Ebay CUTTING Fees + Topps Now Opportunity
eBay’s fees for selling sports cards have changed a bit in recent years, but here’s the most up-to-date breakdown (2025) specifically for trading cards, including sports cards:
💰 eBay Selling Fees for Sports Cards (2025)
Trading Cards (Sports & Non-Sports) — Standard Fee
- Final Value Fee (most common): 13.25% on the total sale price (including shipping & handling) if the card sells for under $7,500.
- If the item sells for over $7,500, the fee is:
- 13.25% on the first $7,500.
- 2.35% on anything above $7,500.
📦 eBay Standard Envelope (for low-end cards under $20)
- If you’re selling cheap singles under $20, you can use eBay Standard Envelope, which allows you to:
- Ship cards for as low as $0.60 to $1.08.
- The final value fee is still 13.25%.
💎 eBay Vault (for high-end graded cards)
- eBay is pushing its Vault service for cards valued at $250+.
- Vault sales still carry the 13.25% fee, but storing your card in the vault can offer perks like:
- No sales tax for buyers (in certain cases).
- Faster transactions.
- Authenticity guaranteed (automatically checked if the card is raw or graded).
⚠️ Other Fees to Know
- Insertion Fee (listing fee): Free for up to 250 listings per month if you don’t have an eBay Store. Most casual sellers pay $0 to list.
- If you have a Basic eBay Store, you get 1,000 free listings per month.
- If you offer Promoted Listings (ads) to boost visibility, that’s an extra optional fee — usually 2% to 10% of the final sale price, depending on how much exposure you want.
💡 Example Sale - $100 Card
| Sale Price | $100 |
|---|---|
| Final Value Fee | $13.25 |
| If you promote the listing (optional 5%) | $5 |
| Total Fees | ~$18.25 |
📊 How eBay Compares to Other Platforms
| Platform | Typical Fee |
|---|---|
| eBay | 13.25% |
| MySlabs (for graded cards) | 1% seller fee + PayPal fee |
| PWCC Marketplace | ~8-15% (depends on auction vs. fixed price) |
| Goldin Auctions | ~20% (premium auctions) |
| Whatnot (Live Sales) | ~11% + payment processing |
| Instagram (Direct) | No fee (but you’re on your own for payment safety) |
🔥 Why eBay is Still King (For Now)
- Biggest audience for sports cards.
- Built-in buyer protection (which can be good or bad for sellers).
- Search tools and visibility are better than smaller platforms.
eBay is still the biggest marketplace for sports cards, but it’s not always the best option depending on fees, audience, and selling format. Here’s a breakdown of where to sell based on your card type and goals:
📊 Where to Sell Sports Cards? Pros & Cons
| Selling Platform | Best For | Fees | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| eBay | All cards (raw, graded, high-end, low-end) | 13.25% final value fee | - Largest buyer audience - Auctions & fixed-price options - Authentication for graded cards |
- High fees - Buyer scams (returns, chargebacks) - Sales tax can deter buyers |
| MySlabs | Graded cards, sealed wax, premium raw | 1% seller fee + PayPal (2.9%) | - Low fees - Attracts serious buyers - No returns (safer for sellers) |
- Smaller audience than eBay - Must list at market price (no auctions) |
| Goldin Auctions | High-end graded cards ($5k+) | 20% buyer’s premium (affects final price) | - Best for big-ticket items - Strong marketing for rare cards |
- High fees - Takes longer (auction schedule) |
| PWCC Marketplace | Mid-to-high-end graded cards ($250+) | 8-15% depending on sale format | - Vault storage available - Good for long-term investing |
- Not great for low-end cards |
| Whatnot | Live-selling singles, packs, wax | ~11% + payment fees | - Live-streaming builds hype - Good for bulk selling |
- Requires audience & engagement - Can be fast-paced (risky for big cards) |
| Facebook/IG Groups | Raw and graded cards (all types) | No selling fee (PayPal or Venmo may charge) | - No fees (except PayPal G&S) - Direct negotiation |
- Scams & no seller protection - Must find buyers manually |
| Local Card Shops (LCS) | Quick cash-out for bulk or singles | Varies (usually 50-60% of market value) | - Instant cash - No shipping or fees |
- You’ll get less than eBay price |
🔥 When is eBay the Best Option?
✔ You have a wide range of cards (raw, graded, vintage, modern).
✔ You want maximum visibility and buyer trust.
✔ You’re okay with paying 13.25% in fees but getting the highest possible price.
✔ You need an auction format (for hyped cards, rare short prints, etc.).
❌ When to Avoid eBay?
🚫 Selling low-end cards under $5 (fees eat up profits).
🚫 You’re worried about buyer scams & returns (MySlabs is safer).
🚫 You want to avoid the 13.25% fee (Facebook, IG, MySlabs are cheaper).
🚫 Selling big grails ($5,000+) – Goldin or PWCC might get better bids.
💡 Final Verdict
eBay is still the #1 sports card marketplace, but not always the best choice depending on your selling goals. If you’re selling high-end graded cards, consider MySlabs, PWCC, or Goldin. If you’re flipping singles or packs, Whatnot or Facebook can work.
eBay is the largest online marketplace for sports cards, offering a vast selection for collectors and enthusiasts. As of 2023, there were approximately 100 million sports card listings on eBay.
This extensive inventory includes a wide range of cards, from vintage collectibles to modern releases, catering to various interests and budgets.
In addition to active listings, eBay facilitates a significant volume of transactions in the sports card category. Each week, approximately 600,000 sports cards are sold on the platform, reflecting the dynamic nature of the marketplace and the high demand among buyers.
These figures underscore eBay's prominence in the sports card trading community, providing both buyers and sellers with a comprehensive platform to engage in their hobby.
