Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about bidding, buying, and consigning with Global Card Auctions.
Getting Started
Yes. Registration is free and takes only a few minutes. You’ll need to verify your email and provide a valid payment method before placing your first bid.
Yes — creating an account and browsing lots is completely free. You only pay if you win an auction or consign cards for sale.
We run [weekly / monthly / premier] auctions throughout the year, plus periodic featured catalog events. Check the homepage calendar for current and upcoming sales.
Bidding
Find the lot you want, enter your maximum bid, and confirm. Our system bids on your behalf up to that maximum, only as much as needed to keep you in the lead.
A maximum bid is the highest amount you’re willing to pay. We automatically increase your bid in set increments to stay ahead of competitors, never exceeding your maximum.
Bid increments scale with the current price of a lot — for example, $5 increments under $100, $25 increments under $1,000, and so on. The next required bid is always shown on each lot.
Lots use extended bidding (a “soft close”). If a bid lands within the final [30 seconds / minutes] of a lot closing, the timer extends to give all bidders a fair chance to respond.
All bids are binding and generally cannot be retracted. Please bid carefully. Contact support immediately if you believe a bid was placed in error.
No. Bidding on your own consigned lots, or coordinating bids to artificially inflate prices, is strictly prohibited and will result in account suspension.
You can check the status of all of your bids under the “My Bids” tab. You’ll also receive an email notification if you’ve been outbid on an item, and you can sign up for text notifications under “SMS Alerts.”
No. We don’t maintain house accounts, our employees don’t bid, and consignors can’t bid on their own material. There are no hidden or moving reserves — every lot closes at the price real bidders determine. Because we charge 0% seller fees, we only make money when you do.
Every new bidder starts with a $5,000 bid limit. To bid above it, submit a quick verification request on our Bid Limit Increase page — you’ll need a photo ID plus one piece of supporting documentation, and we’ll review and raise your limit promptly.
Bid early so you don’t miss out on extended bidding. Once you’ve placed a bid, we’ll email you if you’re outbid, and again when the auction is within 24 hours of closing.
No. A bid is legally binding — once placed, it cannot be retracted.
Enter the maximum amount you’re willing to pay, and we’ll bid in increments on your behalf to keep you in the lead up to your limit. You’ll be emailed if you’re outbid.
Only you. Your maximum bid is hidden from other bidders and from our own staff — no one can bid you up to it.
Payment & Fees
A 20% buyer’s premium is added to the final hammer price of each winning bid. Winning bidders also cover shipping and any applicable sales tax — there are no other hidden fees.
We accept [credit/debit cards, bank wire/ACH, PayPal, etc.]. Larger purchases may require a wire transfer.
Payment is due within [7] days of the auction close. Unpaid invoices may result in cancellation of the sale and suspension of bidding privileges.
Applicable sales tax is added where required by law, based on your delivery location. Tax and shipping are calculated on top of your winning bid and buyer’s premium.
Payment is due within seven days of the auction close.
Refusing or failing to pay erodes trust and hurts the sellers who choose us to sell their cards. Unpaid invoices may result in restricted account privileges and any remedies available to us under our Terms of Service.
Email your sales tax exemption or resale certificate to info@globalcardauctions.com at least 48 hours before the auction closes. Exemption forms submitted after payment is processed are not eligible for a sales tax refund.
All sales are final. By bidding on an item you agree to our Terms of Service — please contact us with any questions before you bid.
After the auction closes you’ll receive an invoice with payment instructions. Payment is due within seven days of the auction close.
Sales tax may apply depending on where your item is shipped. Any applicable tax is added to your invoice at checkout.
Shipping & Delivery
Every card is sleeved, protected, and securely packaged. Graded slabs are bubble-wrapped and boxed. We ship via [USPS / UPS / FedEx] with tracking and insurance.
Shipping is calculated at checkout based on order value, destination, and insurance. [Flat-rate / combined-shipping] options may be available for multiple wins.
Yes — we ship to [list of regions/countries]. International buyers are responsible for any customs duties, taxes, or import fees.
Yes. All shipments are fully insured for the purchase value until delivery is confirmed.
We’re an online-only auction house, so every item ships — we don’t offer in-person pickup.
Yes. International buyers are responsible for any customs fees, duties, or import taxes charged by the destination country. Items aren’t released until those are settled with your carrier or customs authority.
Items generally ship within seven days of your payment clearing.
Selling & Consignment
Submit your cards through our [online consignment form / contact a consignment specialist]. We’ll review your items, agree on terms, and you ship them to us for cataloging and auction.
We charge 0% seller fees — you keep 100% of the hammer price. We’re compensated through the buyer’s premium paid by the winning bidder, not by you, so it costs nothing to consign and sell with us.
We accept cards valued at [$XX] or greater. High-value and key vintage cards may qualify for featured placement.
We pay consignors quickly after each auction closes — no unnecessary holds. Once the buyer’s payment clears, your proceeds (minus any agreed grading costs) are sent promptly via your preferred method.
Reserves may be available on qualifying lots above a certain value. Discuss reserve options with your consignment specialist before the auction goes live.
Yes — on select high-value consignments. If you’re consigning significant material and would like funds before the sale, let us know and we’ll discuss advance options with you.
Every auction is previewed to thousands of niche collectors through our monthly Breakout Cards video series, and we spotlight featured lots across our social channels in the run-up to each sale. Combined with professional photography and researched descriptions, your cards reach the buyers who actively chase this material.
We research and write a detailed description for every lot. Many auction houses give up on obscure nonsports, cricket, or CDV material — we dig into the history, identify exactly what you have, and consult with you directly so each card is cataloged right. With niche material, the research and the story are what unlock its true value.
Yes. Smaller consignments can be handled entirely electronically with photos and digital agreements, and for larger or higher-value collections we can arrange to come to you. Either way, we lay out your options, fees, and grading recommendations up front so you know exactly what to expect.
Not at all. We work with first-time consignors all the time and make the process simple. We’ll walk you through every step, lay out your options and fees up front, and answer any questions along the way.
No. We run smaller, curated auctions focused on niche material, so your card gets real spotlight — it isn’t buried among multiple copies of the same item or lost in a catalog of tens of thousands of lots.
Need a change to a lot description? Email us at info@globalcardauctions.com and our team will take care of it.
Once an item is under contract and placed in an auction, it can’t be withdrawn unless we agree otherwise. We always talk through your goals before anything is locked in.
Yes. Alongside our auctions we broker private sales. Reach out at info@globalcardauctions.com or to your consignment contact and we’ll help facilitate a private deal.
We specialize in vintage nonsports, cricket, CDVs and cabinet cards, postcards and RPPC, and rare or foreign-issue sports cards. If you have something unusual or hard to place, ask us — the overlooked material is exactly what we love.
No. Send them raw and we’ll evaluate everything. Where grading will improve the return we’ll recommend it and handle the submission for you, with the cost deducted from your final payout — and we always discuss it with you first. Grading is required on high-value items.
Our specialists will give you honest, realistic expectations based on the market and comparable sales, and we’ll talk it through with you before anything goes to auction.
Once your consignment is confirmed, we’ll let you know exactly when and where to send your cards ahead of the auction.
It’s rare, but if a lot doesn’t sell we’ll discuss options with you — usually re-listing it in a future auction or returning it to you.
Yes. If you’d rather not wait for an auction, we’ll make a competitive offer and buy your cards or entire collection outright for the right material — so you get paid immediately. Just tell us you’d like a cash offer when you reach out and our team will take it from there.
Grading & Authentication
We take authenticity seriously. Graded cards are encapsulated by third-party graders such as [PSA, SGC, BGS, CGC]. Raw cards are reviewed by our team and described accurately.
If a card materially differs from its listing, contact us within [X] days of delivery. We’ll investigate and make it right.
Yes. When a card is high-value or we believe grading will improve its return, we’ll recommend it — and we always discuss it with you before submitting anything. We handle the entire process and deduct the grading cost from your final sale price, so there are no upfront costs. Grading is required on high-value items; we won’t sell premium cards or CDVs raw, to protect both you and the buyer.
Account & Support
Log in and visit [Account Settings] to update your contact info, shipping address, and saved payment methods.
Use the “Forgot Password” link on the login page to reset it via email.
Reach our team at [support@email.com] or [phone number], [hours of operation]. We typically respond within [X business hours].
Global Card
Auctions
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