General Forum

Hi all,

I've recently caught the collecting bug again after almost 40 years away from it.  With the advent of the internet, it has become (relatively) easy to find cards.  I've mostly focussed my collecting on "interesting" subsets of cards, such as the Topps 1975-1981 All Star cards, the 1977 Topps football 1000 Yarder cards, Cards from the Big Red Machine, etc.  One large-ish subset that I am trying to collect is MVP and CYA winners.  Since there are a lot of them, I would like to find some good sources of common cards.  Here's what I have so far...

I have purchased many cards through burbanksportscards and COMC.  I am generally happy with their selection, but when you are looking at about .75 per cards minimum, this can get pricey.

I recently discovered justcommons and was able to get a bunch of cards very cheaply that way.  Their selection drops off pre 1990, though, and is a little spotty through the mid 90s.  From 1996 on, though, they are very good.

Are there any other good sources of cheap common cards online?  I'd like to fill out my 80s section without specding a buck a card. ;-)

Best,

Dave Blackston

 There are a lot of good people here who trade  (I only sell, here and on Ebay).   Lot of sellers on Ebay charge way too much for S&H.    I can usually sell 1-4 cards (commons) for 60 cents postage with no problem.   If I am selling pricier cards I have to raise shipping to allow for more protection.  I see no reason why others have to ask $2 or more for shipping a common card.

  Have you made a wantlist on this site yet?

If you are looking to trade baseball, I pc the Phillies and Yankees.......It would also help to do as NJDevils asked and put up a wantlist as well as a for sale / trade list........Im only looking to trade. No buying or selling here - sorry. 

Besides trading here....Ebay. Yes, some charge too much for shipping. But, shipping varies wildly, from Free to "Arm & Leg". Some combine shipping on multiple cards purchased. My favorite seller starts all cards at 10 cents and combines shipping at $1.25 max. I've seen others starting at 1 cent.  But more importantly you can find card lots.  A recent ebay win I had was a lot of 200 cards; even with shipping the cost of each card was 5 cents. Here's a current All-Star subset lot 1987 Topps All-Stars. I know it's not the year you're looking for, but I use it as an example. $1.50 or Best Offer plus $2.13 shipping for 39 cards (9 cents a card).

Good question.  I usually have to wait for a card show to come around to get a lot of my cheaper commons.  Otherwise, I'm on ebay.  They usually have pretty good "pick lots" for '80s-present, but not much in terms of fair pricing for the '70s back.  I'm looking for 1969 Topps commons for $0.30 each after shipping, but that just doesn't seem to be happening online.  Good luck.  Spend wisely.

Sportslots may be worth checking out. I've made quite a few purchases (hockey only) over the years. Single cards start at $0.18 each. Shipping costs vary among sellers and some may have different ideas about condition. Most cards do not have photos, but since you're only after commons, the risk is low. 

I have used justcommons a lot to get some hard to find commons and some on sportslots. I've also had good luck on ebay. My favorite place is here, hands down. It takes some work to build the want list and for sale/trade list, but it has been oh so worth it. This site has been awesome for me to inventory everything and I discovered that many cards that I thought were generic or worthless off brands were coveted by enough people to acquire some cards I really wanted. Good luck and happy trading!

Here I almost peed in my pants when I heard of the justcommons website!! I raced over there faster than a cat after a rat and  ..............WAHHHHH ......... its only baseball!! =( How I wish there was a hockey site of the same. Anyone know of one?!?! If so please do NOT hesitate to let me know. =) Later, am off to watch Hotel Transylvania 2 with my little man!! Enjoy your Sunday all.

Not sure what's more important to you, price or condition. I think finding higher grade commons is going to cost you more than you want to spend. If you're just looking for the cards, I'd stick to buying lots on Ebay. Higher grade older cards from the 60's and 70's can be found on vintage sites (Dean's Cards, etc.). There are always good deals at shows - if you can find them. 

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions!  I've been poking around sportlots and they seem like a good complement to justcommons.  I wish there were an easy way to search within a particular seller's store in order to easily minimize postage, but it does look like a lot of the cards I am looking for are available inexpensively there.  (I am definitely interested more in price than condition.  Just having the card is the rush for me.)

I'm also going to spend some time putting together a want list in the next few days.  I have been using the site for awhile, but only just joined this afternoon.  There's a lot to learn, still. 

Thanks again for all of the suggestions.  I've got a few more questions I'd like to post -- I'll be doing that soon.

Cheers to all, and thanks for the warm welcome!

Dave