The challenge: eBay charges 13.25% on every baseball card sale under $7,500, plus per-order fees. After PayPal or payment processing, you can lose 15% or more of each transaction. For sellers moving volume, those fees add up fast.
Why Sellers Are Looking Beyond eBay
eBay built the sports card secondary market. But the platform has become increasingly expensive and frustrating for sellers.
The Fee Breakdown
| Fee Type | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Final Value Fee | 13.25% | On sales up to $7,500 (or 12.35% with Basic Store) |
| Per-Order Fee | $0.30-0.40 | $0.30 for orders under $10, $0.40 for orders over $10 |
| Payment Processing | Included | Built into final value fee, calculated on total including shipping |
Sell a $50 card? eBay takes roughly $7. Sell ten $50 cards per week? That is $280 per month in fees alone.
The Fee Problem Gets Worse
Fees on Shipping
Fees apply to the total sale amount, including shipping costs.
Buyer-Favored Disputes
Returns and disputes often favor buyers, leaving sellers stuck with fees on cancelled transactions.
Payment Holds
Payment holds can tie up your money for weeks.
Promoted Listings
Add another 2-15% if you want visibility in search results.
These issues push many collectors toward alternatives. The good news? Several platforms now compete for your listings, each with different strengths.
Best eBay Alternatives for Selling Baseball Cards
For most baseball card sellers, PlayerLots offers the best combination of low fees, buyer protection, and simplicity. Here is how it compares to other options.
PlayerLots: Fixed-Price Player Lots
Best for: Sellers with multiple cards of the same player who want predictable pricing without auction stress.
PlayerLots focuses specifically on player lots (3-5 cards of the same player sold together). Instead of listing singles one by one, you bundle cards into lots at fixed prices from $10 to $100.
Fees: 8-9% platform fee (8% for lots over $50, 9% for lots $50 and under). No listing fees. No per-order fees.
Pros
- Lower total fees than eBay
- Fixed prices mean no auction monitoring or sniping
- Buyers claim lots instantly (no waiting for auctions to end)
- Built for the player lot format many collectors prefer
Considerations
- Designed specifically for player lots (3-5 cards of the same player)
- Growing community of serious collectors
COMC: Consignment Model
Best for: Sellers with large inventories who want someone else to handle storage, photos, and shipping.
COMC (Check Out My Cards) operates as a consignment warehouse. You ship them your cards, they photograph and store them, and buyers purchase from their marketplace. When something sells, COMC ships it.
Fees: 5% transaction fee on sales, plus 10% cash-out fee when you withdraw funds. Consignment fees range from $0.50 to $2 per card depending on service level.
Pros
- You never touch shipping again after the initial consignment
- Professional photos for every card
- Buyers can combine orders from multiple sellers with one shipping charge
- Good for moving large collections over time
Cons
- Total fees (consignment + sale + cash-out) can exceed eBay for lower-value cards
- Turnaround time for processing submissions can be weeks or months
- Less control over pricing and presentation
- Cash-out fee means leaving money on the platform costs less
Whatnot: Live Auction Streaming
Best for: Sellers comfortable on camera who enjoy the entertainment side of the hobby.
Whatnot combines live video streaming with real-time auctions. Sellers go live, show cards on camera, chat with viewers, and run auctions as people bid from their phones.
Fees: Currently 0% seller fees on auctions (Whatnot subsidizes this to grow the platform). Shipping is handled by sellers.
Pros
- Zero seller fees is hard to beat
- Live format creates urgency and can drive higher prices
- Community engagement builds repeat buyers
- Good for moving volume quickly
Cons
- Requires going live on camera regularly
- Time-intensive (streams often run hours)
- Auction format means unpredictable final prices
- Zero-fee model may not last forever
Facebook Groups and Reddit
Best for: Experienced sellers comfortable with peer-to-peer transactions and building reputation over time.
Facebook Marketplace, Facebook card groups, and Reddit (r/baseballcards) allow direct sales between collectors. No platform takes a cut.
Fees: 0% platform fees. PayPal Goods & Services adds roughly 3% for buyer protection, or sellers sometimes use Friends & Family (no fees, no protection).
Pros
- Lowest possible fees
- Direct relationships with buyers
- Negotiation flexibility
- Large, active communities
Cons
- No built-in buyer protection (scam risk exists)
- Reputation building takes time
- No centralized search or discovery
- Requires managing your own shipping and disputes
Local Card Shops and Shows
Best for: Sellers who want cash in hand immediately and can travel to events.
Local card shops buy collections outright (usually at 50-70% of market value) or offer consignment. Card shows let you rent a table and sell directly to attendees.
Fees: Shops take significant margins when buying outright. Show tables typically cost $50-200 per day depending on the event.
Pros
- Immediate cash (no waiting for online payments)
- No shipping hassles
- Face-to-face negotiation
- Shows let you meet other collectors
Cons
- Shops pay well below market value
- Shows require time, travel, and table fees
- Limited to local buyer pool
- Weather and timing affect show attendance
Platform Comparison: Fees at a Glance
| Platform | Seller Fees | Best For | Drawbacks |
|---|---|---|---|
| eBay | 13.25% + $0.30-0.40/order | Large audience | Highest fees, buyer-favored disputes, payment holds |
| PlayerLots | 8-9% | Player lots, fixed-price sales, buyer protection | Player lots only |
| COMC | 5% + 10% cash-out + consignment | Large inventories, hands-off selling | Slow processing, hidden total costs |
| Whatnot | 0% (currently) | Live sellers, moving volume fast | Requires live streaming, time-intensive |
| Facebook/Reddit | 0% (+ optional PayPal 3%) | Direct sales, repeat buyers | No protection, reputation dependent |
| Local Shows | Table fee ($50-200/day) | Cash sales, meeting collectors | Travel required, limited reach |
Which Platform Is Right for You?
The best choice depends on what you are selling and how you like to sell.
Choose PlayerLots if:
You have multiple cards of the same player to bundle. You prefer fixed prices over auctions. You want lower fees without going live on camera. You are building player collections and understand what buyers want.
Choose COMC if:
You have hundreds or thousands of cards to sell over time. You hate packing and shipping. You are willing to wait for processing and sales. You plan to keep funds on the platform for future purchases.
Choose Whatnot if:
You enjoy being on camera and entertaining an audience. You have consistent inventory to stream regularly. You want to build a following and brand. Zero fees matter more than time investment.
Choose Facebook/Reddit if:
You already have reputation in collecting communities. You are comfortable with peer-to-peer risk. You want maximum flexibility on pricing. You sell to repeat buyers regularly.
Tips for Selling Baseball Cards Successfully (Any Platform)
Know Your Card Values Before Listing
Check eBay sold listings (not active listings) to see what cards actually sell for. Price accordingly.
Take Quality Photos
Good lighting and clear images of corners and surfaces build buyer confidence. Show the back of the card too.
Be Honest About Condition
Overstating condition leads to returns and negative feedback. When in doubt, grade conservatively.
Ship Securely
Penny sleeves, top loaders, team bags, and rigid mailers protect cards. Damaged cards mean refunds and reputation hits.
Respond Quickly
Buyers appreciate fast communication. Answer questions promptly and ship within your stated timeframe.
Consider Your Time
Zero-fee platforms often require more effort. Calculate your hourly rate, not just the percentage saved.
Why Player Lots Work for Many Sellers
Traditional marketplaces force you to list singles one by one. Each listing takes time: photos, descriptions, pricing research, shipping. For cards worth $5-20 each, the effort often exceeds the profit.
Bundling cards into player lots changes the math. Instead of five separate listings for five Mike Trout base cards, you create one lot. One photo session. One listing. One shipment when it sells.
Buyers like lots too. Collectors building a player PC get multiple cards at once instead of winning five separate auctions from five sellers. Fixed pricing means they know the cost upfront with no bidding wars.
Bundle Cards
3-5 card lots at fixed prices from $10 to $100.
Lower Fees
8-9% fees, lower than eBay's 13.25%.
Fixed Prices
No auctions to monitor or snipers to worry about.
Targeted Buyers
Collectors actively looking for player lots.
This approach works best when you have depth in certain players. If your collection includes multiple cards of the same star, lots let you move them efficiently while keeping more of the sale price.
Ready to Sell Without the eBay Tax?
Lower fees mean more money stays with you. PlayerLots gives you the best of both worlds: structured transactions with buyer protection, and fees that leave more profit in your pocket.
If you have cards of the same player sitting in your collection, bundle them into a lot and list them on PlayerLots. Fixed prices, lower fees, and buyers who actually want player lots. Start selling smarter today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage does eBay take from baseball card sales?
eBay charges a 13.25% final value fee on baseball card sales up to $7,500, plus a $0.30-0.40 per-order fee. Sellers with a Basic Store subscription pay 12.35% on sales up to $2,500. Fees apply to the total sale amount including shipping costs.
Is COMC better than eBay for selling cards?
COMC can be better for sellers with large inventories who want hands-off selling. COMC charges 5% on sales plus 10% to cash out funds. However, when you add consignment fees and the cash-out fee, total costs can exceed eBay for lower-value cards. COMC works best when you plan to keep funds on the platform.
Can you sell baseball cards on Facebook without fees?
Yes, Facebook groups and Marketplace allow fee-free sales between collectors. However, there is no built-in buyer protection. Many sellers use PayPal Goods and Services (roughly 3% fee) for protection, or Friends and Family for zero fees but no protection. Building reputation in groups takes time.
What is the safest way to sell baseball cards online?
PlayerLots offers secure transactions with buyer protection, verified sellers, and structured dispute resolution, all with lower fees than eBay. COMC is another safe option for consignment selling. Peer-to-peer sales on Facebook or Reddit carry more risk due to lack of built-in protection, though they can work with established reputation.