Cards, grades and prices — explained simply

Grading is an independent company checking a card and sealing it in a hard case with a score from 1 to 10. The score covers four things: how sharp the corners are, how clean the edges are, how centred the picture is, and how clean the surface is.

A graded card is worth more than the same card loose, because the condition has been checked by someone with no stake in the sale. Two 9s of the same card can still differ in price — an older set or a first print run always carries a premium.

Every price you see on NEXUS LABS TCG comes from what that exact card has actually sold for recently — not what someone hopes to get. We keep it in pounds, and we refresh it regularly so it reflects today's market.

• Sealed sets and boxes move with supply. Once a set stops being printed, sealed product usually climbs.
• Chase singles — the rare hits from a set — carry most of the value. The rest of a set is often worth pennies each.
• Condition changes everything. The same card can be £8 played and £80 near mint.
• Timing matters. Prices spike on release week and around tournaments, then settle.

On card pages you'll see the recent sold price. Treat it as a fair middle: paying a little over for a spotless copy is normal, and paying under usually means condition or a slower set.

Each listing shows the same handful of details. Here's what to look at, in order:

1. Title and card name — the exact card, set and print. If a listing doesn't name the set, ask before buying.
2. Type badge — single card, sealed product, box break slot or a creative lot. Break slots are a chance at what's inside, not a specific card.
3. Condition — see the wording below. It's the seller's own honest grade unless the card is professionally graded.
4. Price and postage — postage is shown next to the price, or marked free postage. Nothing else gets added at checkout.
5. Quantity — how many are left. Add to basket to hold one while you shop.

Your money sits with us until your parcel is on its way, and every live sale is recorded on video so there's proof of what was won. If something arrives damaged or never turns up, open it up from your orders page and we'll step in.

Sellers pay their own card fees and postage costs, so the price you see is the price you pay — we never add buyer fees on top.