Question 1

What is card grading?

Accepted Answer

Card grading is a process where a third-party company (PSA, BGS, CGC) authenticates a trading card, evaluates its condition on a 1–10 scale, encases it in a tamper-evident plastic slab, and issues a verifiable serial number. The graded card is then sellable as a known, certified asset whose authenticity and condition can't be disputed — which significantly increases its market value for high-grade cards.

Question 2

Why should I grade a card?

Accepted Answer

Three reasons: (1) Authentication — proof your card is real. (2) Condition certification — independent verification that your card is in the condition you claim. (3) Value preservation — the sealed slab protects against wear, and a PSA 10 card typically commands 2–3× the price of an ungraded same card. Grading is most valuable for high-value modern chase cards in apparent Mint condition.

Question 3

What grading services do you offer?

Accepted Answer

We offer PSA grading — the most recognized and liquid grading service globally, with the highest resale premium on graded cards. BGS and CGC are mentioned only as alternatives we don't currently offer. PSA is our exclusive submission partner because its grades have the strongest secondary-market value in the Pokémon and One Piece TCG categories.

Question 4

What are your grading tiers?

Accepted Answer

Three volume tiers — Bulk (20+ cards), Value (10–19 cards), and Value+ (5–9 cards) — are currently paused by PSA; join the waitlist on our grading page and we'll notify you when they reopen. Grading is currently available from SAR 499 per card. Lower per-card pricing on the volume tiers reflects the bulk shipping rate to PSA.

Question 5

How does the grading process work?

Accepted Answer

Five steps: (1) You ship your cards to our Riyadh grading hub (or drop off). (2) We check each card against PSA's pre-grading requirements (no creases, no surface damage, etc.) and reject any unsuitable cards before submission. (3) We bulk-ship to PSA's authentication facility. (4) PSA grades — 40–50 business days from receipt on the Regular tier. (5) Cards return to us in PSA slabs, and we ship them back to you.

Question 6

How long does grading take?

Accepted Answer

PSA quotes 40–50 business days from when PSA receives your cards on the Regular tier, plus shipping each way. The variance depends on PSA's current backlog — submission turnaround times are public on psacard.com. We notify you at each stage: when your cards arrive at our hub, when they ship to PSA, when PSA logs them in, when they're being graded, and when graded cards return to us for final delivery.

Question 7

What does a PSA grade mean?

Accepted Answer

PSA grades on a 1–10 scale. PSA 10 = Gem Mint (essentially perfect, virtually no flaws under magnification). PSA 9 = Mint (a tiny imperfection allowed). PSA 8 = Near Mint–Mint. PSA 7 = Near Mint. Below 7 = various degrees of Played/Excellent/Good condition. Half-grades (e.g. PSA 9.5) aren't issued by PSA. Most high-value modern card sales are PSA 9 or PSA 10.

Question 8

What's the value difference between PSA 9 and PSA 10?

Accepted Answer

For modern Pokémon chase cards, PSA 10 typically sells for 2–3× a PSA 9, sometimes 5×+ for elite chase cards (Surging Sparks Pikachu, Charizard ex SIRs, etc.). For vintage cards, PSA 10s on Base Set Charizard can be 50–100× a PSA 9. The premium reflects scarcity — PSA 10s are statistically rare even on apparent-Mint cards. We do not guarantee a grade outcome — that's PSA's call.

Question 9

Which cards are worth grading?

Accepted Answer

High-value modern chase cards in apparent Gem-Mint condition with a realistic shot at PSA 10. Vintage cards (Base Set, Jungle, Fossil) in apparent NM–Mint condition. Cards where the PSA 10 premium clearly exceeds the grading cost (from SAR 499 + shipping). Not worth grading: low-value commons, played cards (PSA 1–7 grades don't command much premium), or cards you know have obvious flaws (centering, edge wear, surface scratches).