How to compare a trade
A trade is fair when both people understand what they’re giving and getting. Writing it down side by side makes that much easier.
Value both sides the same way
Use the same kind of number for every card: recent sold prices for each card in its actual condition, or your own estimates, but not a mix of best-case and worst-case prices. Note where each value came from and how old it is.
Adjust for condition
Raw market prices usually describe near-mint copies. A played card is worth less, but how much less varies. Agree on condition before you agree on value.
Count the cash and the costs
- If the values don’t match, cash can even it out. Agree who adds it before anything is shipped.
- Think about what each side would bring if sold later. Several small cards usually cost more to sell than one larger card worth the same.
- Shipping, packaging and insurance are real costs. Agree who pays them.
Stay safe
Trade with people you can verify, use tracked and insured shipping, and don’t share more personal information than the trade needs. TH3 COLL3CTIV3’s Trade Analyzer is a calculator: it doesn’t check cards, hold payment or guarantee a trade.