Flipping Cards in 2026? AI Grading Helps You Sell Faster
If you’re flipping cards this year, you know time is money—and buyer trust is everything.
That’s why using an AI card grading app like CardBoss is your secret weapon in 2026. Instant, accurate, and data-backed grading means your listings carry credibility right out of the gate.
Why sellers are switching to AI:
Sell with confidence: Detailed reports show buyers exactly what they’re getting.
Instant turnaround: List newly pulled cards the same day.
Transparent results: Earn trust with buyers and marketplaces.
Add your CardBoss grading report to your listing or include it with your sale—buyers are more likely to engage when they see clear, consistent data.
Whether you’re on eBay, Whatnot, or IG Live, AI card grading helps you stand out in a crowded market. Grade faster, sell smarter.
2026 Card Collecting Resolutions: Grade Smarter with AI
Still writing down your card goals for 2026? Here’s one worth keeping: Grade your collection with AI.
Whether you’re new to collecting or sitting on a shoebox full of heat, having graded cards makes trading, selling, and storing smarter. And with an AI card grading app like CardBoss, it’s easier than ever.
✅ Organize your collection
✅ Get real-time grades
✅ Keep track of card value changes
✅ Get transparent reports—no guessing
Instead of sending cards off and waiting weeks, you can scan, grade, and document everything from your phone in minutes. It’s fast, affordable, and reliable—exactly what a new year hobby reset calls for.
Make 2026 the year you get your collection in check.
Start by downloading the CardBoss app and letting AI do the heavy lifting.
Why 2026 Is the Year to Go Digital with Your Card Grading
New year, new hobby goals. If you’re still relying on old-school grading methods that’s only going to lead to long waits, high fees, and inconsistent results. It’s time to level up in 2026.
AI card grading apps like CardBoss are revolutionizing how collectors protect and value their cards. With instant scans, data-backed grading, and mobile accessibility, it’s never been easier to take control of your collection.
Why go digital in 2026?
Speed: Get grades in minutes—not months.
Affordability: Grade more cards for less.
Consistency: Remove human bias from your grading.
Data-driven: Understand exactly how your card was scored.
Whether you’re flipping cards, holding long-term, or just organizing your collection, an AI card grading app is the smartest move you’ll make this year.
Make 2026 your most organized, optimized collecting year yet—with CardBoss.
New to Grading? Here’s Why AI is Best for First-Time Collectors
Starting your trading card journey in 2026? Smart move—and an even smarter one is grading your collection right from the beginning.
But here’s the catch: traditional grading services can feel overwhelming. High fees, long wait times, and complicated submission forms aren’t exactly beginner-friendly.
That’s where AI card grading apps like CardBoss come in.
Here’s why it’s perfect for first-time collectors:
User-friendly interface: Snap a photo and get a grade.
Affordable pricing: Grade more cards for less.
Instant feedback: Know your card’s value in minutes.
Educational: Transparent reports help you learn what impacts grading.
With CardBoss, you’re not just guessing—you’re grading with confidence.
So whether you're flipping new packs, building a rookie stash, or diving into Pokémon, start grading the smart way with AI. It’s the best move a beginner can make.
Holiday Gifting Just Got Smarter: Give the Gift of AI Card Grading
Gifting trading cards this holiday season? Whether it’s a rookie you snagged at a show or a vintage gem you’re passing on to the next generation, don’t wrap it up without knowing what it’s really worth.
AI card grading apps like CardBoss make it easy to grade cards in seconds—no mailing, no waiting, and no guessing. With our patented AI technology, you can scan your card from your phone, get a full grading report, and include that verified value when gifting or trading this holiday.
Here’s why it matters:
Adds credibility to your gift
Protects value for future reselling or trading
Makes a great impression with collectors
Instead of a generic holiday card, give them something professionally graded and backed by data.
🎁 Bonus tip: Add the CardBoss app download as a digital stocking stuffer so they can start grading their own collection in 2026.
AI Card Grading vs. Human Grading: Which is Better for Your Collection?
When it comes to grading, collectors often wonder: Is AI better than traditional human grading? Let’s compare:
Speed:
AI card grading apps like CardBoss deliver results in minutes. Human grading can take weeks—or even months.
Cost:
Traditional grading can be expensive, sometimes over $50 per card. AI grading is a fraction of the cost, letting you grade your entire collection affordably.
Consistency:
Humans have off days. AI applies the same standards every time, ensuring repeatable results you can trust.
Transparency:
AI grading reports show exactly why a card earned its grade. Human graders don’t always provide this level of detail.
Use Case:
If you’re selling ultra-rare cards, you might still choose a traditional grader for certification. But for most collectors, AI grading is faster, easier, and more accessible.
The verdict? For many collectors, AI card grading offers a better balance of speed, affordability, and consistency. If you haven’t tried an AI card grading app, now’s the time. With CardBoss, you can grade smarter and protect your collection with confidence.
5 Myths About AI Card Grading: Busted
AI card grading is quickly becoming the go-to solution for collectors, but there are still plenty of myths floating around. Let’s set the record straight:
Myth #1: AI grading isn’t as accurate as human grading.
Truth: AI grading apps like CardBoss use advanced algorithms and thousands of reference points to deliver precise, repeatable results.
Myth #2: AI card grading apps are complicated.
Truth: With user-friendly interfaces, grading your cards is as simple as taking a photo.
Myth #3: AI can’t detect small flaws.
Truth: High-resolution imaging and machine learning spot micro-defects humans often miss.
Myth #4: AI grading isn’t accepted by collectors.
Truth: More buyers are embracing AI-graded cards because the process is transparent and consistent.
Myth #5: AI grading is only for cheap cards.
Truth: From affordable rookies to valuable vintage cards, AI card grading is perfect for any collection.
Don’t let outdated myths hold you back. If you want fast, affordable, and accurate grading, an AI card grading app like CardBoss is your best bet. Plus, it’s available on iOS and Android.
How to Use an AI Card Grading App to Maximize Your Card’s Value
Every collector knows that grading your cards can dramatically boost their value. But with long turnaround times and high fees, traditional grading isn’t always practical. That’s why more collectors are turning to AI card grading apps like CardBoss.
Here’s how to get started:
Step 1: Prepare Your Cards
Before you scan, make sure your cards are clean and dust-free. A microfiber cloth can help remove surface particles.
Step 2: Use Your Smartphone
Open the CardBoss app and follow the prompts to photograph your card. The AI technology analyzes centering, edges, corners, and surface in seconds.
Step 3: Review Your Report
In moments, you’ll receive a detailed grading report. This document explains how the grade was calculated, giving you clarity and confidence.
Step 4: Decide Next Steps
With your card accurately graded, you can confidently price it for sale, display it in your collection, or submit it to an auction house.
Step 5: Store and Share
CardBoss saves your reports digitally so you can access them anytime or share them with potential buyers.
Using an AI card grading app is the smartest way to protect and maximize your collection’s value. Fast, consistent, and affordable—CardBoss puts professional-grade grading in your hands.
The Future of Card Grading: Why AI is Here to Stay
The card collecting world is evolving, and AI card grading is leading the charge. While traditional grading companies have long dominated the industry, collectors are realizing that AI offers speed, consistency, and trust that humans simply can’t match.
AI card grading apps like CardBoss use advanced computer vision and machine learning to analyze every detail of your cards—from edges to centering to surface defects. These tools deliver accurate results in minutes, compared to the weeks or months it takes for a traditional grader.
Another advantage is transparency. You’ll receive a detailed grading report showing exactly why your card earned its grade. This level of insight helps collectors feel confident in the results and build trust with buyers if you decide to sell.
As technology continues to improve, AI grading accuracy will only get better. More collectors are adopting digital grading as their primary method, especially as costs for traditional grading rise and turnaround times get longer.
The bottom line: AI card grading isn’t a passing trend—it’s the future of the hobby. If you want to stay ahead and make sure your collection is accurately documented and valued, now is the time to try an AI card grading app. CardBoss makes it simple, fast, and affordable to protect what you collect.
How AI Card Grading is Making Card Collecting More Accessible
Not long ago, card grading was something only serious collectors could afford. You’d pay steep fees, wait months, and cross your fingers for a good grade. But with AI card grading apps, the landscape is changing fast.
One of the biggest benefits of using an AI card grading app like CardBoss is affordability. Instead of paying premium fees, you can get a professional-quality grade for a fraction of the cost. This means more collectors—from beginners to pros—can protect their collections and know their cards’ true value.
Accessibility is another game-changer. You don’t need to ship your cards or rely on a third party. Using a smartphone camera, you can scan, grade, and store your reports instantly. No paperwork, no waiting, no hassle.
AI card grading also removes subjectivity. Traditional human grading can be inconsistent. AI grading applies the same standards every time, ensuring your results are reliable and transparent.
Most importantly, this technology empowers collectors. Whether you’re selling, trading, or simply documenting your collection, an AI card grading app gives you accurate, trusted results that help you make better decisions.
If you’ve been curious about grading your cards but didn’t want to deal with the costs or delays, now is the perfect time to explore AI card grading. With CardBoss, grading is finally accessible to everyone.
Why Use an AI Card Grading App? 5 Big Benefits Over Traditional Grading
Card grading has always been essential for protecting and valuing your collection. But traditional grading often means long wait times, high costs, and inconsistent results. That’s where an AI card grading app like CardBoss changes the game.
Here are five major benefits:
1. Speed:
AI card grading delivers results in minutes, not months. Instead of mailing cards and waiting weeks, you can use your smartphone to grade cards instantly.
2. Lower Cost:
Traditional grading can cost $20–$100 per card. AI card grading apps are much more affordable, letting you grade more cards without breaking your budget.
3. Consistency:
Humans are prone to bias and fatigue. AI card grading uses computer vision and machine learning to apply the same criteria every time, ensuring consistent results.
4. Transparency:
Your grading report is backed by data. You can see exactly which surface flaws and corners affected your score, building trust in your grades.
5. Accessibility:
Anyone can use an AI grading app from anywhere. Whether you’re new to collecting or a seasoned hobbyist, grading is now as easy as taking a photo.
If you’re serious about trading cards, switching to AI card grading is a smart move. With CardBoss, you can protect your collection and maximize your cards’ value in a fraction of the time.
The Role of AI in Modern Card Collecting: What’s Next?
The trading card hobby is booming—and AI is playing a bigger role than ever before. While AI card grading is already changing how collectors assess their cards, the future holds even more innovation. From authentication and fraud detection to pricing analytics and digital population tracking, AI is set to reshape the entire collecting experience.
Card Boss is already at the forefront, offering mobile AI grading that’s fast, reliable, and user-friendly. But this is just the beginning. Soon, AI tools may be able to verify a card’s authenticity on the spot, detecting reprints, forgeries, and alterations that can fool even seasoned collectors. This has massive implications for buying and selling in the marketplace, especially online.
AI can also support pricing tools that analyze sales data across eBay, marketplaces, and auction houses to suggest real-time card values. Pair this with grading and condition data, and you get dynamic valuations that are far more accurate than static price guides.
Another exciting frontier is digital population reports. Today, major graders provide population reports manually—but AI could help automate this across platforms, giving collectors insight into rarity and grade distribution instantly.
These tools won't just benefit power users. They'll make the hobby more accessible to newcomers by simplifying what has long been a complex and sometimes intimidating space. With the help of AI, anyone can grade, value, and protect their collection with confidence.
As the tech evolves, expect to see deeper integrations between AI and the card collecting ecosystem—connecting apps, marketplaces, and databases into one seamless user experience.
For now, collectors who adopt AI tools like Card Boss are positioning themselves ahead of the curve. It’s more than a convenience—it’s the next generation of collecting.
How to Use AI to Build a High-Value Card Portfolio
Building a card portfolio isn’t just about acquiring cool cards—it’s about maximizing long-term value. That means understanding card condition, market trends, and grading standards. One of the best tools available for collectors today is AI-based grading, which can streamline your process and elevate your entire strategy.
AI grading tools like Card Boss allow you to scan and analyze your cards in real time. With instant results, you can identify flaws and strengths in each card, getting detailed subgrades for centering, corners, edges, and surface. These insights help you determine which cards are worth submitting to traditional graders and which might be better sold raw—or kept for now.
Having this data at your fingertips empowers smarter decision-making. Instead of guessing or sending in every card you own, you can use AI to pre-screen and prioritize. That’s especially helpful for large collections where manual inspection would take hours or even days.
Using AI also helps you track trends and develop a grading intuition of your own. By comparing AI results with PSA or BGS returns, you can start to recognize which flaws are most critical, which cards overperform, and which types of damage tend to be overlooked. This makes you a sharper collector and a more strategic investor.
Over time, this strategy pays off. Your portfolio becomes more focused on high-grade, high-value cards. You’re not just collecting—you’re curating. And in a market where condition can make or break a card’s value, that’s a huge competitive edge.
In short, AI card grading gives you the knowledge and control to build a collection that holds—and grows—its value. Whether you're flipping cards, investing long term, or just optimizing your hobby, it’s a smart move.
How AI Card Grading Saves Collectors Time and Money
Collecting trading cards is a passion—but let’s face it, grading them the traditional way can be a serious headache. Between shipping costs, lengthy turnaround times, and rising grading fees, the process of getting a card officially graded often feels more like a chore than a hobby. For collectors and flippers alike, that’s where AI card grading comes in.
One of the biggest advantages of using an AI grading service like Card Boss is the speed. Traditional graders like PSA or BGS can take weeks or even months to return results. AI, on the other hand, delivers assessments within minutes. With just a smartphone and a high-quality scan, you can receive a breakdown of centering, corners, edges, and surface—plus an overall grade—all without leaving your house.
This speed doesn’t just benefit those in a hurry; it also allows you to grade more cards more often. You can quickly evaluate cards as they come in, whether you're opening a new box or buying raw cards online. This helps you make real-time decisions about what to submit, sell, or hold—without bottlenecks.
Then there’s the cost factor. Submitting to traditional graders means paying per card, plus shipping, insurance, and possibly upcharges based on card value. It adds up fast. With AI grading apps, the costs are significantly lower, especially for bulk grading or pre-screening. You can test hundreds of cards and only send the most promising ones in for full grading, avoiding unnecessary expenses.
Collectors also save money by avoiding mistakes. By using AI to pre-grade, you're less likely to waste money on submitting cards that won’t earn a good grade. That alone can prevent costly disappointments and improve your ROI if you're planning to sell.
All of this adds up to a more efficient, budget-friendly way to manage your collection. Whether you’re in it for fun or profit, AI card grading is the modern solution that helps you move faster and spend smarter.
Human vs. AI: Which Grading Method Is More Consistent?
In the world of card collecting, consistency isn’t just nice to have—it’s essential. Whether you're a casual collector or a serious investor, knowing your card will receive the same grade today as it would tomorrow gives you confidence in both its value and the grading process. Unfortunately, traditional human grading can often fall short in this area.
Even the most experienced human graders are subject to variability. Fatigue, lighting conditions, personal bias, and even the mood of the grader can all influence how a card is evaluated. That’s why it’s not uncommon for the same card to receive different grades from the same company upon resubmission. This inconsistency creates uncertainty, especially for those looking to buy or sell cards based on their graded value.
Enter AI card grading. By removing the human element, AI introduces an unprecedented level of consistency into the grading process. Systems like Card Boss use advanced image recognition and machine learning to assess centering, edges, corners, and surface condition with pinpoint accuracy. Each card is analyzed using the same criteria every time—no exceptions.
This consistency is made possible by computer vision algorithms that interpret high-resolution scans of your card. These algorithms detect even the smallest imperfections and quantify them based on objective standards. Since AI doesn’t get tired or distracted, the results remain uniform no matter when or how often a card is graded.
For collectors, this consistency means peace of mind. Whether you're planning to list a card for sale, insure it, or hold it long term, knowing its grade isn’t subject to chance is invaluable. It also levels the playing field for newer collectors, who may not have the experience to catch subtle flaws but can rely on AI to provide an impartial assessment.
In short, AI brings fairness and transparency to a process that has long relied on subjective interpretation. While human graders still play a role in many grading companies, the rise of AI-based platforms is showing that technology can deliver results that are not only faster and cheaper—but also consistently accurate.
Top 5 Reasons to Use AI as a Pre-Grader Before Submitting to PSA or BGS
Submitting trading cards to traditional grading companies like PSA or BGS can be an exciting but nerve-wracking process. Not only is it costly and time-consuming, but the outcome can also be uncertain. This is where AI-based pre-grading tools like Card Boss come in. Acting as your personal grading assistant, these tools offer collectors five key benefits that make the grading process more efficient and cost-effective.
1. Prioritizing High-Value Cards
AI pre-graders help collectors identify which cards are worth the investment of full grading. Submitting every card you own can be wasteful, especially with rising grading fees. By scanning your collection and analyzing condition, AI tools let you focus only on cards with high-grade potential—and higher resale value.
2. Saving Time with Instant Results
Traditional grading often involves weeks or months of waiting. With AI, you get results within minutes. This speed helps you make timely decisions, whether you're preparing for a card show, flipping inventory, or simply organizing your collection.
3. Eliminating Guesswork
AI pre-grading tools use machine learning and high-resolution image analysis to evaluate centering, corners, edges, and surface conditions with incredible precision. You get data-driven results, not opinions—removing the uncertainty of self-assessment.
4. Educating Collectors
Using AI as a pre-grader allows collectors to learn more about what contributes to a card's value. By comparing AI-generated subgrades to those given by PSA or BGS, users can fine-tune their understanding of grading standards and train their eyes to spot flaws.
5. Streamlining Large Collections
If you have thousands of raw cards, AI helps pre-screen them in bulk. Instead of manually examining each card, you can quickly sort and flag the ones worth submitting, reselling, or holding long-term.
Using a pre-grading app like Card Boss doesn’t just save money—it gives collectors a smarter, more strategic approach to the hobby. Whether you're a flipper, investor, or longtime hobbyist, AI pre-grading is the new first step in any serious card grading strategy.
What Is AI Card Grading? A Collector’s Guide to the Future of Grading
The world of trading card collecting is rapidly evolving, and at the heart of that transformation is artificial intelligence (AI). While traditional card grading has long been the standard for assessing the quality and value of collectible cards, it has also faced scrutiny for being slow, expensive, and inconsistent. AI card grading, on the other hand, is emerging as a fast, accurate, and objective alternative that empowers collectors like never before.
So, what exactly is AI card grading? In essence, it's the use of computer vision and machine learning to evaluate trading cards. These technologies allow software to scan high-resolution images of cards and analyze them across the same four main subgrades that human graders use: centering, corners, edges, and surface. But unlike human grading, which can be influenced by bias, fatigue, or lighting conditions, AI grading provides a repeatable and unbiased evaluation every time.
Platforms like Card Boss take this technology a step further by offering AI grading directly through a mobile app. That means collectors no longer need to ship their cards off and wait weeks or even months for results. Instead, they can scan their cards from the comfort of their home and receive detailed feedback within minutes. Card Boss even assigns subgrades and an overall grade, using patented technology to ensure precise measurements and consistent results.
Beyond speed and convenience, the consistency of AI grading is one of its most appealing features. It eliminates the guesswork and variability that many collectors have experienced when submitting the same card multiple times to traditional graders and receiving different results. With AI, the criteria remain constant, ensuring that a card's grade doesn't fluctuate based on who happens to be grading it.
This consistency is particularly useful for collectors who are looking to buy, sell, or trade cards and need confidence in the value of what they hold. It also provides a level of transparency and trust that enhances the credibility of the grading process itself. As AI tools continue to improve, they're also making grading more accessible to a wider range of collectors, including those new to the hobby.
Ultimately, AI card grading isn’t just a novelty — it’s a necessary innovation. It empowers collectors with faster feedback, more accurate assessments, and the ability to make informed decisions about their collections. Whether you're looking to verify the condition of a rare card or decide which cards are worth submitting to a traditional grading service, AI offers a smart solution. It’s not just the future of grading—it’s the present.
Why AI Card Grading Is the Future of Sports Card Collecting
If you’re serious about sports card grading, you know that consistency, accuracy, and turnaround time can make or break your investment. Traditional card grading services have long been the standard—but with the rise of AI-powered card grading, a better option is here.
At Card Boss, our fully digital AI card grading system eliminates the guesswork and human bias that can lead to inconsistent results. Unlike traditional grading methods that rely on subjective human judgment, our technology uses high-resolution scans and advanced machine learning to detect surface flaws, centering issues, and edge wear with pixel-level precision.
Why switch to AI grading?
✅ Consistent results every time. No more worrying about which grader you get.
✅ Faster turnaround times. No need to ship and wait for weeks. (Have you seen the latest turnaround times from the traditional graders like PSA??)
✅ Fair, data-driven decisions. No favoritism, just facts.
Plus, our digital-first platform is built for modern collectors who want transparency and control. Whether you're prepping cards for submission to PSA or building your own graded collection, Card Boss helps you grade smarter and collect with confidence.
Don't get left behind in the old ways of card grading. Embrace the accuracy, speed, and fairness of AI grading today.
Ready to see your cards through a smarter lens?
Start your digital grading journey now at www.cardboss.com.
Card Boss becomes first company to patent AI card grading technology
Card Boss becomes first company to earn patent for AI card grading technology
Innovative technology offers fast and accurate grades in a fraction of the time offered by traditional card grading companies
Card Boss announces patent for AI card grading technology
COLUMBUS, Ohio, November 1, 2024 – Card Boss, the industry’s first all-AI card grading company, is now the first and only card grading company to hold a patent for its innovative artificial intelligence technology. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) awarded Card Boss patent No. US 12,106,334 B2 for “artificial intelligence-based system and method for grading collectible trading cards,” on Oct. 1, 2024. Card grading helps collectors assess the quality of a trading card. Its popularity continues to surge with more than 17 million cards graded in 2023, according to third-party tracker GemRate.
“Card collecting has exploded in the last few years bringing a significant demand for faster, easier, more accurate ways to grade trading cards,” said Shaun Rogers, Chief Executive Officer of Card Boss. “The old way of grading cards takes significant time and costs lots of money. We’re here to make the most of your investment. We have a proven record for grading your cards at the same level as our competitors while taking the element of human error out of our grades,” Rogers said.
The patent abstract establishes a “system and method for digitally grading collectible trading cards on a predefined standard scale. The collectible trading cards are graded using images … the quantitative data can then be processed using a pre-trained machine learning model to obtain a grade for the collectible trading card.”
“We appreciate the USPTO’s thorough and transparent review of our groundbreaking technology. This patent establishes Card Boss as the leader and innovator of AI card grading technology and is one more proof point for why our customers can trust our technology to delivery fast, accurate grades in minutes, not months,” Rogers continued.
Card Boss’s patented technology is built into its app available for both Apple and Android devices in North America.
About Card Boss
Founded in 2022, Card Boss is a pioneering subsidiary of Relentless Ventures, LLC, based in Columbus, Ohio. Designed for card collectors, Card Boss offers a fast and precise grading solution that eliminates the time, cost, and inaccuracies associated with traditional grading methods. Through its patented artificial intelligence technology, Card Boss evaluates cards based on four sub-grades to provide an objective assessment free from human error and bias. Experience the future of card grading by downloading the Card Boss app, available on both Apple and Android devices.
What are the top 12 tips you need to know before you attend your next card show?
Image: NSCC 2023
Participating in a sports trading card show can offer collectors an exhilarating and fulfilling experience. For residents in North America, there's a high probability of finding a card show nearly every weekend within a short drive.
Whether you're engaged in buying, selling, trading, or simply browsing, these events provide a variety of activities and hours of fun for people of all ages. However, attending unprepared is not advisable. To optimize your experience and maximize your efforts, consider these 12 tips you need to know before attending your next card show:
1. Plan Ahead! Plan Ahead! Plan Ahead
Take a few minutes before the next card show to get the lay of the land. This will help you save valuable time before you get to the show. Research the card show in advance, including the participating vendors, number of tables, special autograph guests, keynote speeches and any scheduled events or activities. Having a plan will help you prioritize your time and focus on the aspects of the show that interest you the most. You’ll only have a few hours to get through the show so make every second count!
2. Have your price comp technology ready
We all want to know what the last comps of a specific card are. Because there are so many variables in pricing a card, you need to be prepared. Put together a wish list of the cards or sealed hobby boxes you’re seeking and have the comps jotted down. You can use websites like 130point.com to easily check for the latest eBay comps. Waxstat is a free pricing tool to find the market rate of all things sealed like hobby boxes, cases, blaster boxes, megas boxes, and cello packs to name a few. You can quickly search or a scan a UPC on Waxstat to find the market rate of 2023 Panini Phoenix Football Hobby Box or 2024 Topps Series Baseball Jumbo Box. Either website will allow you to create more leverage when negotiating pricing of the stuff you want.
3. Have your Digital AI Grading App ready to go
Most of the cards you’ll see at the show will be raw. What does “raw” mean in the trading card world? Raw is the condition of a card that has been pulled from a pack or wax box such as a 2022-23 Panini Flawless Basketball Hobby Box, and it has not been graded. Because the card’s value can change based on its condition, it’s wise to have the power of Card Boss. It’s a fast, accurate AI grading solution available for any smart phone. You can scan your card using the Card Boss app and within a short period of time, the Card Boss’s Artificial Intelligence will give you a grade based on four sub-grades: edges, centering, corners and surfaces. From there, you can make a decision as to whether to buy, hold or trade.
4. Set a Budget
We all get carried away! Establish a budget for the card show and stick to it. What may be better is to just bring cash and leave your credit and debit cards at home. There’s so many cool things to buy at a card show, so stay disciplined with a list.
5. Bring Cash
Cash is always the best method of payment, but many dealers are accepting digital payments such as Paypal, Zelle or Venmo. Bring a mix of cash and payment options for flexibility.
6. Wear Comfortable Clothes
Card shows can involve a lot of walking and browsing, so wear comfortable clothing and footwear. We’re there to buy, sell and trade our cards in the limited time that a show may be open, so comfort is greater than style in most cases. Leave the fancy kicks at home - nobody will care as much as you think.
7. Bring a Bag or Backpack
You won’t find many opportunities to buy or find a bag at the card show, so bring your own. I like bringing my backpack and storing my checklists, slabs, snacks, drinks and raw cards.
8. Arrive Early
Get there early! You’ll find the best inventory and maybe win a door prize for being an early bird. Some shows, like the Front Row Card Show will run raffles and door prizes for those that get there early, so show up early!
9. Network with other buyers and sellers
Network! Network! Network! Your next favorite card could be a conversation away. I’ve seen people hand out cards or hold up signs showing which cards they’re chasing. It sounds silly, but it’s an effective way to find that next card for your personal collection.
10. Inspect your Cards before and after you buy
When considering a purchase, inspect the condition of the cards carefully. Don't hesitate to ask the seller questions about the card's condition and authenticity. Use Card Boss to help you find those little blemishes that can take your card down from a gem mint 10 to a 9.
11. Be Open to Trades
Trading can be a fun way to enhance your collection while connecting with other collectors. Trading is also very important when you may not have enough liquid funds to acquire that next grail.
12. Have Fun and Share your collection
Don’t forget to have fun! A card show is not always about leveling up with that next Kobe or Jordan or adding a box of 2020 Panini Prizm Football or 2018 Topps Update Series Baseball. It’s about having fun, meeting new people and enjoying this awesome world we call The Hobby.