Card pre-gradingknow before you pay for grading
Our pre-grader measures each card with professional equipment and tells you, recorded on video, whether it is worth grading and with which company. In our TCG store in Barcelona or remotely, for any grading company.
Four things decide a grade
Grading costs money and takes months, so it pays to know first. In a pre-grading we measure and inspect each card (centering, corners, edges and surface) with the right equipment, explain the result and advise you on whether to grade it and with which grading company and service: sometimes a simple encapsulation (casing) is enough. Pre-grading is independent from grading: you can book either one on its own.
Centering
How even the borders are, front and back, measured, not guessed.
Corners
Whitening, rounding and dents, checked one by one.
Edges
Chips and wear along every edge.
Surface
Scratches, print lines, dents and marks, checked under light.
Pre-grading: know if a card is worth grading
Measured study of centering, corners, edges and surface, with the explanation and our advice. Recorded on video.
In store, date set by us
The pre-grader groups appointments on scheduled days at our Barcelona store and we cover the travel. We offer you the available dates.
In store, your date
Dedicated appointment: the pre-grader travels to our Barcelona store just for you, on the date you choose. Plus 7 € per card.
Remote pre-grading
Send us the cards: free on a date we assign, or the 15 € remote handling fee on the date you choose (one fee per order, shared with remote grading). You receive the recorded video.
VIP · anywhere else
Pre-grading at your home, an event or any place other than our Barcelona store, or dedicated advisory for large collections.
Pre-grading is a made-to-order service for a reserved date. Once the appointment is confirmed, the call-out fee (paid to a third party, the pre-grader) is not refundable; once the pre-grading is done, neither is the per-card fee. No-shows are not refunded.
How pre-grading works
Choose where
Our Barcelona store, or remotely: you send us the cards and receive a recorded video.
Choose when
A date set by us is free. If you pick the date, there is a flat 20 € call-out fee in store or the 15 € remote handling fee.
Get the verdict
For each card: the measurements, an estimate and our advice on whether to grade it and with which company.
Frequently asked questions
What is pre-grading and how much does it cost?
Pre-grading is our measured assessment of a card before you pay for grading: centering, corners, edges and surface. It costs 7 € per card. At our Barcelona store there is no call-out fee on the dates we set, or a flat 20 € call-out fee for a dedicated appointment on the date you choose. Remote pre-grading costs 0 € extra on a date we assign, or the 15 € remote handling fee if you choose the date (the same single fee as remote grading), and includes a video with the explanation.
Do I have to pre-grade before grading?
No. Pre-grading and grading are independent services. You can send cards straight to grading, or pre-grade them first to decide which ones are worth it.
Is pre-grading refundable?
Once it has been done, no: when you book you expressly request the service and acknowledge that you lose the right of withdrawal once it is performed. If you cancel before the appointment we refund the 7 € per card, but not the 20 € call-out fee, which is already committed to the pre-grader. If you do not show up, there is no refund.
Can the pre-grader come to my home or event?
Yes, as a VIP service quoted on request. The standard prices (0 € or 20 € call-out fee) only cover appointments at our Barcelona store.
Book your appointment
Tell us how many cards you have and whether you want pre-grading, grading or both, in store or remotely. Private appointments and VIP advisory are quoted on request.
Visit us in Barcelona
Universe TCG Barcelona · Carrer de Gaietà Ventalló 34, Local 3, 08100 Mollet del Vallès. About 20 km from central Barcelona, well connected by train (Rodalies) and motorway.
Opening hours
| Monday | 16:55 – 21:00 |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday to Friday | 16:55 – 21:00 |
| Saturday | 10:30 – 14:00 · 16:30 – 20:30 |
| Sunday | Closed (open only for tournaments) |