TCGFair — Seller Tools
TCG & Sports Card Consignment Calculator
Enter what a buyer would pay, and we'll show you exactly what lands in your pocket — across every major platform, ranked from best to worst payout.
How This Calculator Works
“Buyer pays”is the total all-in amount the buyer sends to the platform, including any buyer's premium. For most auctions, this is the checkout total — not just the hammer price.
For auction platforms (Fanatics Collect, Goldin, Alt, Heritage), the hammer price is derived by dividing the buyer's total by 1 + buyer_premium_rate. Your payout is calculated from the hammer price, not the buyer's all-in total.
The eBay direct row treats the entered price as the final sale price and ignores shipping and sales tax per the disclaimer below the rows. Heritage defaults to a 10% seller commission — a typical starting point for first-time consignors — but use the inline dropdown to model your negotiated rate. The Alt bonus is based on submission value at intake; the calculator estimates this using the derived hammer price.
Understanding Consignment Fees
Buyer's premiumis an extra fee charged to the buyer on top of the hammer price. It is paid by the buyer, not the seller. However, a high buyer's premium can suppress competitive bidding and lead to a lower hammer price.
Seller commissionis the fee a platform deducts from your hammer price before paying you out. Some platforms (Fanatics Collect, Goldin, Alt) charge $0 and instead earn from the buyer's premium. Others charge a tiered percentage.
DIY vs. consignment tradeoff: Listing directly on eBay gives you full control and typically the highest gross, but you handle photography, listing, customer service, and shipping. Consignment platforms absorb all of that in exchange for their fee.
Why the highest buyer price ≠ highest seller payout: A platform with a 25% buyer's premium will show a higher all-in buyer price for the same hammer than one with a 20% premium. But your payout comes from the hammer, not the buyer's total — so a bigger premium can make the platform look more competitive to buyers while delivering the same or less to you.
Platform details & best-for guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'buyer pays' mean in this calculator?
The total all-in amount the buyer pays, including any buyer's premium. For an auction with a 20% buyer's premium, a buyer who pays $120 generated a $100 hammer price. Enter $120 and the calculator derives the $100 hammer automatically.
Does Fanatics Collect charge a seller fee on auctions?
No. You receive 100% of the hammer price plus a bonus commission based on your tier. Fanatics Collect earns its revenue from the 20% buyer's premium charged to the buyer.
What is a buyer's premium and does it affect my payout?
A buyer's premium is a fee charged to the buyer on top of the hammer price. It is paid by the buyer, not the seller — so it doesn't directly reduce your payout. However, a high buyer's premium can dampen bidding and potentially lead to a lower hammer price.
Which platform has the lowest seller fees?
It depends on the sale price. Goldin and Fanatics Collect auctions charge $0 seller commission. PSA Vault fees drop to as low as 7% on sales over $5,000. Probstein charges just 5% on sales over $1,000. Use the calculator above to compare for your specific price point.
Can I use PSA Vault if my cards are graded by BGS or SGC?
Yes. PSA Vault accepts cards graded by PSA, BGS, SGC, and CGC. Cards must be physically stored in the PSA Vault before they can be listed for consignment.
Why does Heritage show a dropdown instead of a fixed payout?
Heritage Auctions does not publish seller commission rates — they are always negotiated between Heritage and the consignor. The calculator defaults to 10%, which is a typical rate for first-time consignors. Established consignors with strong relationships often negotiate their commission down to 0%.
Does Alt charge sales tax?
No. Alt's vault is located in Delaware, which has no state sales tax. All transactions processed through the Alt Vault are tax-free for buyers, which can support stronger hammer prices.
What does Z and G Emporium accept?
Z and G Emporium accepts TCG graded cards only — specifically Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh, and Magic: The Gathering graded by PSA, BGS, or CGC. Sports cards, raw ungraded cards, and sealed product are not accepted.
What's the difference between Goldin Weekly and Elite auctions?
Goldin Weekly auctions close on Thursdays, start at $10, and target cards with $100+ value. Goldin Elite auctions run on a variable schedule, start at $500, and target cards with $7,500+ estimated value. Both charge $0 seller commission — you receive 100% of the hammer price.
Why does my payout differ across platforms even when the buyer pays the same amount?
Each platform's fee structure is fundamentally different. Auction platforms derive the hammer price from the buyer's total by stripping out the buyer's premium; your payout is based on that hammer. Fixed-price platforms charge a direct seller fee on the full sale price. The buyer's premium rate, seller commission tier, and flat fees all compound into very different seller outcomes.
Looking to negotiate a private sale instead? The TCGFair Deal Calculator shows the fair price for any in-person card trade.
Open the Deal Calculator →