Even if the secondary sports card market has dipped below its pandemic fueled high of 2021, there’s still a massive volume of trading cards changing hands every day online. Which is why it should come as no surprise that internet giant Ebay has begun to dip its toe into the grading & authentication market.
The site had previously offered authentication services on sales of high value items in the apparel industry, including sneakers and handbags, but will now expand this service to include authentication on trading cards worth $750 or more. The goal is that by mid 2022, they will also begin authenticating auto/patch cards valued at $250 or more as well.
Trading cards are quickly becoming the single largest category on the site in terms of volume, with $2B worth of sales in 2020 alone. Even more impressive is that it took only half of 2021 to exceed that mark last year, outpacing the rest of the Ebay marketplace by a wide margin.
“Our trading cards business has been growing for the past six years, and the recent surge speaks to the immense cultural significance of the category,” said Dawn Block, VP Collectibles, Electronics and Home at eBay. “As hobbies turn into investments, authentication services in categories of high value have become a priority for collectors. With the introduction of Authenticity Guarantee for trading cards, we’re giving enthusiasts exactly what they want, while continuing to improve confidence in the marketplace.”
According to a company press release the service will function as follows:
When a service-eligible trading card purchase is made, the seller ships it directly to a team of third-party authenticators at Certified Collectibles Group – including its affiliates, CGC Trading Cards and Certified Sports Guaranty (CSG) – for a comprehensive, multi-point physical inspection. Following this rigorous assessment, the card is sent via expedited shipping to the buyer or seller. Details on the trading card authentication process include:
- Thorough Inspection: Referencing an extensive database, authenticators inspect the overall condition and general quality. The overall condition of each card is checked against the auction listing description to ensure accuracy and authenticity.
- Proof Of Authentication: The e-tag features a unique QR code that’s attached to the card’s protective packaging. The packaging is then placed in the card holder to finalize the process, reaffirming confidence in collectability and resale value. Scan the QR code on any mobile device to learn more about the card and its authentication journey.
- Verified Returns: For sellers who choose to offer returns, eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee service for trading cards ensures the exact item initially sold is returned to the seller, via a verified returns process. Returns are shipped back to the authentication center, where authentication experts verify each item and its condition before returning to the seller.
The announcement of the authentication service is the second major advancement regarding Ebay’s collectibles marketplace recently. Late last summer the company also unveiled new tools for collectors to track their collections and see pricing data regarding cards within their portfolio.
The suite of tools is not all that different from those launched by PSA and other grading services in recent years, and creates another layer of collection management for prospective buyers.
As card prices continue to creep ever higher, collectors can expect Ebay and other well funded companies to want to get in on the action in some way, shape or form. From shoe boxes to safety deposit boxes, the sports card industry is officially big business.
-Kyle Skinner
Twitter: @JKyleSkinner