HOW IT WORKS: THE CG SUBMISSION & GRADING PROCESS
At Collector’s Grade, we keep our grading process completely transparent every step of the way. You can track your order’s exact status in real time right from your CG Dashboard.
Here is what happens from the moment your package arrives at our facility to the moment your cards return to your hands:
STEP 1: PACKAGE INTAKE & TRACKING
When your submission arrives at the CG facility, the outer package tracking number is added into our intake system. This confirms safe receipt before processing begins.
STEP 2: INSPECTION & CHECK-IN
Our team carefully opens your package and verifies each item against your physical submission form. Once every item is accounted for and checked, your order is officially marked as Checked In.
STEP 3: GRADER ASSIGNMENT
Once checked in, your submission enters our available order pool where the CG grader claims it as their project.
* Grader Capacity Rule: To maintain strict quality control and thorough evaluation, the CG grader is capped at a maximum of 5 active submissions at any given time. If the CG grader is at maximum capacity, your order will safely wait in the queue until a grader slot opens.
STEP 4: THE GRADING ROTATION
When a grader claims your submission, it enters their specific rotation queue (for example, if your order is 5th in their queue, you are #5 in rotation).
* Submissions may sit in grading rotation for up to 30 days depending on volume before physical grading begins.
STEP 5: ACTIVE GRADING
Once your order reaches position #1 in the grader's rotation, your status updates to Grading. Your items undergo full physical evaluation, measurement, and final sub-grading if requested.
STEP 6: COMPLETION & INVOICING
* Completion Notice: As soon as grading is finished, your submission status updates to Completed in your CG Dashboard, and you will receive email notification from the Submission Office.
* Invoice Delivery: Within 24 hours of completion, a PayPal invoice will be sent directly to your email on file.
* Payment Policy: Members have 30 calendar days to pay their invoice. Invoices unpaid after 30 days result in the submission becoming property of Collector's Grade LLC to cover processing and vault fees, where items may be liquidated donated or both to charity of our choosing.
STEP 7: ENCAPSULATION ROTATION
Within 24 hours of paying your invoice, your submission moves into the Encapsulation Rotation.
* Orders wait in line to be sealed in official CG slabs.
* Encapsulation typically takes 3 to 5 days (often completed within 3 days).
STEP 8: ACTIVE ENCAPSULATION
When your submission reaches the top of the queue, status updates to Active Encapsulation. Your cards are sonically sealed into CG slabs with their corresponding labels and sub-grades.
STEP 9: PACKAGING & RETURN SHIPPING
Once slabbed, your submission is transferred to fulfillment to be carefully prepped, labeled, and packaged for travel.
* Shipped Status: As soon as your package leaves our facility, your CG Dashboard status will update to Shipped.
* Tracking Info: Your official tracking number will be generated and emailed directly to you via PayPal using the email address on file.