Setting a Floor Price on eBay: Why I Never List a Sports Card Below $2.50
October 13, 2026 · AllSet24
I've had a lot of conversations lately about floor prices on eBay, and whether I have one. I do. Here's what it is, why I set it there, and how I make a higher floor price work against sellers who list cheaper. You can watch the video above or read the breakdown below.
What's the lowest price to list a sports card on eBay? The short answer
For me, it's $2.50 with free shipping. Even if I think a card is more of a dollar card, the lowest I'll list anything for is $2.50. At that price I net around 50 cents, and that's after all fees, shipping costs, supplies, my business card, everything.
What is a floor price on eBay?
A floor price is the lowest price you'll list a card for, no matter what the card is worth. It sets a minimum on every listing in your store, so no sale ever costs you money once fees, shipping and supplies come out.
Why my floor price is $2.50: match your pricing to your business goals
Your floor price should line up with your business goals, and mine have changed over time. I go deeper on this in how to align your eBay selling strategy with your business goals.
- I'm not in a rush to be the cheapest. I've been selling on eBay since 2019. I don't need to be the lowest priced listing to make the most sales possible.
- My time matters more right now. I want to be as efficient with my time as I can, because I have other revenue streams at the moment, like eBay Live, value boxes and relationships with card shops.
- I'm past the growth phase. For the last few years I took the profits that came in and put them right back into cards and inventory. That built my store to over 26,000 listings. So I'm not in the "we just started, get as many sales as possible as fast as possible" phase anymore.
If you're just starting out, your goals might look different, and your floor price can too.
Selling sports cards is a service business
In my opinion, selling cards is more of a service industry than anything else. If you can still provide the card at an affordable price, and you have 100% feedback, ship things quickly and communicate well, that helps you stand out even when you aren't the cheapest listing.
Why I promote my listings even at a higher floor price
Speaking of standing out, I promote my listings. Promoted listings are eBay's ads: you pay a percentage of the sale price to get your listing seen more.
A lot of sellers set their floor price at something like $1.50 and don't promote their listings. I set mine at $2.50 and promote. So even if we have the same card, I'm going to show up ahead of them, and I'll most likely have a better rating too. And at a higher price, the percentage I pay for the ad doesn't hurt as much.
If someone was already going to buy a card for $1.75, but I make it easier for them to find it right away at $2.50 with free shipping, it's pretty much the same thing to them. I don't think I lose many sales over it.
Pair your floor price with a quantity discount
It also helps to have a quantity discount running. If a buyer is price comping, they might think, "This one's a little more expensive, but I could save 20% or more if I order more cards." Then they click through to the rest of your store.
That encourages multi card purchases, which is ultimately what I'm trying to get out of every customer on eBay. I wrote more about my 20% off 3 or more cards promotion in how to increase eBay sales by messaging every buyer.
How to set your own eBay floor price
- Add up your true cost per sale. Include eBay fees, shipping, supplies and any extras you put in the package, like a business card.
- Decide what you need to net per card. I net around 50 cents at $2.50 with free shipping.
- Match it to your goals. Chasing as many sales as possible points to a lower floor. Valuing your time points to a higher one.
- Back it up. Promoted listings, strong feedback, fast shipping and a quantity discount help a higher floor price compete.
Managing a lot of low priced listings? Here's how I organize 26,000 sports cards for eBay without sorting them.
eBay floor price FAQ
What is a floor price on eBay?
It's the lowest price you'll list any card for, no matter what the card is worth.
What's a good floor price for sports cards on eBay?
Mine is $2.50 with free shipping. The right number for you depends on your costs and your business goals.
How much do you make on a $2.50 card?
I net around 50 cents, after all fees, shipping costs, supplies and my business card.
Should I promote low priced card listings on eBay?
I do. Promoting helps my listings show up ahead of cheaper sellers who don't promote, and at $2.50 the ad percentage doesn't hurt as much.
Will a higher floor price cost me sales?
I don't think it costs me many. A buyer who would pay $1.75 will usually pay $2.50 with free shipping when my listing is easier to find, especially with a quantity discount on top.
Quick takeaways
- A floor price is the lowest you'll list any card for. Mine is $2.50 with free shipping.
- At $2.50 I net around 50 cents after fees, shipping and supplies.
- Set your floor price to match your business goals, not just to be the cheapest.
- Promote your listings and back them with great feedback, fast shipping and good communication.
- Add a quantity discount to turn single card buyers into multi card orders.
Let me know what you think. If you have a floor price, what is it? Tell me on Instagram or TikTok.
Looking for low end inventory to help stock your store?
Our pre made value boxes are an easy way to add cards to your eBay store. Every box comes with a video, so you can see exactly what's included before you buy.