1. About Our Grading Service

PokeOutpost provides a professional trading-card grading service designed to assess the condition, presentation and, where applicable, authenticity of submitted cards.

Depending on the service selected, PokeOutpost may provide:

• Card inspection and condition assessment
• Surface assessment
• Corner assessment
• Edge assessment
• Centreing assessment
• Print-quality assessment
• Authenticity checks
• Numerical or equivalent grading
• Encapsulation
• PokeOutpost grading label
• Unique certificate number
• Digital certificate information
• Online certificate verification

2. Formation of the Grading Contract

A grading contract is formed when PokeOutpost accepts the customer's grading order or submission and the applicable service and price have been agreed.

Submission of a card does not automatically guarantee that PokeOutpost will grade or certify it.

PokeOutpost may refuse a submission where there is a legitimate reason to do so, including the circumstances described in these terms.

3. Card Submission

Customers must ensure that cards submitted for grading are:

• Properly packaged and protected.
• Accompanied by accurate submission information.
• Lawfully owned or lawfully possessed.
• Suitable for submission.
• Free from prohibited materials or dangerous substances.

Customers remain responsible for their cards until they have been safely received by PokeOutpost.

PokeOutpost is not responsible for loss or damage occurring before a card has been received by PokeOutpost, except where applicable law provides otherwise.

4. Card Condition on Arrival

Customers acknowledge that cards may contain damage, defects, print issues or alterations before submission.

PokeOutpost may record the condition of cards when they arrive.

Photographs or other records may be created for grading, identification, verification, quality control, fraud prevention and customer-service purposes.

Pre-existing damage does not create liability for PokeOutpost.

5. Authenticity

PokeOutpost may conduct authenticity checks as part of the selected grading service.

If a card is suspected to be counterfeit, fraudulent, altered or otherwise unsuitable for certification, PokeOutpost may refuse to assign a standard grade.

Where a card cannot reasonably be authenticated, PokeOutpost may return the card without assigning a grade.

6. Altered Cards

Cards showing evidence of alteration may receive an altered designation, non-standard result, authentication refusal or may be rejected from grading.

Potential alterations may include:

• Trimming
• Recolouring
• Cleaning
• Surface manipulation
• Restoration
• Reprinting
• Ink alteration
• Corner modification
• Edge modification
• Other artificial improvements

PokeOutpost reserves the right to determine whether a card appears to have been altered based on its published grading standards and professional assessment.

7. Grading Standards

Cards are assessed according to PokeOutpost's published grading standards applicable to the relevant service.

The assessment may consider:

1. Centreing
2. Corners
3. Edges
4. Surface
5. Print quality
6. Other relevant condition characteristics

The final grade is determined using PokeOutpost's grading methodology.

Manufacturing defects may be considered where relevant.

The grade represents the professional opinion of the grader at the time of assessment.

8. Subjective Nature of Grading

Card grading involves professional judgement.

Different qualified graders may occasionally reach different conclusions about the same card.

A customer's disagreement with a grade does not, by itself, establish that the service was performed incorrectly.

PokeOutpost does not guarantee that its grade will match the grade assigned by another grading company.

9. Final Grades

Once grading has been completed and a certificate has been issued, the assigned grade will normally be treated as the final grading result for that submission.

Customers may request a review or re-grade where PokeOutpost offers such a service.

A review does not guarantee a higher grade.

Following review, the card may retain the same grade or receive a different grade where justified by the assessment.

10. Certificates & Verification

Certified cards may receive a unique PokeOutpost certificate number.

Where an online verification system is available, the certificate number may be used to check the associated certification record.

Verification information may include:

• Certificate number
• Card name
• Set
• Card number
• Grade
• Card photograph
• Certification information
• Certification date

PokeOutpost may correct genuine administrative or database errors and may update verification information where reasonably necessary.

11. Certificate Ownership & Use

Certificate numbers are issued for identification and verification purposes.

A certificate number must not be copied, duplicated, transferred to another card, altered or used fraudulently.

PokeOutpost may cancel or deactivate a certificate record where there is credible evidence of fraud, duplication, manipulation or misuse.

12. Encapsulation

Where encapsulation forms part of the selected service, PokeOutpost will place the graded card inside an appropriate protective holder.

Encapsulation is intended to protect and present the card but does not make it completely immune from damage.

Customers should protect encapsulated cards from impact, excessive pressure, heat, moisture, chemicals and improper storage.

13. Turnaround Times

Any stated turnaround time is an estimate unless PokeOutpost expressly confirms a guaranteed service time in writing.

Processing times may be affected by:

• Submission volumes
• Staffing
• Equipment problems
• Postal delays
• Supplier delays
• Technical problems
• Operational disruption
• Events outside PokeOutpost's reasonable control

PokeOutpost will make reasonable efforts to communicate significant delays.

Where applicable law gives a customer a remedy because a service has not been provided within an agreed or reasonable time, those rights are not excluded by these terms.

14. Grading Fees

Grading fees are payable according to the service selected when the order is placed.

Additional charges may apply for services including:

• Express grading
• Additional authentication
• Reholdering
• Regrading
• Certificate replacement
• Return postage
• Special handling

Where reasonably practicable, PokeOutpost will inform the customer before carrying out additional chargeable work.

15. Payment

Payment must be successfully received before PokeOutpost is required to begin the applicable paid service, unless another arrangement has been expressly agreed.

If payment fails, is reversed, disputed or remains unpaid, PokeOutpost may pause the submission until the payment issue has been resolved.

PokeOutpost may charge only amounts that are properly due under the agreed service and applicable law.

16. Shipping to PokeOutpost

Customers are responsible for safely packaging cards before sending them to PokeOutpost.

Appropriate protective materials may include:

• Penny sleeves
• Semi-rigid card holders
• Protective packaging
• Secure outer packaging
• Appropriate cushioning

For valuable cards, customers are strongly encouraged to use tracked and appropriately insured postal services.

17. Return Shipping

Once grading has been completed, cards will normally be returned using the shipping method selected or offered by PokeOutpost.

Customers are responsible for providing an accurate and complete return address.

PokeOutpost is not responsible for delivery problems caused by an incorrect or incomplete address supplied by the customer, subject to applicable law.

18. Loss or Damage During Transit

PokeOutpost will take reasonable care when packaging cards for return.

Where a card is lost or damaged during postal transit, responsibility will depend on the circumstances, the carrier, available insurance and applicable legal rights.

Customers should retain postal receipts, tracking details and evidence of shipment.

19. Damage While in PokeOutpost's Possession

PokeOutpost will take reasonable care of cards while they are in its possession.

If a card is damaged while directly in PokeOutpost's possession as a result of PokeOutpost failing to take reasonable care, PokeOutpost will investigate and provide an appropriate remedy in accordance with applicable law.

Pre-existing damage or defects are not the responsibility of PokeOutpost.

20. Liability

Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability where doing so would be unlawful.

In particular, these terms do not exclude or restrict statutory consumer rights or liability that cannot legally be excluded or restricted.

Subject to those rights and legal requirements, PokeOutpost will be responsible for loss or damage caused by its failure to exercise reasonable care and skill where applicable.

21. Market Value

A PokeOutpost grade is a condition assessment and does not constitute a valuation.

The grade does not guarantee:

• A particular sale price
• A particular investment return
• Future appreciation
• Collector demand
• Acceptance by another grading company
• Acceptance by a particular marketplace

Trading-card values can change significantly over time.

22. Regrading & Grading Disputes

If a customer believes a grading error has occurred, they should contact PokeOutpost using the contact details below and provide the relevant certificate number.

PokeOutpost may offer an internal review or regrading process.

A review may consider:

• Centreing
• Corners
• Edges
• Surface
• Print quality
• Authenticity
• Alteration
• Overall condition

The outcome of any review will be based on the applicable PokeOutpost grading standards.

23. Cancellation Before Grading

Customers may request cancellation before the grading service has been completed.

Where the customer has a statutory cancellation right, PokeOutpost will honour that right in accordance with applicable consumer legislation.

If the customer has expressly requested that grading begin during a statutory cancellation period, the customer may be responsible for the proportionate cost of services already supplied where the law permits this.

Where a service has been fully performed following the customer's express request and the customer has acknowledged the relevant legal consequences, any statutory cancellation right that has lawfully ended will not be recreated by these terms.

24. Refunds

Refunds will be handled in accordance with the service purchased, these terms and applicable consumer law.

A refund may be available where PokeOutpost has not provided the agreed service, where the customer has a valid statutory cancellation right, or where another legal or contractual remedy applies.

A customer's disappointment with the grade alone does not automatically create a right to a refund where the grading service has been properly performed.

Where a refund is due, PokeOutpost will normally process it using the original payment method unless another method is agreed or required by law.

25. Refusal of Service

PokeOutpost may refuse to grade or certify a card where there is a legitimate reason to do so.

Reasons may include:

• Suspected counterfeit cards
• Suspected stolen property
• Altered cards
• Unsafe submissions
• Cards that cannot reasonably be assessed
• Incomplete information
• Non-payment
• Fraudulent activity
• Abusive or threatening behaviour
• Other legitimate operational or legal reasons

Where appropriate, rejected cards will be returned to the customer.

26. Cards That Cannot Be Graded

Some cards may be unsuitable for a standard grade because they cannot reasonably be assessed, authenticated, encapsulated or processed using the selected service.

In such circumstances, PokeOutpost may return the card without assigning a standard grade.

Where a service cannot be completed, PokeOutpost will consider the appropriate remedy based on the circumstances, the service purchased and applicable law.

27. Customer Responsibilities

Customers are responsible for:

• Providing accurate information.
• Paying applicable charges.
• Packaging cards appropriately.
• Providing a correct return address.
• Checking returned cards upon delivery.
• Keeping certificate information secure.
• Informing PokeOutpost of relevant problems promptly.
• Ensuring they have the legal right to submit the card.

28. Underage Customers

Customers under 18 should only use PokeOutpost grading services with the involvement and permission of a parent or legal guardian where required.

PokeOutpost may request confirmation of age or guardian consent where reasonably necessary.

29. Fraud & Misuse

PokeOutpost takes fraud and certificate manipulation seriously.

It is prohibited to:

• Duplicate PokeOutpost certificates.
• Alter PokeOutpost labels.
• Modify grading records.
• Misrepresent an ungraded card as graded.
• Attach a certificate to another card.
• Falsely advertise a card as PokeOutpost certified.
• Manipulate the verification system.
• Use a genuine certificate number with a different card.

PokeOutpost may cancel or deactivate fraudulent certification records and take appropriate legal or other action where necessary.

30. Unclaimed Cards

Customers should respond promptly to any request from PokeOutpost concerning a submission, payment, address or return delivery.

If a returned card cannot be delivered and is returned to PokeOutpost, PokeOutpost will make reasonable efforts to contact the customer using the contact details provided.

Additional reasonable return or storage costs may apply where permitted by law and where the customer is responsible for the failed delivery or collection.

PokeOutpost will not simply treat an unclaimed card as its own property without following applicable legal requirements.

31. Changes to Grading Standards

PokeOutpost may update its grading standards, procedures and service offerings from time to time.

Changes will generally apply to new submissions made after the relevant change takes effect.

Where a submission has already been received, PokeOutpost will normally use the standards and procedures applicable to that submission, subject to operational and legal requirements.

32. Privacy & Records

Personal information supplied during the grading process will be handled in accordance with PokeOutpost's Privacy Policy and applicable UK data-protection requirements.

Information may be required for:

• Processing submissions
• Payment
• Shipping
• Customer communication
• Certificate management
• Fraud prevention
• Legal and regulatory requirements

PokeOutpost may retain grading and certification records for legitimate business, verification, fraud-prevention, accounting and legal purposes.

33. Complaints

Customers who are dissatisfied with the service should first contact PokeOutpost so that the matter can be investigated.

Complaints should include the customer's name, submission or certificate number where applicable, and a clear description of the issue.

PokeOutpost will review complaints reasonably and will aim to provide an appropriate response.

Nothing in this complaints process prevents a customer from exercising any statutory rights or remedies available under applicable law.

34. Governing Law & Consumer Rights

These Grading Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales, unless applicable consumer law requires otherwise.

Any dispute will be subject to the applicable courts of England and Wales, while recognising any mandatory consumer rights that apply to customers elsewhere in the United Kingdom.

Nothing in these terms removes or restricts statutory consumer rights that cannot legally be excluded or restricted.

Where PokeOutpost provides services to consumers, applicable UK consumer protection legislation continues to apply.