The Just Collect Blog

Turning Collectibles into Cash - Darren Rovell's Proven Strategies

Written by Monte Jennings | Jun 15, 2025 7:54:14 PM

 

Ready to turn your collectables into cash? Darren Rovell, founder of CLLCT, joins Leighton on Trading Card Therapy with tips, stories, and unbelievable items! From Disney to Titanic, this podcast takes you on a one-of-one ride. 

Darren Rovell has been a household name for many years. Seen on ESPN, CNBC, NBC, and ABC News, Rovell has covered some of the most notable events on your screen. Like you, Rovell has as passion for collecting, and has turned that passion into a full-time business with CLLCT. If you're looking for unique news on cards, autographs, and tickets, CLLCT is a must-subscribe-to site! One feature that makes CLLCT standout is what Rovell is an industry leader in - memorabilia with a story.

Watch and listen to Darren take you through some of his collection with Leighton as well as how you can turn collectables into cash.

Tips Darren shares include:

  • WHEN to sell
Anniversaries are key! Do you sell on the 25 anniversary of your items? The week of? The week after? Darren explains!

  • Take advantage of auctions

Did you know there are off-hours auctions? You could get a steal of a deal during a weekday afternoon auction.

  • Go the extra mile

Know more about the item than the auction house does or other bidders do; your knowledge could pay dividends! 

  • Collect true one-of-one items

Obtain items nobody else has! Everyone has a dollar bill. Few people have a dollar bill from the D.B. Cooper hijacking! 

As you enjoy the podcast below, Darren Rovell also shares stories about his own personal collection. You'll hear about the vest Ferris Bueller wore in the coming-of-age classic, Ferris Bueller's Day Off; Rovell owns the vest and tells you why he chose now to sell. An autograph from Jackie Robinson became more than just a generic signature from the baseball legend after Rovell adhered to his own advice and researched the piece now valued at far more than the purchase price. See pieces from the first day at Disney Land and from a passenger on the Titanic

What is the best piece of advice for you to make money from a collectable? Find out on this episode of Trading Card Therapy:

 

 

If you have missed any of the Trading Card Therapy podcasts, catch up any time here:

Trading Card Therapy on Spotify

Trading Card Therapy on Apple

Interested in selling your collection? If you have vintage cards, autographs, tickets, or rare memorabilia that you're interested in selling, we are buying! Just Collect has purchased over 50 MILLION DOLLARS in collections including our recent purchase of vintage Mickey Mantle and Hank Aaron Topps baseball cards in Cooperstown, NY. Here is how you can reach out for a free appraisal today:

WE ARE ALWAYS BUYING

Just Collect is always buying vintage sports and non-sports cards from 1879 to 1979 as well as select modern cards. If you have a collection that you are considering selling, contact us today to discuss or get our industry-leading purchase offer. If you have a collection that you want appraised, please contact us and we would be happy to discuss your collection and help you understand the real cash value of your collection in the current marketplace. Check out the Just Collect Buy List.

We always offer a FREE APPRAISAL for your collection here at the Just Collect site. Just click here:

We offer may ways to evaluate your cards other than or using our website, too.

  • Travel to Us

If you can make the trip here like the son from my hometown did for this collection- we can make a deal at the office. We once met a father-son duo that drove eight hours from Virginia to meet us to sell a Michael Jordan rookie card stored in Tupperware since 1986 - great read here

  • Come to convention

We keep a LIST of card shows we'll be attending.  Come stop by the Just Collect table and chat.

  • Meet in-person

If you have a valuable collection and want us to come to you, we'll hop on the next plane out.

  • Meet in New York City

If you're near New York City and would like to meet in a public place, our owner, Leighton, would be happy to meet you; read all the information here.

  • SHIP your collection 

If you choose to mail your cards for an appraisal, we will evaluate your cards for FREE still. If you choose not to sell the cards, we'll ship them back shipping fees paid by us!  We can offer our FedEx account with 2-day shipping, fully insured, all covered by us. Simply contact the office to set up this option.

OUR BUYING PHILOSOPHY

We've run into a wide range of people and collections over the last 25 years. Although Just Collect is known for buying vintage sports cards and especially vintage baseball cards, we are also extremely interested in buying non-sports cards, too!  

Every collection and every collector is different and we treat EVERY collection with the respect and attention that we show for our own collections. We understand that many have put their heart and souls into building their collections. So when you're ready to sell, we understand the feelings that you're going through and will work with you to help you reach a decision that is a WIN/WIN, because if you're not happy, we're not happy.

CONTACT US ANY TIME

Whether you have vintage cards or modern wax you want to sell, you can reach out to us any time!