RCPG Grading Terms and Conditions

As part of making a submission to CBCS, RCPG Customers must read and affirmatively agree to the following CBCS Grading Terms and Conditions (the “Agreement”) in order to advance through and complete their order as part of the online submission process. RCPG Customers agree to abide by this Agreement and further agree that PSA is entitled to rely upon and benefit from this Agreement, as part of the RCPG submission process.

1. RCPG will endeavor to grade items within the time frame, if any, offered as part of a CBCS grading service. However, RCPG will have no liability whatsoever to Customer for incidental or consequential damages due to CBCS’s failure to grade any items within any time frame. All days are business days.

2. We will not help grade items which bear evidence of trimming, recoloring, restoration or any other form of tampering, or are of questionable authenticity, and Customer agrees not to knowingly submit any such items. Customer agrees that in the event CBCS rejects any items for grading, RCPG shall not refund the amount paid by Customer because the determination to reject an item requires a review by CBCS’s graders and authenticators. Customer represents and warrants that he/she has no knowledge and no reasonable basis to believe that any item submitted for grading has been altered in any way or is not genuine. For purposes of this Agreement, “altered items” shall have the meaning set forth in the applicable Dealer Agreement. If Customer has not entered into the Customer Agreement, Customer hereby agrees to be bound by the terms of the Customer Agreement, as per the outlined details in this pages, and Customer’s acceptance of this Agreement shall constitute Customer’s signature on the Customer Agreement. Customer reaffirms its obligations with respect to Doctored items set forth in the Customer Agreement.

3. Grading involves individual judgments that are subjective and require the exercise of professional opinion, which can change from time to time. Therefore, RCPG makes no warranty or representation and shall have no liability whatsoever to Customer for the grade assigned by CBCS. Amount paid to RCPG is NON-REFUNDABLE once the item begins the authentication and/or grading process.

4. An autographed item submitted under the CBCS item grading and signature authentication combination service must pass both autograph authentication and item grading authentication in order to be encapsulated. For example, an item that is deemed altered in any way will not be encapsulated even though the autograph may be genuine. In addition, if the item is deemed original and unaltered yet the autograph does not pass inspection, then the item may not be encapsulated. There may be very rare exceptions to the rule on a case-by-case basis (in cases where the autograph and item are deemed authentic but the item has been altered in some fashion). In a rare case where an authentic item has been altered, CBCS may choose to label the item “Authentic” since the item cannot have a grade assigned. The final determination as to whether an item is encapsulated under these conditions is at CBCS’s sole discretion. Amount paid to RCPG is NONREFUNDABLE once the item begins the authentication and/or grading process.

5. RCPG will exercise reasonable care in handling items submitted for grading, review, or reholdering. However, if RCPG determines that Customer’s item was lost or damaged (certain situations excluded) while in RCPG’s possession, Customer will be reimbursed the full value of the amount paid towards their grading submission. RCPG will not be held liable for damaged graded products due to handling via 3rd party courier services. Notwithstanding the foregoing, due to the fragile or delicate nature of some items inherent in their manufacture, RCPG reserves the right to exclude such items from this section because they may become damaged without any mishandling on RCPG’s part. By agreeing to these terms, Customer hereby releases RCPG of any liability if Customer elects to submit such naturally fragile or delicate items for authentication and grading. RCPG does not cover insurance for your Comic at all. This is the responsibility of the owner for said comic(s).  IN NO EVENT SHALL THE TOTAL LIABILITY EXCEED THE GRADING VALUE OF THE ITEM QUOTED. Such compensation shall be Customer’s exclusive remedy for any loss or damage, and is subject to Customer irrevocably releasing and discharging RCPG and its affiliates from any liability for loss or damage to the item whatsoever, regardless of CBCS’s actions or omissions. Customer must sign RCPG’s standard Release of Claims as a condition of payment. PSA reserves the right to decline your Declared Value and to require you to pay for the accurate Service Level as a condition of completing the authentication and grading process. 

6. Customer must inspect all items immediately upon receipt and RCPG disclaims any liability for damage or discrepancies or errors, including, but not limited to, errors in the description of the item unless reported to RCPG within five (5) days of Customer’s receipt of the item(s). Customer agrees to return any incorrectly described item to RCPG upon request for correction and agrees to indemnify and hold RCPG harmless from any and all losses and/or claims caused by the circulation or sale of incorrectly described items

7. Customer agrees (a) to pay to RCPG all pricing and other charges when due; (b) that any delinquent balances shall accrue interest at the rate of 10% per year until paid (or, if less, the maximum interest rate permitted by applicable law); and (c) that RCPG shall have a security interest in the items submitted, as well as in any other property of Customer in the possession of RCPG or its affiliates (collectively, the “Property”), to secure payment thereof. Customer hereby grants to RCPG an assignment of and lien against the Property in the amount of any pricing and other charges due and payable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. Customer hereby authorizes RCPG to file, at any time on or after the date such pricing totals and other charges become due, appropriate uniform commercial code financing statements in such jurisdictions and offices as RCPG deems necessary in connection with the perfection of a security interest in the Property.

8. Customer represents and warrants that Customer is the comic book holder or authorized user of the payment method(s) Customer provides, and Customer authorizes RCPG to (a) use the payment method for the Final Amount Due (see below) in connection with Customer’s order and (b) store and use the payment method and certain related information for future orders and charges in connection with the authentication and grading services provided by RCPG. Customer further acknowledges and agrees that RCPG may request an authorization when Customer provides a payment method to RCPG in connection with any service to ensure that the payment method is valid and that Customer has sufficient pays funds to complete the transaction. Customer understands that Customer’s card issuer may hold the authorized amount for a period of time as determined by such card issuer.

10. The “Final Amount Due” is equal to the price of the Service Level Customer selects multiplied by the number of items in the order, adjusted to account for the Service Level price applicable to any item for which RCPG determines its value to exceed the maximum Declared Value for the selected Service Level. Accordingly, if after grading and processing the submitted items, RCPG determines that the value of any item exceeds the maximum Declared Value allowed for the Service Level selected, the Final Amount Due will reflect the higher cost of the Service Level appropriate for all such item(s). All charges will be made in South African Rands (ZAR).

11. RCPG shall have no liability whatsoever to Customer, or any third party for whom Customer may be acting, (i) for any personal injury or (ii) any damage to any item, or otherwise, resulting from the breaking open of a CBCS item holder, or for any damage to any item that RCPG can reasonably demonstrate occurred while the item was not in the custody or control of RCPG including, but not limited to, loss or damage to items while being shipped to CBCS, or while being shipped by RCPG to Customer by a method selected and paid for by Customer.

12. Except as expressly set forth herein to the contrary, RCPG DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, REGARDING RCPG’S GOODS AND SERVICES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

13. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, except with respect to the remedies under the PSA Financial Guarantee of Grade and Authenticity set forth at PSACard.com (the “Guarantee”), THE MAXIMUM AGGREGATE LIABILITY THAT RCPG SHALL HAVE TO CUSTOMER, OR ANY THIRD PARTY FOR WHOM THE CUSTOMER MAY BE ACTING, ARISING FROM ANY CAUSE, ACT, OMISSION OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCE, SHALL IN NO EVENT EXCEED THE GRADING CHARGES OR LESS ACTUALLY PAID BY CUSTOMER FOR THE GRADING SERVICES RENDERED BY RCPG WITH RESPECT TO THE ITEMS SUBMITTED FOR GRADING HEREUNDER. IN NO EVENT SHALL PSA OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES, OR ANY OF ITS OR THEIR RESPECTIVE EMPLOYEES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS OR AGENTS, BE LIABLE TO CUSTOMER OR ANY OTHER PARTY FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

14. In the ordinary course of its grading operations, RCPG (i) compiles data regarding each item submitted for grading, including, but not limited to, data relating to the identity, production, condition and grade of the item (the “Data”); and (ii) may take, or have taken, one or more digital or other types of photographs, images or reproductions of each such item (collectively, the “Images”). In consideration for the grading services being provided by RCPG, Customer, on behalf of itself and any third party for whom Customer may be acting, hereby authorizes RCPG (i) to compile and maintain such Data with respect to each item submitted hereunder for grading; and (ii) to take, or cause to be taken, one or more Images of each such item, and further agrees that RCPG will be the owner of such Data and all such Images and that PSA may use and exploit such Data and the Images for commercial and any other purposes, as RCPG in its sole discretion deems appropriate, including, but not limited to, the publication and republication or reproduction in or on any media, of such Data and Images. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Customer, on behalf of itself and any third party for whom Customer may be acting with respect to this agreement, unconditionally and irrevocably transfers, conveys and assigns to RCPG any and all current and any hereafter acquired rights, title and interests (including, without limitation, rights in copyright, patent, trade secret and trademark) that Customer or any such third party may have in or to the Data and the Images (on whatever media or in whatever form such Images may be reproduced or published).

15. If any items are being submitted for a third party, Customer represents and warrants that such third party has agreed and accepted this Agreement and has signed a duplicate copy hereof. Customer agrees to provide that third-party signed copy to RCPG at any time upon its request.

16. This Agreement is delivered and accepted in South Africa and it is the intention of the parties that it be governed by and construed in accordance with the substantive laws of Government, without regard to conflicts of laws principles. 

17. The terms and provisions in this Agreement and the Customer Agreement, if applicable, constitute the entire agreement of RCPG and Customer (and any third party for whom Customer may be acting) regarding, and supersede all prior agreements and understandings (written or oral) between or among such parties relating to, the subject matter hereof. If it is determined that there are any inconsistencies between this Agreement and the Customer Agreement, then this Agreement shall control. If any term or provision of this Agreement is determined, by a final and non-appealable ruling or order of a court of competent jurisdiction, to be invalid or unenforceable under applicable law, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any of the other terms or provisions of this agreement. Each party shall execute and deliver such additional documents and instruments as any other party may request to better evidence or effectuate the agreements contained herein, including the assignment of rights set forth in Section 12, and procedures, and further agree that RCPG is entitled to rely upon and benefit from those terms and procedures.

Last Updated: February, 2024

THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE GRADING YOUR COMIC BOOKS.

Before a comic book’s true value can be assessed, its condition or state of preservation must be determined. In all comic books, the better the condition, the more desirable and valuable the book. Comic books in MINT condition will bring several times the price of the same book in POOR condition. Therefore it is very important to be able to properly grade your books. Comics should be graded from the inside out, so the following comic book areas should be examined before assigning a final grade.

Check inside pages, inside spine and covers and outside spine and covers for any tears, markings, brittleness, tape soiling, chunks out or other defects that would affect the grade. After all the above steps have been taken, then the reader can begin to consider an overall grade for his or her book. The grading of a comic book is done by simply looking at the book and describing its condition, which may range from absolutely perfect newsstand condition MINT to extremely worn, dirty, and torn POOR.

Numerous variables influence the evaluation of a comic book’s condition. Although the grade of a comic book is based upon an accumulation of defects, some defects may be more extreme for a particular grade as long as other acceptable listed defects are almost non-existent. As grading is the most subjective aspect of determining a comic’s value, it is very important that the grader be careful not to allow wishful thinking to influence what the eyes see. It is also very important to realize that older comics in MINT condition are extremely scarce and are rarely advertised for sale; most of the higher grade comics advertised range from VERY FINE to NEAR MINT.

GRADING DEFINITIONS NOTE

This section uses both the traditional grade abbreviations and the ONE number throughout the listings. The Overstreet Numerical Equivalent (ONE) spread range is given with each grade.

MINT (MT) (ONE 9.9-10.0)

Near perfect in every way. Only the most subtle bindery or printing defects are allowed. Cover is flat with no surface wear. Cover inks are bright with high reflectivity and minimal fading. Corners are cut square and sharp. Staples are generally centered, clean with no rust. Cover is generally well centered and firmly secured to interior pages. Paper is supple and fresh. Spine is tight and flat.

NEAR MINT/MINT (NM/MT) (ONE 9.8)

A comic book that has enough positive qualities to make it better than a NM+, but has enough detracting qualities to keep it from being a MT 9.9. In most cases the comic book has a better appearance than a NM+.

NEAR MINT (NM) (ONE 9.2-9.7)

Nearly perfect with only minor imperfections allowed. This grade should have no corner of impact creases, stress marks should be almost invisible, and bindery tears must be less than 1/16 inch. A couple of very tiny color flecks, or a combination of the above that keeps the book from being perfect, where the overall eye appeal is less than Mint drops the book into this grade. Only the most subtle binging and/or printing defects allowed. Cover is flat with no surface wear. Cover inks are bright with high reflectivity and minimum of fading. Corners are cut square and sharp with ever so slight blunting permitted. Staples are generally centered, clean with no rust. Cover is well centered and firmly secured to interior pages. Paper is supple and like new. Spine is tight and flat.

VERY FINE/NEAR MINT (VF/NM) (ONE 9.0)

A comic book that has enough positive qualities to make it better than a VF+, but has enough detracting qualities to keep it from being a NM-. In most cases the comic book has a better appearance than a VF+.

VERY FINE (VF) (ONE 7.5-8.5)

An excellent copy with outstanding eye appeal. Sharp, bright and clean with supple pages. Cover is relatively flat with almost no surface wear. Cover inks are generally bright with moderate to high reflectivity. Staples may show some discoloration. Spine may have a couple of almost insignificant transverse stress lines and is almost completely flat. A barely unnoticeable ¼ inch crease is acceptable, if color is not broken. Pages and covers can be yellowish/tannish (at the least, but no brown and will usually be off-white to white).

FINE/VERY FINE (FN/VF) (ONE 7.0)

A comic book that has enough positive qualities to make it better than a FN+, but has enough detracting qualities to keep it from being a VF-. In most cases, the comic book has a better appearance than a FN+.

FINE (FN) (ONE 5.5-6.5)

An above-average copy that shows minor wear but is still relatively flat and clean with no significant creasing or other serious defects. Eye appeal is somewhat reduced because of slight surface wear and possibly a small defect such as a few slight cross stress marks on spine or a very slight spine split (1/4”). A Fine condition comic book appears to have been read a few times and has been handled with moderate care. Compared to a VF, cover inks are beginning to show a significant reduction in reflectivity, but it is still a highly collectible and desirable book. Pages and interior covers may be tan, but pages must still be fairly supple with no signs of brittleness.

VERY GOOD/FINE (VG/FN) (ONE 5.0)

A comic book that has enough positive qualities to make it better than a VG+, but has enough detracting qualities to keep it from being a FN-. In most cases the comic book has a better appearance than a VG+.

VERY GOOD (VG) (ONE 3.5-4.5)

The average used comic book. A comic in this grade shows some wear, can have a reading or center crease or a moderately rolled spine, but has not accumulated enough total defects to reduce eye appeal to the point that it is not a desirable copy. Some discoloration, fading and even minor soiling is allowed. As much as a ¼’ triangle can be missing out of the corner or edge. A missing square piece (1/8” by 1/8”) is also acceptable. Store stamps, name stamps, arrival dates, initials, etc. have no effect on this grade. Cover and interior pages can have some minor tears and folds and the centerfold may be detached at one staple. The cover may also be loose, but not completely detached. Common bindery and printing defects do not affect grade. Pages and inside covers may be brown but not brittle. Tape should never be used for comic book repair; however, many VG condition comics have minor tape repair.

GOOD/VERY GOOD (GD/VG) (ONE 3.0)

A comic book that has enough positive qualities to keep it better that a GD+, but has enough detracting qualities to keep it from being a VG-. In most cases the comic book has a better appearance than a GD+.

GOOD (GD) (ONE 1.8-2.5)

A copy in this grade has all pages and covers, although There may be small pieces missing inside; the largest piece allowed from front or back cover is a ½” triangle or square ¼” by ¼”. Books in this grade are commonly creased, scuffed, abraded, soiled and may have as much as a 2” spine split, but are still completely readable. Often, paper quality is low but not brittle. Cover reflectivity is low, and in some cases, completely absent. This grade can have a moderate accumulation of defects, but still maintains its basic structural integrity.

FAIR/GOOD (FR/GD) (ONE 1.5)

A comic book that has enough positive qualities to keep it better than a FR+, but has enough detracting qualities to keep if from being a GD-. In most cases the comic book has a better appearance than a FR+.

FAIR (FR) (ONE 1.0)

A copy in this grade is usually soiled, ragged, and possibly unattractive. Creases, tears and/or folds are prevalent. Spine may be split up to 2/3rds its entire length. Staples may be gone. Up to 1/10th of the front cover may be missing. These books are readable, although soiling, staining, tears, markings or chunks missing may moderately interfere with reading the complete story. Some collectors consider this the lowest collectible grade because comic books in lesser condition are usually defaced and/or brittle. Very often paper quality is low and may have slight brittleness around the edges, but not in the central portions of the pages. Comic books in this grade may have a clipped coupon, so long as it is noted along side of the nomenclature, i.e.: “Fair (1.0) Coupon Clipped.” Valued at 50-70% of good.

POOR (PR) (ONE 0.5)

Most comic books in this grade have been sufficiently degraded to the point that copies may have extremely severe stains, missing staples, brittleness, mildew or moderate to heavy cover abrasion to the point that some cover inks are indistinct/absent. Comic books in this grade can have small chunks missing and pieces out of pages. They may have been defaced with paints, varnishes, glues, oil, indelible markers or dyes. Covers may be split the entire length of the book, but both halves must be present and basically still there with some chunks missing. A page(s) may be missing as long as it is noted along side of the nomenclature; i.e.: “POOR (0.5) 2nd Page Missing.” Value depends on extent of defects, but would average about 1/3 of GOOD

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