Grading & Condition Policy

Last updated: 2 October 2025

This Policy forms part of the Managem Terms & Conditions (the “Terms”). If any term here conflicts with the Terms, the Terms prevail.

1) Purpose & scope

Clear, consistent standards reduce disputes and speed up sales. This Policy defines Managem’s condition grades, required listing information and photo rules for:

Raw (ungraded) singles

Graded cards (slabs)

Sealed products (boxes/tins/cases)

2) Key definitions

Sleeve‑playable – The card can be sleeved, shuffled and used without risk of tearing, splitting or further material damage; it remains structurally sound and readily identifiable.

SNAD – Significantly Not As Described: the item materially differs from the listing description, photos, selected grade or required listing information.

3) Condition scale — raw / ungraded cards

Managem uses the following grades and abbreviations:

Mint (M)
Looks factory‑fresh to the naked eye. No wear, dirt or handling; no creases, dents, edge/corner whitening or scratches. Centring/print tolerances only as manufactured. No “Gem Mint” grade and no partial grades (e.g., NM‑ / EX+).

Near Mint (NM)
At arm’s length looks new. May show very light edge/corner whitening or a couple of hairline marks. No creases/bends/clouding. Sleeve‑playable.

Excellent (EX)
Light to moderate play. Noticeable small scuffs/nicks/whitening, light shuffle marks. No structural damage. Sleeve‑playable.

Good (GD)
Moderate/heavier play. Multiple scuffs/scratches/whitening; a very light crease may appear, but the card remains sleeve‑playable and intact.

Light Played (LP)
Significant play. Multiple areas of whitening/chipping; several creases or one larger crease while still sleeve‑playable; heavy shuffle wear; ingrained dirt/staining permitted if structurally sound.

Played (PL)
Heavy wear. Multiple large creases, beginning edge splits, heavy grime/staining, small tears. Identifiable; sleeve‑usable but poor condition overall.

Poor (PO)
Not sleeve‑playable or severely compromised: tears/splits through layers; major delamination; water damage/warping; heavy inking/blackened borders; any trimming, re‑backing or similar alteration. Must not be listed if deceptive.

No partial grades. Only the grades above may be used in the condition field/title. Nuances may be described in comments.

4) Special cases (raw cards)

4.1 Foils (including reverse foils)

Minor foil curl or a light factory line may remain NM/EX/GD if otherwise consistent.

Severe curl that affects sleeve fit/planarity, deep foil scratches or pronounced clouding must be downgraded (often GD/LP/PL; PO if not sleeve‑playable).

4.2 Factory anomalies vs wear

Eye‑visible factory features (e.g., centring variance, light print lines/dots, minor cut variance) are not “damage”, but must be noted in the listing comments/notes where they are likely to matter to a buyer.

Material anomalies (e.g., major miscuts, crimps, misprints, dents/indentations) must be noted in the comments and graded according to overall condition.

4.3 Proxies & alterations — not permitted

Not allowed on Managem: proxies/replicas and any altered cards (artist alters, stamps, ink/paint, recolouring, trimming, re‑backing, press/clean). Do not list these items.

5) Graded cards (PSA, CGC, BGS, etc.)

The listing condition is the third‑party slab grade (e.g., “PSA 9”).

You must include grader, numeric grade and certification/serial in the listing fields.

Minor case scuffs/hairlines may exist; describe them in comments if material.

Cracked or tampered slabs are not allowed on Managem. Do not list them.

No cross‑grading promises (e.g., “will regrade a 10”). List what you have, not what it might become.

6) Sealed products (boxes/tins/decks)

Only “Factory Sealed (New)” products are allowed (original manufacturer’s seal/wrap intact).

Seal tears: If the outer wrap has any tears that do not expose contents, you must describe them in comments and photograph them clearly (edges/corners, tear close‑ups).

Not allowed: resealed or opened products; tears exposing contents; missing/altered official seals.

7) Photos — when required and quality standard

7.1 When photos are required

All listings priced £20 or more (any category).

Any sealed product with a seal tear, regardless of price (see §6).

(You may upload photos for lower‑priced items; it helps sales and reduces disputes.)

7.2 Quality standard

Actual‑item photos only where photos are required (no stock photos).

Show front and back; use clear, even lighting; neutral background; avoid glare/filters.

Provide close‑ups of edges/corners/surfaces; foil problem areas; and, for sealed items with tears, close‑ups of the tear(s) and all seal edges.

Graded items (when you upload photos): show the entire slab with the cert/serial visible.

Listings that meet this standard carry significant weight in any condition dispute.

8) Required listing information (where to put it)

Use the listing comments/notes to record the following, where applicable:

Signatures – who signed; pen/ink type if known; whether a COA is included.

Factory anomalies – e.g., miscuts, crimps, misprints, dents/indentations.

Odours/contaminants – smoke, moisture or other noticeable odours.

Language/edition (e.g., 1st Edition, Unlimited) and foil variant (foil/reverse foil/rainbow), where relevant.

For graded cards, also complete the dedicated fields for grader, numeric grade and certification/serial.

9) Disputes & remedies (condition issues)

You can open a case at any time from your order if the item’s condition does not match the listing/photos/required notes.

Sellers are generally expected to respond within 5 Business Days. If you cannot reach a quick resolution, escalate to Managem from the order page.

Outcomes may include return for full refund or a case‑by‑case partial refund if the buyer opts to keep the item.

Where listing photos clearly show the relevant wear and the item matches those photos, the photos carry significant weight in resolving SNAD/returns. Statutory rights remain unaffected.

10) Packaging expectations (summary)

To minimise transit wear: sleeve → toploader or semi‑rigid → team bag → rigid mailer/box. Immobilise contents; do not tape directly on toploaders; protect corners on sealed products.

11) Repeated misgrading & enforcement

Managem monitors dispute rates. Repeated over‑grading or failure to include required notes/photos may lead to escalation (warnings, listing restrictions, payout holds on affected orders, or suspension) under the Terms.

12) Tournament legality (informational)

Grading describes condition, not competitive eligibility. Judges/tournament organisers may exclude cards (e.g., for marked‑card concerns). Buyers seeking tournament‑legal condition should take this into account.

13) Relationship to the Terms

This Policy explains condition on Managem. Returns, cancellations, shipping duties, timelines and dispute procedures are governed by the Terms & Conditions and related policies.

Implementation reminders (non‑public)

Disable listing of cracked/tampered slabs; add validation message.

Enforce photo requirement when price ≥ £20 and for any sealed item with a seal tear.

Remove any “Altered” option from condition; block proxies/altered items at listing.

Keep a tooltip near the comments/notes field reminding sellers to record factory anomalies and odours there.

Ensure graded‑card form includes grader / numeric grade / cert and validates presence.

Grading & Condition Policy

1) Purpose & scope#

2) Key definitions#

3) Condition scale — raw / ungraded cards#

4) Special cases (raw cards)#

4.1 Foils (including reverse foils)#

4.2 Factory anomalies vs wear#

4.3 Proxies & alterations — not permitted#

5) Graded cards (PSA, CGC, BGS, etc.)#

6) Sealed products (boxes/tins/decks)#

7) Photos — when required and quality standard#

7.1 When photos are required#

7.2 Quality standard#

8) Required listing information (where to put it)#

9) Disputes & remedies (condition issues)#

10) Packaging expectations (summary)#

11) Repeated misgrading & enforcement#

12) Tournament legality (informational)#

13) Relationship to the Terms#

Implementation reminders (non‑public)#