Questions, answered straight.

The major graders (PSA, CGC, Beckett/BGS) publish tiered pricing based on your card's declared value and the turnaround speed you choose. As a general picture for 2026:

• Value / economy tiers — typically start around $20–$30 per card for cards with declared value under roughly $500. Slowest turnaround.
• Regular / standard tiers — roughly $40–$75+ per card for mid-range declared values.
• Express / premium tiers — $100+ per card, fastest turnaround, for high-value cards.

Each grader sets its own tiers, and pricing changes periodically. Always confirm current pricing on the grader's official site (psacard.com, cgcgrading.com, beckett.com) before you submit.

Our prep service adds an intake + pre-screen fee on top of the grader's fee — see how grading prep works or request a quote.

It depends on the tier and the grader's current backlog. Value tiers commonly quote several weeks to a few months door-to-door; express tiers are measured in days to weeks but cost multiples more.

We track published turnaround estimates and will tell you honestly which tier fits your timeline — sometimes a PSA 9 on a fast turnaround beats chasing a PSA 10 for months.

Grade selectively. The best candidates are high-value chase cards in visibly gem-mint condition. Grading low-value bulk usually costs more than the graded card returns.

Japanese print quality is famously sharp, which works in your favor — but centering, edge whitening, and surface scratches still decide the grade. That's exactly what our pre-screening checks before you spend a dollar on grader fees: if a card isn't a strong candidate, we'll tell you not to submit it.

Read: Japanese vs English cards — value, pull rates, and what collectors should know →

For resale value, PSA-graded cards historically command the strongest premiums in the Pokémon market, especially at grade 10. CGC is respected and often more affordable to submit; Beckett (BGS) remains a favorite for pristine sub-grades and certain eras.

There's no single right answer — it depends on the card, your budget, and whether you're grading to sell or to keep. Tell us the card and your goal and we'll give you a straight recommendation.

Run through these checks before you buy:

• Set code & numbering — match them against the official set list. Fakes often get collector numbers or set symbols wrong.
• Factory seal crimping — genuine seals have an even, consistent crimp pattern. Wavy, uneven, or re-glued seals are a red flag.
• Card stock — compare weight and feel to a known-genuine card. Fakes often feel too glossy, too thin, or too stiff.
• Print quality — look at print crispness, holo pattern uniformity, and the card-back color and logo. Blurry text or off-color backs are tell-tale.
• Price & source — prices far below market, or "Japanese" stock shipping from outside Japan, deserve extra scrutiny.

Full walkthrough with photos-style detail: how to spot fake Japanese packs →

A dead pack (or dead box) is sealed product that was weighed, mapped, or opened until the guaranteed hit was pulled — then resealed and sold as factory-sealed. You pay sealed prices for a box with no chase card left inside.

Warning signs: inconsistent seal crimping, pricing well under market, and sellers who can't or won't say where the product was sourced. Buy sealed Japanese product from traceable sources, and be cautious with loose packs from unknown sellers.

Not as a rule. Japanese and English markets price differently: some Japanese chase cards command strong premiums (especially exclusive arts and earlier releases), while English often wins on sheer liquidity and buyer pool size in the US.

We break the full comparison down here →

1. You send us your cards (or drop them off locally in the Tampa Bay area).
2. We photograph, authenticate, and list them across our sales channels.
3. You approve the pricing strategy before anything goes live.
4. We handle buyers, packing, and shipping.
5. You get paid the sale proceeds minus our consignment fee and any marketplace fees.

Fees are quoted per collection based on value and volume — see the full breakdown or request a quote.

Yes, on a case-by-case basis — with a focus on Japanese Pokémon, One Piece, and Dragon Ball. Send photos or a list through our contact form and we'll give you an honest initial assessment. If we'd rather consign than buy, we'll tell you why.

Every card ships in a penny sleeve and top-loader (team bags for higher value), inside a rigid mailer with tracking. Sealed product ships boxed with padding. If it arrives damaged because of our packing, we make it right.

Yes — 100% veteran-owned. NeoSmith Hobby LLC is a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and VOSB, registered in SAM.gov, and eligible for SDVOSB set-aside contracts under NAICS 423990.

Government buyers: view our capability statement →