At a Glance
Dungeons & Dragons postcards sell slowly because they have a smaller buyer pool, but can still return a profit when bought cheaply and held as long-term stock.
Position in the System
This sits in the Source → Evaluate stage.
I am deciding whether niche themed postcard sets like this are worth buying, listing, and holding as part of a working postcard catalogue.
Should You Buy Dungeons & Dragons Postcards to Resell?
These can be worth buying, but only under the right conditions.
Demand is narrower than most postcard types, so sales are slower and less consistent. At a low purchase cost, they can still return a profit over time, but they are not suitable for building steady or predictable monthly sales.
What Are Dungeons & Dragons Postcards (and Why They Sell More Slowly)?
These postcards come from a boxed set featuring artwork from Dungeons & Dragons, including illustrations used across books, games, and related products.
They appeal primarily to existing players or collectors rather than general buyers, which results in a smaller buyer pool and slower sales compared to broader or more recognisable themes.
Where I Got These
I bought these from eBay for £11.63 including postage.
This works out at a low cost per card, which is necessary given the slower demand.
These sets do appear occasionally, but pricing varies and low-cost opportunities are not always available.
Real Sales Data (From My Listings)
These postcards were sourced as a low-cost boxed set and listed across different formats.
Performance so far, over roughly the past year:
- Total units listed: 171
- Total cost: £11.63
- Total revenue: £65.35
- Net return: £33.54
- Realised net return: £41.51
- Total active list value: £189.00
Return on investment:
- ROI: 288%
- Realised ROI: 1,134%
Typical pricing:
- Individual postcards: around £3.50
- Bundle or grouped listings: lower effective price per card
Sales have come through across both eBay and Pretty Photo Prints, with individual transactions spread over several months rather than in a short period.
Orders range from single postcards to small multiples, which reinforces the pattern of slow but steady demand.
How Long Do They Take to Sell?
These are slow-moving items.
There were no sales for the first several weeks after listing, which is a clear signal of limited demand. After adjusting the listing approach, sales began to come through, but at a gradual pace.
Sales have been spaced out over several months rather than concentrated early after listing, which means capital is tied up for longer than with stronger postcard stock.
What Actually Sells
There is no strong pattern of standout performers.
Unlike film or city postcards, these do not benefit from widely recognisable imagery. Sales are driven more by niche interest than by specific scenes or designs.
These tend to sell to existing Dungeons & Dragons players or collectors rather than general postcard buyers.
How I List Dungeons & Dragons Postcards
I initially listed each postcard individually, following the same structure used for other postcard stock.
Due to lack of early sales, I switched to a bundled listing approach, grouping postcards together and using a quantity-based structure.
This reduced friction for buyers and improved conversion compared to individual listings, although overall demand remains slower than other postcard types.
When I Wouldn’t Buy These
I would leave these if:
- the cost per card is not very low
- I need stock that turns over regularly
- I am prioritising faster-moving inventory
These are not suitable as core inventory.
My Rule for Buying Dungeons & Dragons Postcards
These only make sense at very low cost per card.
At around 5p to 10p per card, the model works. Above that, the margin tightens quickly and I would not buy these.
Profit Reality
These can be profitable, but they are slow.
The high ROI comes from the low purchase cost, but the return is spread over time rather than coming through quickly. Sales are gradual, and the main cost is how long the stock sits before selling.
This creates a trade-off where the return is strong on paper, but realised gradually rather than quickly.
How These Compare to Other Postcards
Compared to James Bond postcards, these sell more slowly and have a smaller buyer pool, although they can still be profitable at a low purchase price.
Compared to London Postcards by David Gentleman, these have less consistent demand and rely more on niche interest rather than general appeal.
They sit at the slower end of postcard stock, but can still contribute to overall catalogue performance over time.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy Them?
These are worth buying at very low cost as long-term stock.
Compared to themed postcards like James Bond, demand here is narrower and slower.
They are not suitable for building consistent monthly sales, but they can produce a profit over time when bought cheaply and managed as part of a larger postcard catalogue.
