Want to sell my 1986 Fleer Basketball (Jordan rookie) complete set...is Ebay the place to do it?
Summary: modulok! is considering selling a complete set of 1986 Fleer Basketball cards, including a PSA 9 graded Michael Jordan rookie card, and is unsure if eBay is the best platform for such a high-value item. dryophelia suggests avoiding online sales for expensive items due to scam risks, while 1786davycrockett and ryry-jj recommend local sales options or using secure platforms like a vault. theteamsetguy advises contacting large eBay consigners for assistance, while jdbelt1960 emphasizes the importance of grading and researching the card's value before proceeding with the sale.
This is a posting ID. I used to be into card collecting when I was younger but gave it up long ago. This set is 100% compete with stickers and psa 9 grade Jordan rookie (only graded card in the set). Not that I really need the money but this set has just been sitting here since the early 1990s. Although I am a massive Jordan fan (who isn't) I am finding that I don't really care about material items much anymore after a near death experience. My question is...Is Ebay the place to sell this set? I've been selling here since 1998 (very small seller with about 300 items sold per year) and had only a few issues but do not sell expensive items (I think the highest has been around $400). But this set is really nice and i want top dollar for it...but I also don't want to lose it via scams. I live in ND and I don't think I would be able to find a local buyer for it plus not really comfortable with people knowing it is in my house. Opinions please.
jdbelt1960
·Jul 18, 2026 at 11:01 PMTo answer your question first take good photos of your cards you feel valuable. You don't want to carry them around. Don't tell anyone what you have.
Next research grading companies. Reputable coin dealers who are used to dealing with expensive coins can probably give you references. Don't bring the actual card but use your pictures until you gain their trust.
Congrats and good luck.
jdbelt1960
·Jul 18, 2026 at 10:39 PMThe value of a 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card (#57) largely depends on its condition and authentication grade, ranging from roughly $7,000 for lower-graded copies up to over $250,000 for a pristine, gem-mint version. [1]
Average market values based on third-party grading by professional services like PSA vary as follows:
Ungraded/Authentic: $5,000 – $9,000
PSA 7: $20,000 – $30,000
PSA 8: $22,000 – $32,000
PSA 9: $35,000 – $59,000
PSA 10 (Gem Mint): $250,000 and up [1]
Not sure you will want to sell on eBay. Get it graded and go from there.
ryry-jj
·Jul 18, 2026 at 6:56 PMYou can sell card via the Vault, that is more secure. You pay PSA a commission I believe. I think it is a tax free sale, too if the buyer keeps the cards in the vault . Not taxed until you pull them out
dbmm-media
·Jul 18, 2026 at 6:47 PMI am a massive Jordan fan (who isn't)
I'm not
modulok!
OPJul 18, 2026 at 7:17 PMI can now live the rest of my life in harmony knowing that about you. Have a good one.
theteamsetguy
·Jul 18, 2026 at 9:30 PMWhy would that be?
dbmm-media
·Jul 19, 2026 at 1:40 PMnever been a basketball fan
theteamsetguy
·Jul 18, 2026 at 6:39 PM@modulok! ,
I probably would have one of the large eBay consigners do it. I would suggest, Probstein123, 4Sharp Corners, or Greg Morris. Google them. Because of their volume their fees are lower than doing it yourself for high end items.
1786davycrockett
·Jul 18, 2026 at 6:38 PM@modulok!
I have to agree with @dryophelia -- you're taking a big risk, attempting to sell an "in demand" trading card on eBay -- way too many things can go wrong for you, and you take the risk of showing only empty hands in return.
Try to sell the set as a "local pick-up only;" or, each time you travel and/or vacation near a larger city, try to sell the set there; or send the set to a friend or relative who lives near a larger metropolitan area, and arrange with them to sell it fir you.
Good luck!
dryophelia
·Jul 18, 2026 at 6:07 PM@modulok!
Never sell an item online that you can’t afford to lose.
Selling local for $100 is a better than selling it online for $300 to a buyer who knows how to game the system.
modulok!
OPJul 18, 2026 at 6:39 PMGood advice. This would be many thousands. I am uncomfortable selling it locally (and def wouldn't get top $$$ here in ND). Ebay is the only thing I know for selling. Also I don't know the card business (quit collecting when I was still a kid) and have no idea what to do. So I am at a loss.