How to sell Pokémon cards
Price each card before you offer it to anyone. Sell valuable cards one at a time, good cards in small lots and bulk by the thousand. A shop pays less than a collector, and pays today.
What are you selling?
One valuable card
Sell it alone, on a marketplace.
- Photograph the front, the back and each corner.
- Name the set, the number and the condition in the title.
- Grade it first only if the sum works out.
A few good cards
List them one by one, or as a small lot.
- Cards under a few dollars sell better together.
- Group them by set or by Pokémon.
A whole collection
Split it before you sell.
- Pull the valuable cards and sell those alone.
- Offer the middle as lots.
- Sell what is left as bulk.
Bulk
By the thousand, to a card shop.
- Count it and sort it first. Sorted bulk pays more.
- Pull every holo before it goes.
Sealed boxes
Sell them sealed, with photos of the wrap.
- Check today's price on the product's page.
- Buyers pay less for a box with torn wrap.
- Know the value first. Our scanner prices a card in seconds.
- One valuable card sells best alone, with clear photos of both sides.
- A card shop buys everything at once, for a share of the value.
- Send anything of value tracked, in a toploader.
- Take payment through the platform. Never by bank transfer to a stranger.
Charizard$334 rawOur scannerPrice it before you sell itIt names the card and prices it in a few seconds. There is nothing to install.Scan a card →Where to sell
| Where | Good for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| eBay | Single cards and lots. The widest reach. | Fees for some sellers, and returns. |
| A card shop | Selling everything today. | Shops pay a share of the value, as they have to resell. |
| A card show | Cash, and nothing to send. | Know your prices. Traders bargain hard. |
| Collector groups online | No fees. | No protection. Deal with members who have a record. |
| Live auction apps | Fast sales of popular cards. | Prices swing with who is watching. |
| A trade | Turning cards you do not want into ones you do. | Value both sides first. |
Trade TableSwapping instead of selling?Lay both sides out on the Trade Table. It prices each side at today's values.Open a table →Photos and description
- Take the card out of its sleeve, on a dark plain surface.
- Show the front, the back and a close shot of each corner.
- State the condition and name every flaw.
- Never use a stock photo for a card of value.
Our condition guide names the condition for you.
Mailing cards safely
- Sleeve, then toploader, then a team bag.
- Tape the toploader between two pieces of card.
- A plain envelope suits cards under a few dollars.
- Send anything above that tracked, and insured if it is worth a lot.
Traps for sellers
- A buyer who asks to pay outside the platform.
- An overpayment, and a request to refund the extra.
- A claim that the card never arrived, on an untracked letter.
- A low offer made in a hurry. Take your time.
In stock today below its usual price
Sealed products on sale right now, ranked by how far each sits under its usual price. Tap one for its price history.
Common questions
What is the best way to sell Pokémon cards?
Sell valuable cards one at a time on a marketplace, with clear photos. Sell the rest in lots or to a card shop. Price everything first.
How much will a card shop pay for my Pokémon cards?
Less than the cards sell for, because the shop has to resell them. Collectors report offers of about half to two thirds of the value.
Should I get my cards graded before selling?
Only when the graded price beats the raw price by more than the fee and postage. For most cards it does not.
How do I send a Pokémon card safely?
Sleeve it, put it in a toploader, seal that in a team bag and tape it between two pieces of card. Send anything of value tracked.
More guides
Use our tools
Scan a cardPoint your phone at a card. It tells you which card it is and what it is worth.Open →Card pricesLook up any card: raw price, graded prices and how many exist in each grade.Open →Trade TableLay two sides of a trade out and see whether it is fair at today's prices.Open →
Track your collectionA free binder that values your cards and sealed products as prices move.Open →Get the daily deals in your inbox
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