3. Products or Services
3.1 Black Label Grading Submissions
Please note that the following guidance applies equally to Beckett, CGC, SGC and PSA submissions.
It is up to the individual to submit their cards safely to Black Label Grading Ltd. We are not responsible for any damage, loss or theft whilst the cards are in transit from you to us.
Submissions must contain an order number. If a package is received without an order number, we will hold onto the cards for 12 months or until the individual comes forward with ownership details.
The term “Submission Deadline” refers to the cutoff date and time for accepting deliveries for the next submission. Any trading cards received after this deadline will be held for the next submission (usually, but not always, this will be the following month).
All cards will be treated as owned by the person who makes the order. We do not knowingly take submissions from persons under 18 years of age. If you are under 18 years old and wish to submit cards, please ask an adult to do this on your behalf.
If you do not wish to have your submissions featured on our social media channels, please make this known when your order is placed. By showing your interest in having your cards featured on our social channels, this does not explicitly mean they will be. We will try our best to feature as many submissions as possible.
3.2 Shipping
Black Label Grading uses FedEx for all shipments to and from Beckett Grading Services, CGC, SGC & PSA Grading. For these shipments, each card within the parcels is covered up to a maximum of £1000 per card, based on the raw card market value.
Return Journey Liability Coverage:
For CGC, SGC and PSA, the return journey is covered by their respective policies.
For the return journey from Beckett Grading Services, Black Label Grading Ltd. adopts a liability-based approach to cover the graded cards.
Liability Terms for Return Journey:
- Coverage Limit: We accept liability for physical loss or damage to the goods during the return journey, covering the market value of the graded card, relevant to its condition, up to a maximum of £1000.
- Exclusions: Liability coverage does not extend to amounts exceeding the market value of £1000. In cases where the market value of the graded card surpasses this limit, we shall not be held responsible for the excess amount.
- Conditions: The liability coverage is subject to the conditions outlined under the ‘Products & Services’ section.
- Acknowledgment: By using our services, you acknowledge and accept these liability terms for the return journey from Beckett.
Value Declaration Responsibility:
- No Liability for Excess Value: Black Label Grading accepts no liability should the actual market value of your item exceed the declared value relevant to the service you have chosen.
- Submitter’s Responsibility: It is the responsibility of the submitter to accurately declare the value of the collectible. This applies to all submissions.
- Implications: Incorrect declaration of value may result in inadequate coverage and Black Label Grading will not be liable for any discrepancies between declared value and actual market value.
For shipments from us to you within the UK and from our EU Hub to EU customers, we use Royal Mail Tracked 24hr delivery and PostNL or DPD, respectively. In the rare event that a package is deemed lost, Black Label Grading will independently cover the cost of cards based on the current market value, up to a maximum value of £2000 per package (UK) and 500 Euros per package (EU).
Please note for any claims through liability or insurance we must have confirmation from the shipping company that the package in question is lost.
A fixed shipping charge of £5 is now applied to all UK services provided by Black Label Grading Ltd. This charge covers handling and ensures the secure transit of your items to and from the grading services. The shipping costs for EU will vary based on location.
3.3 Payments
Black Label Grading now adopts an upfront payment policy for all transactions.
Transition to Upfront Payment Policy: Starting April 2nd, 2024, Black Label Grading will require payment to be made upfront for all services. This shift towards upfront payment reflects our commitment to expediting the grading process and ensuring the security of your submissions.
Exception for Pre-Existing Orders: We recognize the importance of honoring our commitments. Therefore, for any orders placed before April 2nd, 2024, the previous payment terms will remain applicable. For these orders, payment will be due within 30 days of the receipt of your graded cards, in alignment with our prior terms and conditions. This grace period ensures a smooth transition for our customers who have already engaged with our services under the previous terms.
Pre-Arranged Exceptions to Upfront Payment: In addition to honoring pre-existing orders, we understand that some circumstances may require flexibility. Exceptions to the upfront payment requirement may be granted on a case-by-case basis for new orders, provided these exceptions are pre-arranged and explicitly approved by Black Label Grading.
Payment Instructions:
- Invoice & Payment Timeline: An invoice will be issued upon processing your cards by Black Label Grading. This invoice is payable immediately to confirm your order and proceed with shipment preparations.
- Online Payment Only: All payments must be made online. Following the processing of your cards, a payment request will be sent to the email address you have provided. This email will include all necessary payment details and the deadline for payment completion. It is imperative to ensure that the email address you provide is accurate and functional. Any issues encountered with the payment link or email must be reported to us promptly to avoid delays.
- Payment Plans: For those seeking flexibility in managing their payments, we offer payment plans through Klarna for transactions exceeding £300. Please refer to Klarna’s terms and conditions for detailed information on these payment plans.
- Non-Payment: In the absence of payment within the stipulated timeframe, and if cards are returned to us from Beckett without prior payment, we reserve the right to retain the graded cards until full payment is received. Held cards will be kept for a duration of 3 months, post which they will be considered the property of Black Label Grading in the absence of payment.
- Order Modifications & Cancellations: Should there be any changes or cancellations to your order, we will attempt to notify you via the contact details provided at the time of the order. It is crucial to maintain updated and accurate contact information to ensure seamless communication.
By engaging with Black Label Grading, you consent to adhere to these updated payment terms, ensuring a smooth and efficient service experience. We value your patronage and strive to deliver excellence in all our grading services.
3.4 Delays
All cards that are submitted to Beckett Grading Services & CGC & SGC or PSA Grading are sent on an estimated turnaround time. We are not held liable for any delays in this turnaround time.
Black Label Grading is not responsible for late arrival or late delivery of your card(s).
3.5 Refunds
Due to the nature of our service, we are unable to offer refunds on cards that have been submitted and paid for.
We will be able to return cards prior to payment at a cost of shipment. This will be discussed on a case by case basis.
In the unlikely event that a package is confirmed lost before arriving at the grading company, BLG will refund the full amount paid for our services. Should a parcel be confirmed lost following grading at the grading company, fees paid to BLG will not be refunded.
3.6 Upcharges for High-Value Cards
For both CGC, PSA and SGC grading services through Black Label Grading Ltd, an “upcharge” policy applies to cards that exceed the maximum declared value limitation for the service selected. Upcharges are additional fees applied to cards whose post-grading value surpasses the service level’s declared value cap.
- Applicability: This upcharge policy is applicable to submissions through CGC, PSA, and SGC grading services. Specifically for SGC, upcharges will only apply to vintage trading cards; modern cards (post-2000) do not have any upcharges applied.
- Customer Responsibility: Customers are responsible for selecting the appropriate service level based on the estimated value of their cards. It is crucial to refer to our pricing page for guidance on value limitations for each service level.
- Notification and Payment: Customers will be notified of any applicable upcharges upon the return of their cards. The cards will be held until the upcharge fees are settled in full.