Ungraded Card FAQ & Buyer's Guide

Thank you for shopping at MVPTradingCo. This guide covers everything you need to know before and after purchasing an ungraded trading card from our store.

1. How Is Each Card Identified?

Every listing includes the following details so you can confirm exactly what you're purchasing:

• Player / Subject — the athlete or character featured on the card
• Team — the team or franchise associated with the card
• Set name — the product line or collection the card belongs to (e.g., Topps Chrome, Panini Prizm)
• Year — the release year of the set
• Card number — the printed number on the card, as listed in the set's checklist
• Parallel / Variant — noted where applicable (e.g., Refractor, Holo, Numbered)

If any of these details are unclear in a listing, please message us before purchasing and we'll confirm the specifics.

2. How Is Card Condition Described?

Because these cards are ungraded (not submitted to a third-party grading service), we describe condition using standard collector terminology based on our own visual inspection as new:

• Near Mint / Near Mint-Mint (NM / NM-MT) — minimal handling, sharp corners, clean surfaces; a strong candidate for grading
• Excellent-Mint (EX-MT) — light wear visible on close inspection; corners slightly soft but overall appearance clean
• Excellent (EX) — noticeable surface wear or corner rounding; still presentable and displayable
• Very Good (VG) — moderate wear, possible light creasing or edge wear
• Good / Fair / Poor — heavier wear; listed transparently and priced accordingly

Important: Our condition descriptions represent our honest assessment. Ungraded cards have not been evaluated by PSA, BGS, SGC, or any other third-party grading company. If you plan to submit a card for grading, we recommend reviewing the listing photos carefully before purchasing.

3. What Photos Are Available?

Each listing includes photos of the actual card you will receive — not stock or representative images. Our standard photo set covers:

• Card front
• Card back
• Close-up of corners and edges where relevant
• Any notable surface characteristics (print lines, scratches, staining) disclosed in the listing

If you'd like additional angles or lighting, contact us before purchasing and we'll do our best to provide them.

4. How Are Cards Packaged for Shipping?

We take card protection seriously. Every order is packed to minimize movement and stress during transit:

• Cards are placed in a penny sleeve and then a rigid top-loader or card saver
• The loaded card is secured with painter's tape to prevent shifting inside the sleeve
• For higher-value or more delicate cards, a team bag is added over the top-loader
• Cards ship inside a top loaders, team bags, and fully taped or a small box, depending on order size, to prevent bending
  

5. Will I Receive Tracking?

Yes. All orders are shipped with a tracking number. You'll receive a shipping confirmation email with your tracking information once your order has been fulfilled. You can also check your order status from your account page at any time.

Most domestic orders ship via USPS. Delivery timeframes are estimated and may vary based on carrier volume and location. If tracking shows no movement for an extended period, please contact us and we'll look into it with you.

6. What Should I Do When My Order Arrives?

We recommend the following steps when your package arrives:

1. Inspect the outer packaging — note any visible damage before opening. If the package appears significantly damaged, photograph it before and during opening.
2. Remove the card carefully — slide the card out of the top-loader gently to avoid surface contact.
3. Compare to listing photos — verify the card matches the listing description and photos on file.
4. Contact us promptly if there's an issue — if the card arrived damaged in transit or does not match the listing, reach out to us within 3 days of delivery with photos so we can work toward a resolution.

We stand behind our listings and want every buyer to be satisfied. Please don't hesitate to get in touch if something isn't right.

Still Have Questions?

Reach out through our Contact page and we'll get back to you as quickly as possible.