk Wax Era?

The post The Junk Wax Era – All You Need to Know! appeared first on Sports Card Expert.

The concept of sports trading card grading has been developed by companies such as PSA and Beckett, who have become market leaders in the world of card grading and for many, they are responsible for the grading scales from which the sports card market actually operates. Both companies have their own separate card grading service, brought in to attempt to reduce the number of subjective transactions taking place within the trading card sphere.

Consequently, both Beckett and PSA have become significant businesses, with card collectors having to pay hefty fees in order to have their cards graded and evaluated by experts. This initial outlay does tend to pay dividends for collectors though, as having the Beckett or PSA seal of approval is often enough to add a sizeable chunk of value to any card, should a trader be looking to sell it.

Whilst knowing how card grading works is one thing, actually becoming a card grader is another. With the sports trading card industry still in its relative infancy, there is no official certification that needs to be obtained to become a sports card grader. However, having an encyclopedic knowledge of sports card trading, the accompanying markets and the trends happening within them is a pre-requisite for all wannabe card graders.

Here is a rundown on how to become a card grader and what is required of anybody taking a leap into the field:

PSA Graders

The original and for many the most reputable grading service around is PSA (the Professional Sports Authenticator) who have been operation in the United States and beyond for over 30 years.

With such a rich history and heritage within the sports trading card game, PSA have an unmatched reputation and claim to have graded over 40 million cards throughout their three decades in operation.

Such is the hold on the market that PSA have had for many years, that they do set the blueprint for most cards that hit the market, with rival companies often following suit in terms of any pricing value they place upon a card.

Becoming a PSA grader is no mean feat, with competition for roles at arguably the most reputable company in sports card trading inevitably very fierce. Ensuring familiarity with the PSA grading scale is key, as it does differ from the Beckett scale and having an eye for detail can set candidates apart when looking to grade for PSA.

Like many big online companies, PSA are constantly on the lookout for personnel that can improve their organisation and graders have become one of the most sought-after vacancies at PSA, both on a casual and more full-time basis.

Applications can be made through the PSA website to become a grader for them and having some examples of self-graded cards could be a deciding factor within the application process.

Beckett Graders

Any industry in which only one company rules the roost is often seen as a bit of a monopoly and as a result the emergence of Beckett as sports card trading graders in 1999 has impacted positively on the overall market.

Originally setting out as a baseball card grading service, Beckett has developed exponentially over the past 25 years and are now one of the major players in the sports trading card grading system.

Comparisons to PSA are always drawn and inevitably, each company has pros and cons in terms of the service they manage to deliver for their customers.

Pricing and grading waiting times are two areas of consensus where Beckett tend to prevail, with much more affordable options on the table for traders looking to get their cards valued.

The Beckett grading system is also seen as a pro for collectors looking to use their services, as they offer a grading to .5 of a number, rather than the whole number service offered by PSA, this provides more specific credentials to both buyers and sellers within the sports trading card market.

This attention to detail however can prove problematic to graders, who are looking to dabble in the grading game for Beckett but can sometimes become overwhelmed by the level of detail all Beckett grades go into.

Beckett are all too aware themselves of the relative lack of sports card graders on the market, to the extent that they have even published a ‘how to become a grader’ guide on the Beckett website, in an attempt to raise awareness about the profession.

In much the same way as PSA, prospective graders can apply to join Beckett through their website and once more, having proof of previous grading work, particularly to the Beckett grading scale, could pay dividends in relation to any application.

Card Grading Salary Expectations

Becoming a card grader for a big organisation can be lucrative as both a full-time post or just a part-time recreational hobby. Depending on the levels of experience and the role given by the likes of PSA or Beckett, most decent card graders could expect to earn in excess of $25,000 per year, provided they were well informed in the sports card game and their gradings were mostly accurate.

A common misconception with card grading is that graders will instantly come into big sums of money, simply because they have been tasked with grading a particularly valuable card. One of the key components for any grader is objective balance and each card must be treated at face value. Graders play a vital role in all sports card trading, as they set the standard by which each card is measured financially, and the best graders can always detract emotion or affiliation to any card away from its potential resale value.

A profession as a card grader is a relatively infantile concept but with not many people in the industry and perhaps too many cards on the market, the influx of the professional card grader on the sports trading card market looks set to boom.

The post How to Become a Card Grader appeared first on Sports Card Expert.

Like most vocations, buying and selling raw or graded sports trading cards has become more accessible today than ever before, with the advent of online trading having a direct impact on the growth in popularity and financial clout associated with sports card trading.

However, having more options on the market isn’t always the best thing for buyers and sellers, as there are plenty of pitfalls collectors can encounter.

Forgery has become big business in many trading posts and in the sports trading card world, ascertaining which cards are real and which cards are fake can be very awkward.

The monetary value of different sports trading cards can also hugely differ online, with bargains and rip offs available in equal measure – with an air of caution required for traders of all levels.

Invariably however, the sellers in the sports trading card market do tend to hold the power, with the fact that buyers want to part with their money to purchase a given card, often a determining factor.

As mentioned, having a trustworthy platform as a sports trading card seller is always essential and here is a rundown of 7 of the best sports trading card selling platforms on the market:

eBay

Whilst it certainly isn’t a new or innovative trading platform in this day and age, eBay continues to blaze a trail at the very top of the sports trading card pyramid.

The USP for eBay on the market is the sheer volume of buyers available to sellers, making it more convenient than ever for users to move their cards around.

In addition, eBay doesn’t discriminate against the budget of the user, with a range of cards available at every collectors disposal, making it a real vortex for those chasing sports trading card bargains.

eBay also dominates the marketplace when it comes to the flexibility of options it gives to sellers, making it easy for all those listing their cards on eBay to receive the fee they want for their piece.

Whether it be guaranteeing a fixed price through eBay’s ‘Buy it Now’ feature, or hoping for a bidding war over a card from collectors, there is plenty of opportunity for sellers to maximise their potential returns when selling through eBay.

Having to organise the packing and posting for every card sale can be frustrating and the eBay marketplace element does carry a sense of risk, as not all buyers turn out to be as genuine as sellers believe but it is generally a very successful vehicle for sellers to move their trading cards on from.

Private Auction Houses

Cut from the same cloth, private auction houses have become seriously big business in the sports trading card world, simply due to the increase in financial revenue that sports trading cards can return.

There is a sense of pomp and circumstance that comes with private auction houses of course and they do tend to enjoy taking their chunk of commission but they can enable sellers to find different buying markets and if there is a decent card worth selling, private auction houses are the way to go.

Facebook

The pitfalls of selling through Facebook are instantly there for all to see and the horror stories associated with selling any product through the a Facebook marketplace have been well documented but in the sports trading card world, it is a viable option for most levels of collector.

First and foremost, whilst the sports trading card world is growing, it remains relatively small in the grand pantheon of markets available to users, meaning those who are looking to trade within it are generally pretty well informed.

In turn, this is hugely helpful for sellers, as it regulates many of the buying and selling prices available to users and the personal nature of Facebook, in many senses holds users to account in terms of over inflation of buying or selling price and any potential forgery issues on the sports trading card market.

Another huge draw for selling sports trading cards on Facebook is the global appeal. Facebook is one of the most popular and well used social media sites in the world, making it the perfect tool for any seller looking to access a wider audience with their cards.

A sense of vigilance is always recommended when buying or selling through Facebook but for sports trading card enthusiasts, it is a great tool to have in the armoury.

In Person Sports Card Trading

The aforementioned boom in convenience for consumers by being able to trade online has resonated hugely within the sports trading card community but there does indeed remain a place for in person sports card trading.

A pre-requisite here however is having a strong card collection in the first place, as enthusiasts love nothing more than to get their hands dirty and thumb through a fellow fan’s collection, ascertaining which cards they may be able to swap with each other, before looking to buy or sell.

Working out prices before hand when in person sports card trading is key but as a seller, it can enable serious sums of money, as if a specific highly wanted card is available there and then, buyers will often lump on to pick up a card they want.

Being able to talk the talk and walk the walk when selling in person is key but it can be an exhilarating vocation for sellers, with serious profits to be potentially gained.

Hobby Shops

Similarly, hobby shops have long been a mecca for buyers and sellers in the sports trading card market and there remains a place for them on the market today.

As mentioned, being able to sell sports cards online has now become the way to go about things for most sellers but there is a burgeoning hobby shop industry available to sellers, which can often yield bigger profits.

StarStock

One of the newest players on the game is StarStock – a specialist in the rookie sports trading card industry.

It is a very user friendly market place for sellers, as they look to move cards on for hefty prices but it is emerging as an online selling platform and it isn’t fully equipped for all sellers.

However, if a collector has a valuable rookie card that they want to move on, StarStock is certainly the way to go.

Goldin Auctions

High-end sports trading card sales are always big news and in relative terms are big business and when it comes to moving on sought after cards, Goldin Auctions are the best in the business.

Of course, having worthwhile sports trading cards for sale are essential here but if a collector does have a piece that holds decent value, Goldin Auctions are proficient at maximising all potential profits.

The post 7 Best Places To Sell Sports Trading Cards appeared first on Sports Card Expert.

Whilst sports cards are seemingly endless in their appeal to enthusiasts, the more money that is now within the industry is forcing more people to run a fine tooth comb over each card, when looking to value it.

The sports card grading industry is seen as the oracle within the marketplace, with cards being sent to internationally reputable grading companies such as PSA and Beckett, with their expertise and opinion often defining the potential resale value of every single sports trading card ever created.

However, all grading companies are not obliged within their service fees to look after the maintenance of a sports card, meaning all offerings are judged at face value and are graded accordingly.

As a consequence, sports card collectors who do make the effort to clean and look after their card collection, generally make more money than those who don’t – because the grading is done to the value of how the card appears today, not what it may have been worth in the past or even what it may be worth in the future.

Sports card cleaning isn’t an exact science and each collector will inevitably approach the subject differently, both in terms of its importance and how impactful they believe it to be in terms of sell on value.

Regardless, it has become an important facet of all sports cards collection and here is a rundown of how to clean sports cards for grading:

Be Prepared

Like most tasks that involve cleanliness, being prepared is key – as a failure to do so will not enable any card collector to clean their cards efficiently.

One note of caution here is to always understand that most sports cards, especially some of a certain vintage, are fragile – so heavy duty cleaning products or methods are certainly not necessary – less is often more.

Microfibre cloths have become the go-to weapon of choice for most card collectors, as they do tend to react well to the composition of most sports trading cards and they don’t leave any dreaded scratches or marks.

Adding any products to the microfibre cloths should always be done with a distinct degree of caution and often, just breathing on the card to create moisture can give it a fresh look when wiped with the cloth.

Should the card be in a real need of a spruce up, both window cleaning solution or an alcohol equivalent will invariably do the job. Once more, the amount of solution here should be minimal, as the last thing anybody would want to do is damage or burn away any of the card’s make up.

If marks and/or stains are visible at this point, looking to gently work away at them will enhance the card’s appearance and in turn its sell on value but not all stains are visible straight away.

All sports cards will be given the once over by a magnifying lamp when being graded, so why not get ahead of the trend and inspect all sports cards with the assistance of a magnifying lamp from the outset.

Identifying stains and marks can become a lot easier with a magnifying lamp and it can help identify any faults or potential forgeries too.

Invest in New Materials

An awful lot of hard work often goes into maintaining the cleanliness and appearance of a card collection, with most collectors embracing the sense of OCD that a collection can bring.

Cleaning all sports cards is something that should be done regularly but all of the hard work can come undone, if not backed up by the right materials.

One of the most common mistakes collectors make centres around the penny sleeve, where hours of cleaning instantly become unstuck by an unsuitable or old penny sleeve, which only adds further discrepancies to the card.

Investing in a reliable stock of penny sleeves and even a pincer to help remove the card from the old penny sleeve and add it to the new one, will always pay dividends in the end.

Similarly, all microfibre cloths should be updated regularly to ensure that the personal standards are met when cleaning any sports cards.

The fragility and instantaneous nature of scratches on sports cards can have huge impacts on resale value, so being extra vigilant when it comes to which cloths are being used and how regularly they are replaced or maintained is key.

Don’t Rush and Get the Right Technique

Very few people would openly say they enjoy any cleaning tasks and whilst there is a sense of nostalgia and pride associated with most sports card collections, very few enthusiasts would actively want to clean their cards regularly.

As a result, when a collector does decide to go ahead and give their cards a spring clean, taking their time over the task is key.

Looking to cut corners in terms of the materials used or speed up the cleaning process can add to the list of problems a collector would have when sending their card to be graded, rather than fix them.

Applying solution to the microfibre cloth and using soft, circular motions on the card in question, is the most effective way of cleaning it – with more pressure to be applied in the event any stains appear.

Referring to the aforementioned magnifying light is also key here and adhering to self-appointed standards of cleanliness and care will enable collectors to feel confident that each card has been cleaned properly, before it goes to be graded.

Send the Card off Properly

Investing in a sports card grading service is a significant move for most collectors, as it is not only costly business but it can also yield significant returns further down the track.

As a result, grading services such as PSA and Beckett are meticulous in their approach to sports card grading and ensuring basic standards are met is key.

Use a new penny sleeve and cardholder when sending a card to be graded and ensure all cards are packed properly and safely.

Sending off any card to be graded is a big deal and spending a few minutes on giving it a spring clean can give it a serious financial boost when it goes under the grader’s lamp.

The post How To Clean Sports Trading Cards For Grading appeared first on Sports Card Expert.

Sports Cards Breaks are one of the newest trends to appear within the industry, adding a sense of intrigue and suspense to sports card trading that hasn’t been present for years.

For many, the initial appeal of sports card or sports sticker collection stemmed from the unknown – buying a pack of cards or stickers, without knowing which cards were inside and the pure sense of joy when a needed or rare card or sticker appears in the packet.

Making a direct comparison to that, sports card breaks are in essence group card reveals, where a box of sports trading cards is purchased and collectors join the break, in order to secure certain cards that are revealed within the box.

In the age of live streaming and instant content, sports card breaks have become hugely popular in the sports trading card market and they have also opened up the industry to fresh eyes and modern trends in relation to how sports card collection is undertaken.

Here is a rundown of how sports cards breaks work and how they can be useful for all levels of collector:

Sports Cards Box Breaks: How do they work?

Whether people accept it openly or not, gambling is a huge part of the comings and goings within the sports trading card market and risking when to buy and/or sell a card, is a constant gamble collectors are facing.

Sports Cards Breaks are a microcosm of that gambling element that attracts a good amount of collectors in the first place, as the fabled risk vs reward strategy is a huge part of the thinking with sports card breaking.

At the initial stage, the ‘breaker’ will purchase or acquire a specific batch or block of sports trading cards and collectors will ‘buy in’ to their ‘break’.

From here, the ‘breaker’ will open the box or collection of cards and reveal them to all of the enthusiasts who have bought in.

The ramifications for joining a sports card break can differ hugely in every case (more on this later) but once the box has been broken, the collectors who have bought in, will be entitled to their allocated cards.

As previously mentioned however, there is an element of risk in every sports card break and should the conditions under which a collector bought in not be met, then that collector will not receive their cards from the break.

Whilst it all seems a little elabourate and perhaps complicated, sports card breaks are thrilling viewing and those who broadcast and host breaks, are all too aware of the audiences they can pull in.

That said, sports card breaks probably aren’t for everyone, especially collectors looking to keep their high-end cards moving within their market but they certainly are entertaining for all concerned.

What are the different types of sports card box breaks?

Another appeal of sports card breaking is the many different types that are available to collectors.

The key element here is ascertaining why the sports card break is taking place and the specific aspiration of each collector will determine what they are looking for from each break.

Random Break

As the name suggests, random sports card breaks are where collectors buy in to a break and then the specific teams/groups are allocated at random, with every collector buying in for the same price.

From here, if a card from any of the teams that have been allocated to that person appear within the break, then they will get to keep those cards moving forward. This also works in the opposite direction too, with collectors running the risk that none of their allocated group cards appear, meaning they have bought in but they will not be gaining any cards.

Team Break

An increasingly popular method amongst collectors is the team break, where fans can choose which specific team within a break they will acquire cards from and should they appear within the break, then they get to keep them.

A working example here is often down to the popularity of any given team and how sought after their cards may be within the resale market. Should a collector choose to buy all the cards from Golden State Warriors in a NBA break, they would expect to pay more than the equivalent buyer from the Detroit Pistons, simply due to the fact that the Warriors are a better performing team than the Pistons.

Draft Break

Bursting onto the scene in recent times as a real audience pleaser in the sports card breaking live streaming market is the concept of a draft break. Drafting is big business across all American sports and in more recent times has become a phenomenon within the world of fantasy sports and it is now emerging within sports card trading.

Once a collector has bought into a break, they are allocated a pick of a team in the draft. From here, should any cards emerge from the break from that chosen team, the collector gains them. Suspense and intrigue is key to the appeal with the draft break.

Are sports card breaks worth it?

Risk and reward are the USP for sports card breaks and whilst they certainly aren’t for everyone, serious finds can be found when breaking.

As with any gamble, some collectors will see an instant reward for very little initial outlay – with players hitting the jackpot off a throwaway 10 dollars and picking up thousands of dollars in return.

If banding around high end cards and searching for maximum value and reward off every card is the objective, there are too many moving cards within a sports card break to guarantee success and hefty returns.

However, when it comes to the entertainment sector of the sports card trading industry, sports card breaks have become seriously big business and they are hugely enticing for all levels of collector.

The post How Do Sports Card Box Breaks Work? appeared first on Sports Card Expert.

How collectors go about moving their cards around is often a broad tapestry, with no set formula in place for collectors generally.

However, there is one approach to sports card trading that is universally revered and it is that of wholesale sports card buying and selling.

As in any industry, buying or selling in bulk is often successful, as it enables the seller to make a profit on a bigger number of units and in turn, it can save the consumer money on each unit they purchase.

Sports card wholesaling however is a relatively new phenomenon, with the very nature of seeking out rare and sought after sports trading cards, seemingly counter intuitive to buying cards on the wholesale market.

More and more sports trading card companies have emerged on the markets in recent years, creating an increase in the sheer number of cards available for collectors to buy and sell.

Consequently, enthusiasts are now turning to effective sports trading wholesaling in order to keep their collections flowing and to keep churning out profits where possible.

Here is a rundown of some of the key considerations to have when looking to buy sports cards wholesale:

Do the Research

Just acquiring a range of sports trading cards because they are accessible or cheap, is one of the cardinal sins when it comes to sports trading card collection.

Whilst inevitably the rarest cards on the market are seldom available to buy in bulk due to their status as a rare piece, most cards come in significant print runs, enabling those who are quick to the draw to jump on some wholesale bargains.

However, it is essential that all collectors chase down reputable card producers and popular players/athletes when purchasing cards on the wholesale market – otherwise they could end up with batches of valueless cards on their hands.

Having even a passing interest in any sport will enable sports trading card collectors to be perceptively aware of which cards/players will do better than others on the resale market.

Taking a really deep dive however into the form of certain players, their respective ages and any scouting reports on their performances, can all have an impact on potential resale value further down the line.

One of the most tried and tested formulas when it comes to making a profit in the wholesale sports trading card market is to be ahead of the curve when it comes to upcoming sporting stars.

Acquiring a wholesale lot of a player from their rookie year, who goes on to achieve big things in their respective sport, can yield serious sums of money in the future and is an effective way of buying in bulk.

Keep on top of the pricing

Bulk buying in any industry always carries a risk, as laying down plenty of money to purchase lots of one thing, generally has to carry its value further down the track.

In the sports trading card world, this mantra remains the same and is perhaps more pertinent than ever.

Collectors need to keep on top of any pricing adjustments when buying in bulk and they must look at the overall value of a given card in isolation, before looking to multiply it on the wholesale market.

Profit margins always need to be adhered to, even if buying in a wholesale setting and consequently, there is always room for negotiation for buyers and sellers – even if they are buying a job lot.

That said, having lots of cards that could return hefty sums down the line can be a real game changer for some collectors, so being savvy about when to splurge, can also be just as effective.

Be organised

It perhaps goes without saying, but being on top of all the comings and goings in any sports trading card collection, is the most important facet – regardless of ones rationale for sports card trading in the first place.

All collectors must have a fool proof inventory, which they refer to at all times and can locate certain cards with ease.

When buying on the wholesale market, lots of cards often change hands, which can see huge influxes to the card collections of enthusiasts and not being abreast of all the moving parts, can be disastrous for collectors.

Working the comparisons of all the cards within the market and staying on top of all the ins and outs in any sports trading card collection is essential, especially when indulging in the world of wholesale purchasing.

Distribute effectively

Taking the step from being a sports trading card hobbyist to being a full blown sports trading card distributor is often a big one, that can be daunting for some collectors.

However, there are plenty of resources available to collectors these days and market comparisons and grading is easier today than it ever has been before.

If taking the lunge into sports trading card distribution, wholesale purchasing becomes the bread and butter, as it enables users to move cards quickly through their collection and hopefully yield profits.

Inevitably, there are some risks that come with being a registered sports trading card distributor and ensuring that all protocols are met, is the only way distributors generally see success.

So ensuring, all traders are registered with a genuine online store and are familiar with the workings of graders such as PSA and Beckett, is an absolute non-negotiable for anybody looking to move into sports card distribution.

Once those pre-requisites are met, traders have ample opportunity to buy and sell sports trading cards effectively on the wholesale market.

As with any industry, wholesale is an effective tool – for both buyers and sellers.

When it comes to sports card trading, being savvy with when to buy in bulk and when to keep collections and move them on, can yield some excellent returns, for all levels of collector.

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