Is it worth paying to get my sports cards graded?

Grading is only worth it for cards where a high grade adds more value than the grading fee and shipping. That usually means older vintage cards in good shape, rookie cards of major stars, and modern cards that are rare or numbered and look close to perfect. For common cards or cards with obvious wear, grading usually costs more than it adds.

Before you send anything, look closely at the corners, edges, surface and centering under good light. Look up sold prices for the same card in raw condition and in the grades you think it might get, so you can see whether the difference covers the cost. Grading companies each have their own fee tiers and turnaround times.

Handle cards by the edges, put them in soft sleeves and rigid holders, and never try to clean or trim them, since altered cards are flagged and lose value. If you are unsure which cards in a collection deserve grading, an experienced sports card dealer or auctioneer can sort them for you.