Disclaimer: This post reflects my personal experiences and opinions. I am not affiliated with or sponsored by eBay, and this is not financial advice. Always do your own research before making purchases or financial decisions.

eBay Coupon Codes:

eBay coupon codes are something that I’ve seen before but had never actually used until recently. Now that I know they are legitimate and can save me a decent amount of money if used properly, they’re something I’ll be paying closer attention to. Here’s how it worked, what I learned, and what to keep in mind if you want to do the same.

The Card: 2000 Bowman Tom Brady Rookie (BGS 8.5)

This is a card I’ve had my eye on for a while, ideally looking for one with a grade from either PSA or BGS of 8 or higher. When I saw a new listing for a BGS 8.5 for $749.99, this was somewhat in the ballpark of what I was looking to pay, which was ~$700. This listing also allowed me to use a coupon for $45 off a purchase of $700 or more, which would bring the price down to $704.99.

Negotiation

The listing wasn’t accepting best offers, so I messaged the seller and asked if he could do $700. Within a couple of hours, he sent me a private offer for that amount. With the coupon applied, it brought the price down to $655 (and $665 with shipping).

On the original listing for $749.99, the coupon automatically applied; however, when I received the offer for $700, I had to manually enter the code during checkout.

What I Learned About eBay Coupons

• Coupons can have specific rules, so it’s worth doing some testing to try get them to work
  • In my case, I wasn’t able to use the coupon when I submitted an offer, but I was able to use it when the seller sent me an offer
  • For the original listing, coupons may be applied automatically. For offers, you may need to manually apply the coupon
• Not all items are eligible. This coupon, for example, only applied to football cards—it didn’t apply to basketball or baseball cards
• Coupons are helpful to get an even better deal on a price you’re comfortable with, but they shouldn’t be a substitute for finding good value in the first place
  • Coupons are funded by eBay, not the seller, so negotiating is still worth it even if you plan to use a coupon at checkout

Final Thoughts

This was my first time using a coupon on eBay, and I’m glad I did. It helped me land the Tom Brady rookie card I had been eying for a great price. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for more of these offers going forward, and now I know how to properly leverage them when trying to negotiate a deal.

Have you ever used an eBay coupon when buying sports cards? Let me know in the comments!