What to Do If You Have Thousands (or Hundreds of Thousands) of Common or Low-End Insert Cards

If you’re sitting on thousands of common cards or lower-end insert cards from the junk wax era or even modern releases, your first instinct might be to keep them and hope they appreciate in value. But before deciding to stash them away, ask yourself: is the storage space worth it? Are the boxes safe from water damage, pests, or even a sewage backup? If they’re in a damp basement or attic, you may be better off moving them now rather than watching them warp or mold. While it’s true that some once-overlooked cards eventually find a niche (like 90s parallels or oddball regional sets), most commons remain flat in value—and storing hundreds of pounds of cardboard for decades “just in case” rarely pays off.

A common sight in basements and closets—thousands of sports cards packed into 4,000-count boxes.

If you’re leaning toward selling, know that it’s possible—but not always profitable. Organizing cards into player lots or team lots can help, especially if you have quantity. Still, even respected players don't necessarily move the needle. For example, Kansas City Royals Team Hall of Famer Jeff Montgomery has a 650-card lot listed on eBay for just $35 or best offer—that’s barely a nickel per card. eBay, COMC, Facebook Marketplace, and even local card shows can be outlets, but factor in your time. Shipping heavy boxes gets expensive, and lower-end cards tend to move slowly unless you bundle them creatively or offer them dirt cheap.

Even a 650-card Jeff Montgomery lot—a Royals legend—sells for just $35 on eBay.

Finally, if storage is a burden or you just want them gone, donation or disposal is an option. Giving away boxes of cards to neighborhood kids, schools, or youth centers can spark interest in the hobby. Just don’t hand over bent, warped, or dirty cards—if they’re stuck together or smell like mildew, it’s okay to recycle or trash them. Even a dedicated collector doesn’t need a box of 1990 Donruss that’s been sitting under a leaky pipe for 20 years. Cards don’t always need to find a new home—sometimes, they just need to find the bin.

Sports Cleanout is here to help if you're ready to move on. We’re always looking to buy large collections of commons and insert cards—whether it’s thousands, hundreds of thousands, or even millions of cards. Baseball, basketball, football, and more—even cards from the 1990s and early 2000s are welcome. If you're ready to clear out space and get paid, reach out to Sports Cleanout today.

A recent Sports Cleanout purchase—over 300 full binders and thousands of cards, ready for evaluation.

From the Heart of KC 

At Sports Cleanout, we’re proud to be based in Kansas City. We work with collectors throughout Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Arkansas, and Oklahoma to help them evaluate, sell, and preserve their memorabilia. 

🏆 Want to Sell or Appraise Your Sports Memorabilia? 

Sports Cleanout is here to help. We buy sports memorabilia collections of all sizes—including vintage trading cards, sealed boxes and packs, ticket stubs, autographed items, game used equipment, and more. We are actively buying baseball, basketball, football, golf, hockey, and wrestling cards and memorabilia. 

📞 Call or text us at (816) 810-3639 

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📍 Based in Kansas City, Missouri—traveling throughout the Midwest