Terms & Conditions

§ 1Scope & provider

These Terms apply to all orders you place via our website or on site with PlatinGrading GmbH, Neusser Straße 487, 50733 Cologne (“PGS”, “we”). Conflicting terms of the customer are not recognised unless we expressly agree to their validity in writing.

§ 2Description of services

We offer professional examination, authentication, grading and sealing of trading cards. Grading is carried out according to our published criteria (including centering, corners, edges, surface) by expert assessment. The grade awarded is the result of an expert evaluation; there is no entitlement to a specific grade.

§ 3Conclusion of contract

The presentation of services in the shop does not constitute a legally binding offer but an invitation to order. By submitting your order you make a binding offer. The contract is concluded when we confirm the order or begin execution. By completing the order you confirm that you have read and accepted these Terms and the cancellation policy.

§ 4Prices & payment

The prices stated in the shop at the time of the order apply, including statutory VAT, plus any shipping and payment fees. Payment is made via the payment methods offered at checkout. Depending on the method, advance payment, payment after completion or cash payment on site may apply.

§ 5Submission & shipping of cards

After ordering, you will receive information on how to securely ship your cards to us. Shipping to us is at your own responsibility; we recommend insured shipping. Alternatively, you can drop off your cards in person at our store. Return shipping is carefully packaged and – if selected – insured.

§ 6Processing times

The stated processing times are guideline values and begin upon receipt of your cards. They may vary depending on the selected service and capacity. You can track the current status at any time in your customer account.

§ 7Insurance & liability

Throughout the entire processing with us, your cards are insured against common risks. Our liability is governed by statutory provisions. Liability for slightly negligent breach of immaterial contractual obligations is excluded; otherwise liability is limited to the foreseeable damage typical for the contract. Liability for injury to life, body or health and under the Product Liability Act remains unaffected.

§ 8Customer cooperation

You warrant that you are the owner of the submitted cards or are authorised to commission the service. For cards with subsequent modifications (e.g. signatures), proof of authenticity may be required; otherwise the grade may be issued as “Authentic” (A).

§ 9Handling of counterfeit trading cards

(1) Authenticity check. As part of our grading and authentication services, we check the trading cards submitted to us for authenticity. If, after expert examination, we determine that a submitted card is a counterfeit, an unauthorised reproduction or a tampered card, the following provisions apply.

(2) Charging of the service. The fees incurred for the examination or processing are charged in full even if the card turns out to be a counterfeit. The service (examination/assessment) has been rendered; in this case there is no entitlement to a refund of the processing fees.

(3) Retention of the card. Cards identified as counterfeits are generally retained by us and not returned to the sender. The reason is that placing counterfeits on the market may be unlawful and we want to prevent their further distribution. Subject to paragraph (4), there is no entitlement to the return of a retained card.

(4) Good faith / proof of purchase. If the sender can credibly demonstrate that they acquired the card in good faith – i.e. without knowledge of the counterfeit – from a third party (e.g. by a proof of purchase from eBay, a marketplace or a dealer), we will, on request, prepare a written assessment report on the card concerned. The sender can use this report to assert claims against the seller or a platform (e.g. buyer protection, refund or reversal of the transaction). We expressly reserve the right to decide on a possible return of the card on a case-by-case basis; without such proof the card remains retained.

(5) Repeated submissions / legal action. If the same sender repeatedly submits counterfeits, we reserve the right to terminate the business relationship and to take legal action. This includes in particular filing a criminal complaint for (attempted) fraud and asserting any claims for damages. Submitted counterfeits and the related case data may be documented for this purpose and – where legally permissible – passed on to the competent authorities.

(6) No liability. The sender alone is responsible for the authenticity of submitted cards. Liability on our part for damages incurred by the sender through the acquisition of a counterfeit from third parties is excluded.

§ 10Right of withdrawal for consumers

Consumers have a statutory right of withdrawal. You have the right to withdraw from this contract within fourteen days without giving reasons. The withdrawal period is fourteen days from the day of conclusion of the contract. To exercise your right of withdrawal, you must inform us (PlatinGrading GmbH, Neusser Straße 487, 50733 Cologne, info@platin-grading.de) by means of a clear statement of your decision.

§ 11Complaints

If you are not satisfied with the result, please contact us at info@platin-grading.de. We review every complaint carefully and look for a fair solution together with you. Statutory warranty rights remain unaffected.

§ 12Data protection & e-mail communication

Your personal data is processed in accordance with our privacy policy.

§ 13Final provisions

The law of the Federal Republic of Germany applies, excluding the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods. Should individual provisions of these Terms be invalid, the validity of the remaining provisions remains unaffected. We do not participate in out-of-court dispute resolution proceedings.

These Terms are updated as needed. The version valid at the time of the order applies.