Depending on where you live, buying trading cards can be tricky

Depending on where you live, buying trading cards can be tricky. As a UK basketball collector, I don’t have the luxury of walking into a local sports card store like collectors in the U.S. There’s no quick trip to Target, Walmart, or a local card shop - I have to buy all my cards online.

UK Stores

Luckily, a few UK-based stores have an online presence, making them my first stop for new releases. These retailers often stock the latest products, and buying from them means avoiding international shipping fees and long wait times. This is where I usually buy most boxes from.

eBay

When I’m hunting for specific singles, eBay is a go-to. I always filter for UK sellers to keep shipping costs low and delivery times reasonable. Occasionally, I’ll buy from overseas sellers, but high shipping costs and potential import fees make it less appealing.

COMC

My main source for singles is definitely COMC. What I love most is the ability to buy cards and store them in my COMC account until I’m ready to ship a bulk order. I usually opt for the cheapest shipping option, which can take a while, but more often than not, my cards arrive earlier than expected - always nice surprise!

While buying trading cards in the UK comes with its challenges, having a solid strategy helps. Whether it’s using UK retailers for sealed products, eBay for quick finds, or COMC for strategic bulk purchases, there are still plenty of ways to build a great collection.