Selling fees on $20–$500 trading cards: what you keep
In the $20–$500 range the percentage fee is what matters most. eBay's estimated ~13.25% final value fee leaves a seller with most — but not all — of the sale, CollectIQ pays out 91–95% of the item depending on plan, and a Pulltrader storefront keeps the full item price because the buyer pays the 3.25% + $0.40 platform fee at checkout.
A $35.00 card, no shipping
Deterministic seller proceeds from Pulltrader’s compare_selling_costs engine. eBay figures are estimated from published rates; Pulltrader figures are exact.
| Selling method | Basis | Fees | Effective rate | You keep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| eBay (individual) | Estimated | $5.04 | 14.4% | $29.96 |
| eBay (Store subscriber) | Estimated | $4.72 | 13.49% | $30.28 |
| CollectIQ — Free | Exact | $3.15 | 9% | $31.85 |
| CollectIQ — Business | Exact | $1.75 | 5% | $33.25 |
| Your Pulltrader storefrontNo seller fee; you bring the buyer | Exact | $0.00 | 0% | $35.00 |
Your storefront keeps the full item price because the buyer pays the 3.25% + $0.40 platform fee at checkout — but you bring the buyer. The marketplace brings buyers and pays out 91–95% of the item by plan.
Why this is the answer for $20–$500 cards
Fixed costs are now negligible relative to the sale, so the headline rate drives proceeds. The real trade-off is reach versus margin: a marketplace brings buyers; your storefront keeps more but you bring the buyer.
What we recommend
Use the marketplace when you need buyer demand, and your branded storefront when you already have an audience and want to keep the most. Run your exact number in the calculator.
Alternatives & trade-offs
- List on the marketplace for discovery, then convert repeat buyers to your storefront.
- Compare specific platforms side by side if you sell a single category.
Methodology & sources
- Pulltrader figures are exact, from the authoritative fee configuration (version 2026-06-01, effective 2026-06-01).
- eBay figures are estimated from eBay published selling fees, Trading Cards category (version 2026-06-27, effective 2026-06-27) and exclude promoted listings, international fees, sales tax, and your own shipping-label cost.
- Calculation version:
ebay:2026-06-27+pulltrader:2026-06-01.
Estimates for trading cards in USD. eBay figures are estimates of published rates, not guaranteed proceeds, and this is not financial advice. Spotted something off? support@pulltrader.app.
Use the seller fee calculator
Enter your exact price and plan.