Collector guides
Guides for card collectors
Short, plain answers to the questions buyers ask most: is it real, is it worth grading, and how do I keep it safe.
- How to spot a fake trading cardSeven quick checks for raw cards and graded slabs before you pay.Read the guide →
- Raw vs graded cards: when is grading worth it?What grading is, what a slab tells you, and a simple way to decide whether to send a card in.Read the guide →
- How to check centering, corners, edges and surfaceThe four things graders look at, and how to check each one at home in a few minutes.Read the guide →
- How to store and ship trading cards safelySleeves, top loaders and packing that keep cards from bending, scratching or getting lost.Read the guide →
- How to verify a graded card's cert numberCheck that a slab is real in under a minute, using the grader's own website.Read the guide →