On this page, I want to share my personal experiences with various sellers I have used over the years to buy football cards. These are entirely my own opinions based on my experiences, and of course, others may have had different encounters. However, I hope this will be a useful resource for those looking to buy football cards online and wondering which platforms and sellers to trust.
Like many collectors, I have purchased a large number of cards from eBay. It remains one of the biggest marketplaces for football cards, with a vast selection covering everything from vintage rarities to modern releases. However, while eBay offers variety, the fees for both buyers and sellers, along with occasional reliability issues with certain sellers, can sometimes make the experience frustrating.
In addition to eBay, I have also bought from dedicated football card websites and other platforms specializing in trading cards. Many of these sites are run by enthusiasts and collectors who have a deep understanding of the hobby. The benefit of using these niche sites is that they often provide better customer service, more trustworthy transactions, and in some cases, better pricing than eBay. You can also find cards on these sites that will never be available on eBay.I will be listing some of these platforms and sharing my thoughts on them.
Lastly, I want to highlight a relatively new platform that has emerged as a direct competitor to eBay. One of its biggest advantages is that it does not charge selling fees, making it a more attractive option for collectors looking to buy and sell cards without additional costs. The site was created by a collector who wanted to offer an alternative marketplace where sellers wouldn’t have to pay high commissions just to list and sell their cards. While it is still growing, I believe it has great potential and could become a strong option for buyers and sellers alike.
I hope you find my insights helpful! If you have your own experiences with these or other platforms, I would love to hear your thoughts.
Websites
Carl Wilkes – The Authority on Football Cards
Carl Wilkes is widely regarded as the leading authority on vintage football cards, having dedicated decades to researching, collecting, and documenting the history of football trading cards and memorabilia. His passion for the hobby has made him one of the most respected figures in the football card-collecting community.
Carl is best known as the author of two of the most important books ever written on football cards—A to Z of Football Collectibles and A to Z of Sporting Collectibles. These books are considered essential reading for collectors, providing an unparalleled depth of knowledge on vintage football cards, covering everything from early cigarette cards to rare sticker albums and obscure team issues. His meticulous research and detailed insights have helped collectors around the world identify, authenticate, and value their collections.
Beyond his books, Carl has also played a pioneering role in the world of rare football cards, creating and curating two of the most comprehensive websites in the hobby. These platforms have served as indispensable resources for collectors, offering invaluable information on some of the most elusive and sought-after cards ever produced.
One of these websites holds a particularly significant place in football card history. Originally hosted on a Globalnet.co.uk client page in the late 1990s under the unassuming name “footer“, as one of the earliest dedicated football card websites, it set the foundation for the wealth of online resources available to collectors today. Remarkably, nearly three decades after its inception, Carl’s digital legacy in the hobby remains as influential as ever.
His website is treasure troves of knowledge, documenting thousands of football cards from different eras and manufacturers, including cards dating as far back as the 1880s. The site provides detailed images, historical data, production details, and rarity insights that help collectors understand the significance and value of their cards. The extensive catalog covers cards from early cigarette issues in the late 19th century, through the interwar years, and into modern releases.
One of the standout features of Carl’s website is the dedication to showcasing rare and obscure football cards, many of which were previously undocumented online. The platform offer in-depth information about the origins, variations, and market trends of football trading cards, making it an essential resource for those looking to complete their collections or gain deeper insights into the hobby.
His dedication to preserving the history of football cards has made him a trusted expert in the field. Whether through his books, his website, or his contributions to the collecting community, Carl continues to play a pivotal role in ensuring that the rich heritage of football trading cards, dating from the 1880s and beyond, is documented and appreciated for generations to come.
You can find his website here.
John Shaw – A Trusted Name in Cigarette Cards
John Shaw is a well-known figure in the world of cigarette card collecting, with years of experience in sourcing, selling, and sharing knowledge about these classic collectibles. As the founder of JS Cards, he has built a reputation for offering a wide range of vintage cigarette and trade cards, catering to both casual collectors and serious enthusiasts.
At JS Cards, collectors can explore an extensive selection of full cigarette and trade card sets covering many themes, including sport, military, transport and many more subjects.
The website is designed for easy navigation, with well-organized categories and detailed listings that make it simple to find what you seek.
For football fans, the football section alone has over 270 full sets of Cards, with more constantly being added, the site offers a variety of vintage football issues from renowned manufacturers such as:
- A&BC Gum– Popular bubblegum football card series.
- John Player & Sons– Classic cigarette card sets featuring footballers.
- Taddy & Co.– Some of the earliest football cards produced.
- Filshill Footballers– A rare confectionery series.
Please contact John directly for odds are part sets, or anything else not on the website.
Whether you’re completing a set for your cherished collection or acquiring a full set, or selling your collection, the JSCARDS website is the place to go.
JS Cards is more than just a place to buy and sell—it’s also a valuable resource for collectors. The website includes a Card Grading Guide, which explains how card conditions are assessed based on the standards of the Cartophilic Society of Great Britain. Additionally, the Help and Advice section provides useful tips on storage, authentication, and collecting in general.
John is always happy to assist customers with inquiries about specific cards or general collecting advice. He can be contacted directly via:
📞 Phone: 01283 480 382 or 07769 032 240
📧 Email: johnshaw14cards@googlemail.com
For anyone interested in football cigarette cards or vintage collecting, JS Cards is the go-to destination—offering both expert knowledge and the only place to find full sets.
eBay sellers I recommend
Gary Curtis – LDC Cards
Gary Curtis, operating under the eBay store LDC Cards, is a well-known and highly regarded seller specializing in cigarette cards, postcards, and other paper collectibles. With a vast and ever-growing selection, he has built a reputation as a go-to source for collectors looking for both common and hard-to-find items.
His eBay store offers a carefully curated inventory covering a wide range of themes, ensuring that collectors of all interests can find something valuable. Whether you’re searching for early football cigarette cards, rare trade issues, or vintage postcards, LDC Cards has everything. And if there’s a specific card you’re missing, chances are he already has it in stock—making it one of the best places to complete your collection.
Each listing includes detailed descriptions and high-quality images, helping buyers make informed decisions. The store is well-organized, making it easy to browse by category or search for specific cards.
Beyond eBay, LDC Cards is also active on Facebook, where Gary engages with the collecting community, shares updates, and responds to inquiries. His excellent customer service and deep knowledge of the hobby make him a trusted name among collectors.
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting out, LDC Cards is a reliable and comprehensive source for vintage cigarette cards and other collectibles. If you’re looking for something specific, there’s a good chance Gary Curtis has exactly what you need!
Martin Horton Rare Cigarette Cards
Martin Horton is a respected eBay seller operating under the store name RARE CIGARETTE CARDS, specializing in vintage cigarette cards and related collectibles. With a vast inventory and a commitment to quality, Martin has become a trusted source for collectors seeking unique and hard-to-find items.
His eBay store offers a diverse range of categories, including:
- Football
- Cricket
- Golf
- Boxing
- Tennis
- Horse Racing
- Other Sports
- Film
- Television
- Military
- Birds
- Wildlife
- Flowers & Garden
- Transport (Aircraft, Motor Cars & Motor Bikes, Railway & Trains, Ships & Boats)
Each listing provides detailed descriptions and high-quality images, ensuring buyers have a clear understanding of the item’s condition and significance. Martin’s dedication to customer satisfaction is evident in his 100% positive feedback rating, with over 76,000 items sold and 1,400 followers.
For collectors seeking specific cards or sets, Martin is approachable and willing to assist in locating desired items. He can be contacted directly via email at martinjohnhorton@gmail.com or by phone at 07768 367285.
eBay sellers I avoid
Lee Alistair Graves COLLECTABILIA
If you’re considering buying from COLLECTABILIA, the eBay store run by Lee Alistair Graves, I strongly advise you to think twice. While the store offers a wide range of collectibles, the customer service can be shockingly bad when things don’t go his way—one of the worst experiences I’ve had on eBay.
To be fair, in most cases, transactions go smoothly, and there’s nothing obviously wrong. However, it’s in the odd cases where you have an inquiry or issue that he doesn’t like that his true nature is revealed. Rather than handling situations professionally, he can be rude, dismissive, and outright unreasonable.
Graves has a reputation for blocking buyers for little to no reason at all. If you make even a minor request or point out an error in one of his listings, he might block you on the spot. Some examples of actions that can get you blocked:
- Pointing out incorrect information on a listing – Instead of correcting the mistake, he might simply ban you from buying from him again.
- Asking if you can wait to pay until all auctions you’ve bid on are finished – Even if the auctions end within a seven-day period, this request alone could be enough to get you blocked.
This is not the behavior of a professional seller, and it makes dealing with him a risky and unpredictable experience.
If you ever need to ask him a question, expect curt, unhelpful responses—if he even bothers to reply at all. Rather than showing any interest in assisting buyers, he often ignores inquiries or responds in a way that makes it clear he couldn’t care less about customer satisfaction.
If you receive a damaged, incorrect, or misrepresented item, getting a refund is an uphill battle. He has a habit of making excuses, delaying responses, or refusing to cooperate altogether. You may find yourself relying on eBay’s buyer protection to force a resolution, which is frustrating and unnecessary when dealing with a seller who should be handling these issues responsibly.
Selling on eBay isn’t just about listing items—it’s about providing good service to customers who spend their hard-earned money. Unfortunately, Lee Alistair Graves does not seem to understand this, making COLLECTABILIA one of the worst eBay experiences I’ve had.
There are plenty of better sellers out there who are professional, communicative, and actually value their customers. Unless you enjoy being ignored, treated poorly, or randomly blocked for no reason, I highly recommend avoiding COLLECTABILIA and taking your business elsewhere.
eBay alternative
MyCollectibles
For football card collectors, MyCollectibles offers a refreshing alternative to eBay. While eBay remains the largest online marketplace, it is not necessarily the best place for serious collectors. High fees, misleading listings, and frustrating selling policies make it a costly and time-consuming platform. MyCollectibles is designed specifically for football card enthusiasts, providing a more affordable, transparent, and community-driven space to buy and sell. Many collectors turn to eBay when searching for football cards, but they often encounter inflated prices, misleading listings, and bidding wars that drive up costs. One of the biggest reasons for overpriced listings is eBay’s high seller fees. Sellers on eBay factor in the 13.25% final value fee (which applies to the total sale, including shipping), a £0.30 per transaction fee, and extra costs if they promote their listings. These charges inevitably get passed onto the buyer, making cards more expensive than they should be.
On MyCollectibles, there are no seller fees, meaning buyers get fairer prices.
Finding the right football card on eBay can be a frustrating experience. Since eBay is a general marketplace, search results are flooded with irrelevant listings, including baseball and basketball cards, reprints, and even counterfeit items. MyCollectibles is built specifically for football card collectors, making it easier to find exactly what you need without sifting through unrelated results. Many eBay listings are auctions, meaning buyers have to engage in last-second bidding wars or risk losing out to automated snipers. Even worse, some sellers engage in shill bidding, artificially inflating prices with fake accounts, on MyCollectibles, the price is the price—no bidding wars, no manipulation.
Selling football cards on eBay comes with its own set of challenges. The high fees, slow payouts, and unfair buyer protection policies often make it difficult for sellers to maximise their profits.
Selling on eBay is expensive. Sellers face:
– 13.25% final value fee
– £0.30 per transaction fee
– £0.35 per listing if they exceed 250 items per month
This means that on a £200 card sale, the seller loses around £30 in fees. On MyCollectibles, sellers keep 100% of their sales, as there are no listing or transaction fees. eBay frequently holds payouts for new sellers, and its refund policies heavily favour buyers, leading to unfair returns and chargebacks. Sellers often find themselves dealing with:
– Delayed access to their earnings
– Buyers returning damaged or swapped items with no seller protection
– Difficulties resolving disputes in their favour
MyCollectibles offers a fairer experience, allowing sellers to access their money faster without unnecessary restrictions.
Selling football cards on eBay means competing with thousands of other sellers, many of whom are resellers with bulk inventory rather than true collectors. On MyCollectibles, sellers interact with a community of enthusiasts who understand the value of football cards. Cards sell faster because the audience is specifically interested in football memorabilia.
While eBay remains a popular marketplace, it is far from the best option for football card collectors. High fees, misleading listings, and a lack of community focus make it expensive and frustrating for both buyers and sellers.
✅ For buyers: Lower prices, a dedicated marketplace, and a fairer experience.
✅ For sellers: No fees, faster sales, and a collector-focused audience.