Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How do I submit cards for grading?
2. What cards will we grade?
3. Are Grade My Cards cards priced in any price guides?
4. When sending my cards with protective coatings, is it better to remove/peel the coating or to leave it on?
5. How much does it cost for shipping and insurance when sending my cards?
6. Does Grade My Cards grade autographed cards?
7. Will you be attending/taking submissions or grading on site at card shows?
8. Explain your grading system.
9. How do I make a reservation to get my cards graded?
10. What grading service levels are available and what will it cost?
11. What do you look at when grading a card?
12. How much does it cost for international shipping?
13. Does Grade My Cards pre-grade cards?
14. What will the card holder look like?
15. Do you re-grade cards from other grading services or offer a cross grading service?
16. Who will be doing the grading?
17. Do you have a Population Report?
18. Which grading scale will be used?
19. Are there guarantees on the grade?
20. How will you ship my cards back to me?
21. Explain the Grade My Cards Guarantee, Turnaround Time and Deadline Date.

One of the basic features of Grade My Cards is ease of use. There are no clubs. You are  not asked to send in twenty card lots to get the lowest level of service. Everyone can be a part of Grade My Cards. Submission forms are available as follows:

They can be downloaded or printed out online from this web site.

Submission forms are also available in Sports Card Digest magazines.

Here are the steps to send cards.

1. Obtain a submission form from this web site or in our SCD magazines.

2. Enter all of the information required. Do not write in the box marked "Grade My Cards use only". Instructions for each section are linked to the sub form on the web page.

3. Make sure you have the current Grading, Shipping and insurance costs. You may do this by the web page or by calling 1800-354-3525 and selecting the relating option.

4. Package your cards. For the safety of your cards, we recommend that each card be submitted in a 3"x4" plastic top loader similar to the UltraPro. The top loaders you choose must be sturdy enough to protect your card. WE DO NOT ACCEPT HARD CARD SAVER ACRYLIC SCREW-DOWN OR SNAP TYPE HOLDERS. Please do not tape over the top of the top loader.

Place the cards in as small a box as is practical to prevent shifting and possible damage. Use bubble wrap or some packing material to protect the cards.

BE SURE TO ENCLOSE THE SUBMISSION FORM - Retain a copy for your records

To validate the turnaround guarantee, the words, "2  DAYS", "5 DAYS", or 10 DAYS or their abbreviations MUST be clearly marked on the outside packaging.

5. Choose a form of payment, check, money order or credit card. (Please do not send cash)

6. Ship all cards to: Grade My Cards 1606 N Front St  Phila PA 19122

7. Please call Grade My Cards if you need any help 215-634-8238

8. Customer will be called the day your cards arrive.

*Remember the FAQ can answer most questions you may have.

Checklist:

1. Call Grade My Cards first 215-634-8238
2. Have I completed the SUBMISSION FORM?
3. Am I using the current grading service costs? The web site is the most current!
3. Have I packaged my cards as Grade My Cards suggested?.
4. Am I sending cards Grade My Cards will not grade?
5. Have I included all of the cards I listed.
6. Have I included full payment?

7. Ship all cards "signature required ".

Currently,  Grade My Cards has three different sizes of holders (standard 3-½" x 2-½" 52-56 Topps and '89 Bowman). Grade My Cards will grade any licensed 1952 cards or later which will fit into these holders.

Grade My Cards does not grade cards larger than 1952 Topps or 1989 Bowman. (Example: GradeMyCards.com does not accept 1964 Topps Giants and 1969 through 1971 Basketball, etc.)  

Autographed Cards:
Grade My Cards will grade both your autographed cards and cards with "certified autographs". That is, cards issued by major manufacturers that carry additional design elements indicating the manufacturer has certified the autograph of the card. The autograph itself will NOT be authenticated. In cases where the autograph is smeared or smudged, the defect will be included in the cards grade.

We do not grade:

Minor League Cards, "Star Co." cards or the Tiger Woods Sports Illustrated for Kids cards.

At Grade My Cards we use a standard grading system to grade your cards. Our grading numbers are priced in SCD (Sports Card Digest) and Beckett card monthly.

The peel or no peel debate has been waging since the inception of the protective coating. One unknown factor has been that of the long-term effects of leaving the peel on. These coatings were never intended to remain on the cards long-term and only time will tell how well they will hold up, whether the cards are professionally graded and sealed or 'raw'. In terms of the grading  it is impossible to grade the surface beneath the coating. Thus, the coating itself must be treated as the surface and graded accordingly. Because these coatings are sometimes scratched, bubbled, or flared, unpeeled cards usually receive lower surface grades than peeled cards. On the other hand, graded non-peeled cards typically command premium values over peeled cards in the same condition.

FedEx ground cannot deliver to a US Post Office box - a street address is required.

FedEx
Shipments require customer's signature upon delivery.

FedEx Ground Shipping Fees

01-10 $10
11-20 $15
21-30 $20

Insurance:
Cost applies to any carrier and is based upon the declared value of the package.

Declared Value-Fee:
$0-$1000 $6.00
$1001-$2000 $10.50
$2001-$3000 $15.00
$3001-$4000 $19.50
$4001-$5000 $24.00
$4.50 for every additional $1000.00 (or portion thereof) in declared value

International Customers:
We do not ship internationally.

We will grade both uncertified autographed cards and "certified autographs". That is, cards issued by major manufacturers that carry additional design elements indicating the manufacturer has certified the autograph of the card. The autograph itself will NOT be authenticated. In cases where the autograph is smeared or smudged, the defect will be included in the grade.
 

Submissions and on site grading is available at Consolidated Sports in Philadelphia. In most cases cards can be graded while you wait. Call for times 215-463-2985.

Check this web site for a list of shows we plan to attend in the near future. All shows, dates, and activities listed are subject to change without notice.

A comprehensive training program has been developed based upon decades of in-house hobby expertise. Each card will be thoroughly analyzed in several key areas and assigned an overall grade based upon the accumulation of the individual characteristics.

If you are sending in 100 or more cards for the same service level a reservation is needed.
Submissions of 100 or more cards sent without a reservation will not be eligible for the Grade My Cards Guarantee.

To make a reservation please call 215-624-8238  M-F 11am to 4pm EST.
If you should need to leave a voice mail when calling for a reservation we will need you to tell us the following:
1. Your account number (if you have one)
2. Your full name (Please spell your last name)
3. The total number of cards you are intending to send to Grade My Cards.
4. The service level you are wishing to use.
5. Your telephone number and the best time to reach you.

You may also make the reservation via e-mail. Send your request with the above information.

Once we have reserved your space, an Account Executive will either call or email you the information you will need.

*Please remember Reservations must be all sports cards.

  Grade My Cards offers the following levels of service and
quantity discounts: Cost is per card. Choose one level only.

Here is the basic criteria for each grade and area.


Gem Mint 10

Centering: 50/50 one way, 55/45 the other on front. 60/40 or better on back

Corners: Mint to the naked eye, but slight imperfections allowed under magnification.

Edges: Virtually Mint to the naked eye. A speck of wear is allowed under intense scrutiny.

Surface: A few extremely minor print spots, detectable only under intense scrutiny. Deep color, devoid of registration or focus imperfections. Perfect gloss, devoid of scratches and metallic print lines

Mint 9

Centering: 55/45 both ways on front. 70/30 or better on back.

Corners: Mint upon close inspection. A speck of wear is allowed under intense scrutiny.

Edges: Virtually Mint to the naked eye. Unobtrusive specks of chipping on the borders are allowed.

Surface: A handful of printing specks or one minor spot. Very minor focus or color imperfections. Clean gloss with one or two tiny scratches barely noticeable to the naked eye. One faint, unobtrusive metallic print line is allowed.

Near Mint/Mint 8

Centering: 60/40 both ways or better on front. 80/20 or better on back.

Corners: Sharp to the naked eye, but slight imperfections allowed under close examination.

Edges: Relatively smooth borders. Specks of chipping visible to the naked eye are allowed.

Surface: A few minor print spots. Very minor color or focus imperfections. Solid gloss with very minor scratches detectable only upon close inspection. Or a subtle metallic print line.

Near Mint 7

Centering: 65/35 both ways or better on front. 90/10 or better on back. Very slight diamond cutting is allowed.

Corners: Very minor wear on two or three corners is allowed.

Edges: Slight roughness, minor chipping or very minor notching is allowed.

Surface: A few noticeable print spots or minor speckling is allowed. Minor color or focus imperfections. Very minor border discoloration. A very minor wax stain on back. Solid gloss with a few minor scratches detectable upon close inspection. A few metallic print lines.

Excellent Mint 6

Centering: 70/30 both ways or better on front. 95/5 or better on back. Slight diamond cutting is allowed.

Corners: Fuzzy corners, but free of dings and fraying.

Edges: Moderate roughness, moderate chipping or minor notching is allowed.

Surface: Noticeable print spots. Minor color or focus imperfections. Minor border discoloration and color or focus imperfections. Minor wax stains or extremely subtle ink marks. Relatively solid gloss with minor scratches, but devoid of scuffing. Noticeable metallic print lines.

Excellent 5

Centering: 75/25 both ways or better on front. 95/5 or better on back. Slight diamond cutting is allowed.

Corners: Four fuzzy corners, a touch of notching or a minor ding is allowed.

Edges: Noticeable roughness - but no layering. Very slight notching or noticeable chipping is allowed.

Surface: Noticeable print spots. Minor color or focus imperfections. Minor border discoloration. Minor wax stains or very light ink mark. Some gloss lost from surface with minor scratches, but devoid of scuffing.

Very Good/Excellent - 4

Centering: 80/20 both ways or better on front. 100/0 or better on back. Moderate diamond cutting is allowed.

Corners: Slight notching or layering, or moderate dings are allowed.

Edges: Readily chipped or notched and/or slightly layered.

Surface: Heavy print spots. Hairline creases. Moderate color or focus imperfections. Moderate border discoloration. Moderate wax stains. Very light ink mark or tape stain. A good deal of gloss lost from surface. Very minor scuffing or an extremely subtle tear in the form of a touch of broken surface paper.

Very Good 3

Centering: 85/15 both ways or better on front. 100/0 or better on back. Moderate diamond cutting is allowed.

Corners: Slightly rounded or noticeably notched corners with slight layering is allowed.

Edges: Heavy notching, moderate layering or heavy chipping is allowed.

Surface: Heavy print spots. Very minor creases. Noticeable color or focus imperfections. Noticeable border discoloration. Noticeable wax stains. Light ink mark or tape stain. Very little surface gloss. Minor scuffing or a very minor tear.

Good 2

Centering: 90/10 both ways or better on front. 100/0 or off cut on back. Noticeable diamond cutting is allowed.

Corners: Noticeably rounded or heavily notched corners with moderate layering.

Edges: Severely chipped, notched or layered.

Surface: Severe print spots. Noticeable creases. Noticeable color or focus imperfections. Noticeable border discoloration. Heavy wax stains. Moderate ink mark or tape stain. A surface devoid of gloss. Noticeable scuffing or a noticeable tear.

Poor 1

Centering: 100/0 or off cut on front or back. Heavy diamond cutting is allowed.

Corners: Heavily rounded or heavily notched with noticeable layering.

Edges: Destructive chipping, notching or layering.

Surface: Severe print spots. Heavy creases. Severe color or focus imperfections. Heavy border discoloration. Severe stains. No original gloss. Heavy scuffing or a severe tear.


**These are not rules, only general guidelines.

Sorry we do not ship internationally.

Yes at Grade My Cards you can submit cards for a minimum grade. There is a $3.00 charge to pre-grade your cards. If a card does not meet your grade it will not be sealed.

The Grade My Cards  holder will feature the following elements:

Sturdy crystal clear bonded outer shell.

A label will partially run across the top of the holder. Each label will feature the set name, the grade and a specific ID.

Extreme precautions have been taken to prevent counterfeiting of the label and the holder.


Visit here for a closer look.

Yes at Grade My Cards we do offer a regrading or cross-grading service.

Only "Grade My Cards Certified Graders" with no less then ten years in the hobby are allowed to grade cards. Each grader must pass a certification training program based upon some of the hobby's finest sources in grading, tampering detection and counterfeit prevention.

Yes. Our Population Report is available at no extra charge. 

Grade My Cards  will use a 1 through 10 point scale.

1. We will provide all Grade My Cards customers with the finest, most thorough, consistent and accurate grading efforts available in the hobby. Disputed grades on cards are limited to typographical errors on the label (i.e., the wrong set name). Remember a grade on a card is just a third party opinion.
2. Grade My Cards will attempt to grade cards within the time frame offered. However, Grade My Cards will have no liability whatsoever to the customer for incidental or consequential damages due to Grade My Cards failure to meet any time frame.
3. Grade My Cards will not grade cards which bear evidence of trimming, re-coloring, restoration or any other form of tampering, or are of questionable authenticity. In the event Grade My Cards rejects any card for grading, the fee paid by the customer for the services WILL NOT be refunded because the determination to rejects a card will require a review by PRO's grading experts.
4. Grading involves individual judgments that are subjective and require the exercise of professional opinions which can change from time to time. Therefore, Grade My Cards makes no guarantee or representation and shall have no liability whatsoever to the customer for the grade assigned by Grade My Cards  to any card.
5. Grade My Cards will exercise reasonable care in handling cards submitted for grading. However, if Grade My Cards determines that the customer's cards was lost or damaged while in  Grade My Cards possession, the customer will be compensated in accordance with Grade My Cards standard procedures and not necessarily based upon the insured value the customer assigned to the card.
6. The customer must inspect all cards immediately upon receipt and report and damages or discrepancy to Grade My Cards within five (5) days of the customer's receipt of the cards
7. Grade My Cards shall have no liability whatsoever to the customer for any damages to any cards, or otherwise, resulting from the breaking open of a any third party card holder.
8. Grade My Cards shall have no liability whatsoever to the customer for any damage to any card that Grade My Cards can reasonable demonstrate occurred while not in the custody or control of Grade My Cards.
9. IT IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY THAT THE CARDS SUBMITTED FOR GRADING TO Grade My Cards BE PACKAGED AND SHIPPED STRICTLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE Grade My Cards SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS. Grade My Cards SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY DAMAGES TO ANY CARD SHIPPED OR DELIVERED TO Grade My Cards IN A MANNER THAT DOES NOT STRICTLY CONFORM TO Grade My Cards WRITTEN SPECIFICATIONS.
10. Except as expressly set forth herein, Grade My Cards disclaims any and all warranties, expressed or implied, regarding our services.

Grade My Cards will use standard UPS ground shipping unless otherwise specified. Grade My Cards  will ship cards via USPS registered mail if the declared value of a package is $1000 or greater. All items are shipped, traced and signature required for your protection. Grade My Cards  reserves the right to change carriers without notice.

Our Guarantee: Grade My Cards will provide collectors with the finest, most thorough, consistent and accurate grading efforts available in the industry. Disputed grades on cards are limited to typographical errors on the label (i.e., the wrong set name).

Turnaround Time: This is the time in which the cards are in our possession at the Grade My Cards facility (time in transit, weekends and holidays are excluded) and begin the first business day after your order is received. Failure to meet our deadlines will result in a customer refund.

Grade My Cards shall not be deemed to be in default of or to have breached any provision of this guarantee as a result of any delay, failure in performance or interruption of the Services, resulting directly or indirectly from acts of God, acts of civil or military authority, civil disturbance, war, fire, floods, epidemics, quarantine restrictions, strikes, freight embargoes, transportation contingencies, shortages of facilities, fuel, energy, labor or materials, or laws, regulations, acts or order of any government agency or official thereof, other catastrophes, delays of subcontractors or suppliers arising from unforeseeable causes beyond the control and without the fault or negligence of either the Contractor or the subcontractors or suppliers, or any other circumstances beyond Provider's reasonable control. In the event of any such delay or failure, the parties shall defer performance of the Services to a date and time mutually agreeable.

Deadline date: The deadline date is the date your order is scheduled to leave Grade My Cards.

Grade My Cards does not guarantee the actual delivery date.

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