Buy/Sell/Trade Forum

What other sites or forums do you all use to hunt down difficult to find cards? A few cards on my want list aren't for sale/trade by anyone on the site. I did ask a few people that have one in their collection but unfortunately it's not available (perfectly understandable) or I received no response. I know the obvious places to check - Ebay, COMC, Sportlots - but the cards have either rarely come up for sale or never have in the past couple years I've been searching. Thanks for any wisdom or secrets you can share.

Dave

It's all about networking. Getting your name associated with the player/card(s) you're looking for. I have had a lot of luck by posting my Scott Rolen collection on my own website as well as Instagram. There are a lot of cards being pulled on various platforms that I do not subscribe to (Whatnot, Twitter, Twitch), but other collectors may. If they see a card they think I may be interested in, they reach out to me about the card. Likewise, I keep my eyes open for cards that I know others are actively looking for when I hit up card shops, antique stores, or flea markets.

Don't discount overseas marketplaces.  Lots of product ends up in Japan and Korea, as evidenced by Yahoo Auctions.

I get most of my cards here, but my second highest place is Twitter. Stack sales are a great way to add all levels of card values to your collection. 

Although I think TCDB is the most efficient way to find & trade/buy cards you want, I'd second Twitter/social media as the next best way to cast a wide net. There are a lot of B/S/T threads where you can post what you are looking for and over time people get a feel for your collection and will keep an eye out for cards you may be interested in. 

I'm starting to do this but with Kevin Tapani. Ive had people here send me and message me about cards of him, and I try to do the same. If I know someone has an interest in something, I try to help them out.

Reddit is a good place to buy or trade. 

I'm curious what the cards are?  As was suggested, getting word out might be the best option.  Even if we don't have the cards ourselves, we might run across them at a card show or something and can get the contact information of the seller for you.  I was planning to attend a show this coming weekend.

Regarding ebay, have you set up an auction watch that alerts you in case someone does add any of the cards?

agreed, souirces may vary depending on what your are looking for

what player, team, era?

mark 

You could go old school and try a shop, or a card show.