Card Condition and Authenticity Policy
Last updated: October 21, 2026
Effective date: October 21, 2026
This policy explains how Cinderlith Gaming identifies, evaluates, and lists collectible cards. It is incorporated into our Terms and Returns and Refunds Policy.
1. Printing identity
A listing is identified by available attributes such as game, card name, set, collector number, printing, language, finish, treatment, and artwork. Different printings or finishes are different inventory items even when the card name and rules text are the same. Multifaced cards are matched to the full printing, not treated as unrelated front and back cards.
2. Condition scale
Unless a listing expressly uses another scale, ungraded singles are assigned one of these practical conditions:
- Near Mint (NM): clean overall appearance with at most minor handling or manufacturing imperfections and no material play wear.
- Lightly Played (LP): limited visible wear such as small edge, corner, surface, or shuffle marks that do not materially impair normal use.
- Moderately Played (MP): noticeable wear across multiple areas, but the card remains intact, identifiable, and normally sleeve-playable.
- Heavily Played (HP): substantial wear, whitening, scratching, clouding, creasing, or similar defects, while the card remains identifiable and structurally usable.
- Damaged (DMG): damage beyond heavy ordinary wear, such as tears, severe bends or creases, water damage, ink, peeling, holes, major structural damage, or other alteration.
Condition is a good-faith assessment, not a professional grade or guarantee of a numeric grade from a third-party grading company. Manufacturing defects, centering, print lines, curling, signatures, stamps, and alterations should be disclosed separately when known and material.
3. Images
Catalog art normally identifies the printing and may not depict the exact physical copy. An “actual card” or similarly labeled photograph controls for visible characteristics of that individual item, subject to reasonable differences in lighting and display. Merchant-provided photographs take priority over provider catalog art when explicitly designated as the item image.
4. Foils, finishes, languages, and multifaced cards
The finish and language shown in the selected listing are part of the product identity. Foil cards may exhibit ordinary curling or surface characteristics; material issues known at inspection should be reflected in condition or notes. For transform, modal double-faced, split, adventure, or other multifaced cards, additional faces may appear in the gallery or product details.
5. Authenticity
We intend to sell authentic products and use reasonable inspection procedures appropriate to the item and risk. We do not knowingly sell counterfeit cards or unauthorized proxies as authentic products. Unless expressly stated, an ungraded card has not been authenticated by a third-party grading company. If authenticity is reasonably disputed, preserve the item and packaging and contact cinderlithgaming+support@gmail.com before altering or returning it.
6. Condition or identity issue after delivery
Do not play, clean, press, alter, sign, grade, or remove a disputed card from protective materials more than reasonably necessary to inspect it. Photograph the card, packaging, and shipping label and contact us within the period in the Returns and Refunds Policy. We may compare inventory records, images, weight, security marks, and other evidence to confirm identity and prevent substitution.
7. No affiliation
Third-party game names, card art, symbols, catalog data, grading terms, and trademarks belong to their owners. Cinderlith Gaming is an independent retailer and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Wizards of the Coast, Hasbro, Scryfall, TCGplayer, or any grading company unless expressly stated.