Buying and selling at card shows
Most card show deals come down to one number: a percentage of comps. Here's why dealers offer what they do, and how to work out a fair price whether you're buying or selling.
It starts with comps
Comps are recent sale prices for the same card in the same condition. Both sides of the table look them up, usually on a phone, and the conversation turns into what share of that number makes sense.
Why dealers pay less than comps
A dealer who buys a card has to sell it again. Selling online costs about 13% in eBay fees on trading cards, plus shipping, supplies and the time it takes to find a buyer, and some cards sit for months. A cash offer below comps covers those costs and leaves room for profit. Offers vary widely, from below 60% of comps on slow-moving cards to close to full comps on cards that sell instantly.
Cash versus trade
Many dealers offer more in trade credit than in cash. A trade moves their inventory without spending money, so they can be more generous. If you were going to buy something at their table anyway, trade is usually the better deal.
When you're buying for resale
Work backward from what you'll keep. Take the comp, subtract eBay's fee, shipping and supplies, then subtract the profit you want. What's left is the most you can pay. The card show offer calculator does it in one step and shows offers from 60% to 90% side by side.
When you're selling to a dealer
Compare the offer with what you'd keep selling online, after fees and shipping, not with the comp itself. If the gap is small, the dealer's cash and the time you save may well be worth more. Switch the calculator to "I'm selling to a dealer" to see the gap.
Tips for a better deal
- Have comps ready before you walk up. It keeps the conversation fast and fair.
- Bring cards that are easy to evaluate: sleeved, in top loaders, with the best ones up front.
- Bundle. Dealers often pay a better rate for a stack than for one card at a time.
- Shop several tables. Offers on the same card can differ a lot from one dealer to the next.
Questions
What do dealers usually pay at card shows?
It varies by card and dealer. Fast-selling cards draw offers much closer to comps than slow cards or bulk, and trade credit usually beats cash. Work out what the card nets online to judge any offer.
Should I take trade or cash?
Take trade if there's something at that table you'd buy anyway, since trade offers are usually higher. Take cash if you want to spend it elsewhere or need the money.