But have you ever wondered if that old shoebox of baseball cards is actually worth anything? If you have any rare or old baseball cards, getting them appraised by a professional service will help you determine exactly how much they are worth. We’ve put together the best options for baseball card appraisal services based on price, process, and industry reputation.
Pros & Cons
The Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) company has been grading baseball cards since 1991. It started with a focus on sports cards and has grown to include other sports memorabilia as well. Its appraisal services offer a certificate of authenticity. To get an appraisal, submit your card(s) for PSA grading and, once graded, submit them for appraisal services. Since the PSA will only appraise items that it has certified, the organization’s authenticity and accuracy are valid in a court of law and for insurance purposes. PSA offers a tiered pricing structure for both grading and appraisal, depending on the value of the item submitted. For the card appraisal service, pricing starts at $200 for a value of $2,000 minimum, up to $1,000 for a value of $100,000+. To get started with a PSA appraisal, create a free account and submit your items for grading.
Pros & Cons
Just Collect is an online auction house that has bought and sold over $20 million worth of sports memorabilia. Founded in 2006 by the former director of acquisitions at Leland’s, it focuses on appraising and purchasing modern and vintage sports cards. Just Collect offers four ways to get an appraisal for your baseball cards: For cards with some relative value, Just Collect will give you an offer to buy them directly once they are appraised. This allows you to skip the auction process and get a flat-rate offer for your collection. All appraisals are offered for free. To get started with a Just Collect appraisal, fill out the online form and submit your items for review.
Pros & Cons
All Vintage Cards was founded by Chris Rogers during the 1980s as a small collector’s shop. It has since expanded into an online appraisal and card shop, giving customers free appraisals and offers to purchase their baseball card collections directly. All Vintage Cards appraisals can be done online or in-person, depending on the cards being evaluated. It does not typically review any cards after 1980, and specifically focuses on pre-1950 baseball cards. It also makes offers with its appraisals, giving card-owners the chance to sell their collection for top dollar. To submit an appraisal online, simply fill out the company’s sports card appraisal form, along with a digital photo or scan of your collection. All Vintage Cards will respond with an estimated appraisal and offer to purchase (if it’s deemed valuable).
Pros & Cons
Lelands has been in the business of appraising and selling sports memorabilia since 1985. As an online auction house, it has handled hundreds of millions of dollars of sports collectibles over the years. Since Lelands is also an auction house, in addition to getting your items appraised and considered for consignment, you can take advantage of its auction services. To get your piece or collection submitted for consideration, fill out the company’s online submission form. It will be reviewed in-house for its current and future value, receiving in-house authentication by their experts. If you are looking to insure your collection or need to report its value for tax purposes, getting a certified appraisal by an accredited company is a must. Always compare services to make sure you are getting the best price possible. If you’re using a free service, acquire multiple quotes to get an accurate value of your collection.
What Is the Best Way to Sell a Baseball Card Collection?
There are several ways to sell your baseball cards, both online and in-person. Many of the companies that do appraisals may offer to purchase your baseball cards as well. There are also local places to sell your collectibles, including sports card shops and consignment stores. You might not get the best price from a local shop because they are typically trying to flip cards for profit. You can also try eBay or Craigslist, but beware of online scams. No matter where you sell your baseball cards, make sure to first get their fair market value with an online price guide such as Beckett.
Methodology
We compared the top appraisal companies by looking at customer reviews, service offerings, and industry notoriety. All paid appraisal services on our list are accredited by the Appraisers Association of America (AAA), the American Society of Appraisers (ASA), or the ISA. We’ve included both free and paid offerings with a variety of services to help you choose a company that will fit your specific appraisal goals.
