How to Free Up Space by Getting Rid of Sports Cards, Donate, Sell Them

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Often, we buy boxes or packs of sports cards with the sole purpose of flipping any of the hits. In part, this helps recoup part of the purchase price. We then separate the players and teams, leaving a sizable pile of base set commons. With so many products released each year, these sports card commons can accumulate and, if left unchecked, could quickly turn into a hoarding situation after just a few years. So, what to do?

What to Do With All Those Extra Sports Card Commons

The answer to that question varies and depends on your motivation. Regardless of the reasoning, most answers can fall into two categories: money and space. Let me explain.

With the amount of money we spend on cards, it is sometimes hard to swallow the fact that the bulk of what we routinely buy is relatively worthless once the hits, inserts and parallels are removed. The problem is that the process of selling commons, in a matter that will maximize the return on investment, is often an exercise in futility. The time required often doesn't justify the financial gain one might receive. As an alternative, here are a couple of ways to get something out of those unwanted commons without wasting a lot of valuable time.

Disposing of Cards for Money

In the early days of eBay, you could easily sell a box of commons from various years and sports and still make a decent profit. Today, the collectors using the eBay marketplace are more sophisticated and are usually looking for specific cards. While there are still opportunities to sell larger lots of 400 or more commons, doing so typically requires that they be from the same brand, or at least the same year. You may also have to list them more than once before the right buyer finds your item.

Sell Your Sports Cards and Memorabilia to Us.

Beyond eBay, collectors can sell (and buy) singles through Check Out My Cards (COMC) and Sportlots.

Another way to dispose of commons and still get some financial return is to donate them to an organization with federal tax-exempt status like Goodwill. They will take your cards no questions asked and give you a tax-deductible receipt. While not as good as cash, the fact that you can enter an estimated value on the receipt and deduct that amount from your tax liability is still better than nothing.

Disposing of Cards for Space

Sometimes you need to get rid of your sports cards commons simply to free up some storage space. There are easy ways to do that without tossing them out.

Outside of Goodwill, there are other organizations that accept bulk card donations. However, some of these may not have federal tax exemption status yet. Their efforts are noble and, by donating, you can feel good knowing you've done something worthwhile by spreading your joy of the hobby to children. Two such organizations are Cards 2 Kids and Commons 4 Kids. Both are regional operations, but neither group accepts card donations anymore.

In addition to these two organizations, children's hospitals often accept donations of sports card commons. But before showing up with a few 5,000-count boxes of cards, call ahead and find out that they do, in fact, take donations. It can also save time and make things easier if you find out who to see or where to go when you get there.

Schools can be another great place to donate cards. Just make sure you touch base with the teachers or other staff members first.

If you know of other places to donate commons, please share them in the comments section below.

If you aren't a set builder, unwanted commons are a necessary burden that comes with the hobby. However, by employing these practical solutions you will at least have a plan of what to do with your extra sports card commons when it comes time to get rid of them.