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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.
I’ve talked about eBay mistakes before, but this specific one is so commonplace - with the potential for big swings as both a seller and a buyer - I had to carve out the time to put this together.
The Keyword That’s Costing Sellers Higher Sales
It’s the battle between "Autograph" in a card title instead and "Auto."
eBay is the largest marketplace for sports cards, but the way you list your cards can drastically impact who sees them. Many collectors and buyers search for "Auto" instead of "Autograph," and if your listing doesn’t include "Auto," it might not show up in their results.
I posted about this issue a while ago and got a lot of feedback from people telling me it didn’t matter. That’s fine! Please do try and poke holes here. It makes us all better.
But when there are easy-to-find instances of it, in fact, mattering, why not err on the side of caution?
A Real-World Example
I mentioned this when talking about 3 different ways to flip a sports card, and how I feel I profited from buying a few cards listed as “autograph” instead of “auto.”
Michael Vick Topps Composite Auto -$3.66
Pete Alonso Topps Now Auto +$27.76
Jordy Nelson Patch Auto /10 +21.84
More recently though, I was reminded of this problem recently when I landed a George Lombard Jr. Paper Auto PSA 10 for what I feel is way under comps. And I believe a big reason for the deal was that the seller listed it as "Autograph" instead of "Auto."
I landed this one for a bid $122.50 and total cost of $135. 71.
Here are the previous sales I can find in the days leading up to that sale:
Only one I see listed currently BIN on eBay is $249.99
Now, while multiple factors affect price - market fluctuations, timing, and competition - this listing with “autograph” likely played a big role in why I got the card so cheap.
More Examples: Luis Baez & George Lombard Jr.
To further illustrate this issue, let’s look at a Luis Baez Purple Chrome Auto from his first Bowman Chrome release.
Scenario 1: Searching for "Auto"
You type in "Luis Baez Purple Chrome Auto."
Sort by "Ending Soonest."
Select "Auctions Only."
Result? No active auctions.
Scenario 2: Searching for "Autograph"
You change the search term to "Luis Baez Purple Chrome Autograph."
Now, you see a listing sitting at $6 with 18 hours left!
I also ran this test on George Lombard Jr.’s First Bowman Chrome Auto (base version). In my initial search using "Auto," the first auction didn’t end until the next day. However, when I searched "Autograph," I found a listing ending in just an hour!
Does It Always Happen?
Not always. eBay’s search algorithm can be unpredictable. Sometimes, a listing with "Autograph" in the title will still appear in searches for "Auto," but other times, it won’t. Factors like seller item specifics, eBay’s indexing system, and even buyer search habits might play a role.
But this inconsistency is exactly why it’s risky for sellers to rely solely on "Autograph" and why buyers can still find overlooked listings by running targeted searches. While it’s not a guarantee, the pattern is clear—listings using "Auto" tend to get more visibility, and those using only "Autograph" are more likely to be missed.
Tips for Sellers & Buyers
If You’re a Seller:
Always include "Auto" in your listing titles.
If you want, you can include both "Auto" and "Autograph" to cover all bases.
eBay search results vary, but why take the risk? More exposure = more bids.
If You’re a Buyer:
Use this mistake to your advantage.
Search for "Autograph -Auto" (this removes "Auto" listings from your search results).
Try it now and save the search to make things easier in the future!
The Bottom Line
This isn’t a foolproof strategy—sometimes eBay’s search will still surface these listings. But it’s clear that using "Auto" instead of "Autograph" in a title can make a big difference. Sellers, don’t limit your exposure. Buyers, use this trick to find hidden gems. Happy hunting!
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