7 ESSENTIAL Tips for Finding GRADABLE Sports Cards on eBay

Finding good-condition cards (especially through eBay) is not always the easiest part of the hobby. In today's video, we step through some tips and tricks I've found that have helped me find success in this area!
Topics covered in today's video:
0:00 - Intro
1:47 - Set Your Expectations Appropriately
3:41 - Analyze Photos/Descriptions As Much As Possible
5:21 - Check Seller’s Other Listings
6:32 - Understand Set Condition & Gem Rate
8:20 - Don’t be Afraid to Message
9:17 - Don’t Underestimate Crossing Over from Other Companies
10:57 - Sometimes Buying the 10 Makes WAY More Sense
Be sure to connect with me on other platforms:
Instagram - (@Carlson_Cards) / carlson_cards
eBay - (@Carlson-Cards) ebay.us/koVVxt
Podcast Hub - (Carlson Cards Podcast) spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/...

[@matthewlepak2878]

Absolutely GREAT Video Austin!

[@CaptainKett17]

Dropping mad knowledge. Thanks boss.

[@ChristopherLEdwards]

Just got back into collecting after about 25 years or so. Your video was super-helpful!

[@virtualcardshoppetraveland3655]

Thank you, very insightful. Your right, you have to enjoy yourself in life.

[@ThoseBackPages]

Well done. Great stuff for starters. "Raw for a reason" is an old saying that rings true today

[@carlsoncards]

100%! Thank you!

[@3gslabs483]

Lots of great advice in this video. I am a long time collector and I even learned a thing or 2!! Ha ha. Where do you go to shows in the state?

[@XYouVandal]

I take risks on raw cards that i can snatch up below recent comps, once i have it in my hands I can decide if its gradeable, if its not, I just list it on par with recent sales. I have actually profitted a small amount by doing this.

[@XYouVandal]

I should add that this works primarily on the current rookie chase cards because the demand is so high that you can easily resell them in 24 hours if you decide not to grade

[@CalvinBCards]

Great video Austin! This video is defiantly helpful for everyone in the hobby.

[@carlsoncards]

Thanks Calvin!! Hope you’ve been well!

[@CalvinBCards]

@@carlsoncards you’re welcome. I’m good thanks, hope you and the them family are well! 😄👍

[@aricnunez9171]

Hey Austin thanks for the info! I knew ive heard the term gem rate before but i never really knew it was a site lol. Hopefully thatll comr in handy soon 😉

[@carlsoncards]

Yes! The term “gem rate” refers to what % of that specific card/set has gotten a 10 (gem mint). The site GemRate is a site that compiles all the grading data in a way that is super helpful!

[@BeyondtheBreakCollectors]

Great video! Agree that setting expectations when buying from eBay is key! Im usually shooting for 40-45% of cards I buy, ill send for grading

[@FontanaCollectibles]

I sell both raw and graded. Granted my graded is dwindling because PSA is taking FOREVER. However, I am sure I am selling off some nice gradable cards. Since PSA bought SGC, I just boxed up a shipment to go to them because I am seeing asks at about the same $$ as PSA crossover grades.

[@richpaull7820]

I’d love for 60-70% of my eBay purchases to be gradable. I know I’m picky with what I submit, but I’m certainly below 50%

[@carlsoncards]

Might depend on era for sure too!

[@ryancarmody2168]

Yea most raw cards are on eBay because they couldn’t be graded. I always make sure that if I can’t grade it, I can resell it raw without losing money

[@CrescentCityCollectibles]

In your opinion what price would a raw card be considered high end? Over 25,50, or 100? Thanks!

[@carlsoncards]

@@CrescentCityCollectibles probably depends on each individual. I don’t think there’s a general number that is for sure

[@dwiii1635]

Are there any specific card type variations you hone in on? Like Gold Refractors, Blue Ice, etc.?

[@richardbianco9674]

I do agree for most of these, the only thing id caution is reading too much into not grading by a seller. Many sellers will list cards based on how they came in, so if they're buying collections of graded, they'll list graded, if they are buying raw, they'll list raw. Also on the higher end example, the cost to grade can be not feasible. As we all know psa especially upcharges so that curry for example iwould cost a lot more to grade even in a 8 or 9 vs many others that could get a 10. If sgc prices were getting closer to psa ( in those cases it isn't) then that could be a stronger argument ( some post 2000 doesn't carry a value max for their 15 a card service)

[@carlsoncards]

Yes this is a good point - context is super important! Something to definitely keep in mind.

[@richardbianco9674]

@carlsoncards the next few months will tell the tale. If collectors can raise the profile and value on sgc slabs, we might see some of these points be moot lol. You'll still have preference by collectors but he markets will even out some to where it won't matter as much

[@carlsoncards]

Yes totally, I think there will be variability over time which grading company becomes the best "bang for your buck" depending on how market values them and consistency/strength of grading. @@richardbianco9674

[@richardbianco9674]

@carlsoncards and is collectors universe keeps them fully separate or do they eventually combine. Have heard rumblings of maybe taking some of the better things psa does ( set registry, and case construction) over to sgc, keeping pricing the same. If that does happen, modern will probably even out like Vintage already has

[@dafreak117]

100% I sell both. I buy collections and goodwill auctions. I grade some fun stuff that I feel needs to be slabbed. I sell a lot of stuff that I think should just go on to other people's collections. I also do repacks when I get enough of a certain team for fun. I sell some raw stuff that can be graded but I'm not spending the time or floating money for 3 months while PSA takes their sweet time to send me grades that barely will break even.

[@billyv604]

I think a good idea would be is to have a store with graded cards and a store with non- graded cards. Because you’re right, people see the non- graded Cards and scratch their head and say, how come they didn’t grade these??…

[@carlsoncards]

I definitely think some people do this, that’s a good point!

[@pfeiffdog0811]

I do this very thing.

[@planetsmoothcoaster]

Even though I've purchased some raw cards off Ebay, I expect the worst and hope for the best. I mean, you simply can't look at an Ebay card under a direct light source and slowly move it around, or put a scope to the corners or edges on paper cards. That said, people have to understand that the vast majority of cards are flawed right out of packs.

[@carlsoncards]

Well said!

[@bdut22]

Thanks for sharing these tips! On the crossover tip, do you usually send to PSA still in the slab or do you crack it out or a mix of both?

[@carlsoncards]

I always crack but have seen others *sometimes* have success doing the direct crossover service. I prefer cracking and have had much better luck with it.

[@richardbianco9674]

Cracking will give the best shot at getting the higher grade simply because most grading companies don't like to second guess each other. Especially the big 4( psa,bgs, sgc, and cgc). Other companies not so much since the markets in general don't put a premium on them.

[@richardbianco9674]

I do believe the crossover rate ( for that same or higher grade) leaving in the slab is less than 10% where as cracking is 2x-3x higher or more

[@carlsoncards]

This would definitely make sense to me. @@richardbianco9674