Disclaimer: This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not financial advice. Please do your own research before making any financial or purchasing decisions.

Selling cards on eBay is a mixed bag. On one hand, no other site gets as many views on cards. eBay also does a good job of making the process relatively easy for sellers, including helping with getting the labels needed to ship out the cards. On the other hand, eBay also charges a significant fee for its services, which really eats into a seller’s profit.

Here’s a transparent breakdown of my recent sale of a 2005 Dwight Howard autograph card, including every fee, supply cost, and a few key takeaways for fellow sellers.

Sale Overview

• Card: 2005 Dwight Howard SP Game Used Edition Autograph #51/100
• Listed Price: $39.99
• Accepted Offer: $30.00
• Shipping Charged to Buyer: $4.99
• Total Paid by Buyer (before tax): $34.99
• Time to Sell: ~2 days

Transaction Details

Item	Amount (USD)
Sale Price	$30.00
Shipping Charged to Buyer	$4.99
Total Received (excl. tax)	$34.99
eBay Fees	-$5.27
USPS Shipping Label (bought from eBay)	-$4.51

Packaging Supply Costs

Here’s exactly what I used to ship the card, with per-item costs based on the cost of my bulk purchases:

Supply Type	Cost Per Item
Easy Glide Soft Sleeve from Cardshellz	$0.02
Top Loader	$0.10
Cardboard Protector	$0.13
Team Bag	$0.03
Bubble Mailer	$0.11
Total Supplies	$0.39

Net Profit Calculation

Step	Amount (USD)
Total Received (excl. tax)	$34.99
Less: eBay Fees	-$5.27
Less: USPS Shipping Label	-$4.51
Less: Packaging Supplies	-$0.39
Net Profit	$24.82

Key Takeaways

• As you can see, in total I received $24.82 off a $30 sale (~83% of the transaction) once accounting for shipping costs
• I would only use USPS Ground Advantage shipping for cards that are over $20, as eBay charges $4.51 for the label, and packaging supplies add on additional costs
• For anything under $20, I would use eBay Standard Envelope, which they charge $1.32 for (not including packaging supplies)
• If you are thinking of selling a bunch of cards, I would recommend buying penny sleeves, top loaders, and bubble mailers in bulk (as well as team bags & cardboard protectors if you plan on using those as well); given the fine margins when selling, every additional cent counts if you sell enough volume

Additional Notes for Potential Sellers

• Other Potential Costs: Some sellers may have additional expenses, such as printer ink, tape, gas for drop-off. For this sale, these were not applicable to me, but they can add up.
• Negotiation: In this case, I originally listed the card for $39.99, received a $25 offer, and countered at $30, which was accepted.
• Keeping Buyer Informed: If you are planning on selling on eBay, I would recommend sending a message to the buyer once the card is purchased, once it is shipped, as well as once the card is delivered. Also, keep your buyer aware of any delays in the shipping process.

If you’re considering selling cards on eBay, use this breakdown to set realistic expectations and refine your own process for maximum profitability!