Degree Terms & Conditions

Last Updated: August 14, 2025

Please read these Terms and Conditions (“Terms,” “Agreement”) carefully before submitting your cards to Degree (“Degree,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) at https://www.degreegrading.com. By accessing or using Degree’s professional card grading, preservation, and encapsulation services (collectively, the “Service”), you (“Customer,” “you,” or “your”) agree to be bound by these Terms. If you disagree with any part of the Terms, then you may not access or use the Service.

Acceptance of Terms

1. By submitting cards or otherwise using our Service, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Agreement. These Terms apply to all visitors, users, and others who wish to access or use the Service.
2. You acknowledge and agree that Degree has the option and entitlement to leverage and personally benefit from this Agreement as set forth herein.

Service Description and Turnaround Times

1. Degree provides professional card grading, preservation, and encapsulation services. While we strive to meet stated estimated turnaround times, all turnaround times are approximate and not guaranteed. We shall not be liable for any delays or consequential damages resulting from our inability to meet a specific timeframe. All stated times are business days and do not include weekends or holidays.
2. No Guarantee of Authenticity: Degree’s evaluation is our professional opinion regarding the condition and/or authenticity of cards. We do not and cannot guarantee authenticity. Sophisticated counterfeits or alterations may escape detection despite our efforts and expertise. By using our Service, you acknowledge and accept this risk and assume all responsibility for any authenticity disputes arising after return of the card, including after resale.

Submission of Cards

1. Prohibition on Fraudulent or Altered Cards: Degree will refuse to grade cards that appear to be tampered with, altered, trimmed, restored, or otherwise questionable as to authenticity. You agree not to knowingly submit any card that is counterfeit, fraudulent, inauthentic, or altered for grading, encapsulation, or display.
2. Right to Refuse Service and Post-Grading Action: We reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to reject any card at intake, or to remove a card from its encapsulation and/or mark its label if at any time—before or after return—we determine it to be counterfeit, altered, or otherwise ineligible for encapsulation. If we expend resources to evaluate a card and subsequently determine it to be inauthentic, altered, or otherwise ungradable, you will be responsible for the associated costs, including any forensic review fees.
3. Representation of Authenticity: You represent and warrant that you have no knowledge of any defect or inauthenticity for any card you submit. You further agree that Degree shall have no liability for grading any card subsequently determined to be fake, altered, or containing a fraudulent autograph if such defects were not reasonably detectable during our inspection.
4. Submission Kit Non-Refundable: Once a Submission Kit has been dispatched to the shipping address you provided, the associated $5 fee becomes immediately earned and is not refundable—even if you later cancel your order, request a refund, or decide not to send your cards to Degree. The kit’s packing materials are consumable and the fulfillment cost is incurred at the moment of dispatch; therefore, the kit is neither returnable nor reusable. If you cancel before the kit has been dispatched, the Submission Kit fee will be refunded in full.

Subjective Nature of Grading

1. Subjective Practice: You acknowledge that card grading is inherently subjective, and opinions may differ among experts. Degree does not make any warranty or representation and shall have no liability to you if you disagree with a grade assigned.
2. No Warranty: All grading determinations are final and carry no warranties, express or implied. Grading fees are non-refundable once the process begins, regardless of outcome or disagreement.

Handling, Liability & Insurance

1. Reasonable Care: Degree agrees to handle Customer’s cards with reasonable care from the time we receive them until they are returned to you or otherwise disposed of according to these Terms.
2. Loss or Damage by Degree: If your card was lost or damaged due to our negligence, you will be compensated based on the fair market value of the card as determined by Degree, up to and not exceeding the declared value set forth in your submission form.
3. Declared Value & Insurance: The declared market value you list on the Submission Form is used for estimating insurance coverage and/or service levels. We may adjust this if reasonably believed to be incorrect. If you refuse any adjusted Service Level fee, Degree may retain your cards as payment for expended resources.
4. Limitation of Total Liability: Our liability will not exceed the lesser of (a) the fees you actually paid for the grading services relating to the card(s) at issue, or (b) the declared value of the card.
5. Customer Inspection: You must inspect your encapsulated cards immediately upon receipt and report any issues within five (5) days. Failure to do so waives claims for errors not timely reported.
6. Handling After Encapsulation: Degree is not liable for any damage resulting from breaking, cracking, or tampering with our sealed encapsulation. Once a shipment is marked delivered by the carrier, Degree’s custody and control obligations end.

Fees, Payment & Lien Rights

1. Payment of Fees: You agree to pay Degree for all applicable fees. All fees are non-refundable once the process has commenced.
2. Security Interest & Lien: Degree holds a security interest in the cards submitted and any other property of yours in our possession, enforceable under Nevada law, including Nevada’s adoption of the Uniform Commercial Code.
3. Payment Authorization: Degree retains payment methods on file for your convenience. Upon completion of services—or at the time we take possession of your cards if we invoice immediately—Degree will charge the payment method on file for any owed amount.
4. No Chargebacks: You agree not to initiate a chargeback for fees earned in accordance with these Terms.
5. Abandoned Orders:
   • Definition: An order is deemed “Abandoned” if any outstanding balance remains unpaid for ninety (90) calendar days from the date the invoice was first issued.
   • Notice: Degree will make reasonable efforts to notify you of the outstanding balance. Failure to respond or pay constitutes consent to the abandoned property process.
   • Lien & Security Interest: Degree retains a possessory lien and security interest in all cards in our possession.
   • Transfer of Title: Upon expiration of the 90-day period without payment, all right, title, and interest in the cards shall automatically transfer to Degree, free of any claims.
   • Disposition of Cards: Sales will be conducted in a commercially reasonable manner under applicable law. Degree is not liable for market value changes.
   • Application of Proceeds: Proceeds will be applied first to amounts owed, with any remainder issued as non-transferable credit for future services.
   • Governing Law: Enforceable under Nevada law, including the UCC.
6. Interest on Late Payments: Interest at 1.5% per month (or the maximum allowed by law, if less) will accrue on all past due balances.

Limitation of Liability & Disclaimer of Warranties

1. Maximum Aggregate Liability: Shall not exceed the grading charges actually paid by Customer for the grading services rendered.
2. Exclusion of Certain Damages: In no event shall Degree or its affiliates be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or exemplary damages.
3. Disclaimer of Warranties: Except as expressly stated herein, the services are provided “as is” and “as available.”

Third-Party Submissions

1. Submissions via Third Parties: If cards are submitted by a third party on your behalf, you remain bound by these Terms.
2. No Liability for Third-Party Acts: Degree has no liability for disputes between you and the third party.

Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

1. Governing Law: This Agreement is governed by Nevada law.
2. Jurisdiction & Venue: Any legal action shall be filed in the courts of Clark County, Nevada, or the federal district court sitting therein.
3. Prevailing Party: Entitled to reasonable attorney’s fees, costs, and expenses.

Entire Agreement & Severability

1. Entire Agreement: This is the complete agreement between you and Degree.
2. Severability: If any provision is deemed invalid, the remainder shall continue in effect.
3. Further Assurances: Each party agrees to execute further documents as necessary to effectuate these Terms.

SMS Notifications & Consent

1. SMS Notifications: By providing your mobile number, you agree to receive SMS updates from Degree Grading.
2. Message Frequency: Up to 15 messages per month per order submitted.
3. Message & Data Rates: May apply.
4. Opt-Out: You may unsubscribe at any time by texting STOP.
5. Customer Support: Contact info@degreegrading.com.
6. Privacy Policy: See our Privacy Policy for details.

Force Majeure

Degree shall not be liable for any delay or failure in performance caused by events beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, labor disputes, natural disasters, war, terrorism, epidemics, supply chain disruptions, or failures of carriers, suppliers, or service providers.

Acknowledgment

BY SUBMITTING CARDS: You acknowledge that you have read and understood these Terms, and agree to be bound by them. You also acknowledge that you have had the opportunity to seek independent legal counsel regarding these Terms and fully understand their effects.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding these Terms, please contact us at info@degreegrading.com.