Where to Sell Pokemon Cards?

If you grew up in the late 1990s or early 2000s, or you had a child at that time, the chances are that you’ve owned Pokemon cards at some time. Pokemon was a worldwide phenomenon and there are over 800 Pokemon species with millions of fans of this card game across the globe. 

With thousands of cards and various sets or expansions, the world of Pokemon has a massive amount of depth and a lot of money potential. While some cards are worth nothing, there are some extremely rare and extremely valuable cards.

So, if you come across cards you saved when you were younger, or you have a collection, you need to know where to sell Pokemon cards. So, here we’ll delve into the best places to sell Pokemon and how to get the most money for your cards. 

The Pokemon Card Basics

Pokemon cards were initially launched in Japan in 1996, but by 1999, the trading card game and associated animated series had been firmly embraced by children and the young at heart in the U.S. and other Western nations. 

When new, you can purchase Pokemon cards in packs or collections, but many people look to separate out more valuable or desirable cards to sell or create an enviable collection. 

Today, the Pokemon craze continues, with keen collectors shelling out serious money for rare cards. For example, in 2021, Logan Paul, the famous YouTuber paid approximately $2 million for Pokemon cards and in the previous year, Logic, the former rapper purchased a rare Charizard card at auction for over $180,000. 

However, celebrities are not the only ones interested in Pokemon and there are people around the world who are looking to get their hands on specific cards. 

What Factors Determine the Value of Pokemon Cards?

The main reason that many people find Pokemon cards a little daunting is that all cards are not created equal. Typically, the newer cards don’t tend to be worth much, since they are easily found on the market, making it simple for collectors to find cards to complete their set. 

There are a few factors that determine the final value of your Pokemon cards:

Scarcity: 

All Pokemon cards show a symbol that indicates their rarity. The symbol is found on the bottom right-hand corner of the card. A circle denotes an ordinary card, a diamond means it is pretty uncommon and a star means that the card is rare.

The cards from the original Pokemon base set from 1999 are both the oldest and rarest. If you have a complete Base Set deck, it can sell for thousands of dollars. 

There are also some cards that have special value including holographic cards, full art cards, shining cards and first edition cards, which show an “edition 1” logo in the bottom left of the illustration. 

The Pokemon Type:

There are 11 types of Pokemon cards within the trading card game. The type of card is denoted by the color of the border on the card and it will determine the type of Pokemon creature. 

Condition: 

Pokemon trading cards are graded according to their condition. The official grades are:

• Damaged: These cards show imperfections or wear beyond the standards for the conditions below. If cards are damaged, they may have border wear, scuffing, scratching, tears, folds or creases. In some circumstances, these cards may not be used in tournament play even if they have been put into a sleeve. 

• Heavily Played: HP cards show major amounts of wear and may have moderate imperfections. This can include whitening, bends or creasing. 

• Moderately Played: MP cards can have some flaws or imperfections due to poor handling or mishandling. However, these flaws don’t affect the integrity of the card. 

• Lightly Played: LP Cards may have minor corner wear, scratches, scuffs or border damage, but there are no major defects such as bends. 

• Near Mint: NM is the category that has the greatest value, as they have an almost unmarked surface with unblemished edges and crisp corners. 

Where to Sell Pokemon Cards

If you’re ready to start investigating selling Pokemon cards, there are a number of places where you can look. These include:

Troll and Toad:

This is a massive marketplace where you can sell individual cards, packs and training boxes. Although Pokemon is the largest sector on the marketplace, there are other trading cards. One of the attractive features of Troll and Toad is that you can sell individual cards and bulk lots. However, you do need to have a minimum of $30 to become a personal seller. You also need to contact them if you want to sell over $5,000 worth of cards. 

Troll and Toad does have strict guidelines for sellers, but it does have a guide to help you learn about the requirements. You can even learn more about their 35% store credit bonus if you are not bothered about getting cash for your cards. 

eBay:

eBay is the leading global marketplace to buy and sell items, and a great platform to sell Pokemon cards online. You can list multiple cards at once or collections. This massive marketplace allows you to auction your cards or you can set a “Buy it Now” price. 

The downside is that there are no resources to help you to price your cards. You’ll need to perform your own research to ensure that you set the right target prices for your cards. You will also need to write a thorough listing and take quality pictures of your cards with close-ups to show any marks or blemishes. If you’re not transparent about the condition of your cards, you will not only risk getting a refund request, but you may put your eBay account at risk. 

Card Market:

Card Market is a European-based marketplace specializing in cards. After you create your account, you will need to complete a list to auto-generate a search for your sale. For example, if you type in “Squirtle,” you’ll see a drop-down list of the various different Squirtle cards. 

You can then select the appropriate match and then complete the listing. This includes grading your cards according to the Card Market guidelines. 

You can set your own price, but you can see average selling prices for similar cards. 

Card Cavern:

This online marketplace specializes in Pokemon PTCGO (Pokemon The Trading Card Game Online) codes. All Pokemon cards have a code on them and this can be used for a digital sale. This is a little different compared to selling physical cards, but it is a user-friendly process where you can sell your cards over email. 

This is a niche way to sell Pokemon cards, but it is a good option if you have PTCGO codes. 

TCGPlayer:

This is a large marketplace for all things collectible gaming, including Pokemon, Yugioh, and Magic the Gathering. There is a no risk set-up selling process as there are no listing fees. The platform also features thousands of images, rarity levels and descriptions to make selling your cards easier. 

There is even a card scanner, if you have a pro subscription, where you can scan your card and get price estimates of the specific card. But, to qualify for a pro subscription, you’ll need a massive collection or a business. 

However, even with a basic plan, you can get live card pricing data, pre-created listing info, and a feedback system which helps make selling easier as you get more positive feedback from your buyers. 

CCG Castle:

CCG Castle has a straightforward system for selling Pokemon cards online for either PayPal cash or store credit. When you click on the “buy mode,” the cards the company is currently looking to buy will be highlighted. You can then browse the website, making note of the cards that are eligible to be sold. 

You can sell card collections or individual cards, but CCG Castle does not cover your shipping costs. So, you’ll need to factor this into your calculations. 

Dave & Adam’s:

Dave & Adam’s is a long-standing, popular trading card seller with a track record dating back more than 30 years. Although the focus of the site is sports cards such as baseball cards, you can also sell Pokemon cards on the site. 

You’ll need to visit the website and check the current buy list to see that cards are eligible for sale. Typically, Dave & Adam’s buys holographic or rare Pokemon cards, but you may be able to sell booster packs and boxes. 

You can receive the funds for your card via cash, check or PayPal. In some cities, a member of the Dave & Adam’s team may pick up the cards from you. You’ll receive your payment within 48 hours of receipt of the cards. Just bear in mind that free shipping only applies to sales of $199 or more, but if you sell over $500 with UPS tracking information, you’ll get a $25 gift card bonus. 

Pawn Shops:

If you have a pawn shop in your local area, they may take Pokemon cards, particularly if the owner knows about the card game and its popularity. Providing you are confident in your pricing, selling your cards in this way is fairly simple. Just be prepared for negotiating to get the true worth of your cards. 

Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace:

These two marketplaces are great options to buy and sell in your local area. Since you’ll be meeting the buyer in person, you can expect a quicker sale and find buyers interested in collections or bulk sets. You will need to do your research to know your card’s value and buyers are likely to want to negotiate. 

Comic Book Stores:

Comic bookstores typically sell trading cards along with comics. However, these types of stores will typically try to lowball you as they want to make a healthy profit. For this reason, it is a good idea to get a couple of offers and compare them to see where you want to sell your Pokemon cards. 

Seller Tips for Pokemon Cards

If you want to sell your Pokemon cards, there are a number of seller tips that could help you get the best value for your collection. 

• Eliminate the Poor Condition Cards: Making a seller sort through a lot of heavily damaged cards is not likely to encourage them to give you a good price. So, separate your cards into those with light damage that could be sold and those that are too heavily damaged or soiled to sell. 

• Sort Into Sets: Most sites or stores that buy Pokemon cards will need to know the sets your cards are in. Some sets have a higher value, but for organizing purposes, buyers may be more willing to agree on a deal if they know exactly what they are looking at. 

• Check for Rarity: Obviously, the rare Pokemon cards are going to command the highest prices. So, take a little time to sort your cards according to rarity. This includes separating out rare, holographic, reverse holographic and uncommon cards. 

• Sort by Condition: Grading your Pokemon cards before you sell them is important to obtain a general idea of the PSA grade. This can have a significant impact on the price. It is well worth consulting a PSA guide or finding a professional grader for appraisals if you have cards worth thousands of dollars. 

• Research Your Prices: While many of the specialist sites will provide tools to help you determine the average price for your cards, it is still worth researching your prices. If you are using a non-specialized market such as Craigslist or eBay, you’ll need to double-check your prices. 

FAQs

How do I know if cards are worth selling?

To determine if your cards are worth selling, you’ll need to assess the condition and rarity of your collection. You can then check prices to decide if selling them is worth your while. 

How do I know if a card is fake?

As there is the potential for significant value, some people do try selling fake Pokemon cards. If you’re buying or selling, you need to authenticate the cards by checking the card and ink quality. For high-value cards, get professional grading from companies such as PSA Card. 

Which rare Pokemon Cards are worth selling?

The rarest Pokemon cards that are worth selling are holographics, shining, full art, and first edition cards. 

Summary

Whether you’ve rediscovered your Pokemon collection from childhood or have been a collector for many years, trading and selling cards can be fun and lucrative. There is the potential to make hundreds or thousands of dollars when you sell your collection if you find where to sell Pokemon cards. 

This makes it crucial to do your research on the cards, particularly if you have rare or valuable cards. Remember that you can compare offers and choose the platform that represents the best deal for you. Just bear in mind that you may need to consider shipping costs, listing fees and other expenses. 

Who knows, you may find that you have a fun side hustle, diving back into this nostalgic hobby and selling your Pokemon cards.