Terms of Service
Welcome to FTC Grading LLC ("FTC Grading," "we," "us," or "our"). By accessing our website (ftcgrading.com), submitting trading cards for grading through our digital or physical submission processes, or utilizing any of our authentication and encapsulation services, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). Please read them thoroughly before initiating an order.
These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you (the "Customer") and FTC Grading LLC. If you do not agree to these Terms, you are not authorized to utilize our services or submit collectibles to our facility.
1. SERVICES & SUBMISSION CHANNEL RULES
Online and Mail-In Submissions: A strict minimum threshold of eight (8) cards per order is enforced for all grading submissions initiated online or fulfilled via postal carriers. Collectible shipments received that fall below this minimum threshold will not enter processing and will be held at the Customer's expense until the threshold is met or appropriate service surcharges are clear.
Local Storefront Drop-Off Submissions: For customers utilizing our brick-and-mortar retail storefront intake desk, the multi-card minimum is waived. Local drop-offs are accepted starting at an absolute minimum of one (1) card.
The Submission Workflow: Online Workflow: To submit items remotely, Customers must first complete our digital intake form for administrative records. FTC Grading will subsequently transmit a document fulfillment packet via email containing the Main Submission Form, an Additional Submission Form (Extra Card Table) for larger collections, and our mandatory Packaging Guide. The Customer is required to print the Main Submission Form (and Extra Card Table, if applicable), fill it out completely, append their physical signature, and enclose the paper copies inside the parcel with their cards.
Local Workflow: For in-person walk-ins, Customers must complete, fill out, and sign a physical, paper-based submission and legal acknowledgment form provided directly at our storefront counter during the intake evaluation.
2. FORENSIC AI EVALUATION & GRADING METHODOLOGY
FTC Grading operates on a non-subjective, data-driven, and algorithmic evaluation framework. Our grading execution operates under strict operational guidelines:
Human Authentication & Microscopic Inspection: Our trained technicians perform meticulous manual microscopic visual inspections on all incoming submissions. This phase is utilized strictly to verify physical authenticity, check for counterfeit production indicators, and inspect structural surface layers for microscopic alterations or hidden imperfections.
Proprietary AI Grading Determination: Following physical verification, all final grading attributes (including centering, corners, edges, and surface conditions) are calculated mathematically, programmatically, and objectively by our proprietary forensic AI evaluation software. Our software holds final, absolute authority over all metrics and point assessments. Technicians cannot override or manually adjust the grades generated by the AI architecture.
Immutability of Sealed Slabs: Once a grading assessment is finalized by the software, the card is permanently sealed inside our specialized archival protection case via precision ultrasonic plastic welding. The assigned grade is absolute, final, unappealable, and completely non-refundable. Any attempt to break, alter, or tamper with an official FTC Grading welded slab instantly voids the certification registry integrity and invalidates all authenticity guarantees.
3. SHIPPING FULFILLMENT, TRANSIT LOGISTICS, & INSURESHIELD
Inbound Risk of Loss: The Customer retains all risk of loss, theft, or physical degradation regarding collectibles while in transit to our facility. FTC Grading LLC is not liable for items damaged due to poor packaging or carrier negligence. Customers are urged to strictly adhere to our emailed Packaging Guide and utilize tracked, insured shipping solutions.
Outbound Shipping Fulfillment: All outbound shipping, return logistics, and commercial postage generation are processed through our third-party fulfillment partner, Pirate Ship (pirateship.com).
InsureShield Coverage: Completed slabs are insured during return transit via InsureShield (integrated through Pirate Ship). Insurance is based upon the declared value of items clearly notated on the submission form by the customer, and is based upon fair market value of the collectibles. The declared value is only used to gauge the proper amount of coverage needed to safely insure the collectibles in return transit.
Claims Handling Protocol: If a return shipment is lost, stolen, destroyed, or intercepted in transit by a commercial carrier, the Customer agrees to cooperate fully with FTC Grading LLC and the underwriting staff of InsureShield to process a formal commercial claim. Financial payouts, settlement values, and claim acceptance are dictated entirely by the binding terms, conditions, and adjustment evaluations of InsureShield. FTC Grading LLC carries no secondary independent liability for carrier transit failures outside of successful policy claims.
4. FEES, FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS, & CONSIGNMENTS
Payment Processing Gateways: All fees for grading, administrative intake, encapsulation, and return postage must be settled in full via our authorized third-party commercial payment processing platforms, including Stripe and PayPal. Service execution will not commence until processing confirmation is verified.
Consignment Program (Immutability Policy): For collectibles formally processed and accepted into the FTC Grading official consignment sales program, FTC Grading LLC assesses a flat fifteen percent (15%) service commission based on the final closing sale price of the asset. This transaction deduction represents a strict service commission for administrative hosting, marketing, cataloging, and transaction handling. It does not constitute market profit, equity sharing, or an ownership claim over the underlying physical collectible asset by FTC Grading LLC.
5. DEFINITORY LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
To the maximum extent permitted under applicable jurisdiction, the total aggregate liability of FTC Grading LLC, its officers, owners, and operators, for any collectibles lost, misplaced, or physically damaged while inside our immediate physical custody is strictly limited to the lesser of: (a) the actual raw, ungraded fair market replacement value of the card at the time of inventory intake, or (b) the direct grading service fee paid by the Customer for that specific item, whichever amount is lesser. FTC Grading LLC expressly disclaims all liability for sentimental value, emotional distress, market volatility, or speculative future financial gains. However, in the event of a true internal issue committed directly by FTC Grading LLC, we will work in good faith to resolve the matter for the customer, per our Collector-First Policy. We are a collector-first company, we believe in taking care of collectors to the highest standards possible.