So, you pulled a new card and would prefer the money it's worth rather than the card itself. Maybe you're slimming down your collection and looking to unload extra cards, or perhaps you're considering getting out of the game altogether. There are many reasons players look to sell their cards. Because there is such a need, there are also a lot of options. I'm Levi from The Thought Vessel Show, and today we're looking at how to sell Magic: The Gathering cards. For each option I will go over the pros and cons. Ultimately, I don't know your situation so I won;t be giving you any recommendations, but I can absolutely give you the options. Let's begin!

Option 1: Trade to a Friend for Other MTG Cards

Pros: This is probably the easiest option and allows you to pick up cards you may want or need for a deck simultaneously. It comes with the added bonus of getting a card to your friend that they might really need for their deck without having to buy it. You also don't have to worry about things like shipping, and there really isn't anything to dispute.

Cons: If you simply want to get cash for your cards, this won't work since you aren't receiving any money. Depending on your list of wants, it may be difficult to find any Magic cards from your friend's collection, and you are effectively at the mercy of whatever they are willing to part with.

Option 2: Sell to a Buyer Locally

Pros: This option eliminates the need for shipping and provides instantaneous payment. As soon as the buyer gives you the money in person, the transaction is complete. Of all the options, you can usually get the most value for your card as you are selling to an individual and a normal card price is to be expected.

Cons: Your buyer pool is limited to the people around you. If you have a really expensive rare that no one either wants or can afford, there will not be anyone to sell to.

Option 3: Sell Remotely on a Website Like eBay

Pros: This allows you to sell your cards to a national or global audience depending on your preferences. Some people use websites like eBay to buy and sell cards as a primary or side business. If you have a card in auction, you might be able to sell it for more than its market value.

Cons: Listing an item as an auction could also result in it selling below market value if you only get one bidder. If there are multiples of the same card listed on the website, you will be in direct competition and you might have to price your card at less than its worth in order to sell it. Since your buyer is likely in another part of the country or even the world, you will need to figure out shipping the card after it's sold. Most websites are more buyer-friendly than seller-friendly, so if a customer disputes they never received the package, you might be on the hook, losing both the money and the card. Additionally, sites like eBay take a cut of your sale as a service fee, decreasing your profit.

Option 4: Sell to Your Local Game Store

Pros: The main benefit is the payment is immediate as soon as you hand over the card you want to sell. Another huge benefit is by selling to your local game store, you help the local business and provide local players with access to cards to buy. Some stores offer higher prices for store credit instead of cash.

Cons: Every card store is a business that needs to make a profit. Local game stores buy cards at a discount and sell them at market value to make a profit, so you will get less in return compared to other options. There is also a risk that your store might have a limited buy list, only looking for specific cards, so you might not be able to sell at all.

Option 5: Sell to a Larger Game Store

Pros: Similar to selling online, you have a higher chance of these types of stores purchasing your cards. Some stores have a trade-in policy for store credit, which can be beneficial if you're looking for other cards. This option also helps players in areas without a local game store.

Cons: Like local game stores, you will likely receive less for the cards than if you sold directly to another player. Like all online sales, depending on your location compared to the store, you might have to ship the cards to finalize the sale.