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Last updated: 2 October 2025 This guide summarises how to grade and list cards on Managem. It forms part of the Managem Terms & Conditions. If anything here conflicts with the Terms, the Terms prevail.
1

Quick start

Determine the type of item: Raw single, Graded card, or Sealed product.
2

Choose a condition

Use the grade definitions below. Only use the supported grades (no plus/minus).
3

Add the required details

Fill in comments/notes and any dedicated fields (e.g., grader/serial for slabs).
4

Add photos (when required)

Photos are required for £20+ listings and any sealed item with a seal tear.
5

Pack it right

Follow the packing guidance to avoid transit wear and disputes.

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Key terms (at a glance)

The card can be sleeved, shuffled and used without risk of tearing, splitting or further damage. It remains structurally sound and readily identifiable.
A buyer can claim SNAD if the item materially differs from your description, photos, selected grade, or any required listing information.

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Raw / ungraded cards

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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 as manufactured.
  • No “Gem Mint” grade and no partial grades (e.g., NM- / EX+).

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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.

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Excellent (EX)

  • Light to moderate play. Noticeable small scuffs/nicks/whitening; light shuffle marks. No structural damage. Sleeve-playable.

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Good (GD)

  • Moderate/heavier play. Multiple scuffs/scratches/whitening. A very light crease may appear, but the card stays sleeve-playable and intact.

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Lightly 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.

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Played (PL)

  • Heavy wear. Multiple large creases, beginning edge splits, heavy grime/staining, small tears. Identifiable; sleeve-usable but poor overall.

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Poor (PO)

  • Not sleeve-playable or severely compromised: tears/splits through layers; major delamination; water damage/warping; heavy inking/blackened borders; trimming/re-backing or similar alteration.
  • Cards altered in any way must not be listed on Managem (see “Not permitted”).
Use only the grades above in the condition field/title. Don’t use partial grades (e.g., NM-, EX+). If there are nuances, describe them in comments/notes.

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Special cases

• Minor foil curl or a light factory line may still be NM/EX/GD if the card otherwise fits the grade. • Severe curl affecting sleeve fit/flatness, deep foil scratches or strong clouding must be downgraded (often GD/LP/PL; PO if not sleeve-playable).
Eye-visible factory features (e.g., centring variance, light print lines/dots, minor cut variance) are not damage—but note them in comments if they may matter to a buyer. Material anomalies (e.g., major miscuts, crimps, misprints, dents/indentations) must be noted and the card graded on overall condition.
Do not list proxies/replicas or any altered cards (artist alters, stamps, ink/paint, recolouring, trimming, re-backing, pressing/cleaning, etc.). Altered cards and replicas are not allowed on Managem.

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Graded cards (Slabs)

  • Select the third-party grade as the listing condition (e.g., “PSA 9”).
  • Complete the dedicated fields: grader, numeric grade, certification/serial.
  • Minor case scuffs/hairlines can happen—mention them in comments if relevant.
  • Cracked or tampered slabs are not allowed. Please do not list them.
  • No cross-grading promises (e.g., “will regrade a 10”). List what you have, not what it might become.
  • Photos for slabs should show the full slab with the cert/serial visible.

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Sealed products

  • Only Factory Sealed (New) products are allowed (original manufacturer’s seal/wrap intact).
  • If the outer wrap has 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.

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Photos

  • All listings priced £20 or more (any category).
  • Any sealed product with a seal tear, regardless of price.
  • Actual-item photos only where required (no stock images).
  • Show front and back with even lighting and a neutral background; avoid glare and filters.
  • Provide close-ups of edges/corners/surfaces; typical foil problem areas; and for sealed items with tears, close-ups of the tear(s) and all seal edges.
  • For graded items, show the entire slab with the cert/serial visible.
Listings that meet this standard carry significant weight in any condition dispute.

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What to include in your listing (comments/notes)

Use comments/notes to record, 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.

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Disputes & remedies (condition issues)

You can open a case from your order at any time if the item’s condition doesn’t match the description/photos/required notes. Sellers are generally expected to respond within 5 Business Days. If you can’t quickly resolve it, escalate to Managem from the order page.
Outcomes may include a return for full refund or a case-by-case partial refund if the buyer keeps 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.

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Consistency & enforcement

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

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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.

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Relationship to the Terms

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