Terms of service

AEY Grading Ltd – Terms & Conditions

These Terms & Conditions (“Terms”) govern all services provided by AEY Grading Ltd (“AEY”, “we”, “us”, “our”), a trading card grading and authentication service registered in England and Wales. By submitting any item for grading, review, encapsulation or any related service (“Services”), you (“you”, “the Customer”) agree to be bound by these Terms.

Please read them carefully. They contain important limitations of liability, disclaimers, and obligations which significantly affect your legal rights.

1. Definitions

  • Item – Any trading card or collectible you submit to AEY.

  • Submission – The act of sending items to AEY for Services.

  • Grade – Our professional opinion of an Item’s condition based on AEY’s grading standards.

  • Declared Value – Your stated value of an Item for insurance and service-tier purposes.

2. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old to use AEY’s services. If acting on behalf of a business or another person, you confirm you have full authority to do so.

3. Nature of Services

AEY provides expert, opinion-based assessments of Item condition and authenticity.
Grades are subjective opinions and are not guaranteed to match the views of third parties.

AEY may refuse, cancel or return any Submission at its discretion.

4. Customer Responsibilities

By submitting Items, you confirm:

  • You are the legal owner or have full authority from the owner.

  • Items are genuine and not counterfeit, altered, trimmed, recoloured or tampered with unless fully disclosed.

  • Declared Values are accurate to the best of your knowledge.

  • You will follow AEY’s submission and packaging instructions.

Failure to follow instructions may void AEY’s liability.

5. No Guarantee of Outcome

AEY does not guarantee:

  • A specific grade

  • Market value or resale price

  • Consistency with other grading companies

  • Any investment return

  • Any guaranteed turnaround time

Grades are opinions and may differ if re-evaluated.

6. Fees, Payment & Declared Value

  • All fees must be paid before AEY begins work.

  • Declared Value is used for service tiers and insurance limits.

  • If AEY believes an Item is materially undervalued, we may adjust service tiers and fees.

  • Non-payment may result in AEY retaining Items until fees are cleared.

7. Turnaround Times

Turnaround times are estimates only, not guaranteed.
Delays do not entitle you to refunds or compensation.

8. Shipping & Risk

8.1 Sending Items to AEY

You are responsible for packaging, shipping, and insuring Items until AEY receives them.

8.2 Returning Items

Risk transfers back to you when AEY hands Items to the returning courier.

AEY’s maximum liability for lost or damaged Items during return transit is the lower of:

  • The Declared Value,

  • The shipping insurance purchased,

  • Or the total service fee paid (if no insurance was selected).

9. Damage While in AEY’s Possession

If AEY causes loss or damage due to failure to take reasonable care, AEY’s liability is limited to the lower of:

  • The Declared Value,

  • AEY’s reasonable estimate of the Item’s market value before loss,

  • Or any maximum stated for that service tier.

Minor handling effects, manufacturing flaws, or micro-scratches are not considered damage.

10. Counterfeit, Altered or Problem Items

If AEY determines an Item is counterfeit, altered or problematic, we may:

  • Decline to grade it,

  • Encapsulate with a relevant label,

  • Return it ungraded,

  • Notify authorities if required by law.

AEY is not liable for losses relating to counterfeit or altered Items.

11. Reholders, Regrades & Crossovers

Regrading may result in a higher, lower or identical grade.
AEY does not compensate for grade differences resulting from regrades or crossover attempts.

12. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by UK law:

  • AEY’s total liability for any claim is limited to the total Service fee paid unless otherwise stated in these Terms.

  • AEY is not liable for indirect or consequential loss, including loss of profit, market value or emotional distress.

  • AEY does not accept liability for third-party courier errors.

Nothing in these Terms excludes liability where unlawful to do so (e.g., death or personal injury caused by negligence).

13. Disclaimers

  • Grading is subjective.

  • AEY does not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free service.

  • AEY provides no investment or valuation advice.

  • Encapsulation is not a guarantee of preservation.

14. Intellectual Property

All AEY labels, slabs, branding, images, and grading standards are intellectual property of AEY Grading Ltd and may not be copied or reproduced without permission.

15. Data Protection

AEY complies with UK GDPR.
See our Privacy Policy for details.

16. Right to Refuse Service

AEY may refuse or withdraw services from any Customer for any reason, including suspected fraud or abuse.

17. Dispute Resolution

You must report any issue:

  • Within 14 days for visible damage or errors

  • Within 6 months for any other claim

Claims must include photos and order references.
AEY may require the Item to be returned for inspection.

Disputes are governed by the laws of England & Wales, with exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England & Wales.

18. Changes to These Terms

AEY may update these Terms at any time. Continued use of our Services constitutes acceptance.

19. Contact Information

AEY Grading Ltd
Registered in England & Wales
Company No: 16863699
Email: Aeygrading@gmail.com
Address: 63 Ariel street, NE63 9HA, Northumberland, UK