We all love our favorite characters from Pokémon, aren’t we? And the cards that depict our favorite cute little monsters are always a prized asset. But, do you know you can now even sell Pokémon cards and make a grand profit?
Yes, there are now several websites, apps, and even offline marketplaces are also available where you can sell or trade your favorite Pokémon cards and other collectibles. And most of these platforms offer official gradation and valuation as well!
But before we reveal all those tested ways to sell the cards and make a profit out of them, let’s clear some basic doubts first!
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What Factors Determine The Worth Of A Pokémon Card?
Before you know how to sell Pokémon cards online, you need to know how to evaluate your card to sell at the right price.
Otherwise, it is possible that you may get a rate much below the industry standard! And there are three primary parameters.
- Type: While standard Pokémon cards fetch a lower rate, holographic and special-edition cards are extremely expensive.
- Availability: Scarcity makes anything valuable, such as the original base set from 1999. A complete set of that deck can fetch as much as $10k.
- Condition: Mint or near-mint conditioner cards fetch the best value. It is even better if you have the outer package intact.
Besides these three, several other factors, such as the version, origin, and color grading, can also be crucial factors in determining the actual worth of these cards.
Which Pokémon Cards Are Worth Of Most Money?
It is easy to sell Pokémon cards for a lower price as Pokémon fans are everywhere.
But to make extra money, you need the best and the most expensive cards in your inventory that can fetch a never-before price for you in auctions.
And according to the current online scenario, here are the estimated value of the best cards to sell.
Card Name | Original Set Name | Estimated Price (In USD) |
Charizard (Star) | EX Delta Species | $6,000 |
Rayquaza (Star) | EX Deoxys | $700 |
Charizard (Shadowless Holographic) | 1999 Base Set | $485 |
Charizard (Normal) | Plasma Storm | $474 |
Blastoise (Shadowless Holographic) | 1999 Base Set | $418 |
If you have the bulk pack or a complete deck of original cards, the 1999 version of the Base Set will fetch the best price. And EX Delta Species pack comes second in line.
What Are The Rarity Symbols on Pokémon Cards?
Before we start discussing which stores sell Pokémon cards, you need to understand how to evaluate the cards. And there are four types of cards that are mostly in demand among collectors around the globe.
- First-Edition Cards: These were first printed in 1999 as the base set with the “Edition 1” logo at the bottom-left corner of the Pokémon illustration.
- Holographic Cards: These cards have a shimmery and reflective top and a base layer that create a holographic effect.
- Reflective Cards: These are also called inverse holographic cards as they reproduce a shining effect.
- Full-Art Cards: Especially loved by the art connoisseurs, these cards have a complete extended illustration throughout the front panel.
Besides these variants and editions, there are three symbols that you can find in every official Pokémon card that also denotes its rarity.
- Circles: This sign is there in all the inexpensive and ordinary cards.
- Diamonds: Although they are not extremely rare, these cards are quite valuable.
- Stars: This particular mark comes in all the most valuable, rarest, and most expensive ones.
Special Note: If you have an entire deck and the card count is higher than the usual number, you have a secret card in that pack. And trust me, those secret cards are the actual collectibles that fetch unbelievable prices.
Which Are The Rarest Pokémon Cards?
You may not believe it, but several Pokémon cards at auction even fetched $10k for a single piece. So, if you have any rare card, it will surely be your best way to make $50k fast this year.
And the rarest and most expensive cards are as follows.
- Pokémon GX: First introduced in the “Sun & Moon” set, these cards are scarce to find.
- Pokémon-EX: First introduced in the “Next Destinies” set, these cards also made a comeback in the “Black & White” series.
- Pokémon LV.X: First introduced in the “Diamond & Pearl” series, you can also find it on the later variants of the iconic Platinum series.
- Pokémon Star: First introduced in the “EX Team Rocket Returns” set, you can also get it from other EX series.
- Pokémon Legend: These are probably the only cards that come in pairs with a division between the top and bottom half.
Besides these five, Pokémon Prime (comes in the HeartGold and SoulSilver series) and Pokémon-EX (with extra attack points) are also among the most expensive ones.
20 Best Places To Sell Pokémon Cards
Although several websites and apps sell Pokémon cards online, not every platform is equally trustworthy and pays the same rate.
So, our team of experts researched hundreds of options to filter out the top twenty choices that you can trust. And here they are!
1. eBay
During our childhood days, we all have the craze to sell Pokémon cards on eBay to get our pocket money. And it still remains the same! But cards are not the only thing, as eBay is among the best platforms to sell clothes online as well.
From a $30/card deal to a million-dollar card auction, you name any, and this platform has it all! You can simply open a free account and list all your cards to start an online auction.
eBay also has a strong community from where you can fetch the actual worth of your Pokémon cards. But yes, they do charge up to 8% commission.
2. Facebook Marketplace
Facebook is not just a social media platform anymore, as it has various other products nowadays. And with the recent introduction on Facebook Marketplace, you can now even fetch a great price if you have Pokémon cards in mint condition.
You just need to take some great photos and write in detail about the card you want to sell. You can also set a price so that the local buyers can contact you directly if they like the deal.
But not just selling or trading cards through the groups and marketplace, there are several side business ideas with Facebook also available nowadays to keep you rolling!
3. Instagram
Needless to say, Instagram is the most popular photo-sharing platform in the world right now. However, you can even start a business on Instagram nowadays, including selling Pokémon cards at the right price.
You can start posting the photos of your available cards right onto your IG account with the right hashtags. Besides, you can also write a short description with an expected price.
But never deal with anyone if they don’t have a long history of posting and communicating on the IG platform. Besides, it is also better to ask for some references to stay on the safer side.
4. Amazon
From eCommerce to OTT, Amazon is a global brand that dominates various sectors across the globe. And you can now make money on Amazon in so many different ways, such as trading your cards and auctioning those.
But to do that, you need to have a seller’s account to proceed with. You can also attend the free webinar to become an Amazon FBA seller and start selling your cards at the right price.
You do need to tweak your photos and descriptions for your cards, as the competition is stern here! Besides, you should also provide deals and coupons to attract buyers.
5. AliExpress
If Amazon is for general buyers, AliExpress is for retailers and dealers. However, you can even sell Pokémon cards on this fantastic platform as an individual seller. But most of the time, they purchase in bulk.
This platform also works differently than traditional eCommerce platforms like Amazon and eBay. First, you need to set up your account as a seller or manufacturer while declaring all the available products with their details.
And anyone willing to buy from you can directly contact you for a bulk deal. But the best part is the commission is on the lower side!
6. Craigslist
Craigslist remained the most sort-after classified platform during our childhood. But now, it has also evolved and established itself as the mediator between local buyers and sellers. However, several sites like Craigslist are also doing the same.
First, you need to take some great images of your cards. Second, you should write a short but descriptive catchline to attract potential buyers. And third, you can also attach the expected price.
Once anyone gets interested in your Pokémon cards, they can directly contact you for further bargains. But yes, the P2P deals can eliminate the shipping costs completely to maximize your actual profit.
7. Reddit
Reddit is a community where like-minded people come together to interact about their favorite topics in subreddits. And you can find several such subreddits entirely on Pokémon, where you can also join as an avid fan.
But it is not at all a hardcore selling platform where you can post and sell cards. Instead, you can create bonds and collaborate with other fans to make a more extensive ecosystem.
However, you can join the “pkmntcgtrades” subreddits to directly post the available cards to fetch the right price from the right buyers. But yes, you also need to check the authenticity of the buyer before you ship the cards.
8. TCG Player
If you talk about the biggest marketplace for not just cards but all the collectibles, you definitely talk about TCG Player. Depending on your requirements, you can either create a vendor’s account or a buyer’s account on this platform.
The best thing about this platform is that you don’t need to pay any setup fee at all to start selling Pokémon cards through this platform. But yes, they do charge a small cut from the final selling price as their commission.
This platform also has a card scanner feature to get the correct estimate for your card to get the best possible price.
9. Card Market
Card Market is the biggest European online card dealer right now. And you can easily sell Pokémon cards at the best possible price through this platform. Besides, it comes with a complete payment protection policy to avoid any scams.
You can start by creating a free account on this platform. And there is a dedicated segment to sell cards where you can get a fillable drop-down list to declare various parameters of your cards.
The engine will then automatically evaluate the right price of that card and will also help you to list it. However, you can also set your own price if it is truly rare.
10. Card Cavern
If you are looking for a dedicated marketplace that specializes in PTCGO codes, you should better resort to this unique platform called Card Cavern. There are several Pokémon cards available that have redeemable coupon codes in them.
If you have such cards in your collection that you haven’t redeemed till now, you can fetch the best price from this platform. And the entire procedure is digital, and they also have strict supervision to eliminate any chance of scams.
You don’t need to list your coupon code but the card only. And if anyone purchases that card, you need to send the code through your registered mail ID.
11. Cape Fear Games
There are two ways to sell Pokémon cards on Cape Fear Games. First, it has an impressive buy list where you can sell any card that is already listed with its price. And second, you can create your own list to show your entire inventory of cards.
And once they accept any of your price offers, they will send you an acceptance mail. You should ship that particular card within a week of receiving that card. But yes, you should bear the delivery cost.
You can either take payment via PayPal transfer or checks. Besides, you can even get store credits.
12. Dave & Adam’s
One of the longest-standing card dealers in the market, Dave & Adam’s been almost dominating the Pokémon market for the last thirty years or so! However, it now mostly buys holographic and special-edition cards.
If you have special and rare cards like Charizard, this is the sole platform to get the best price possible. However, your cards should be in near-mint condition to fetch the right price.
Besides cards, you can also sell booster boxes and other Pokémon-themed goodies through this platform. And if you sell over $500, they pay an additional $25 as a bonus.
13. Troll And Toad
From special-edition cards to the rare ones, from entire packs to even goodie packs, you just name any, and you can sell it on Troll and Toad. And not just Pokémon; you can even sell Dragon Ball and Yu-Gi-Oh cards as well.
The best thing about this company is that you can sell individual cards or the entire pack, whatever you want. But the card should have a minimum worth of $30. And for selling rare cards, you need to contact them beforehand!
It also has an exclusive seller’s guide that comes with an entire checklist to rightly evaluate your card to fetch the best price.
14. CCG Castle
Although CCG Castle is truly among the most trusted companies to trade cards, this platform works differently. You can’t list your cards here; instead, you can check which cards they are buying now.
You need to start by creating a free account on this website. And then, you should enable the “Buy” mode to check all the listed cards and their prices. And if you have any cards from that list, you can sell them and get that mentioned amount.
Right now, this company only pays via PayPal transfer. So, you must link your account beforehand.
15. Sell2BBNovelties
Not just to sell Pokémon cards, avid card fanatics often visit Sell2BBNovelties to sell their collectibles as well. And there are two ways to sell cards here, individual cards and bulk collection.
But yes, your card should be in mint condition to get the right price. It is even better if you have those sealed. Besides, all the cards should be US versions as they don’t accept any international versions.
And if you want to sell bulk packs, you can easily get around $0.25/card for holographic and up to $0.06/card for reverse holographic. And the rare cards can fetch you an additional $0.05/card at least.
16. Full Grip Games
While selling a single piece is lucrative if you have a rare card, selling in bulk will fetch the best rate if you have a common or semi-rare one. And Full Grip Games is truly among the best websites where you can get the right opportunity for bulk selling.
But there is a catch! This company doesn’t pay in cash. Instead, they actually trade cards. If you are an avid card collector, you can easily get rare cards just by swapping your own cards.
Once they accept any order, they will send you a booster box within three business days. And for presale boxes, they usually ship within a single day.
17. Mercari
Mercari is not just an ideal platform to sell Pokémon cards, but it is also a great one to sell clothes, collectibles, electronics, and several other items. And you’ll get a never-before rate for each of these items.
Once you open a free account on this website and list your card, a vast user base can see your listing. And the potential buyers will contact you directly through their inboxes.
Although the deal is basically P2P, you don’t need to worry about the shipping as the company will take care of everything, from billing to delivery.
18. Safari Zone
One of the most trusted platforms for card selling in bulk, Safari Zone offers the best rate if your cards are genuine and currently in mint condition. Besides, all your cards should be in English as they don’t accept cards from other origins.
Once you register to this brilliant site, you need to fill up a simple submission form describing all the details about your cards. Once they approve the request, you can directly ship those cards to them and receive money.
Besides cash, this website also buys Pokémon cards for store credits, with which you can buy other cards or collectibles.
19. Poshmark
Although it is not a typical platform to sell cards or even trade those, Poshmark is actually a social eCommerce platform that is a hybrid between an eCommerce and a social media website.
You can sell all your expensive Pokémon cards through this platform by showcasing them on your profile. And any user of Poshmark can see and even comment on that listing of yours.
Selling on this platform is super simple as you need to make a free account and start listing all the stuff you want to sell. And the potential buyer can contact you right on this platform itself.
20. CoolStuffInc
Not just cards, CoolStuffInc is an online retailer of collectibles, board games, and various other items. Although they mainly sell new items, you can still list your Pokémon cards if they are in mint condition with proper packaging.
But not just Pokémon; you can sell Dragon Ball, Magic, and even Yu-Gi-Oh cards through this platform. However, you may not get the best price if your card is scarce.
You can either create a seller’s account and list your cards or directly contact them over mail if you have any expensive cards you want to sell through this platform.
5 Alternative Ways To Sell Pokémon Cards
Not just online platforms like websites, apps, and e-stores, there are even traditional offline places where you can sell Pokémon cards and make a significant profit.
And here are the top five choices that can fetch the best value for your cards.
21. Pawn Shops
Pawnshops are the go-to place in your locality for not just cards but for anything you want to sell out to make money. From electronics to collectibles, you can even sell used DVDs and Blu-Rays at your nearby pawn shops.
And the best part, you can even lend money while keeping your cards as a mortgage from those pawn shops, especially if you don’t want to sell out your collections. But yes, they offer a much lower rate.
So, it is better to bargain hard! Besides, you should also calculate the worth of your card beforehand to get the best price.
22. Comic Book Stores
When eCommerce platforms were just a dream during our childhood, we all used to visit our nearby comic stores to buy cards. Besides, they were also places where we could trade off our cards.
But it is still the same as you can sell Pokémon cards in your nearby comic stores even these days. But the only downside, they offer a rate that is quite below the industry standard to maximize their profit.
So, it is better to evaluate your card from any card appraiser and then visit the comic stores to get the best possible price.
23. Yard Sales
From used clothes to the musical instruments that stayed for ages in our loft, yard sales are the best options when you want to sell out something to your local people. And if you don’t know where to sell Pokémon cards, try organizing a yard sale.
It is also better to collaborate with your neighbors to arrange a bigger sale where everyone can sell different things to make it more vibrant. And you can also get the best price for those items if you rightly price those.
It is even better to offer free candies for toddlers and free drinks for adults to attract potential buyers from your own neighborhood.
24. Flea Market
If you don’t know where to sell Pokémon cards near me, search for your local flea market. But yes, these markets are for pro players where you need to have a grand bargain prowess to fetch the best possible price.
You can set up your own shop at a flea store if you have an extensive collection of cards to sell out. Besides, you can also sell bulk packs, booster packs, and even limited-edition cards from that store itself.
But, if you have just one or two to sell, you shouldn’t take this path, as the licensing and shop renting will chop off your profit.
25. Target
There are very few offline stores that sell Pokémon cards these days. But thankfully, one of the biggest retail chains in the USA, Target, has these facilities where they regularly buy and sell cards and collectibles.
A few years ago, while the Pokémon Go game was at the peak of global popularity, Target decided to start their dedicated Pokémon segment, offering a platform to trade, sell, and buy cards.
Although you can buy or sell any day you want on Target, two cards per individual are the official limit you need to abide by!
How To Take Care Of Your Pokémon Cards?
You may not know, but two identical cards (even the rarest of all) with different conditions can fetch different values in online sales and auctions.
So, you should always keep these Pokémon cards in mint condition to get the best price possible. Below are the steps to follow!
- Always keep your outer packaging intact, even if it comes with a paper cover.
- Never tear off any holograms, banners, and stickers from the cards and the set itself.
- Keep these cards in the dark place, away from the sunlight.
- Never ever draw anything or mark any card or the deck itself with some colors.
- It is even better if you keep the original bill for these purchases.
It is also a good idea to grade your cards by a Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) from your city before you appear for an auction. In that way, you can properly evaluate your card and demand a better price.
FAQs
How can I sell my Pokémon cards?
There are two ways to sell Pokémon cards; online and offline. If you want to sell it online, there are several platforms like eBay, Amazon, Facebook Marketplace, and even Instagram Store where you can list it.
And if you want it offline, you can sell those in pawn shops and flea markets. Besides, you can also arrange your own private auction or organize a yard sale.
What is the most valuable Pokémon card of all time?
The iconic “Pikachu Illustrator” cards were the unsung winner of the 1998 Pokémon card contest organized in Japan. Only 40 of those cards are known to have existed in perfect condition.
And those cards sold between $100k to $375k, depending on their conditions.
Do local pawn shops buy Pokémon cards?
Local pawn shops definitely buy Pokémon cards! But they tend to offer a much lower rate to maximize their profit.
So, you need to know about the right value of your card and great bargaining power to get the best price possible from the pawnshops.
Should I get Pokémon cards professionally graded?
If you think your Pokémon cards are worth more than $100, or you have an entire set that is not available nowadays, you should grade your cards by a Professional Sports Authenticator or PSA.
They will also give you a certificate of valuation that you can produce in any auction.
Conclusion
You can indeed make money without a job just by selling or trading Pokémon cards, especially if you are an avid card collector yourself.
But always stay away from too-good-to-be-true offers for your cards, as those are scams in most cases.
So, these are all the best ways to sell Pokémon cards where you can fetch the right price to complement the rarity.
If you think we have missed including any such platform, feel free to tell us your opinion in the comment box below. And folks, you gotta catch ’em all!
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Hello there, I’m Siva Pakkurthi, an MBA Finance post-graduate and a Remote Career & Personal Finance blogger for 5+ years. Over the years, my work has been featured on US News, Entrepreneur, MSN, Yahoo Finance, GoBankingRates, EverQuote, Legal Zoom, The Simple Dollar, Databox, Business.com, Business News Daily, Venngage, Score.org, and more. My primary mission is to help our readers maximize their earning potential with legitimate online business ideas, side hustles, and passive income ideas we publish on Dreamshala. Currently, more than 100,000 readers from all around the world visit this blog every month and learn new ways to improve their finances.
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Wednesday 27th of July 2022
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