About Beckett Grading

• How Final Grades are Determined

  Here is how we do it!
  The overall numerical grade is not a simple average of the four report card grades. Beckett Grading Services uses an algorithm which determines the final grade using the 4 sub grades on the front label of the card holder. The lowest overall grade is the first category to observe because it is the most obvious defect, and the lowest grade is the most heavily weighted in determining the overall grade.

  Example :
  Centering = 9.5
  Corners = 9.5
  Edges = 9
  Surface = 8
  Final grade = 8.5

  The reason that this card received an 8.5 is that even though the Surface grade was an 8 (the lowest grade overall), the 9.5 grades on Centering and Corners were strong enough to bring it up a full point to reach the 8.5 level.

  Another example :
  Centering = 9.5
  Corners = 9.5
  Edges = 8.5
  Surface = 9
  Final grade = 9

  Upon first glance, it may appear that this card should've received a grade different than a 9. The most this card could receive was .5 (or one-half grade) above the lowest sub-grade. The Edges were the lowest in this case, hence, the card received the overall 9 grade. Even though Centering and Corners received grades of 9.5, a key point to remember is that the minimum requirement to receive a grade of Gem Mint is to have at least three grades of 9.5 and the fourth to be no less than a 9.

  Also, please note that the final grade rarely, if ever, exceeds two levels above the lowest of the four characteristic grades. For example, if a card has characteristic grades of Centering 10, Corners 6, Edges 10 and Surface 10, the final grade will be a "7" (of which is exactly two grading levels above the lowest characteristic grade).

• Re-grading Cards from Other Grading Services

  We offer this service at a number of shows that we attend across the US.

  For mail-in orders, please read rules below.
  How to Submit Your Graded Card Review Order

  1. Start with a standard BGS submission form. Fill out the submission form just like you would on your ungraded cards. If you do not require a minimum grade, you may write "No Minimum Grade" on the top of the form. Otherwise, please list next to the "Declared Value" area the "Minimum Grade" you would like on each card, or each line of the submission form. The minimum grade you list is what our graders will use to determine if the card you have submitted needs to be removed or not. If our graders are not confident that your minimum grade will be reached, it will not be removed from the original holder. It will be returned to you with a note describing why the minimum grade was not reached.
  2. Graded Card Review (GCR) – Beckett Grading will review graded cards from BGS/BVG/BCCG and all other grading companies for subgrade bumps or an overall specified minimum grade. Cards must be listed on the submission form, with a minimum grade requested. Pricing for each review will depend on the service level selected. The review fee is the same price as the published grading fee, for each level. If the minimum grade is reached, the card will be removed from the case and placed into a Beckett case at no additional fee. If the minimum grade is not reached, the card will be returned in the submitted holder.
  3. Select the service level (turnaround time). When your cards are reviewed, any cards crossing over will be graded and processed under the turnaround time selected. Your credit card will be charged for the selected service level, plus a $3 cracking fee per card. You MUST pay for the GCR service with a credit card. The reason for this is that if the minimum grade is reached, you will be charged additional fees for case removal and the standard grading fee. An invoice will be mailed back with the order to show you the exact fees you were charged. If the minimum grade is not reached, you will only be charged the review fee.
  4. After your submission form is completed, please package your cards, the submission form, and a signed copy of the waiver form and send the cards to us. You may ship them through any service you would like, but we highly recommend you insure your cards.

  Additional Notes about the GCR Service:

  If a card appears to be altered, restored, counterfeit, etc, you will be charged the review fee and the card will be returned in the original holder along with an explanation. On occasion, a flaw may be completely hidden by the existing holder, and once cracked out, the card cannot be crossed. This is exceedingly rare, however, and BGS will not grade or remove a card from the submitted case unless we are reasonably confident that the card will reach the minimum grade you have requested.

  Our graders will give the card the grade it deserves but will not grade the card less then your minimum grade. For example, if you request a minimum grade of 9 and the card will actually grade out as a 9.5, you will receive a 9.5.

  -As always, if you have any questions regarding the GCR service or any of our other services, please contacts us here.

• Submitting Cards

  One of the basic features of BGS is ease of use. There are no clubs to join. And you're not asked to send in 20 card lots to get the lowest level of service. Everyone can be a part of BGS. Submission forms are available as follows:

  They can be downloaded or printed out online from this web site.

  Here are the steps to send cards:

  1. Obtain a submission form online or in our magazines.
  2. Enter all of the information required. Do no write in the box marked "BGS use only". Instructions for each section are linked to the sub form on the web page.
  3. Make sure you have the current grading, shipping and insurance costs. Start your card submission here. For more information, please contact us.
  4. Package your cards. Please do not send your cards in "screw down" type holders. We strongly suggest placing the card in a penny sleeve and then into a semi-rigid holder. This will provide the optimum protection for your card while it is in transit to Beckett Grading Services.
  5. Choose a form of payment: check, money order or credit card. We accept Mastercard, Visa, Discover and American Express. (Please do not send cash)
  6. Ship your cards to the address at the top of the form.

  Checklist

  1. Have I completed the correct form for sports cards (BGS or BVG)?
  2. Am I using the current grading service costs? (The web site is the most current!)
  3. Have I packaged my cards as BGS suggested?
  4. Am I sending cards BGS will not grade?
  5. Have I included full payment?
  6. Have I included all of the cards I listed.
• SERVICE LEVEL, PRICING AND TURNAROUND TIME

  Please refer beckett.com/grading for latest service levels, pricing, and turnaround time.

• Guarantee

  Our Guarantee: Beckett Grading Services will provide collectors with the finest, most thorough, consistent and accurate grading efforts available in the industry. Disputed grades on cards are limited to typographical errors on the label (i.e., the wrong set name).

  Turnaround Time: This is the time in which the cards are in our possession at the Beckett Grading Services facility (time in transit, weekends and holidays are excluded) and begin the first business day after your order is received. A list of Beckett closings and holidays can be found at www.beckett.com/grading. Estimated deadline dates are valid on full priced, premium service levels only and is not valid with any orders containing discounts or promotions.

  Beckett shall not be deemed to be in default of or to have breached any provision of this guarantee as a result of any delay, failure in performance or interruption of the Services, resulting directly or indirectly from acts of God, acts of civil or military authority, civil disturbance, war, fire, floods, epidemics, quarantine restrictions, strikes, freight embargoes, transportation contingencies, shortages of facilities, fuel, energy, labor or materials, or laws, regulations, acts or order of any government agency or official thereof, other catastrophes, delays of subcontractors or suppliers arising from unforeseeable causes beyond the control and without the fault or negligence of either the Contractor or the subcontractors or suppliers, or any other circumstances beyond Provider's reasonable control. In the event of any such delay or failure, the parties shall defer performance of the Services to a date and time mutually agreeable.

  Deadline date: The deadline date is the date your order is scheduled to leave Beckett Grading Service.

  Beckett does not guarantee the actual delivery date. **Please note that there is no guaranteed turn around time for BCCG orders, orders submitted to BAS, or grading orders submitted under the non-guaranteed service level. Estimated shipping dates will be listed online for these services.

  Unclaimed property held for 90 days after services have been performed will be deemed the property of Beckett Media, LLC and sold, auctioned, donated, or disposed of in any manner Beckett Media, LLC chooses.

• Shipping and Insurance Charges

  Beckett will not ship to a P.O. Box. A physical address is required on all return shipments. You are responsible for return shipping on each order unless you have your own account with FedEx. Shipments require signature upon delivery.

  FedEx Shipping Fees

  # of Cards	Standard Domestic (2 - 4 Days)	Expedited Domestic (1 Day/Overnight)	International
  1-10	$27.00	$65.00	$60.00
  11-20	$29.00	$77.00	$72.00
  21-50	$32.00	$89.00	$95.00
  51-75	$50.00	$106.00	$116.00
  76-99	$62.00	$111.00	$159.00
  Per each 100	$80.00	$137.00	$185.00

  Beckett reserves the right to change carriers without notice.

  International Customers

  The recipient is liable for any duties, taxes or customs assessed on the shipment to and from Beckett.

  Insurance Chart

  Insurance costs applies to all carriers and is based upon the declared value of the package.

  Declared Value	Fee
  $1-$1000	$14
  $1001-$2000	$28
  $2001-$3000	$42

  Add $14.00 for each additional $1000 in declared value (or portion thereof)

• Population Reports

  Our Population Report is available at no extra charge. Cards graded by Beckett Grading Services can be verified on our Graded Card Look Up site. Grade breakdowns, searches by set and by player name are available. It is updated daily allowing for the most timely information in the industry. Click here to take a look!

• Beckett Grading Slab Features

  The BGS holder will feature the following elements:

  1. Each card is protected by a crystal clear archival inner sleeve to prevent the holder itself from damaging the card. Each card will be virtually free of internal movement.
  2. Each card edge can be fully viewed from the side, an industry first.
  3. A label will run partially across the top of the holder. Each label will feature the set name, the grade and a specific id and a bar coded serial number.
  4. Extreme precautions have been taken to prevent counterfeiting of the label and the holder.
• Submissions at Trade Shows

  Click here for a list of shows we plan to attend in the near future. All shows, dates and activities listed are subject to change without notice.

  When submitting at a show, please be sure to fill out a submission form completely and that you verify the cards submitted with that submission form. Beckett will not be responsible for orders/cards that are lost, damaged, etc once they leave the Beckett booth so please verify your order before you walk away from the booth or from the BGS employee. You will be required to sign your submission form to verify the cards you received are the cards you submitted.

• Graded Card Pricing Information

  As in the past, we will continue to monitor secondary market values for all significant trading cards, whether they're professionally graded or not. Pricing coverage for graded cards within our price guide magazines will be dictated by the marketplace, including all significant grading services. We will stay true to our vision of providing collectors with the finest pricing references available for card values no matter what form the card takes. We will, however, provide pricing on all graded cards that warrant market attention.

• Disputing a Grade

  We will provide collectors with the finest, most thorough, consistent and accurate grading efforts available in the industry. Disputed grades on cards are limited to typographical errors on the label (i.e., the wrong set name).

• About the Graders

  Only "Beckett Certified Graders" are allowed to grade cards in BGS. Each grader must pass a certification training program based upon some of the hobby's finest sources in grading, tampering detection and counterfeit prevention.

• Local Drop Offs/Pick-Ups Policies & Procedures

  Want to drop off or pickup your order at our headquarters in Plano, TX? Book an appointment by clicking HERE.

• Memorabilia Card Grading

  Does Beckett Grading verify the authenticity of jersey and/or patches used on cards submitted for grading?

  While BGS does extensive research to validate game or event used materials on cards, we can not guarantee their actual authenticity. If information gathered shows the piece of memorabilia is worthy of the card, and the card does not appear altered during examination, Beckett Grading will give their opinion (grading) on the card.