Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about selling, appraising, and donating your Magic: The Gathering cards to support adults with disabilities. Can't find what you're looking for? Please do not hesitate to contact us.

Selling & Appraising

I am not sure if my cards are valuable or not. Can you help?

Yes, that is exactly what we do best. You do not need to be a Magic: The Gathering expert.

Simply contact us with a rough quantity, the general condition, and a few quick photos. We will review your submission and provide a free preliminary assessment to help you get the maximum possible value for your collection. Contact us to get started.

I do not think my cards are worth much. Can you still help?

Yes, absolutely! Every Magic: The Gathering card has value. We buy everything from single rare cards to massive, unsorted boxes. Here is how we handle different types of finds:

Collections: Organized, higher-value cards are appraised individually and purchased at a competitive percentage of current market value.
Bulk Cards: Lower-value cards (especially in volumes of hundreds or thousands) are purchased as "bulk," typically at a flat rate per 1,000 cards.
Unsorted Finds: Most collections or estate sale finds actually contain a hidden mix of both bulk and valuable cards.

You do not need to spend hours sorting them yourself. We handle the evaluation and sorting for you, ensuring you get a fair, transparent payout for the entire collection. Contact us to get started.

How do I know if my old Magic: The Gathering cards are valuable?

A card's value is driven by either its utility for gameplay or collectibility, or both. Play value is currently the dominant factor in valuation, except for exotic vintage cards or modern collector-specific cards (i.e., serialized cards).

Early Sets: Rare cards from the earliest print runs (Alpha, Beta, Unlimited, or Revised, typically 1993–1994) are highly sought after by collectors, but pricing varies significantly depending on the card.
Playability: Cards that are powerful in popular formats (like Commander or Modern) maintain high demand and value, regardless of their age.

The easiest way to know for sure? You do not need to be an expert. Simply send us a few photos of your cards or binders or provide a list, and we will provide a free, no-obligation preliminary appraisal. Contact us to get started.

What should I do with old Magic cards found at a garage sale, thrift store, or estate sale?

Protect them to preserve their value. Proper storage prevents damage before appraisal.

Rare or Valuable Cards: Place them in sleeves (if available), or, best, a dedicated card binder.
Bulk Collections: Keep them in a sturdy cardboard box to prevent damage. Corners and edges are most vulnerable, so cards arranged in stacks in a cardboard box with sharp corners are best vs a plastic tub with rounded corners.

When you are ready to send them in, check our shipping guidelines below.

Can I sell an inherited Magic: The Gathering collection?

Yes, we specialize in helping families navigate inherited collections. We know this process can be overwhelming, and we can take it off your plate. We provide clear, step-by-step guidance on packing and shipping the collection, and we offer transparent, fair market cash buyouts so you can settle the estate efficiently. Contact us to get started.

Do you buy unsorted or bulk Magic cards?

Absolutely. We offer baseline rates for unsorted bulk collections. While we appraise individual high-value cards separately, we make it easy to liquidate large, unsorted boxes without requiring you to spend hours sorting them yourself. Contact us to get started.

Donating for Charity

Where can I donate old Magic: The Gathering cards to charity?

FCT Cards offers a seamless way to donate all or part of your collection to our partner 501(c)(3) charity, which supports adults with disabilities who are seeking employment. Contact us to get started.

Do I get a tax receipt for donating my Magic cards?

Yes. Once you donate your cards to our partner 501(c)(3) nonprofit, a tax letter will be provided. The letter will indicate what you donated and when. By law, this letter cannot indicate the value of the cards, only what items were donated. You will need to declare the value of the donated items for your taxes. We can provide a separate value estimate if needed.

Shipping & The Process

How does the mail-in Magic card appraisal process work?

Note: If you are in the San Francisco/Bay Area, you can bring the cards to us if yuo prefer. See below. We are in Berkeley.

Contact Us: Fill out our online form with a brief description of your collection.
Bulk Shipping: If you have a large collection of lower-value cards, shipping in a sturdy cardboard box is best. Protect the card edges and corners, ideally with a layer of bubble wrap. USPS flat rate boxes are often the most inexpensive way to ship.
Collections: Higher-value cards should be carefully shipped to avoid damage, as card condition can significantly impact value. A dedicated card binder is best (basic 3-ring binders damage cards!) BCW binders are recommended.
Tracking and Insurance. Without tracking and insurance, you are shipping at your own risk. We recommend at least USPS Ground Advantage or UPS.
Appraisal: Our experts authenticate and evaluate the collection, sending you a formal report. For extremely valuable cards, we may recommend a 3rd-party authentication and grading service to enhance value, which we will facilitate with your approval.
Decision: You choose to accept a cash buyout or donate the cards to our partner 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Can I bring you my collection in person?

Yes. We are located in Berkeley, CA. We can provide our address on request since we do not publish it for security reasons. Contact us to get started.

Is it safe to mail my valuable Magic cards?

Yes. We provide detailed, industry-standard packaging guidelines to prevent damage during transit. We highly recommend using a tracked and insured shipping service for peace of mind. Once we receive it, we log your collection and handle it securely in our facility. Contact us to get started.

What happens if I don't like the appraisal offer?

Transparency is our priority. If you decline our buyout or commission offer, we will securely return your cards. Please note that declined appraisals are subject to a standard handling and insured return shipping fee to cover the time and resources spent evaluating the collection.

Still Have Questions?

We are here to help. Send us a message with details about your collection, and we will get back to you within 48 hours. Contact us.