$200 Profit & More: Not All Flips Need to Be Sneaky...

The best flips are usually those cards that fly under the radar. But, there have been a handful of examples this week that have reminded me that it doesn’t always need to be that way.

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Disclosure: I also work closely with CollX, and this content may be disseminated via the CollX app at some point. That said, all opinions, examples, experiences are entirely my own, and not shaped by any third party input or guidance.

This is not buying or investment advice. I’m simply reporting the data I’m seeing. Please do your own research and make your own decisions. Just because cards have increased in value up to this point, it doesn’t mean they will continue to do so.

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The best flips are usually those cards that fly under the radar. But, there have been a handful of examples this week that have reminded me that it doesn’t always need to be that way.

Best part is, it’s not only me getting in on the action…

1. Bought for $1.78, Sold for $275 Before Fees

To repeat an old mantra, stack the small wins until the big ones come along.

I’d like to say I found this big flip simply by being in the right place at the right time, but I also was actively checking for Griffey—something I hadn’t really done up until that point.

So while I was able to get to this card before anyone else, I was able to do so because I was checking for it.

It’s the beautiful 1999 Topps Chrome Refractor #100.

I bought it for less than $2.

Now, I’ll also be honest for sake of transparency—I didn’t know this card was worth hundreds. I knew it was good, don’t get me wrong—thought maybe $150? I knew the gold was around $50-$60, so I assumed the refractor was a little more. (There is also the 2015 reprint which could muddy the waters if you’re not careful when comping.) I also try and figure in less-than-perfect condition when buying off CollX, and thus cards being less worth a little less than comps.

All that said, when I got it in the mail and did some more formal research - sold comps aside - the lowest card like it currently available on eBay BIN was for $399, and that card had noted imperfections as well.

So, I listed mine at $299, got an offer for $275, and netted $233.32 after fees. This is pretty much as close to zero risk as you can get. I also was able to grab a 1995 Fred McGriff Finest Refractor for $2.25 from the same seller.

2. Someone Else Nabbed a J-Rod Dugout Peeks /50 for $8

If you follow me on TikTok, you might have seen my video about spotting a valuable SSP out of 2025 Topps Celebration Boxes, Dugout Peeks. (Yes, the same Dugout Peeks cards from the now discontinued Topps Opening Day).

@ballcardgenius👀 literally

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Well, besides being a good basic reminder, I was moved to make the video because I saw this on CollX shortly before:

Yes, not only a Julio Rodriguez Dugout Peeks for $8, but /50 (and 01/50).

Now, I don’t know if this ended up being a legit sale that went through and was delivered, etc., but I have no reason to think that it didn’t. Somebody probably ended up with a monster steal here.

Again, besides being an obscure SSP, there is nothing really sneaky about this card:

• One of baseball’s biggest names

• 2025 Topps’ flagship product

• Gold foil

• Numbered /50

Meaning, these are all things the masses are probably searching for. It could have been me. It could have been you.

Speaking of…

3. A Ballcard Genius Subscriber Flipping Popular Names

One of the absolute best things for me is to hear about reader/subscriber success stories. While I love flipping cards myself, obviously, learning of the flips from those who have embraced my process keeps me encouraged to share more and more.

There is a ton of opportunity out there, for all of us.

In fact, one reader is constantly scanning for cards on the Sneaky Valuable Card list, and it has paid off for him a handful of times.

His latest find was yet another Cam Wake 2005 Upper Deck Rookie Debut card listed on CollX for a steal of a price at $3.50, not long after I bought mine for $10.50 shipped. (I sold mine for $35, and that was probably at the low end of comps):

But while this flip was a great one, Cameron Wake isn’t the big name he found and flipped.

It was actually Barry Sanders, and a beauty of a card—a Pinnacle Instincts Artist Proof that he grabbed for $15 off CollX and sold a week later on eBay for $65.

Officially on a roll, that same Ballcard Genius subscriber grabbed this Cal Ripken Jr. (you might have heard of him) Prized Collection for $5, and should probably get around $20.

Anyway, you get the point—sneaky valuable cards are plentiful, but don’t forget to keep checking the big names and the flashy sets.

Where things get fun is when you keep growing your knowledge about all of the different valuable cards out there, and then combining that with all of the opportunity around the big names alone.

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