Rick Probstein announced recently he is starting a new live selling platform called BYD. He expects to launch in the next few months.

Who is Rick Probstein?

Rick Probstein is a major figure in the sports card and memorabilia industry, best known as the founder of Probstein Auctions, one of the largest consignment sellers on eBay. He has built a reputation as a high-volume dealer handling some of the most valuable and sought-after sports cards in the hobby.

Probstein’s Role in the Hobby

  • Founder of Probstein Auctions – A leading auction house specializing in sports cards and collectibles.
  • eBay Power Seller – Probstein Auctions is one of the largest sports card sellers on eBay, handling millions of dollars in transactions monthly.
  • Consignment Specialist – Collectors and investors send their cards to Probstein, who lists them for sale in eBay auctions.
  • Major Market Influence – Due to his high volume of sales, Probstein Auctions can influence pricing trends in the hobby.

What is Probstein Auctions?

Probstein Auctions is an eBay-based auction house specializing in:
✅ Vintage & Modern Sports Cards (graded & raw)
✅ High-End Memorabilia (signed jerseys, bats, game-used items)
✅ TCG & Non-Sports Cards (Pokémon, Marvel, Star Wars)
✅ Autographed Collectibles (certified by PSA/DNA, JSA, Beckett)

Probstein Auctions is known for:
✔ Low starting bids (often starting at $0.99 to drive competition).
✔ High volume of listings (thousands of cards available at any time).
✔ Fast turnaround for sellers who consign their cards.

Controversy & Criticism

While highly successful, Probstein Auctions has faced criticism, including:
❌ Shill Bidding Allegations – Some collectors believe that certain auctions have inflated prices due to shill bidding (though no proof has been confirmed).
❌ Slow Shipping at Times – Due to high volume, some buyers report slow shipping or delayed responses.
❌ Mixed Customer Service Reviews – While many customers are satisfied, some complain about poor communication.

Conclusion: Probstein’s Impact on the Hobby

Love him or hate him, Rick Probstein is a dominant figure in the sports card market. His auctions provide massive liquidity for sellers and shape pricing trends in the industry.

What Type of Sports Cards Does Rick Probstein Sell?

Rick Probstein, through Probstein Auctions, sells a wide range of sports cards, from vintage to modern, covering all major sports. His eBay store regularly features thousands of auctions at any given time, making him one of the largest sellers in the hobby.

1. Vintage Cards (Pre-1980s) 🏆

Probstein Auctions deals heavily in vintage sports cards, which are some of the most valuable in the hobby. Examples include:
✅ Pre-War & Tobacco Cards – T206 Honus Wagner, Babe Ruth Goudey, 1933 Lou Gehrig
✅ 1950s-1970s Icons – 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle, 1955 Topps Roberto Clemente, 1969 Topps Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar)
✅ Hall of Fame Rookies – Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and more

2. Modern Sports Cards (1980s-Present) 🔥

Probstein also sells modern and ultra-modern cards, including:
✅ Michael Jordan’s 1986 Fleer Rookie (one of the most popular auctions)
✅ Tom Brady 2000 Playoff Contenders Auto Rookie
✅ LeBron James 2003 Topps Chrome Rookie
✅ Shohei Ohtani, Patrick Mahomes, Victor Wembanyama Rookie Cards

3. High-End Graded Cards (PSA, BGS, SGC) 💎

Since Probstein Auctions handles a lot of high-end inventory, many listings feature:
✅ PSA 10 Gem Mint Cards (highly sought after)
✅ BGS Black Label & Pristine 10s
✅ SGC Graded Vintage Cards

4. Modern Hits & Parallels (Rare Inserts, Autos, and RPAs) 🎯

✅ 1/1 Printing Plates and Superfractors
✅ National Treasures RPAs (Rookie Patch Autos)
✅ Panini Prizm, Optic, Select, Flawless
✅ Bowman Chrome 1st Auto Cards (for baseball prospects)

5. Other Collectibles & TCG 🃏

Probstein Auctions isn’t just for sports cards; they also sell:
✅ Pokémon Cards (Charizard 1st Edition, rare promos)
✅ Marvel & Star Wars Trading Cards
✅ Signed Memorabilia (jerseys, bats, helmets, photos)

Why Buy From Probstein Auctions?

✔ Massive Selection – Thousands of auctions available daily.
✔ Low Starting Bids – Many auctions start at $0.99.
✔ Graded & Raw Cards – Options for every type of collector.

Probstein Auctions is among the largest sellers of sports cards on eBay. As of October 2023, Probstein Auctions was one of five sports card dealers ranked within eBay's top 25 worldwide sellers, based on feedback received.

sportscollectorsdaily.com

Additionally, Probstein has achieved over $850 million in lifetime sales on eBay.

cllct.com

While Probstein Auctions is a major player, other significant sports card sellers on eBay include:

Therefore, while Probstein Auctions is a leading seller, it's part of a competitive marketplace with several other high-volume sports card dealers on eBay.

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