Episode 48 - How SORTING your sports cards will help you MAXIMIZE your ROI

I really believe this...one of the keys to optimizing your ROI on card sales is having an organized inventory. I show you my process or organizing my cards so that you can ensure a maximum return on your sports card investment.

[@durianqueen]

I used to collect cards as a kid and am back into it now as both a collector and seller. This video is 2 years old but is one of the most informative ones I've been able to find on organizing a large inventory. THANK YOU!

[@ParlayJaySports]

Welcome back to the hobby!! I can’t believe it’s already been two years for that video ! Thank you I’m really glad you found it helpful!

[@petelalicata3050]

@@ParlayJaySports what up Jay hey my name is Pete hey I've been collecting the cards since s*** I don't know I must have been at least in the fourth; tell m I was going to use it for lunch but I would actually go to the little card shop and d after d either same thing. today and now I'm 44 and I got so much cards mostly fro 1986-2000 so been waking up every morning for at least about from the past two three years now having these things all laid around scattered and almost makes me feel unorganized you know just the way I'm living and I'm already thinking about selling and when I saw your video man it really inspired me I really want to thank you for that video makes a lot of sense man especially about that thing about organizing everything and getting ready to sell,/trade beco thank you for that video and I'm going to get to it especially on get organized everything. So I already got me one of those straight paper cutter things so I'm going to get on that let me know if you have any suggestions

[@WallaceMalay]

Thank you from Vancouver Island Canada. Just retired and I am starting to acquire sports cards. Just like when I was a young boy and I am enjoying it. Great tips to begin my collections. Cheers Wallace from Canada!

[@bethp1391]

I am a 52 year old lady! My husband put a KZbin video on the other day and I kept telling him I had certain cards that they were showing. He didn’t believe me so I got my collection out and now I’m feeling like a 10 year old again obsessing over my cards. I have started trying to sort my collection in the best way. I appreciate your video to give me some ideas!

[@barbaragilbert6444]

Nice to see another lady collecting! I have been a lifelong sports card collector with my fav being the 1973 topps baseball. I am working to complete my set as I have seriously streamlined my interests.

[@bethp1391]

@@barbaragilbert6444 I feel like we may be the minority!! I’m enjoying getting back into it and learning more. So much more information out there than the Beckett magazines when I was a kid!

[@threeg6966]

I don’t look at sorting my cards as a hassle. I actually enjoy sorting my collection. I sort each player in alphabetical order. Once you do that, it is very easy to add new additions.

[@ParlayJaySports]

That’s a great way to do it!

[@Junkedupsports]

All of this is such great advice! I’m currently working thru a multi sport collection of 8k cards. The more I sort, the more value I find. Either because I missed something, or realizing I can create lots that would be valuable to various collectors.

[@ParlayJaySports]

Thank you for watching! So glad you found this helpful!good luck with sorting that collection!

[@SilverJackify]

Haha picturing you dealing out cards...don’t touch the chips! Really helpful video. That is some impressive organization

[@ParlayJaySports]

Thanks! Hahaha- a hand slips into camera view trying to touch a card and it promptly gets slapped away! Next stop is a Ultimate Mongo Gorillia Case like yours for the Slabs!

[@zengarden8592]

As being a person that doesn't organize everything. This is exactly what I needed to hear to help me flip cards. Thank you so much for your ideas.

[@ParlayJaySports]

Thank you so much for watching and for the comment! So Happy this helped you!!

[@Hitman23NYY]

Has anyone ever told you that you look like Andy Pettitte? Excellent video Jay. I couldn’t agree with you more!

[@ParlayJaySports]

@Hitman23 thanks for watching and happy this helped! Funny you say that, I got that all the time back while he was still playing! Lol!

[@willievickers2318]

Jay 2 nights ago I went dumpster diving. In a dumpster I find a softball bat of my dreams! A Miken Freak Primo 12 Supermax! Next to it a Onxy too. Under neath the bats was a bag of cards. And another. And Another. AND ANOTHER! it's amazing and insane what I found. This video helps but realistically I wouldn't know how to go about doing the process correctly. I'm estimating that I found close to 5,000 cards in that dumpster. Cards in immaculate condition! I'll try ok? Keep you posted too. Jay it was insane that I had to get a grocery cart to get these bags back to my apartment! Great content! 👍

[@ParlayJaySports]

Great finds!!! Definitely start by finding a space where you can lay out the cards and leave it and come back again later to finish over time- trying to do it all in one sitting may be a stretch. Try following the order I explained in this video by making the sheets to help aid in sorting. Sort by brand and year then round 2 by team. Over tjme you will be fully sorted and have pulled out the best cards! Good luck I hope you found some gems!

[@RobertLee-wi5kc]

Glad you are having fun. I would guess that the owner knew they had no value. I threw out over 2,000,000 cards as I could only get 6.00 for a box of 5,000 and the shipping was more than that. St. Vincent's didn't even want them. No One wants common cards.

[@Zaciah93]

I've just been staring at a bunch of boxes I got from my dad that have been sitting in my room and finally decided to look up a video on some tips on where to start. Most are sorted by sport and some players pulled aside but the boxes are getting old and some of the cards are bent. Solid vid btw

[@ParlayJaySports]

I’m glad this helped you! I hope you have fun going through the cards and sorting! If you can’t do it all in one sitting, set it up in a space and do it a little bit at a time.

[@npssports9747]

I used to do the team thing on a paper mat but now use BCW modular trays with team labels. My upgrade for the year. As always good video!

[@ParlayJaySports]

Thanks as always for watching NPS!! Those modular trays are fantastic! Love those too!

[@johnespinola8371]

Thank you so much for your advice on how to organize my cards collection!! You’re awesome! I have a large collection but I have sold one yet but I’m thinking strongly about it .

[@ParlayJaySports]

John Thank you for watching! I’m glad you found this helpful! Selling is always tough but if you do it then organizing is the way to go!

[@jayscards8640]

I’ve always believed sorting and organizing cards is what makes a collection without it you just have an accumulation of cards. Instead of sorting cards by team, I sort them by card number. You provide us with good sound advice!

[@ParlayJaySports]

Thank you so much for watching!! That is another great way to sort!! Agreed that organization in our collections is key!

[@rage508cardsngrails]

I've been doing this for months 2- 8 foot high garage shelving about 80,000 cards smh I've been going hard everyday lol I'm getting there

[@ParlayJaySports]

LOVE IT!!!

[@spencerludman3915]

I’m currently at 2.5 million cards… my god

[@rage508cardsngrails]

@@spencerludman3915 no way sheeeeesh

[@spencerludman3915]

@@rage508cardsngrails wanna help? I’ll pay. In cards

[@rage508cardsngrails]

@@spencerludman3915 sorry my friend I'm buried myself over 200k now

[@TrueBlueCollectibles]

Whenever I would do box breaks I would organize by number 1-50, 51-100, 101-150, etc. They all just went into the binders in numerical order.

[@ParlayJaySports]

I’ve always wanted to do that as well- that’s the ultimate ordering !

[@hollowpoint1057]

I agree with most recommendations except I think it’s alway best to sort sets in card order (e.g. 1 - 700). It’s easiest to work by 10s and lay out a grid. Then you can order each set of ten (dups together) and get the full sequence. This is the easiest way to determine what’s missing for a full set, and it’s easy enough to look up the numbers for the key cards in each set they may need to be pulled for special storage.

[@selderssr]

Thanks!! I needed a solid way to sort my collection....Great content man👍🏾

[@ParlayJaySports]

Thank you for watching! So glad you found the video helpful! Thank you for liking and subscribing!

[@Tintmaster775]

I would put all those cards in penny sleeves to protect them

[@ParlayJaySports]

Absolutely!

[@kdoglouis1560]

This would be impossible since I have been collecting since 1989. I don't even know how many boxes I have there is so many. Probably a million cards.

[@ParlayJaySports]

Not impossible! It would just take many nights and many brews!

[@RoknRob46]

Thanks for the video ! Very informative !

[@FirstNameLastNamescar]

I think u would enjoy set building. ... Keep it up good content. I'm hitting the like button.

[@ParlayJaySports]

Thank you so much for watching and for the comment! I’m actually trying my hand at it for the first time! What do you set build?

[@adrians89]

Whoa you went from biz casual to party ROCK ON with that mullet

[@ParlayJaySports]

Let’s goooooo!!!

[@snerdterguson]

Started sorting my cards about 2 months ago. Didn't find anything huge, but did find a couple low end zions. Also found a few baseball rookies that were commons in 2018 but now carry some value like Jack Flaherty. Best thing I found was a 2019 Topps Gallery Fernando Tatis Jr. Private Issue /299. My guess is I just thought it was just a base rookie so it went in a box with the rest.

[@ParlayJaySports]

Any find is a good find! Perfect example of why I suggest sorting the rookies out separately for recent years- so that you can jump straight to that section in case you think you overlooked someone! Love that this worked for you!

[@cameronnovak]

Nice vid. Diggin' the Andre The Giant bill.

[@ParlayJaySports]

Thank you for watching and subscribing!! Yes! You noticed that!! Hahah!!! Thank you !

[@scottb7444]

Great video, I like how you made your own dividers out of cardboard.

[@ParlayJaySports]

Thank you Scott!! Yes! I’ve found as long as you cut them the same size with a little overhang they work great!

[@roseripz]

Good info and video. I am also a long suffering Pirates fan from the Burgh!

[@ParlayJaySports]

Thank you! I’m sorry to hear that we are in the same boat! But they will come back around soon hopefully!

[@FranEvans-j5j]

Great video. Did you end up putting all manufacturer together by year, or using year followed by manufacturer as the master sort layer.

[@Hughmonte]

Excellent job bruh. New sub here! 👍⚾

[@ParlayJaySports]

Thanks so much for watching and subscribing!

[@Jfadeaway73]

thanks for sharing this video...I need to sort out my collection..my three main are iverson, lebron and kobe...everything else is all over....

[@ParlayJaySports]

@Jason! Thank you for watching! Awesome collection! Yes sort the heck out of it! You’ll be glad you did :)

[@yessir1182]

I really found this video helpful thanks

[@ParlayJaySports]

So glad you enjoyed it!! Thank you for watching and subscribing!

[@dylanhynes171]

Do you have any tips for finding valuable cards inside a large collection? I’ve recently inherited my dad’s and uncle’s old sports card and memorabilia collections but I’ve never been a huge sports nut. Over the past couple of months I’ve been doing research and have been able to find some cards of value, but I feel like I often overlook a lot. We have football, baseball, basketball, and even some hockey. A lot of these cards range from 1970-2004 and sorting is VERY difficult, I try and do it shoebox but shoebox.

[@ParlayJaySports]

Thank you for watching!! First suggestion is that you MUST take the time to sort them- if you have time set aside a space where you can do one shoe box a day or something like that so you dont feel overwhelmed to do it all at once. Do a little bit each day then walk away and come back tomorrow. Then once you are sorted out you should focus on specific years and brands of cards first to identify the best ones… I would start with the 70s first and start by looking for cards that have rookie marked on them. Do some research on Google searching for the year + the brand and “rookie checklist” or “best cards in set” so that you know which ones to look for! Feel free to ask questions at any time! Follow me on IG and send any questions there! @ParlayJaySports! Good luck! And enjoy!

[@rcc6675]

The best card I saw there was a 25 cent Jose Uribe..

[@MrLANWANMAN]

Brilliant 👏 im going to make that team layout sheet tomorrow..

[@ParlayJaySports]

Give it a try!

[@elizabethshannon5858]

You should find a way to market that layout sheet. I'd buy one.

[@ParlayJaySports]

That’s a great idea!

[@SatchelMcQueenVideo]

I been collecting since I was a kid in mid 80s. Bought for $1000 years ago from old card shop owner his last batch of cards he kept since mid 90s. I have around 1.5 - 2 million cards. I honestly am starting to seperate them out. Been through about 10% and it looks like I have almost everything from back then. Just gotta sort them sale. I’m rich as soon as I do.

[@rileyholmes1344]

who’s gonna tell him

[@MelissaMkas]

Hello there, When I bought a trading cards I do is i look at the trading cards number on the back of them.. It's easy way for me to do.

[@samlawson4699]

Great video. A lot of good info. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@On_Point_Collecting_IG]

Great video Jay 👍

[@ParlayJaySports]

Thanks LBZ!! Working my way up to your level of collection!

[@vesssyltv3462]

Thank you for sharing I need to start this on minr

[@ParlayJaySports]

You are welcome! Hope you found it helpful!

[@gregoryphillips5518]

Well done, thank you 🙏🇺🇸

[@ParlayJaySports]

So glad you found it helpful! Thank you for watching and subscribing!

[@rcellis6767]

Great video, did i miss the link for the modern cards?

[@CodyM1703]

Helped me out a lot!! Go Bucs!!!

[@ParlayJaySports]

Codyyyy!!!! Glad it helped!! Let’s go bucs!!

[@giveitagowithdave1970]

So Parlay, you don’t organize by finishing box sets first?

[@ralphtiff8559]

I was going to let most of this go. But please do not use regular cardboard in your collections. There are reasons we use the boxes we do. Acid primarily.

[@ParlayJaySports]

Thanks for watching Ralph! Do you mean the dividers?

[@peteharwan553]

Just came here to say.....who the hell doesn't sort their cards??

[@ParlayJaySports]

Hahah yessss!

[@oceanstateminded9859]

Thx for this, Where's link for vid on newer cards

[@the81collector85]

good advise!!!!!!

[@ParlayJaySports]

Thank you so much for watching and subscribing!

[@dereke.3730]

Thank you for the informative video. I'm currently attempting to organize around 3-4 thousand cards, while also pricing them and sleeving them. I've noticed alot of my cards garner a decent price ungraded and a great price graded. Is it helpful to separate cards that appear to be highly gradable from those that are obviously not. I have not nor could I afford to have cards graded, but am I correct in thinking that some buyers will be looking for cards to have graded? Also wanted to get your opinion on the "error" cards that seems to pop up every once and a while. I've seen everything from wrong names, blank names and missing periods or punctuation etc. Are these truly valuable and how do you separate them out to be sellable? Thank you for any advice you can pass along.

[@fredstehling6551]

I've started to sort my cards by year and manufacturer in numeric order into 9 card holder books I have not broken them down into Team sets like you suggested. I have the best condition cards first in the books and then a sheet of blank white paper and then all the doubles behind the sheet of paper in the same book for easy access. What do you think of that idea?

[@user-ni1yl2hx4f]

Great video nice to finally listen to someone that makes sense!

[@ParlayJaySports]

Thank you for watching! I’m so glad you found it helpful!

[@troybarton3515]

Where did you get your box to sort your cards?

[@adrians89]

Best place to buy card sleeves & holders?

[@Codghosts-wq8gk]

bcw / amazon.. or even your local card shop

[@teddo997]

good stuff

[@ParlayJaySports]

Thanks so much! I’m glad it helped! Thank you for watching and subscribing!

[@absoluteinfinity6619]

Wow a deck dividers! You should sell that idea to pokemon

[@ParlayJaySports]

Hahah!

[@Codghosts-wq8gk]

it seems hard to imagine, but i'm 14 with over 30,000 cards. i have 24 boxes that hold 800 each, 5 binders with 50 cards each, and then a bin with random cards that contains over 1,000. i also have around 700 regular card sleeves, 30 top loaders, and around 205 dragon shield card sleeves.

[@ParlayJaySports]

That’s awesome!!! Congrats!!

[@joediglio3699]

I need help put my baseball cards in order

[@ParlayJaySports]

Let’s goooooooo!!!

[@Sxlrac.]

I can tell your gonna be a great KZbinr and I’m not just saying that, I mean it. BTW great vid 😷stay safe

[@ParlayJaySports]

Thank you so much Carlos!!! Stay safe!

[@DJ_FIFO]

Damn that’s crazy I just sort by team and alphabetically

[@ParlayJaySports]

That’s a solid way to sort too!!

[@mikeandrews6422]

@ParlayJaySports do you still collect?

[@ParlayJaySports]

Of course!

[@gradedcards5516]

let me know when you can come over and sort thru my 2 to 3 million cards ;)

[@ParlayJaySports]

LOL!! That sounds like fun!

[@ParlayJaySports]

Oh no!! I’m sorry to hear about that but I’m glad you got such a glorious bounty of cards !!

[@ParlayJaySports]

😂

[@Zaciah93]

Is there any use for bent, stained or ripped cards?

[@ParlayJaySports]

I am a fan of either donating cards to kids to get them interested in the hobby- or making some sort of artwork out of it- especially if you have cards that have some sort of relevant theme

[@joediglio3699]

Easy way to look up baseball cards..

[@ParlayJaySports]

Thank you!

[@stuartbyhoff3227]

What about the fact that players played for numerous teams. My cards are sorted by players, alphabetically.

[@ParlayJaySports]

That makes for watching!! It’s really your call- I prefer to sort by team first then player for certain players- but if it’s players I might want to sell- then I’d pull The player cards out of sort order and separate them into a separate box only by player

[@jakyar2808]

You have a lot

[@joshuasmith1215]

You have the same worthless cards that I have....

[@jesusisdead]

I do brand and player. I would do brand player and year. I do stars only though. I don't sell my cards either. I u s

[@aronneal]

You keep All your base cards damn I just throw a trash bag of Topps series 1 and 2 2020 and big league and Donruss 2020 lol Out no space for them

[@aronneal]

I keep rookies , number cards and parallels and my fav player trout etc

[@ParlayJaySports]

I do ! You never know who might turn into a star! Oh man tossed them all huh? Not even used as wallpaper? :)

[@ParlayJaySports]

Trout = GOAT ! Guess we didn’t need to worry about the opt out after all!

[@rage508cardsngrails]

Hell yeah bro all the way from my childhood early 90s up till current u never know when a Kyle Lewis pops up outta no where lol #salute

[@joeyunger6460]

There’s a lot of kids who would have loved having those commons.

[@markthompson7503]

"If someone is looking for Chipper Jones cards.....wouldn't it be easier to put your cards by team instead of by year? If someone asked for Chippers I would go to the Braves set in my box and boom...all the Chippers for 20 years.

[@ParlayJaySports]

They are definitely two different ways to do it- either driven by player and team first or driven by product and year first- depends on your collection and preference- I prefer to go by product and year and team and I can roughly remember what team the player was on each year so I can hop to each of needed

[@RobertLee-wi5kc]

Dude you clearly do not value your time. With very little exception it would have been better to just toss them in a box for give aways. Keep anything worth putting in a topp loader, then read a good book.

[@jimmcallister971]

I didn't see any penny sleeves. Cring...