Do you have collectible items sitting around your house that you’ve thought about selling?
Maybe you have old toys, trading cards, coins, comic books, vintage Pyrex, sports memorabilia, stamps, art, or something you inherited years ago. Or, maybe you have a whole collection that you no longer want to keep.
Collectibles can be fun to own, but they can also take up a lot of space. And sometimes, they may be worth more than you think.
I know that when I find something older or unique, one of the first things I do is look it up online to see if it has any value. You may be surprised by what people are willing to pay for certain collectibles, especially if they are rare, in good condition, or hard to find.
There are many places to sell collectibles today, both online and locally. Some places are better if you want to sell quickly, while others may help you make more money if you’re willing to wait for the right buyer.
In this article, I’m going over the best places to sell collectibles, how to figure out what your collectibles may be worth to make extra money, and tips for selling them safely.
15 Best Places To Sell Collectibles
Here is a list of the 15 best places to sell collectibles.
1. Whatnot
Whatnot is a popular online live-streaming app where you can auction collectibles and other items in real time to people around the world.
This platform is popular, especially for niche communities, which include collectibles like trading cards. Sellers can build a community on Whatnot and usually have a ton of repeat buyers and people who are actively checking out their live shows regularly.
So, if you have a lot of collectibles to sell, then this can be a great place to get started.
You can click here to sign up for Whatnot.
Recommended reading:
- Whatnot Review: Is This Popular Live Shopping App Worth It?
- How I’ve Made $400,000 In Sales on Whatnot In Less Than 9 Months
2. eBay
One of the first places collectors go to find collectible items is eBay, which makes it a great place to list your collectibles.
Think about it – the last time you had something that you thought may have been worth something, did you try looking for it on eBay to see if you could find any similar listings? I know I have!
What’s nice about eBay is that you can also list your items for a competitive price because you have access to millions of buyers around the world, so you don’t only have to do an auction.
3. Etsy
Etsy is mostly known for selling handmade goods, but it’s also popular for selling antique items that are 20+ years old. People go to Etsy to find unique items like vintage decor, prints, and memorabilia.
To sell successfully on Etsy, make sure to publish a high-quality listing with detailed photos and a detailed description.
4. Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace is the place to sell if you’re looking to get rid of things quickly. It’s great for getting cash quickly on items like toys, home decor, and small collections.
Buyers are usually more local (you’re typically selling to people in your same city or state), so prices are lower than what you may get on sites like eBay, which take longer to find the right buyer.
5. Facebook groups
Facebook groups are a great option for people looking for niche communities with specific interests like Pokemon cards, coins, vintage toys, and other items.
These groups also usually have people who are knowledgeable about these items and can help answer your questions. You’ll likely get better prices in niche Facebook groups than on Facebook Marketplace too because there will be people from around the world in these Facebook groups.
6. Ruby Lane
Ruby Lane is a platform dedicated to selling curated items like antiques, vintage goods, and high-quality collectibles.
Buyers who go to Ruby Lane are generally serious buyers looking for specific items with historical or design value.
Listings on Ruby Lane tend to need more details and presentation, and because of that, they sell for more due to the platform’s engaged audience.
7. Mercari
Mercari is a reselling app that makes selling easy and simple.
The platform is known for selling clothes, but also known for selling collectibles like toys, pop culture items, and small electronics. Mercari has a wide audience looking for a range of items, and items can sell quickly if priced competitively.
8. Poshmark
Poshmark is similar to Mercari in that it’s a platform for listing and selling items.
Poshmark may not be the first place collectors think of, but it can work well if you’re selling fashion-related collectibles, designer items, vintage clothing, sneakers, handbags, or accessories.
9. Craigslist
Craigslist is still alive, and people are still using it for all types of things, including selling collectibles directly to buyers in the area.
People still use and love Craigslist because there are no fees involved, but there’s also minimal to no buyer protection in place.
This platform is best for items you want to sell quickly and that have low value.
10. Local antique stores
I personally like going to antique stores to browse and see what I can find, and others do, too!
If you have a large amount of collectibles or other items to sell, then you may be interested in renting out a booth at an antique store.
This may be better for lower-value items because you usually won’t be standing in your booth the whole time. Customers typically bring the item and price tag to the cashier, so I’d be careful about placing anything very expensive in a booth unless you know the store has good security.
11. Consignment shops
Consignment shops sell your collectibles for you (you bring the item to them and they list it in their store), and they take a percentage of the earnings once something sells. This is a good option if you have items that are of high value or items you don’t want to manage selling yourself.
This method of selling may take longer than, say, selling locally on Facebook Marketplace, but it’s a great way to sell things if you have patience and don’t want to do any of the work yourself.
12. Heritage Auctions
Heritage Auctions is one of the best places to sell high-value collectibles, and they have a lot of experience doing so.
This platform specializes in selling coins, comics, art, sports memorabilia, and historical items.
Heritage Auctions reaches serious bidders, so if you know you have a high-value item, this platform may be worth checking out.
13. Coin shops
Coin shops specialize in selling and buying coins, so if you have a coin collection you want to get rid of, this is a great option.
They can even quickly evaluate your items and give you money on the spot if your collection is worth something to them. You won’t get top retail value since they have to make a profit off your coins, but you do benefit from expert knowledge and fast transactions.
Recommended reading: Where To Sell Old Coins – 11 Best Places
14. Comic book stores
If you’re looking to sell a rare comic or a large comic book collection, comic book stores are where it’s at.
They can give you a quick idea of value, but I’d still compare prices first because the store needs to make a profit, too. This is a great option if you don’t want to deal with online listings and selling things yourself.
But remember, the comic book store still has to make money, so you will most likely make less money than if you were to sell the comic book yourself.
Recommended reading: 10 Best Places To Sell Comic Books for Cash
15. Flea markets
Flea markets are a popular way to sell collectibles to in-person buyers, but keep in mind, people shopping at flea markets many times are looking for bargains, so you won’t get top dollar for a rare collectible.
This can be a good option if you have a lot of lower-priced items and want to sell several things in one day. You will most likely need to pay for a booth, bring tables and a tent, and be ready for people to negotiate.
How To Know What Your Collectibles Are Worth
It can be hard to know exactly what your collectibles are worth, but here are some tips to use as a starting point:
- Look at sold listings – You can search eBay’s sold listings, not just look at current asking prices. Remember that people can ask any price, but sold prices show what buyers actually paid (this is important!).
- Check collector groups – Groups that are more specific to what you want to sell can help you learn what is popular and what buyers want. For example, a group that is for comic books is probably better than a group that is about collectibles overall.
- Get an appraisal – This can be good for high-value items, inherited collections, antiques, art, coins, or jewelry.
- Compare condition – Small differences in condition can change the value a lot.
- Look for markings, dates, and signatures – Brand names, edition numbers, autographs, and dates can matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to frequently asked questions about selling collectibles.
What is the best place to sell collectibles?
The best place to sell collectibles depends on how quickly you want to sell your items, how much money you want to make, and what type of item you are selling. For example, eBay is sometimes the best place to sell most collectibles because of its large audience, whereas Facebook Marketplace can be a great spot if you’re looking to sell locally and want to get rid of things quickly. And if you have something like coins, then heading to a coin shop may be a good first step to see what they are worth.
How do I know if my collectible is valuable?
To find out if your collectible is valuable, check what similar items have sold for (not listed for) to get an accurate idea of what people are actually paying. If your item is a limited edition, low production run, or discontinued, it may be worth more, too.
Is eBay good for selling collectibles?
If you want to create and manage the listing yourself, eBay can be a good place to sell collectibles because millions of people search eBay every day for items, and yours might be one of them. Also, eBay is helpful for seeing what similar items have sold for and what they are actually worth. Plus, eBay has some seller protections to help manage disputes and transactions.
Should I get my collectibles appraised before selling?
If your collectible is potentially a valuable piece, then it might be worth getting the item appraised before selling. As I mentioned before, you can also check what similar items have sold for on sites like eBay.
What collectibles are worth the most money?
Collectibles worth the most money include rare coins, sports cards, comic books, trading cards, vintage toys, autographed memorabilia, rare stamps, and luxury watches.
How do I avoid scams when selling collectibles?
To avoid scams when selling collectibles, list your items on reputable platforms like eBay, verify payment before shipping, don’t share personal information, and avoid off-platform payments (for example, someone saying that they will pay you via check for your eBay listing). Also, make sure to take lots of pictures of what you are selling and what’s in the shipping box, and make sure to keep your receipt.
Should I clean collectibles before selling them?
You don’t need to clean your collectibles before selling them, and it might even be frowned upon if you do. Cleaning can accidentally reduce the value of a collectible, so it’s best to leave that decision to the buyer. So, unless you know what you’re doing, it is best to be careful so that you don’t ruin the item.
Can I sell inherited collectibles?
Yes, you can sell inherited collectibles, but only do so as long as you legally own the items, research their value first, and keep any documentation like receipts, certificates of authenticity, appraisals, and family records.
Should you sell collectibles online or locally?
This is personal preference. If you want to possibly make more money, then selling online can be better because you’ll have more potential buyers. But, you may have to create a listing and manage everything that goes along with that. If you sell locally, it may take a little longer to sell, or you may earn a little less. Sometimes, depending on where you are selling and the types of items you are selling, though, it could be worth it.
15 Best Places To Sell Collectibles – Summary
I hope you enjoyed my article on the best places to sell collectibles.
Selling collectibles can be a great way to make extra money, clear out space, and find buyers who will actually enjoy the items you no longer want.
The best place to sell collectible items depends on what you have, how quickly you want to sell it, and whether you want to do the work yourself or have someone else help.
I hope you have fun selling your collectibles!
Are there collectibles you’re interested in selling?
Recommended reading:
Leave a Reply