I wrote this some time back for another site. Keep in mind it is IMO only.
Here is a list of some of the sites I go to and what I think the Pros and Cons are for me. Most of this was written before Covid but updated a little.
1. COMC
Pros: I see an image of the card I'm buying, I can have them hold on to the cards for months (maybe a year now) before shipping. This save a lot on shipping even with the .25 handling fee. Prices on some items are very good. (Cheap Autos that I need) Some people like their partnership with eBay auctions. I have gotten a few cards that way a lot lower then if it was not an auction. A larger number of sellers they have with a lot of diff cards. (I need).
Cons: Prices on some cards are way too high. (All the Fees runs commons prices up) The way you can sort cards needs improvements. They really need better ways to sort cards. The time it takes to find cards. (I need and willing to pay their prices for) Customer service is very slow. Becoming store fronts for more and more dealers. They set their prices and never move them. I have seen card’s ID number below a million so some cards are there for years. No contact between buyer and seller. Most sellers think this is a Pros.
Ideals sent to them: Have a match system (I want card X so tell me when someone adds it) Have a hide a card system so I do not have to look through 100s of cards I have of player X). Add more sorting features to my watch list. Do something about their high fees on the cheap cards so sellers can make a dime and the buyer does not have to pay.75. Have a hide feature so I do not have to look at cards I have. That would save a lot of time.
Issues I have had: The damaged and wrong cards received. Poor and slow customer service. (they have done me right but) Replies from them are canned replies. Now the delays in shipping is bad.
2. TCDb
Pros: Has large database of sets and cards with pictures. Easy to find cards or sets. A lot of ways to find cards. Very good for information about trading cards not just sports cards. Has a matching system for your want lists and others for sale/for trade list. Area for buying/selling/trading but most members just trade. Can add price you paid for cards.
Cons: Not really a place to sell and buy cards mostly trading. Have to add cards to the site if you to use the matching system. Some members will not trade if you do not use it. Sale posting go down the list fast. They keep all member’s lists active even if they have not logged in for years. That will give you matches that the other guy has not been logged in for years. The site is crowd sourced and owned and maintained by one guy so errors happen and take time to get some changes done. Their prices are not real on a lot of their cards. Takes time to learn the ins and outs of the site but is worth it.
Ideals sent to them: Forget about prices. Do something about the non-active member’s lists. Several features to help sorting.
Issues I have had: None with the site. Like any trading sites beware of some members.
3. Sportlots
Pros: Cards are cheaper. Now with new drop box option shipping is cheaper. I do an order only a couple time a year now.
Cons: Time it takes to figure out the cards and sellers that you want. Cost of shipping adds up if you buy from many sellers or do not use the drop box. Only finding a few cards from each seller. I make lists of cards sellers have before doing an order. Time issue again.
Issues I have had: Very few and they are fixed quickly. Wrong shipping cost or do not have the card
4. Beckett
Pros: Find odd ball cards and other cards do not have. Do have specials at times 15% off or more and free shipping. I do an order only a couple time a year. Most sellers show their address and phone numbers so contact can be made.
Cons: Prices are high on most of the stuff. Sellers also sell through E Bay and other outlets. So no interest in dropping their prices. Not all sellers have updated listings (prices and cards). Shipping cost vary with sellers, some very high. Discounts are for only some sellers and have to buy a amount. I make lists of cards sellers have before doing an order. Time issue again. Most sellers will not deal out side of Beckett.
Issues I have had: Sellers not having the cards or the prices were wrong in their listings.
5. E Bay
Pros: The large number of sellers. Find odd ball stuff like schedules and the new stuff
Cons: Prices and Shipping cost are high. Hard to find a seller with more than one card that I need. IMO they have become a store front for business.
Issues I have had: Poor customer service when I have an issue with a seller. Not combining shipping when offered.
6. Other forums: Sportscardfun, Husker swap, Ewanted, The Pit, Thebenchtrading, Sportcardisland, Naxcom, Sportscardsheriff, Topps, Sportsfreaks, Tradingcardcenteral, Sportscarddirect, Blowout, and a few more.
Pros: I have find cards on most of them. Some great sellers with great prices.
Cons: The time it takes to look through lists. Lot of the sellers’ only do the Hot player or stars on most of the sites. They trend not doing commons and no name players. Prices are on the higher side from most of the sellers. Most sellers are members of several sites and sell e Bay. Like Beckett they will not discount overpriced cards. Each site appears to have a core group of members. You post your wants and a few days later they are way down on the listings. Same seller will post a lot. No alerts if someone replies to your postings. If you do not check in often you may miss out on a buy. Some of the sites do not exist (not active) any more. Again have to watch out for some members.
