Grading Prep Terms & Conditions

1. Acceptance of Terms

By submitting cards through our intake form, mailing cards to us, or delivering them in person, you ("Customer") enter into this agreement with Sake Kitty Cards ("we," "us," or "Sake Kitty"). The version of these Terms in effect at the time of submission applies to that submission.

By checking the agreement box on our intake form and/or submitting cards, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms.

2. Receipt, Custody & Standard of Care

We confirm receipt of your cards by email within one (1) business day of arrival.

Upon confirmation, we act as a bailee of your property and will exercise reasonable care under the circumstances in handling, storing, and processing your cards.

We are responsible for your cards only after receipt confirmation and until they are:

• shipped to a grading company, or
• shipped back to you.

You are responsible for all risk of loss or damage prior to our confirmation of receipt.

3. Screening Fees

Screening fees are charged for every card evaluated, regardless of outcome.

• Screening fees are non-refundable
• Fees are earned upon completion of the screening service
• Screening reflects professional judgment, not a guaranteed grading outcome

4. Card Prep Fees

Card Prep includes cleaning, sleeving, and preparation for grading.

• Prep fees are charged only after screening is complete
• If a card fails screening, the prep fee is fully refunded
• Prep fees are non-refundable for cards that pass screening, regardless of final grade outcome

5. Grading Fees & Authorization

Before submitting any card for grading, we will:

• Confirm grading company (e.g., PSA, CGC, Beckett)
• Confirm service tier
• Provide a written quote
• Obtain your explicit written authorization (e.g., "yes, submit")

No card is submitted without your approval.

Once authorized, submission is final and cannot be reversed.

Grading fees must be paid in full before cards are returned (see Section 8).

6. Declared Value & Value Escalation

You must provide a declared value for each card at submission. You are responsible for the accuracy of this value.

Grading companies may increase service tier pricing if they determine a higher value ("value escalation").

• Any escalation fees are passed through to you at cost
• These fees become part of the total grading fees due prior to return

7. Cancellation

You may decline grading after screening results are provided.

Once you authorize submission to a grading company:

• The submission is final
• Grading fees are owed in full

8. Payment, Release of Cards & Grades

Cards remain in our custody until all outstanding fees are paid in full.

Final grades will not be disclosed prior to payment. This is a condition of service, not a penalty.

Cards will be shipped to you only after full payment is received.

9. Lien, Storage & Sale of Unpaid Cards

You grant Sake Kitty Cards a possessory lien on all cards in our custody for any unpaid amounts, including:

• Screening fees
• Prep fees
• Grading fees
• Shipping costs
• Reasonable storage costs

If payment remains unpaid forty-five (45) days after invoice:

We may enforce our lien by selling the cards in a commercially reasonable manner, including but not limited to:

• marketplace sales (eBay or similar platforms)
• dealer buy lists
• private sales based on market comps

We will:

• Provide notice of intent to sell via email and, where reasonably available, mailed notice
• Allow at least 15 days after notice before sale
• Allow full redemption (payment in full) at any time prior to sale

Sale proceeds will be applied to:

1. Outstanding balances
2. Reasonable costs of sale and storage

Any remaining balance will be returned to you.

This section applies to all unpaid or abandoned submissions.

10. Chain of Custody

We document card condition and custody through:

• Intake photos (front/back)
• Pre-return photos
• Submission logs

Graded cards include third-party certification numbers.

Records are retained for at least 90 days after shipment.

11. Shipping & Insurance

Inbound (Customer → Sake Kitty)

You are responsible for inbound shipping.

We strongly recommend:

• Tracking
• Insurance
• Signature confirmation

We are not responsible for items lost or damaged before receipt confirmation.

To/From Grading Companies

We handle and cover shipping to and from grading companies, including required insurance.

Outbound (Sake Kitty → Customer)

Return shipping is included.

• Packages are insured based on declared value
• Signature confirmation is required
• Risk of loss transfers to the carrier upon shipment

If declared value is inaccurate, insurance recovery may be limited.

12. Authenticity & Counterfeit Cards

If a grading company determines a card is counterfeit, altered, or ineligible:

• The grading company's policies apply
• Any grading fee refunds are passed through to you
• Screening and prep fees remain non-refundable

We may refuse future service for knowingly submitted counterfeit items.

13. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law:

Our liability for any card is limited to the lesser of:

• the declared value of the card, or
• $5,000 per card

We are not insurers of your property.

Higher-value cards may require a separate written agreement and additional insurance before acceptance.

We are not liable for:

• grading outcomes
• delays outside our control
• indirect or consequential damages

This limitation does not apply where prohibited by law or in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct.

14. Grading Outcomes

All grading decisions are made solely by the grading company.

We are not responsible for:

• final grades
• grading inconsistencies
• subjective determinations

All disputes regarding grades must be directed to the grading company.

15. Delays & Force Majeure

We are not responsible for delays caused by events beyond our control, including:

• shipping carrier delays
• grading company backlogs
• weather events
• system outages
• governmental actions

Turnaround times are estimates only.

16. Right to Refuse Service

We may refuse any submission for any lawful reason, including:

• suspected counterfeit or altered cards
• excessive risk
• prior unpaid balances

If refused after receipt, cards will be returned at our cost.

17. Disputes & Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Florida.

Any disputes shall be handled in a court of competent jurisdiction in the county where Sake Kitty Cards operates.

18. Privacy

We collect and use customer information solely for:

• order processing
• communication
• recordkeeping

We do not sell or share personal data with third parties except as necessary to complete services.

19. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms at any time. The version in effect at the time of submission applies to that submission.

20. Severability

If any provision is found unenforceable, the remaining Terms remain in effect.

21. Entire Agreement

These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and Sake Kitty Cards regarding grading prep services.

22. Contact

Questions: nick@sakekittycards.com