Grading Services

Headline Grading Services are designed for customers who break with Headline and want a professional evaluation of their cards before choosing whether to submit them to an approved grading company. Because customers do not physically receive or handle cards immediately after a break, Headline’s process is built around a paid Raw Card Review (also referred to as pre-screening) to help customers make informed decisions.

By submitting a grading request, you acknowledge and agree to all policies below, which govern evaluation, optional grading submission, storage/holding timelines, billing, and fulfillment. These standards exist to maintain accuracy, chain-of-custody, and a consistent customer experience.

Grading Services are currently available to:

• Cards pulled directly in an official Headline Break performed on one of our authorized platforms.
• Approved VIP participants (if explicitly invited to submit eligible items through Headline’s grading workflow).

Headline does not accept unsolicited walk-in or mail-in grading submissions unless explicitly approved in writing. This protects chain-of-custody, prevents intake errors, and ensures operational consistency.

Headline Grading Services operate in two parts:

1. Raw Card Review (Pre-Screening): A paid evaluation designed to help determine whether grading is recommended.
2. Optional Grading Submission: If a card is deemed eligible and you choose to proceed, Headline can facilitate submission to an approved grading company.

Raw Card Review is a standalone service. If your card is deemed eligible, you are not required to proceed with grading.

Raw Card Review is performed by Headline as a visual condition evaluation to help determine whether grading is recommended. This review is not authentication and is not a guarantee of any outcome.

What the review includes:

• Visual inspection for common condition issues (surface, corners, edges, centering, print defects).
• General recommendation status: Eligible for grading or Not recommended for grading.

What the review does not include:

• Any guarantee of a grade (including Gem Mint / 10 outcomes).
• Any promise that a card will be submitted to a grading company.
• Authentication services unless explicitly stated in writing as a separate service.

If your card is deemed Eligible for grading, you may choose to proceed with grading submission through Headline. Headline will only submit cards for grading after the required grading invoice is paid in full.

• CGC: Currently available for facilitated submissions.
• TAG: Pending onboarding; availability will be posted when officially active.

Turnaround times are estimates only and are not guaranteed. Once a card is submitted to a grading company, the submission cannot be changed or canceled.

Raw Card Review Fee:

• Raw Card Review is billed at the time of submission.
• Raw Card Review fees are non-refundable once the evaluation has been performed.

Grading Submission Fees:

• If you choose to proceed with grading after eligibility is confirmed, you will receive an invoice for the grading submission fee.
• Headline will not submit your card to a grading company until the grading invoice is paid in full.
• Pricing may change due to grading company fee updates and service-level selection.

To prevent disputes and ensure operational integrity, Headline does not front grading submission fees on behalf of customers.

If a card is deemed eligible for grading, it may be held temporarily while awaiting customer direction and (if applicable) payment.

• Eligible cards awaiting grading payment may be held for a limited time to allow customers to complete checkout.
• If payment is not received within the stated window communicated by Headline, the card will default to standard fulfillment.

Standard fulfillment means the card will be returned to your normal break shipment unless you separately submit an approved consignment request.

If the card is not recommended for grading:

• The Raw Card Review fee still applies as payment for evaluation.
• The card is returned to standard fulfillment (normal shipment), unless separately consigned.

If the card is eligible for grading:

• You may choose to proceed with grading submission or decline grading.
• If you decline, the card returns to standard fulfillment (normal shipment), unless separately consigned.
• If you proceed, the card will be submitted only after grading payment is received.

Once a graded card returns from the grading company, customers may choose standard shipment or (where available) consignment via a separate consignment submission.

• Provide accurate identifying information (break number, platform, and username) so Headline can correctly locate your cards.
• Review these Grading Services terms before submitting a grading request.
• Understand that Raw Card Review is an evaluation and not a guaranteed outcome.
• Respond to any approval/payment requests within the stated timeframe to avoid default fulfillment.
• Ensure your payout/shipping details are correct for return fulfillment.

For grading inquiries or support, contact: team@shopwithheadline.com

By submitting a grading request through Headline, you acknowledge, understand, and agree to all terms and policies listed above. These policies govern your participation in Headline Grading Services and may be updated as needed to maintain operational integrity and protect both Headline and its customers.