Whether shopping for yourself or giving someone else your Christmas or birthday wishlist, it’s easy to pay too much on eBay. Buying vintage baseball cards on eBay can be a positive experience: most sellers are reputable, and the selection can’t be beat. But it’s important to take steps to protect yourself from being overcharged or scammed. So, here are Cardhound’s 10 tips for buying vintage sports cards on eBay. These are designed to help you make informed purchases and most importantly, avoid being ripped off or scammed.

Note that I focus on eBay here because if others are shopping on your behalf, I find it to be far safer than Amazon or Facebook Marketplace. Nothing is foolproof but if you follow these tips eBay is close. Cardhound has a popular resource that lists some of the Best Places to Buy Vintage Online, and these tips would apply to these other marketplaces as well.

To illustrate the tips, let’s shop for a 1968 Topps Hank Aaron, card #110, in “excellent” condition.

1. Research the Card and Its Value

Cardhound has some great resources to help you gauge value, such as “What Are My Vintage Sports Cards Worth?”

But the short version is this: condition is everything. Two cards can be listed as “EX” or “excellent,” but one might be merely “very good.” Pricing should take actual condition into account, but often does not. It helps to understand condition so you can compare apples to apples. This is especially true if shopping for raw cards (not graded). Vintage cards differ in condition more widely than modern cards, and this is the challenge that is most unique to shopping for vintage.

The $40 card is listed as “EX+” but visually looks to be in worse condition than the $65 card:

Using the “Sort” feature and selecting “Sold / Completed” we can get a sense of the market value of a raw card in EX condition:

• Raw or Graded?: In many ways it is easier to shop for graded cards, since they have already been assessed by a third party. For vintage, stick to PSA and SGC.
• Know What You’re Buying: Before bidding or buying, check rough market value by looking at completed sales on eBay or using online tools like 130point. Then, pick a budget or target price–maybe $60 in case of the raw Aaron. Understanding the card’s average value will help you identify overpriced listings. There are thousands of deliberately overpriced listings just waiting for an uninformed buyer.
• Check Card Condition: Condition is critical in determining the value of a vintage card. Learn about the grading scale. PSA’s grading standards resource is a helpful resource. The same principles apply to raw cards.

2. Review the Seller’s Reputation

• Look at Feedback: Check the seller’s feedback rating. Sellers with a high rating (e.g., 98% or higher), like the seller above, are more reliable. Regardless of the score, read through their recent feedback to see if any red flags are raised about the quality of their cards or their customer service.
• Look for Verified Sellers: Some sellers are “Top Rated Sellers,” meaning they’ve demonstrated a high level of professionalism and customer service. These sellers usually provide good customer service and are more trustworthy.
• Avoid Brand New Accounts: Do not buy from an account with zero or limited feedback.

3. Understand the Listing Details

• Card Photos: Make sure the photos are high-quality, clear, and show all angles of the card. Remember that cards have backs! Beware of listings with blurry or stock images instead of actual photos of the card. The above photo is from a GMCARDS listing. They get a premium for raw cards in part because their pictures and descriptions are accurate.
• Card Description: Read the description carefully. It should provide clear details about the card’s condition, noting any flaws. Personally I appreciate when sellers use standard hobby terms (very good, excellent, etc).
• Shipping Costs and Terms: Check the shipping costs and policies. Some sellers may charge inflated shipping fees or have unclear return policies. Make sure to confirm if returns are allowed, especially for expensive purchases.

4. Check for Authenticity

• Grading Certification: If you’re buying a graded card, verify that it’s certified by a reputable company like PSA or SGC. Verify the certification number if available, which can be done here for PSA cards and here for SGC cards. Fake graded cards exist, so it’s essential to confirm authenticity.
• Watch for Reprints and Counterfeits: Vintage cards are often reprinted (authorized) or counterfeited (unauthorized), so be cautious. Check the listing for signs of reprints or for any mention of the card being a reprint (e.g., “reproduction” or “tribute”). See the Cardhound resource on spotting counterfeits to learn more.
• Avoid Lots: Since expensive individual cards are subject to additional eBay authentication, beware of “lot” sales. Selling cards in “lots” (more than 1 card) is sort of a loophole in eBay’s well-intentioned authenticity guarantee.

5. Beware of High Priced Listings

It’s tempting to just click “Buy it Now” and be done with it! Buy It Now can be a fine way to buy, but do your pricing homework first. It is fairly common practice to list cards for 2x-3x value. This one is not exorbitant, but is much higher than comps:

• Watch for Overpriced Auctions: Some sellers set high starting bids, even for lower-value cards, hoping someone will impulsively bid. Be patient and look for auctions with reasonable starting prices or “Buy It Now” options.
• Set a Max Bid: If you’re bidding on an auction, set a maximum price you’re willing to pay and stick to it. This will prevent you from overpaying in the heat of a bidding war.

6. Ask the Seller Questions

• Clarify Any Doubts: If you’re unsure about the card’s condition or authenticity, don’t hesitate to reach out to the seller for more information. A responsive seller who provides detailed answers is more likely to be trustworthy.
• Request Additional Photos: If the photos provided are not clear enough or you need a closer look at specific areas of the card, ask the seller to provide additional photos.

7. Consider Using eBay Buyer Protection

• Buyer Protection: eBay offers buyer protection for most purchases, meaning you can open a dispute if the item you receive is not as described or is counterfeit. Make sure you understand how eBay’s buyer protection works and don’t hesitate to use it if needed.

8. Check for Authentication Services

If you are buying an autographed card, beware of fraud. I would probably never buy an autographed item on eBay without rock solid authentication. The no-name grading company here should be a hard pass:

• Third-Party Authentication Tips: Some sellers offer a certificate of authenticity (COA) for vintage autographed cards, or the cards are encased with no-name companies. Be cautious of these, as many COAs can be faked, or are from non-existent entities. PSA and CGC authenticate autographs (CGC uses reputable JSA). Beckett is also reputable. If an autographed item is not certified by one of these, avoid.

9. Be Cautious with International Sellers

• International Shipping: If buying from international sellers, be mindful of customs fees and shipping delays. Make sure the seller has a history of successfully shipping internationally, and that they offer a tracking service to help protect your purchase.

10. Look for Deals

• Sort by “Ending Soon”: One good auction strategy is to sort by “ending soon.” Look for bargains and bid within your budget after carefully vetting the listing.
• Avoid Bidding Wars:
• Buy It Now: Sometimes, you can find great deals by browsing eBay’s “Buy It Now” listings, which offer a fixed price. This can be a safer option than getting caught up in an auction-style listing where you might pay more than you intended.
• Make Offers: Many “Buy It Now” listings have a “or Best Offer” feature. Feel free to submit fair offers instead of paying a marked up price. This can be faster than waiting for an auction to end, but with the same end result.

You can greatly reduce the risk of being taken advantage of when buying vintage baseball cards on eBay. Just be sure to do your homework first. Then, happy shopping! And if you enjoy vintage content like this Please Join Cardhound!