How To Source Postcards That Sell for Over $100 on eBay

[@mailseum]

Check out my new postcard show list here! mailseum.com/postcard-shows/ And while you're there put in your email address if you'd like to get direct updates about stuff like this!

[@MailboxMemoriesAshli]

Thanks for the helpful video, Dan. Very good Top 5 list. Re: buying in bulk from a postcard dealer at a show - I did that at the Wichita show last fall. I bought several hundred Arkansas postcards from a dealer that had just bought out a retiring dealer - so the cards were already organized and sorted but not picked through. So I bought his Arkansas box from that lot. Another top source is simply letting everyone know that you buy postcards. You mention this regularly in your videos and it’s excellent advice. Just this week I bought an individual’s personal collection that he was ready to sell because he needed the space. He offered me the opportunity to make him an offer before going another route to market his collection. Really happy with the quality.

[@Oldmaninthestream]

Thanks for creating the postcard show listing on your website.

[@GinnyV76]

Great video..the only thing I would add is that sometimes Estate Sales are good places to look for postcards. I have gotten some really good postcards from estate sales.

[@mailseum]

Good call, totally forgot about estate sales!

[@ji2660]

Yes, I agree. I just left an estate sale today and purchased a bunch of ship RPPCs cheaply. The only caveat is that most estate sales, most often than not, don’t have older postcards.

[@stevehelton7184]

Thanks for getting a good list of shows. Lots of these shows I've never heard of but I already see a couple I want to check out. Road trip ! Stamp shows are usually good for some postcards although some stamp dealers dealing in postal history are quite pricey .Usually there are $1 boxes and sometimes they are mixed with letters and first day covers. Thanks again.

[@happybunny1329]

This is a very helpful video, thanks. Luckily we don't have the delights of Craigslist in the UK... it doesn't sound like we're missing much! I buy almost all my cards on ebay and I think I will give Invaluable a go soon. :)

[@cjpenning]

Unidentified real photos are my favorite! Used to be able to find good deals on them at shows, but nowadays even the unidentified so-so views are pricey.

[@amyhanak2413]

Thanks for the great advice and the chuckles. Parts were super funny! 😂

[@sandy-sagerabbitvintage2681]

Thanks for your website and the work you put into it. I look forward to going to Saugerties, NY in April. Also, I agree on HiBid. I won a lot that just arrived today. Great deals, I got approx. 300 cards very cheap but can only use 200 of them. The rest had water and mold damage. Why they even sent them to me surprises me. I did get one Halloween, a couple rppcs and two Santas! Still learning my lessons.😆

[@mailseum]

Have fun at the Saugerties show! Yes I’ve had that experience with HiBid a couple times, so I’m very careful with what I buy. But I have gotten some awesome cards from there!

[@sandy-sagerabbitvintage2681]

@@mailseumAgreed, the ones that were good made it worth it.

[@fartsackjack7081]

i did great on a popeye lot ...thnx good sir i actully bought 2 lots that nite ...

[@murrayzuckerman123]

Thank you for a great informative video.

[@happybunny1329]

Any tips on how to identify the unidentified views? Where to begin the search? It's a bit like a needle in a haystack unless you recognise the view from having seen it before. :)

[@mailseum]

Google reverse image search can help if the RPPC has been sold before or is on a website somewhere. The best tool is probably Newspapers.com, although I don’t personally have a subscription (hence the stack of unsolved RPPCs). You can search that site for any clues in the image, like store signs, names, street/town names, events like floods or tornados, etc. There is a Facebook group for unidentified RPPCs that is also very helpful.

[@happybunny1329]

Oh, what great tips! Thank you so much! :)@@mailseum

[@happybunny1329]

Thank you! :)@@pereirahawk

[@TreasureZona]

Great info! Thanks!

[@scutter4christ]

Just found your video as a suggested from another video - Are you on Whatnot yet? if so are you useing the same brand name as here or are you on there under a different name?

[@mailseum]

Not yet! But when I do it will be the same name.

[@BHatMusic]

Do you ever look at stamp auctions specifically for postcard lots? I got a great deal once or twice. Recently though it seems that postcard lots are going for a lot more than I am willing to pay.

[@mailseum]

I have not but that’s a good idea! I’ve noticed the same about postcard lots - I’ve come to terms with the fact that I will only win about 5% of the auctions I bid on. I set my maximum price and don’t go over. The price that some lots are going for is crazy!

[@ridgehilljillie9429]

Yeah, it makes no sense, how auction sites want to sell online, but, don't offer shipping. It really seems counterproductive.

[@jimlloyd7459]

What Not sounds great ..i love lots

[@quintoncarroll4828]

When I started selling, Popeye's is the first KZbinr I learned from.

[@fartsackjack7081]

QUESTION ... i got 50 bucks to go to the local antique mall ...what cards do i buy ...shld i take phone in and do comps ? or just wing it ...lmao

[@mailseum]

I’d just look for RPPCs, small town views, Santa’s, stuff that you know will sell well!

[@MailboxMemoriesAshli]

Dan’s recommendation above is a solid approach. But I also recommend looking up comps if you can. I have a good idea of what themes and types of postcards have value but have wound up buying cards at antique malls that fit those things but they were originally produced in such quantities that the per card values weren’t great. On the other hand, I have had great luck buying RPPCs that I didn’t look up until I was home with my purchases. It’s a gamble honestly, but that’s part of the fun.

[@quintoncarroll4828]

What's been your average shipping cost when buying on Invaluable?

[@mailseum]

It’s been all over the place, depends on the auctioneer. I would say expect to pay at least double what you would pay on eBay for a similar size lot.