If you’re looking to learn how to buy trading cards online as an addition to your personal collection, you may be more flexible with what you are willing to pay. Why? Because this will be something that you are passionate about and will enjoy or keep for years to come. You may consider selling this card in the future, but it won’t be for quite some time. For this reason, what you buy it for today won’t make much of a difference if you’re not selling it for 20 or 30 years.
With that said, don’t go crazy. I don’t care how bad you want a trading card. You don’t have to go nuts to get it. I bought a card recently for about $100. I saw this same card on eBay for $995. There’s no reason to spend that kind of money on a card that’s really only worth about $150. I know it can be tempting if it’s something that you really want to add to your collection, but a little patience and persistence can pay off in a big way and save you a fortune in the long run. Besides, that extra money can go towards buying other cards.
Tip: Be patient and you’ll eventually buy trading cards online that you really want at a price that is fair.
Do Some Market Research
Alright, so you know what trading card you want to buy? Alright, start off with eBay. Go there and do a search for your card.
Tip: When buying trading cards online, look for PSA graded cards. If you decide to let it go in the future, they will be easier to sell. You’ll also get a better price in most cases. Most important, you know the true condition of the card.
Do some research to find out what your card has been selling for. Once you know what the market says it’s worth, you’re ready to try to buy one at a fair price. A great way to do this is by going to an auction site and finding out what they have been selling for recently. Many auction sites give you the ability to do this.
Ebay Buying Strategy to Add a Card to Your Collection
Now since this is a card you’ll be keeping for a while, you don’t have to “steal” the price, but you still want to get a good value on it.
Decide what you’re willing to pay at the very most for it and write it down. Seriously, go write it down right now. You do this to mentally commit yourself to this price. If you find one for more than this price, then move on to the next seller.
Tip: If you’re looking to save money and it’s not an investment, consider a lower graded card. This can significantly reduce the cost. However, this is not ideal as an investment.
“Buy It Now” Strategy
Look for “Buy it Now” listings that have the “make an offer” choice available. Make an offer on the low-end of what the market calls for, and you just might have it accepted. If not, then see if another seller has the same trading card listed and try that one. Sometimes people will counter-offer your price. Refer back to the price that you wrote down. If it’s within your limit, go for it!
Buy Trading Cards Online with This Auction Strategy
If you’ve exhausted all of the sellers with the “Buy it Now” strategy, then take a look at the actual auctions listings. Sort the auctions so that you are looking at the cards that are ending the soonest.
When the auction is almost over (within about ten seconds), place your “highest bid” as the number that you wrote down. By waiting to the end, you can end up winning it when no one knew you were coming. If you don’t win, find the next card that will be ending soon and do the same thing.
Tip: If you can’t win a card at your target price, try waiting a few weeks. Cards have ups and downs. What’s hot today, may cool down a few weeks or months from now.
Additional Ideas
If you are waiting a few weeks and want to try a couple of other places between now and then, check out Heritage Auctions or Amazon to buy trading cards online. You just might be surprised at what you find. At Heritage Auctions, use the eBay strategies I mentioned above.
Happy Collecting!