Condition Guide
We grade every card by hand before listing it. This page shows exactly what each grade allows, so you know what to expect before you buy. Our assessments follow eBay's published card grading guidelines, so the wording should look familiar if you buy trading cards elsewhere.
The grades we use
| Grade | What it means |
|---|---|
| Sealed | Factory sealed and never opened. Sold exactly as it left the manufacturer. We do not open sealed products to inspect the contents. |
| Near Mint or Better |
Looks essentially new. The table below shows exactly how much wear this grade allows.
This is the grade for most of the cards in our store. |
| Played | Wear beyond the Near Mint range. We state the specific flaw in the listing, show it in the photos, and price the card accordingly. |
What "Near Mint or Better" allows
A card stays in this grade only if every item below is within range. If any one of them is exceeded, we list it as Played instead.
| Near Mint or Better | Played | |
|---|---|---|
| Corners | Minor corner wear | Visible rounding or damage |
| Edges | Minor chipping | Chipping across an edge, tears, paper loss |
| Discoloration | None | Any visible discoloration |
| Surface indentations | Minor | Moderate or major dents |
| Creases | None | Any crease or surface wrinkle |
| Scratching / scuffing | Minor | Moderate or major |
| Staining | None | Any staining |
Based on eBay's official trading card condition guidelines.
About the photos
We often carry multiple copies of the same card. The one you receive may differ slightly from the exact copy pictured. Thank you for understanding in advance.
Cards may show slight edge whitening from the factory, but no obvious scratches or dents.
What we do not guarantee
Grading outcomes. Our grades describe the card as we see it. They are not a prediction of what PSA, BGS or any other service would assign. If you are buying to submit for grading, please judge from the photos and buy only if you are satisfied.
Centering. Print centering varies from card to card and is not guaranteed.
Questions before you buy?
Just ask. Send us the card name and what you would like to know, and we will get back to you before you place an order.