Getting out

[mainerunr]

OK, so since my divorce started last year, I haven't been involved in cards at all. And I have decided that it is time to get out entirely. Not great timing, I know. The bulk of my stuff is 87-92 and then 2010+. Ideally, I think I've probably got $10-12k in value (zero in the 87-92 stuff but I also do have 5 Trout rookies). They just dont mean to me what they did and right now, rebuilding my finances is more important.

I have never really been all that involved in selling so my question is, what is the best way to go about finding a cash buyer for all of it? Legitimately, I think I'd take $6k, saves me from having to move everything around again (and probably again after that) and gives opportunity to whoever buys them to make a profit (grand scheme, I take a loss but right now it would be a win so...)

Shipping is not an option and to transport them all, I'd probably have to borrow my mom's SUV because I do not believe they will all fit in the back seat of my pickup. Right now, the only things I have at my apartment are (3) 2011 Topps Update sets, my box of autos/relics and my box of higher value cards. The rest are in a closet at my mother's house.

This is not a sale thread, it is an advice thread.

(FWIW, divorce is final, I walked away with almost nothing except my pride, my truck and my cards (and half my 401k) and I'm ok with that).

[premium1981]

You should have made her take half of the late 80's early 90's stuff.

Post an ad on Craigslist, or even ebay with pickup only. You are going to get a lot of lowballers, so be prepared. If you are ok with $6k, someone is probably preparing a PM for you right now offering $1,500. It all just depends on how patient you are and how much you want to move it. Buyers are all over.

Good luck moving forward. Life can suck at times, but sucky times can also be a great jumping off point to change your future for the better.

[matt roberson]

Dump the cheap stuff locally and list the more valuable stuff on ebay

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

Originally Posted by premium1981

You should have made her take half of the late 80's early 90's stuff.

Post an ad on Craigslist, or even ebay with pickup only. You are going to get a lot of lowballers, so be prepared. If you are ok with $6k, someone is probably preparing a PM for you right now offering $1,500. It all just depends on how patient you are and how much you want to move it. Buyers are all over.

Good luck moving forward. Life can suck at times, but sucky times can also be a great jumping off point to change your future for the better.

[BonVoyage]

Sorry to hear.

Might want to consider consignment for the valuable/slabbed cards.

[ThoseBackPages]

sorry to hear youve lost the collecting fire.
never get married again, its a loosing proposition for males, as you sadly have learned.
bring your good stuff to a local show and cash out, take the crap to a local kids hospital and donate them

[robert67]

Groovy.

[soey10]

Sorry to hear you are done. I would agree with the post above and take the more valuable stuff to a show and sell it all together. If you want to get rid of it all then don’t piece it out as the smaller less valuable stuff you will have trouble moving. Draw buyers in with the good cards and sell them everything.

On a personal note I would pick your favorite card or a card that has some sentimental value and keep it. Sometimes we can get blinded in the moment and sell something you will regret later. It is easier to pick up a card you like but impossible to pick up an exact card that has sentimental value. Good luck.


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[base set]

To really get much value out of Trout RCs, wouldn’t it be best to get the grading done first, by the owner of the card, and then sell? A bit of final additional investment (grading fees) but probably pretty solid ROIs on those fees vs. just dumping them quick as raw cards?

Then next decision is whether to use a consignor for cards like that but again also probably worth the commission fee vs. selling as a brand new ebay seller. ?

[blackbears86]

PM sent. Thank you.

[wcu98grad]

Sorry to hear the news. Here's to hoping that you are able to work through everything and come out a brand new person both mentally & spiritually

[vetting82]

What state do you live in?

[kdem2357]

One big thing to realize is the amount of time you put into selling it is correlated to the price you can expect to receive.

Selling locally on craigslist or facebook is fastest, but will also get you the least. Sending the big stuff to a consigner is the next step up, but that leaves you with a ton of bulk and low value cards, which is difficult to get much value from. The makeup of your collection should dictate your approach.

[Silent George]

Originally Posted by mainerunr

OK, so since my divorce started last year, I haven't been involved in cards at all. And I have decided that it is time to get out entirely. Not great timing, I know. The bulk of my stuff is 87-92 and then 2010+. Ideally, I think I've probably got $10-12k in value (zero in the 87-92 stuff but I also do have 5 Trout rookies). They just dont mean to me what they did and right now, rebuilding my finances is more important.

I have never really been all that involved in selling so my question is, what is the best way to go about finding a cash buyer for all of it? Legitimately, I think I'd take $6k, saves me from having to move everything around again (and probably again after that) and gives opportunity to whoever buys them to make a profit (grand scheme, I take a loss but right now it would be a win so...)

Shipping is not an option and to transport them all, I'd probably have to borrow my mom's SUV because I do not believe they will all fit in the back seat of my pickup. Right now, the only things I have at my apartment are (3) 2011 Topps Update sets, my box of autos/relics and my box of higher value cards. The rest are in a closet at my mother's house.

This is not a sale thread, it is an advice thread.

(FWIW, divorce is final, I walked away with almost nothing except my pride, my truck and my cards (and half my 401k) and I'm ok with that).

I don't know where you are at in your grieving process, but the number one advice in times like this where the head is spinning is that you wait at least a year to make any big decisions, though in theory I'm fully in support of rebuilding your finances, you also don't want to do something you'll regret once you're in a better headspace.

Or, in other words, if you're in a financial pickle, I'd still hang on to one of those trout babies :-)

[Silent George]

Originally Posted by vetting82

What state do you live in?

"and Tex... well, I don't remember where Tex come from."

[sickmantz]

Probably 98% of the 87-92 stuff is fit for a recycling bin. You'll get better offers if you do that yourself.

[actionbryan]

i always thought if I got divorced I would insist on her taking half the cards, just to troll her. It is a marital asset

[erock28]

Originally Posted by Silent George

"and Tex... well, I don't remember where Tex come from."

criminally underrated comment

[wharfrat7624]

Sorry to hear man! Others have given good recommendations for what to do with your collection. Best of luck!


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[Swipe79]

This is true - determine the amount of time and effort you want to spend on selling the collection. The easier the transaction, the less money you will make.

Take a look at all of your options and decide what works best - bulk locally, online markets (here, FB, etc.), consignors, COMC, eBay, etc.

Originally Posted by kdem2357

One big thing to realize is the amount of time you put into selling it is correlated to the price you can expect to receive.

Selling locally on craigslist or facebook is fastest, but will also get you the least. Sending the big stuff to a consigner is the next step up, but that leaves you with a ton of bulk and low value cards, which is difficult to get much value from. The makeup of your collection should dictate your approach.

[SleepyWill]

I would recommend attempting to lump the "cheap" stuff together as best as you can.

During 2020 I decided to trim my collection down a lot, and just started putting cards together in their respected years, highlighting the best cards from those and selling directly to my LCS.

The bigger stuff can be a bit tricky, with eBay taking a decent % and also tax filing you may want to consider trying to find a local buy for a cash purchase.

[rogueriver]

COMC the low valued stuff over $2 and Ebay the more expensive stuff yourself if you have time if not COMC that as well . Dump the junk on craiglist.....

[kidfan9]

Sounds like you are thinking the right way as far as selling for cash and avoiding taxes. Don't let Uncle Sammy dip his hands in your pockets since the ex was already able to do that. Good Luck!!!

[boxbuster7]

Where are you located? maine? That always helps people on here in case somebody is interested.

[mainerunr]

Originally Posted by boxbuster7

Where are you located? maine? That always helps people on here in case somebody is interested.

Yes, Maine.

Thanks for all the words, I'll get back to the PMs soon (just maybe not tonight, thinking I'm filing my taxes tonight).