Verify before you pay

Always check the certification number on the grading company’s official site and confirm the card, grade, and image match the slab you are buying. A cert that does not resolve, or details that do not match, is a deal-breaker.

Watch for classic red flags

Be wary of prices far below market, pressure to move off-platform or pay by irreversible methods, tampered or resealed cases, and sellers with thin or no history. If a deal feels too good, it usually is.

Buy where you have recourse

Use reputable venues and payment methods with buyer protection. When you log a purchase in Slabline by its cert number, the lookup confirms the real card behind the number — one more check that what you bought is what it claims to be.