Have you ripped open the latest pack of cards and thought to yourself, “What do I do with these now?” I’ve been back in the hobby for about four years, and I still find myself asking this question after every new product release.
Do I sell these cards immediately to take advantage of that shiny new product bump, or hold onto them and wait for their value (hopefully) to skyrocket later?
If you’re new to collecting, here’s a quick heads-up for you:
New products always get a pricing bump.
When that new Prizm or Topps Chrome drop hits, buyers jump on them like kids on free candy. Many of the strategies I’m about to share revolve around capitalizing on this frenzy. Trust me, I’ve learned these through experience (and some tough lessons along the way).
Here are my 7 rules for deciding whether to sell or hold new rips.
When to Sell New Stuff
Rule #1 – College Uniform Cards? Sell Immediately.
This one’s easy. Cards of athletes in their college uniforms almost never hold value once the pro versions come out.
Here’s my personal cautionary tale: One of the first cards I bought when jumping back into the hobby was a Prizm Draft Picks LaMelo Ball card for $25. It was shiny, new, and full of promise—but as soon as the pro versions hit, this card tanked to $10. Now? You can’t even get $2 for it.
Unless the player becomes a legend and you’ve got some super rare parallel, this is a “sell it now” scenario.
Rule #2 – When the Hype is Off the Charts, Cash Out.
Some players are so hyped that their cards are almost guaranteed to drop in value.
For example, I sold two base Donruss Mac Jones rookies for $66 during his “new hot QB” moment. Today? Those same cards are worth $0.66. The key is to recognize unsustainable hype and sell before reality sets in.
If a card’s value would require the player to win three MVPs just to maintain its launch-day price, you know it’s time to sell.
Rule #3 – Mid-Tier Inserts and Parallels
Not all cards are about big bucks, but even smaller cards can be worth selling early. Mid-tier inserts and parallels, like a low-end insert of Donovan Mitchell, might fetch a few bucks within days of release.
But here’s the thing: these cards drop off the radar after just a few weeks. I love listing cards in the $5-$10 range during this window. It’s quick, easy money, and if you’re running an eBay store, even those $1-$2 cards can help boost your feedback scores.
Rule #4 – Mid-Tier Rookies with Low Ceilings
Here’s the hard truth about rookies: most won’t amount to much value-wise.
Sure, they might turn into decent players, but unless they’re All-Star material, their cards won’t move the needle down the road. Think about players like Dalton Knecht, Zach Edey, or Donovan Clingan. Where do you see them in five years?
If they’re not Hall of Fame material, sell their rookie cards now while there’s still some hype. Even getting a few bucks is better than holding onto something that could soon be worth pennies.
When to Hold New Stuff
Rule #5 – Mid-Tier Rookies With High Potential
Not every rookie is going to become the next Luka Doncic or Patrick Mahomes, but some show real promise and are worth holding onto.
I’m thinking about guys like Amen Thompson or Marvin Harrison Jr. These are players who could become top-tier stars, but they’re not fully established yet. Keep an eye on these types of rookies.
You might also want to look at players who slipped in the draft but landed in good situations. For example, someone like Reed Sheppard on a team like the Rockets was buried early but could still develop into a serious contributor.
Rule #6 – Higher-Tier Products Hold Their Value
Certain card brands just have more staying power. Products like Topps Chrome and Prizm maintain value better than almost anything else.
Here’s a great example: Luka Doncic cards. His PSA 10 Prizm rookie sells for around $220, while his Hoops rookie barely cracks $65.
While lesser brands are great for budget collectors, premium products from these top-tier sets hold up much better over time. If you’ve pulled something great from these sets, it’s a solid idea to hold.
Rule #7 – Rookies With No Value… Yet
Ever dig through old commons boxes and find a hidden gem?
When I got back into collecting, I discovered a batch of Steve Nash rookie cards sitting in my commons pile. During his early years, those cards had little to no value.
The same goes for Nikola Jokic or Giannis Antetokounmpo. Their rookie cards weren’t hot when they entered the league, but today they’re some of the most sought-after items.
Instead of tossing out rookies with no immediate interest, sleeve them, stash them, and revisit in a few years. You might be pleasantly surprised.
