Absolutely—many sellers do. But it takes consistency, strategy, and a collector’s eye.
What It Takes:
- Inventory: A steady stream of desirable cards, especially rookies, parallels, and graded slabs.
- Volume: Listing 50–100 cards per month with solid margins.
- Branding: Build a recognizable seller identity (like Ken’s Cool Cards!) to attract repeat buyers.
- Cross-promotion: Link your eBay store to your website, blog, and social media for traffic.
💸 Is Selling Sports Cards on eBay Profitable?
Short answer: Yes—if you know what you’re doing.
eBay remains one of the most active marketplaces for sports card collectors, with millions of listings and a global buyer base. Profitability depends on:
- Card selection: Rookie cards, graded vintage, and autographed memorabilia tend to perform best.
- Listing quality: Clear photos, accurate descriptions, and optimized titles drive visibility.
- Pricing strategy: Auctions can spark bidding wars, but Buy It Now listings offer stability.
- Seller reputation: Top-rated sellers often command higher prices and faster sales.
💡 Pro Tip from Ken’s Cool Cards: Use eBay’s “Terapeak” tool to research sold listings and price trends before posting.
📈 How Do I Increase Card Sales on eBay?
Boosting your eBay sales isn’t just about listing more—it’s about listing smarter. Here’s how:
1. Optimize Your Titles for Search
Include key terms like player name, year, brand, card number, and grading status. Example:
2020 Topps Chrome Luis Robert RC #60 PSA 10
2. Use High-Quality Images
Show corners, edges, and any flaws. Natural lighting and a clean background make a big difference.
3. Offer Competitive Shipping
Free or flat-rate shipping with tracking builds buyer trust. Consider bundling cards to reduce costs.
4. Leverage Promotions
Use eBay’s markdown manager or volume discounts to encourage bulk purchases.
5. Respond Quickly to Questions
Fast, professional communication increases buyer confidence and can lead to repeat business.
🚫 What Items Do Not Sell Well on eBay?
Not every card is a winner. Here are some categories that typically underperform:
- Overproduced junk wax era cards (late ’80s–early ’90s)
Unless they’re graded or rare errors, these are often ignored. - Unlicensed or counterfeit cards
These violate eBay’s policies and damage your credibility. - Damaged or poorly stored cards
Unless they’re ultra-rare, condition matters—a lot. - Cards with vague or misleading listings
Buyers skip listings that lack detail or look suspicious.
🧮 Inventory Matters: The Math Behind $1K/Month
Let’s be real—hitting $1,000/month in eBay sales isn’t just about hustle. It’s about having the right inventory.
If you’re listing 300 cards at $3 each, even if every single one sells (which is unlikely), you’re only grossing $900—and that’s before fees, shipping, and time spent. The math simply doesn’t work.
To consistently reach $1K/month, you need:
- Higher-value cards: Think rookies, parallels, autos, and graded slabs.
- Strategic Sourcing: Buy Smarter, Not Just Cheaper. Look for undervalued lots, local deals, or raw cards with grading potential.
- Balanced pricing: Mix in $20–$100 cards that move quickly and offer solid margins.
💡 Ken’s Rule of Thumb: Aim for an average sale price of $15–$25 per card. That means you only need to sell 40–70 cards a month—not hundreds of low-dollar listings that drain your time and energy.
📥 Download Ken’s free checklist: “10 Steps to $1K/Month on eBay”
Final Thoughts
Selling cards on eBay can be both profitable and rewarding—especially if you treat it like a business. With the right tools, strategy, and collector mindset, $1,000/month is just the beginning.
Want help optimizing your listings or building your eBay funnel? Contact Ken or explore our Seller Resources for more.