Refund & Return Policy
Pokémon trading cards are high-value collectibles whose market prices can shift significantly day to day. Because of this, and because card condition is an objective, documented standard rather than a matter of personal preference, our return and refund policy is structured to protect both parties fairly and transparently. By completing a purchase at RarePokémonCards.shop, you confirm that you have read and agreed to the terms outlined on this page. Please review them carefully before ordering.
Our core commitment
Every card listed in our store is photographed under controlled lighting against an archival reference standard before it ships. That photography record is the objective baseline against which all returned items are assessed. This protects you from receiving something misrepresented and protects us from condition disputes inflated by market movement.
1. Return Window
| Detail | Policy |
|---|---|
| Return window | 14 calendar days from the date of confirmed delivery as recorded by the carrier’s tracking system |
| Return request deadline | The return request must be submitted and acknowledged within the 14-day window. Shipping the item back without a confirmed return authorisation will not be accepted. |
| Acceptable return reasons | Item significantly not as described; item received in materially different condition than photographed and listed; incorrect item shipped in error by our team |
| Non-acceptable return reasons | Change of mind; buyer’s remorse; market price movement after purchase; disagreement with a grading company’s assigned grade on a sealed slab |
⚠️ Market volatility is not grounds for a return
The Pokémon TCG secondary market fluctuates constantly. A card’s market value increasing or decreasing after your purchase does not constitute a valid reason for a return or refund request under any circumstance. All sales are final once the return window has elapsed.
2. Eligibility Criteria — Graded Slabs
Applies to all PSA, BGS, and CGC encapsulated cards.
For a graded slab return to be approved, all of the following conditions must be met without exception:
- Tamper-evident seals intact: The holographic tamper-evident label(s) applied by the grading company must be completely unbroken, unpeeled, and show zero signs of heat, moisture, or mechanical interference. Any breach of the seal — regardless of explanation — will immediately void the return.
- Case condition — zero defects: The plastic slab must be free of any scratching, cracking, hazing, discolouration, or structural alteration that was not present and documented in our pre-shipment photography record.
- Label legibility: The internal grade label must be fully legible, undisturbed, and match the certification number listed on your order confirmation.
- Certification number match: The cert number on the slab must match the cert number on your invoice exactly. Slabs with altered, removed, or non-matching cert numbers will be refused and returned to the sender at their cost.
- Original packing materials: The slab must be returned using equivalent archival-grade packaging to that which it was shipped in. Returns received with slab damage attributable to inadequate return packaging will not be eligible for refund.
⚠️ Cracked cases and broken seals
A cracked slab or broken holographic seal — even if unintentional — renders the item ungradeable and materially reduces its value. Returns in this condition will be refused regardless of the circumstances under which the damage occurred after delivery.
3. Eligibility Criteria — Raw Singles
Applies to all ungraded, non-encapsulated individual cards.
For a raw single return to be approved, all of the following conditions must be met:
- Condition match — archival photography standard: The card must be returned in a condition that is objectively identical to the condition documented in our pre-shipment photographs on file. Our vault team will conduct a side-by-side comparison assessment upon receipt.
- No surface handling marks: Any new fingerprints, surface scratches, print layer scuffs, or smudging that are not present in our pre-shipment photos will void the return eligibility immediately.
- No edge whitening: Raw cards are highly susceptible to edge and corner whitening from handling. Any new whitening, chipping, or edge wear not documented at the time of shipment will void the return.
- No sleeve or top-loader damage transfers: Cards must be returned in a new penny sleeve and rigid top-loader. If the card shows pressure marks, sleeve scratches, or bowing attributable to improper storage after delivery, the return will be declined.
- Single card orders only: Returns on raw card lots or bulk purchases are evaluated on a per-order basis and are subject to additional review timelines of up to 5 business days.
4. Non-Returnable Items
The following items cannot be returned, exchanged, or refunded under any circumstances:
| Item Type | Reason |
|---|---|
| Opened booster packs | Factory shrink-wrap breach cannot be reversed; contents are randomised and revealed |
| Opened booster boxes | Same as above — once the factory seal is broken the contents are considered accepted |
| Sealed product with tampered shrink-wrap | Any product where the factory seal shows signs of resealing, heat treatment, or tampering |
| Graded slabs with broken tamper seals | See Section 2 — broken seals void all return eligibility |
| Custom orders and special sourced items | Items sourced specifically on request for a customer are final sale |
| Digital content and redemption codes | Non-physical items cannot be returned once delivered or redeemed |
| Items returned outside the 14-day window | No exceptions will be made regardless of circumstance |
5. The Return Process
If your return request meets the eligibility criteria above, follow these steps precisely. Do not ship anything back before receiving written return authorisation from our team. Unauthorised returns will be refused at the point of delivery and returned to the sender.
Step 1 — Submit a return request
Contact our vault team within the 14-day return window using the secure contact form at rarepokemoncards.shop/contact or by emailing returns@rarepokemoncards.shop. Include your order number, the item(s) you are requesting to return, and a clear written explanation of the reason. Attach any supporting photographs if the return relates to a condition discrepancy.
Step 2 — Await return authorisation
Our vault team will review your request within 2 business days and issue either a Return Merchandise Authorisation (RMA) number or a written explanation of why the request does not meet our eligibility criteria. Do not ship any item back until you have received a valid RMA number in writing.
Step 3 — Package the item securely
Once authorised, repack the item using the same archival-grade standards it was shipped to you in. Raw singles must be in a new penny sleeve and rigid top-loader. Graded slabs must be double bubble-wrapped inside a crush-proof corrugated box. Inadequate packaging that results in return transit damage will void the refund.
Step 4 — Ship with insurance and tracking
The buyer is responsible for all return shipping costs. You must ship the item using a tracked, fully insured service at the declared value of the item. Write your RMA number clearly on the outside of the package. RarePokémonCards.shop is not liable for return packages lost or damaged in transit — your insurance on the return shipment is your protection.
Step 5 — Share your tracking information
Email your return tracking number to returns@rarepokemoncards.shop immediately after shipping. Returns received without a prior-submitted tracking number may face processing delays.
6. Refunds & Processing Time
✅ Approved refunds are processed within 3–5 business days of vault inspection sign-off.
| Stage | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Return package received at our vault | Day 0 — confirmed by our team via email |
| Vault inspection and condition assessment | Within 2 business days of receipt |
| Refund approval or dispute notification issued | Within 1 business day of inspection completion |
| Refund processed to original payment method | Within 3–5 business days of approval |
| Funds visible in your account | Dependent on your bank or payment provider — typically 2–5 additional business days |
Refund method: All approved refunds are issued exclusively to the original payment method used at checkout. We do not issue refunds via bank transfer, cryptocurrency, alternative payment methods, or to a different card or account than the one used to place the order.
Partial refunds: In cases where a returned item is assessed as being in a marginally degraded condition compared to our shipment record but the degradation is minor and not attributable to misrepresentation on our part, we reserve the right to issue a partial refund reflecting the documented condition difference. You will be notified in writing before any partial refund is processed, and you will have the option to have the item shipped back to you at your cost instead.
⚠️ Refund denial
If a returned item fails our vault inspection — due to new damage, condition discrepancy not present at shipment, broken tamper seals, or evidence of handling — the return will be denied in full. The item will be held for 14 days pending your instruction to have it reshipped to you at your cost. Items not claimed within 14 days will be considered abandoned.
7. Chargebacks & Payment Disputes
We take payment disputes seriously and maintain complete photographic, tracking, and correspondence records for every order. Filing a chargeback without first contacting us and allowing our returns process to run its course is considered a violation of our terms of service and may result in your account being permanently banned from our platform.
If you have a genuine concern about your order, our team will always work with you directly and fairly. Please contact support@rarepokemoncards.shop before escalating to your payment provider.
8. Consumer Rights
Nothing in this policy is intended to limit or override any statutory consumer rights you hold under the laws of your country or region. Where applicable law grants you rights that exceed those described here, those legal rights will always take precedence. If you are unsure of your rights as a consumer in your jurisdiction, we encourage you to seek independent guidance.
Last updated: June 2025. This policy is subject to change without prior notice. The most current version is always available at rarepokemoncards.shop/refund-return-policy.
For all return and refund enquiries: returns@rarepokemoncards.shop