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Selling My Worthless 80s and 90s Collection

I know plenty of people on these boards have gone through this, but haven't seen a post directly on point. As many here did, I enjoyed collecting as a kid, bought up and traded for all the cards you could find, only to learn in the 2000s that they aren't worth the cost of shipping.

My wife says we will not move these cards again, and she's not getting an argument from me, because we're joining the Air Force and will be moving constantly. I've got about 20-30,000, so now the question is whether to throw them away or try to sell them. I've started to pick through and find anything that might sell for $10 or more, and will list that on eBay in the next few weeks after giving people here a chance to pick it up. There is very little that will fall into that category.

For the rest of the cards, I'm wondering whether anyone has some good tips on trying to sell it. I've already come to the conclusion that there is no possible way to do it in such a way that will make it worth my time. I'm okay with that. I wouldn't mind sifting through all of them anyway. My current idea is to separate them into the 30 MLB teams and list 30 team lots, which would probably be 500 to 1,000 cards per team. When separating them, I would also pull out anything that might be worth a buck or two so that I can mention it and maybe add a picture.

Has anyone else tried different methods with any success?

Of course, anyone is free to make me an offer, as well. image

Comments

  • Team lots, or even star player lots are likely best way to go. jmo
  • Here is an idea!
    getting rid of cardsimageimage


  • << <i>I know plenty of people on these boards have gone through this, but haven't seen a post directly on point. As many here did, I enjoyed collecting as a kid, bought up and traded for all the cards you could find, only to learn in the 2000s that they aren't worth the cost of shipping.

    My wife says we will not move these cards again, and she's not getting an argument from me, because we're joining the Air Force and will be moving constantly. I've got about 20-30,000, so now the question is whether to throw them away or try to sell them. I've started to pick through and find anything that might sell for $10 or more, and will list that on eBay in the next few weeks after giving people here a chance to pick it up. There is very little that will fall into that category.

    For the rest of the cards, I'm wondering whether anyone has some good tips on trying to sell it. I've already come to the conclusion that there is no possible way to do it in such a way that will make it worth my time. I'm okay with that. I wouldn't mind sifting through all of them anyway. My current idea is to separate them into the 30 MLB teams and list 30 team lots, which would probably be 500 to 1,000 cards per team. When separating them, I would also pull out anything that might be worth a buck or two so that I can mention it and maybe add a picture.

    Has anyone else tried different methods with any success?

    Of course, anyone is free to make me an offer, as well. image >>



    If you have large lots of any of the following players, let me know:

    Robin Ventura (1988-1997)

    Matt Luke (1992-1999)

    Fernando Valenzuela (all years)

    Ed Belfour (1990-1993)

    I'm especially interested in oddball, parallel and regional issue stuff of theirs.
    My Error & Variation Blog

    Collecting Robin Ventura and Matt Luke.
  • mlbfan2mlbfan2 Posts: 3,115 ✭✭✭


    << <i>My current idea is to separate them into the 30 MLB teams and list 30 team lots, which would probably be 500 to 1,000 cards per team. >>



    That's the best way, IMHO. That's how I sold mine.

  • how much did you get for the lots? where did you sell them, ebay?



    << <i>

    << <i>My current idea is to separate them into the 30 MLB teams and list 30 team lots, which would probably be 500 to 1,000 cards per team. >>



    That's the best way, IMHO. That's how I sold mine. >>



  • drewsefdrewsef Posts: 1,894 ✭✭
    you should probably wait until you have them all sorted and start another thread talking about sorting them and how long it took you, but you now have all teams available to PM and purchase.
  • mlbfan2mlbfan2 Posts: 3,115 ✭✭✭


    << <i>how much did you get for the lots? where did you sell them, ebay?
    >>



    Yes, ebay. My lots were about 400 to 700, and I got between $4 and $14 for each.
  • I was going to separate by team but it is too time consuming and you will be lucky to to get a couple of bucks on ebay for each lot.I sold 3,000 count boxes at a garage sale at $5 a box and made $160 from worthless cardboard.All late 80s early 90 junk with no stars or Yankees (I'm from NY).One guy told me he gives them to his grandchildren and they put them in there spokes so there bikes make noiseimage another uses them for TTM autos.


  • << <i>you should probably wait until you have them all sorted and start another thread talking about sorting them and how long it took you, but you now have all teams available to PM and purchase. >>




    And you think other people sound like fools?
  • drewsefdrewsef Posts: 1,894 ✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>you should probably wait until you have them all sorted and start another thread talking about sorting them and how long it took you, but you now have all teams available to PM and purchase. >>




    And you think other people sound like fools? >>



    Sure do. And which alt are you spawned from? Do tell.


  • << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>you should probably wait until you have them all sorted and start another thread talking about sorting them and how long it took you, but you now have all teams available to PM and purchase. >>




    And you think other people sound like fools? >>



    Sure do. And which alt are you spawned from? Do tell. >>



    Questioning a person being an alt the best you got? Really? D-Bag!
  • RipublicaninMassRipublicaninMass Posts: 10,051 ✭✭✭
    red sox
  • mcadamsmcadams Posts: 2,618 ✭✭✭
    Congrats on your decision to join the Air Force. Good luck to you and your wife.
    Successful transactions with: thedutymon, tsalems1, davidpuddy, probstein123, lodibrewfan, gododgersfan, dialj, jwgators, copperjj, larryp, hookem, boopotts, crimsontider, rogermnj, swartz1, Counselor

    Always buying Bobby Cox inserts. PM me.
  • stevekstevek Posts: 30,277 ✭✭✭✭✭
    It's of course not a good feeling to realize that an "investment" made believing that one day it could become valuable, turns out to be worthless or near worthless, with no change in that value realistically possible. That has happened with a number of other items and will happen again - just the nature of investing and collecting.

    It's your call on how much work ya wanna put into it and what your time is worth, but likely if breaking it up as stated, you'll spend a lot of time and work for very little money. If it was me, I'd put the whole dam lot on ebay in one auction and hope for the best.

    And I'd also like to offer best wishes and thanks to both of you for wanting to serve our country in the Armed Forces, especially during wartime. image
  • PowderedH2OPowderedH2O Posts: 2,443 ✭✭
    You absolutely do not want to get rid of these cards, BECAUSE you are joining the Air Force and will be moving a lot. When you are moved from one base to another, the Air Force will move you or pay you a percentage of that amount if you would like to do it yourself (DITY move). They determine how much to give you partially based upon weight. How much does your crap weigh? Well, boxes of old baseball cards ain't light. So, if you move them twice you will probably get about what you paid for them. Then you can sell them at a yard sale on the base for cheap and somebody will gladly take them off of your hands.
    Successful dealings with shootybabitt, LarryP, Doctor K, thedutymon, billsgridirongreats, fattymacs, shagrotn77, pclpads, JMDVM, gumbyfan, itzagoner, rexvos, al032184, gregm13, californiacards3, mccardguy1, BigDaddyBowman, bigreddog, bobbyw8469, burke23, detroitfan2, drewsef, jeff8877, markmac, Goldlabels, swartz1, blee1, EarlsWorld, gseaman25, kcballboy, jimrad, leadoff4, weinhold, Mphilking, milbroco, msassin, meteoriteguy, rbeaton and gameusedhoop.
  • WinPitcherWinPitcher Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭
    Huh?

    If he moves them 2x doesn't the money the Air Force gives him for the move pay for it?

    Or are you saying he will not have to use the entire allowance?

    Not sure I follow that logic.


    But what do I know.


    Steve

    Good for you.
  • larryallen73larryallen73 Posts: 6,069 ✭✭✭
    Drop them off at Goodwill (or similar) before the employee notices and refuses the "donation." Oh ya, grab a receipt too!
  • H2O, I have been advised of the DITY moves and the potential to make a little extra cash. It just doesn't seem worth the hassle. What I had not thought about was moving them and then selling them to someone else who is moving. That's pretty devious. image My cards could get passed around between airmen for years!

    Steve, yes, the idea is that if you do it right, the Air Force will compensate you in excess of what it cost to move yourself. I think military personnel are the only people who ever wanted to move sand and cinderblocks with their personal effects. Why they don't just reimburse you up to a certain amount after you show 'em some receipts is beyond me.

    All, thanks for the well-wishes. I'll be joining the JAG Corps, and am very excited about it. The Air Force JAG Corps in particular does an incredibly varied array of legal work, and it seems very interesting. Coupled with the Public Interest Loan Forgiveness Program, making it financially feasible, joining the military was easily my top choice out of law school. It's a great country that makes it worthwhile to serve in the military.
  • PowderedH2OPowderedH2O Posts: 2,443 ✭✭
    Yep - seems illogical, but that's the military sometimes. I bought someone's record collection for $30 years ago and the USAF paid me $185 to move it.
    Successful dealings with shootybabitt, LarryP, Doctor K, thedutymon, billsgridirongreats, fattymacs, shagrotn77, pclpads, JMDVM, gumbyfan, itzagoner, rexvos, al032184, gregm13, californiacards3, mccardguy1, BigDaddyBowman, bigreddog, bobbyw8469, burke23, detroitfan2, drewsef, jeff8877, markmac, Goldlabels, swartz1, blee1, EarlsWorld, gseaman25, kcballboy, jimrad, leadoff4, weinhold, Mphilking, milbroco, msassin, meteoriteguy, rbeaton and gameusedhoop.
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