Vendors are bringing millions of dollars to The National to buy your cards

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It’s never been easier to sell your cards; it’s also never been easier to get ripped off. Some vendors are looking to change that.

At this year's National Sports Card Convention, the competition will be intense, though maybe not where you'd expect. This year, it’s likely that more cards will be bought or consigned for cash than at any show in hobby history, largely thanks to a few key players. One of them, Alt.xyz, is betting that its unique offer will convince sellers to choose their table over anyone else’s.

There are only a few ways a vendor can differentiate their buying ability: what percentage they offer off the most recent comp, what percentage they will offer for trade, and how fast you get your money. Comp is an industry term usually used for the recently sold price of a card.

At the National you will see signs indicating people will buy for 50% comps up to over 100%. It varies vendor to vendor, and you could see wildly different offers from one vendor to the next. If you’re not careful, it’s very easy to get ripped off.

Why Has Buying Exploded at Card Shows

The sports card hobby infrastructure has never been more alive. There are more places to sell and buy cards than ever before, from live platforms like Whatnot, Fanatics Live, and TikTok, to eBay’s continued dominance in the hobby, vendors have no shortage of exits. Repack businesses have also emerged as a major outlet, with Courtyard.io recently raising $30 million to scale their model. For dealers, picking up a card at a discount and flipping it that same weekend, often for a 15–20% margin, has become a reliable play.

Alt’s Offer

Most tables at The National will offer instant cash, assuming they’re actively buying. What makes Alt’s offer stand out is the volume. According to an Alt spokeswoman, the company will double the amount of cash it brings for advances for the fourth year in a row. This year’s goal is to offer multiple millions of dollars in advances. That means sellers have a reliable spot to get cash on the spot, any time during the show.

Alt isn’t just buying cards to flip like most vendors. Cards submitted are sent to auction, and the money you receive is a cash advance. Ultimately, you’re paid full comp value once the auction ends, not just a percentage.

Here’s how it works:

• Bring your cards to Alt's booth (#2411) at The National.

• Alt evaluates your cards and makes an immediate cash advance offer. The percentage of comp offered varies based on the cards submitted.

• Once the cards go to auction, two outcomes are possible:

  • If a card sells for less than the advance, Alt eats the loss.

  • If it sells for more, you get the difference (minus fees) credited to your account.

Tips for Maximizing the Offer for Your Cards at the National

To get the best offer from any buyer, bring a wide variety of cards. A diverse, high-quantity submission reduces risk compared to a single, ultra-high-value card, which can lead to more favorable upfront offers.

It’s also important to understand your expectations. Price out your cards ahead of time and have a clear idea of what you're willing to accept. If one offer feels significantly off, ask about it. You're under no obligation to sell once you receive a quote. Additionally, buyers appreciate a prepared seller.

Come early, sell early. Most buyers will eventually run out of cash or buy all the inventory they need. Don’t wait until the last day when vendors are fatigued, ready to get home, and have already bought thousands of dollars worth of cards.

Avoid selling lower-end cards. Buyers don’t want to take 5 minutes to price out a card worth $5. If you have a lot of lower-end cards you need to get rid of at The National, your best option is finding a vendor who either accepts bulk for consignment or needs singles for Whatnot/TikTok. If you want to get the full value of your lower-end stuff, I would highly recommend visiting the COMC booth.

With The National's buying scene more competitive than ever, collectors would be keen to leverage this buying environment in order to get the best possible return on their cards. 

What do you plan on selling at the National? Let us know on Mantel.