Terms of Service

Draft placeholder — last updated build.

This page is a structural placeholder, not legal advice or a finished policy. Before this site goes live, this document needs to be drafted or reviewed by a small-business/e-commerce attorney — especially the liability, insurance, and coverage-cap language, which needs to hold up legally, not just read well. Do not rely on this text for a real submission.

1. Acceptance of Terms

By submitting cards to Verdict Certified Grading ("VCG," "we," "us") for grading, you agree to these Terms of Service. If you do not agree, do not submit cards or use this site's order form.

2. Services Provided

VCG provides third-party authentication and grading services for sports cards and trading card games (TCG). We assign a numeric grade based on our internal standards and encapsulate graded cards with either a standard or art-matched label, per your selection.

Accepted card specifications: VCG currently only accepts standard-thickness cards, up to 35pt. We do not currently accept oversized or thick cards, including jersey/manufactured patch cards or any card that does not fit a standard 35pt holder. Cards submitted outside this specification may be returned unprocessed at the customer's expense. This limitation may be updated as VCG adds support for additional card formats.

3. Submission & Ownership

By submitting cards, you represent that you are the lawful owner of the cards or are authorized to submit them on the owner's behalf.

4. Grading Is Not a Guarantee

Grades reflect VCG's assessment at the time of review under our published standards. Grades are subjective evaluations and are not a guarantee of a card's market value, future value, or acceptance by any third party.

5. Coverage & Insurance

Every submission is automatically covered up to a baseline amount of $100 total while in VCG's possession. Customers may declare additional value on the order form for additional coverage at an added cost, calculated as described on the order form at the time of submission.

[PLACEHOLDER — replace before launch]: This baseline figure and the additional-coverage pricing model must be confirmed against VCG's actual bailee's/inland marine insurance policy before this page is published live. The final language should also clarify: (a) what portion of coverage is backed by USPS's included shipping insurance versus VCG's own policy, and (b) the claims process for lost or damaged cards.

6. What May Void a Grade or Result in No Grade

[PLACEHOLDER]: Cards found to be altered, trimmed, recolored, counterfeit, or otherwise materially misrepresented may be returned without a numeric grade, or with a note indicating the finding. Full criteria to be finalized with VCG's grading team.

7. Turnaround Times

Turnaround times listed on the Services & Pricing page are estimates based on the service tier selected and are not guaranteed delivery dates.

8. Payment

[PLACEHOLDER]: Payment terms will be finalized once VCG's payment processor is selected and connected to the live order form.

9. Limitation of Liability

[PLACEHOLDER — attorney review required]: VCG's liability for any submission is limited to the coverage amount described in Section 5, except where prohibited by law. This section requires attorney drafting before launch.

10. Governing Law

[PLACEHOLDER]: To be finalized once VCG's business entity is formed and its state of formation/registration is confirmed.

11. Changes to These Terms

VCG may update these Terms from time to time. Continued use of our submission process after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

12. Contact

Questions about these Terms can be sent to support@vcgcards.com.