Premium Golden Grading — Terms & Conditions

Last updated: 24th Oct 2024

These Terms & Conditions apply when you use the Premium Golden Grading website, place an order, submit cards for grading, or use any of our grading, encapsulation, authentication review, photography, storage, return postage or related services.

By placing an order or sending cards to Premium Golden Grading, you agree to these Terms & Conditions.

1. About Us

Premium Golden Grading provides grading and encapsulation services for collectible trading cards, with a primary focus on football cards.

For the purposes of these terms, “we”, “us” and “our” refer to Premium Golden Grading. “You”, “your” and “customer” refer to the person placing an order, using our website or submitting cards to us.

2. Our Services

Premium Golden Grading may provide one or more of the following services:

Football card grading

Trading card grading

Card condition assessment

Card encapsulation/slabbing

Label creation

Card photography

Order processing

Return postage

Related services agreed at the time of order

The exact service supplied will depend on the order placed and the service level selected.

3. Grading Is an Opinion

Card grading is a professional opinion based on the condition of the card at the time it is assessed.

The grade assigned is based on our judgement, grading standards and inspection process. It may take into account factors including, but not limited to:

Corners

Edges

Surface

Centreing

Print quality

Creases

Dents

Scratches

Indentations

Staining

Alteration concerns

Overall presentation

Grading is subjective. Different grading companies may reach different opinions on the same card. We do not guarantee that another grading company, buyer, seller, auction house or marketplace would assign the same grade.

4. No Guarantee of Value

A grade does not guarantee the financial value, resale value, investment performance or future market demand of a card.

The value of football cards and trading cards can rise or fall due to market conditions, player performance, rarity, demand, supply, economic conditions, buyer preference and other factors outside our control.

We are not responsible for any loss of value, expected profit, missed sale, failed resale or market change following grading.

5. Customer Responsibility Before Sending Cards

You are responsible for ensuring that all cards submitted to us are genuine, legally owned by you and suitable for grading.

You must package your cards securely and use an appropriate tracked and insured postal or courier service when sending cards to us.

We strongly recommend that you insure the parcel for the full replacement value of the cards being sent.

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, your cards remain your responsibility until they have been safely delivered to and received by us.

We are not responsible for cards that are lost, delayed or damaged in transit before they arrive with us. Any claim for loss or damage before delivery to us should be made by you directly with the postal provider or courier used.

6. Receipt of Cards

When cards arrive with us, we may photograph or video the parcel, packaging and contents.

This is done for record-keeping, security, order verification and to help resolve any condition or quantity disputes.

If a parcel appears damaged, tampered with, incomplete or inconsistent with the order information provided, we may contact you before proceeding.

7. Condition on Arrival

We are not responsible for pre-existing damage, defects, marks, wear, manufacturing issues, surface lines, corner damage, edge wear, creases, dents, stains, print defects or other issues that were present before the card arrived with us.

Our inspection process may identify issues that were not visible in customer photographs or descriptions.

A card may receive a lower grade than expected because of defects discovered during inspection.

8. Handling of Cards

We will take reasonable care when handling, inspecting, photographing, grading, encapsulating and returning submitted cards.

However, trading cards are delicate collectible items. Minor pre-existing weaknesses, hidden defects or fragile condition may become more apparent during normal handling and inspection.

Nothing in these terms excludes our responsibility to provide services with reasonable care and skill.

9. Declared Value

You may be asked to declare the estimated value of cards submitted.

The declared value is used for order processing, return postage, insurance guidance and internal handling purposes. It is not a formal valuation by us and does not guarantee the card’s market value.

You are responsible for ensuring that the declared value is accurate and that appropriate postage insurance is selected.

10. Turnaround Times

Any turnaround times shown on our website, order form, marketing material or emails are estimates only.

Turnaround times may vary depending on order volume, card quantity, service level, staffing, postal delays, payment delays, query resolution, security checks or other circumstances outside our reasonable control.

We will make reasonable efforts to complete orders within the stated timeframe, but turnaround times are not guaranteed unless expressly agreed in writing.

11. Authentication and Refusal to Grade

Our grading process may include a review of whether a card appears suitable for grading.

We reserve the right to refuse to grade, encapsulate or return a grade for any card where we reasonably believe there may be concerns regarding:

Authenticity

Alteration

Trimming

Recolouring

Pressing

Restoration

Tampering

Counterfeit status

Ownership

Offensive content

Unsuitability for encapsulation

Any other concern we consider relevant

If we decline to grade a card, we may return the card ungraded. Fees will still be payable for inspection, handling, administration and postage.

12. Encapsulation and Slabs

Once graded, cards may be sealed in a protective holder/slab.

The slab is designed to protect and display the card, but it does not make the card indestructible, waterproof, heatproof or immune from future damage.

You should store graded cards carefully and avoid excessive heat, moisture, bending pressure, impact, direct sunlight or other harmful conditions.

We are not responsible for damage caused after the card has been returned to you or delivered to the address provided.

13. Label Information

We make reasonable efforts to ensure that grading labels are accurate.

Label information may include details such as player name, card set, year, card number, variation, parallel, serial number, grade and other identifying information.

Customers are responsible for providing accurate information when submitting cards.

If a label contains an error caused by incorrect information supplied by the customer, a correction fee and postage cost may apply.

If a label contains an error caused by us, we will take reasonable steps to correct it. Our liability will normally be limited to correcting the label and, where appropriate, covering reasonable return postage for the correction.

14. Errors and Omissions

We make reasonable efforts to ensure that information on our website, order forms, labels, invoices, emails and marketing material is accurate.

However, genuine errors or omissions may occasionally occur. These may include, but are not limited to:

Pricing errors

Typographical errors

Service description errors

Turnaround estimate errors

Label information errors

Website content errors

Order processing errors

Where an error is identified, we reserve the right to correct it and, where necessary, contact you to agree a fair resolution.

15. Customer Images and Records

By submitting cards to us, you agree that we may photograph or video the cards for internal records, order tracking, security, quality control, insurance purposes and dispute resolution.

We may also request permission to use images of graded cards for marketing, social media or promotional purposes.

We will not intentionally publish your personal details without your consent.

16. Payment

All fees must be paid in accordance with the order process shown on our website or invoice.

We may delay processing or return of cards until all relevant grading fees, service fees, correction fees, return postage charges or other amounts owed have been paid.

17. Return Postage

We will return cards to the address provided by you.

You are responsible for providing accurate and complete return delivery information.

We will use a tracked postal or courier service where appropriate. Insurance may depend on the service selected and the declared value provided.

Once cards have been dispatched, responsibility for delivery may pass to the postal provider or courier, subject to your statutory rights and any failure by us to use reasonable care in arranging the return.

We are not responsible for delays caused by postal providers, couriers, customs, incorrect addresses, failed delivery attempts or events outside our reasonable control.

18. Lost or Damaged Return Parcels

If a return parcel is lost or damaged after dispatch, we will assist where reasonable with any postal or courier claim.

Any compensation available may be limited to the level of cover provided by the delivery service used.

It is your responsibility to ensure that the declared value and delivery service selected are suitable for the cards submitted.

19. Cancellation

Because grading services are personalised and begin once your order is processed, your cancellation rights may be limited once work has started.

If you wish to cancel an order, you should contact us as soon as possible.

If work has not yet started, we may be able to cancel and refund the grading fee, less any payment processing, administration, handling or postage costs already incurred.

If work has already started, fees may remain payable.

This does not affect your statutory rights.

20. No Responsibility for Third-Party Decisions

We are independent from third-party grading companies, marketplaces, auction houses, card databases, sellers, buyers and collectors.

We are not responsible for whether third parties accept, recognise, value, list, purchase or agree with our grades.

We do not guarantee that our grades will be treated the same as grades issued by any other grading company.

21. Counterfeit, Stolen or Suspicious Cards

By submitting cards, you confirm that you are the legal owner of the cards or have authority from the legal owner to submit them.

You confirm that the cards are not stolen, counterfeit or subject to any ownership dispute.

If we reasonably suspect that cards are stolen, counterfeit, altered, fraudulent or subject to a legal dispute, we reserve the right to pause the order, request further information, refuse grading, report concerns to relevant parties or authorities, and/or return or retain items where legally required.

22. Limitation of Liability

We will provide our services with reasonable care and skill.

Nothing in these terms limits or excludes liability where it would be unlawful to do so, including liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, or your statutory rights as a consumer.

Subject to the above, we are not liable for:

Loss caused by incorrect information supplied by you

Loss, delay or damage caused by postal or courier services before items are received by us

Market value changes

Disagreement with grades assigned

Third-party disagreement with our grading opinion

Loss of profit, resale value, opportunity or investment return

Indirect or consequential losses

Damage caused after delivery back to you

Loss caused by failure to select suitable postage or insurance

Our liability for any proven loss or damage caused by our failure to use reasonable care will be assessed fairly and reasonably in the circumstances and may take into account the declared value, evidence of market value, the service purchased and the facts of the issue.

23. Customer Conduct

We reserve the right to refuse service, cancel orders or restrict future submissions where a customer acts abusively, dishonestly, fraudulently, threateningly, unreasonably or in breach of these terms.

24. Website Information

Information on our website is provided for general guidance only.

We aim to keep information accurate and up to date, but we do not guarantee that all website content is complete, current or error-free.

Services, prices, turnaround times and processes may change from time to time.

25. Privacy

We will use your personal information to process your order, communicate with you, provide our services, keep business records, manage delivery and comply with legal obligations.

A separate Privacy Policy should explain how we collect, use, store and protect personal data.

26. Complaints

If you have a complaint, please contact us as soon as possible.

Please provide your name, order reference, contact details, photographs where relevant, and a clear explanation of the issue.

We will review complaints fairly and aim to resolve issues within a reasonable time.

27. Governing Law

These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

Any disputes will be subject to the courts of England and Wales, unless consumer law gives you the right to bring a claim elsewhere in the UK.

28. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms & Conditions from time to time.

The version in force at the time you place your order will usually apply to that order.