About us

 

ETA-GS GmbH 

ETA-GS is an innovative German online company based in Cologne. ETA-GS aims to increase your enjoyment of collecting trading cards and other collectibles.

ETA-GS is an independent company that is not exclusively tied to any specific grading companies through cooperation agreements. This independence allows ETA-GS to select reputable grading firms that are accepted in the collector market to evaluate your items.

Your favorite items may turn out to be valuable treasures waiting to be discovered. Perhaps your treasures require a new, more suitable way of being stored, and a nice case would be appropriate. Our sleeves protect trading cards from many conceivable types of damage, e.g., exposure to light.

Whether your collected item is a material treasure or more of an emotional hobby depends crucially on its condition and the corresponding market demand. ETA-GS helps customers make this distinction in a serious manner by having articles evaluated by recognized grading firms and providing the results to our customers.

An evaluation by grading firms is a good basis for negotiation when it comes to selling your items. Even if you are not planning to "cash in" on your prized possessions, grading can be useful for many good reasons.

The condition and value of collectibles, especially trading cards, are determined by so-called grading companies according to market-standard criteria. The core business of such companies includes the authentication and evaluation of collectibles. As a rule, these companies also offer other services that may be of interest to collectors.

Common market criteria for grading include, for example:

  • Surface

  • Edges

  • Corners

  • Centering

    It is important to know that every grading company applies its own standards to grading and that grading results can vary between individual grading companies.

The grading companies commissioned by ETA-GS have earned a worldwide reputation for their evaluation criteria and standards. Their professional assessments and issued documents are used by market participants as a serious benchmark for determining the value of the respective item.

Most of these companies are based in the USA.

Being based in the USA or outside of Europe complicates the process for European and German collectors to have their items graded at an international level. Independently commissioning such foreign grading companies involves high costs, complicated forms, and a great deal of effort. ETA-GS offers German collectors a smart and cost-effective solution to have their own cards evaluated by renowned companies.

Currently, ETA-GS works exclusively with the PSA Grading Company, founded in 1999, which is also based in the USA. ETA-GS is preparing for cooperation with further grading companies and is confident that it will be able to include the services of additional professional grading firms in its portfolio in the near future.

The range of services offered by PSA and all grading companies available for selection can be booked in full by our customers and is enhanced by ETA-GS's own services,

listed below.

  • ETA-GS's pricing policy is transparent and protects every customer from surprises caused by hidden additional costs.

  • In the case of commissioning PSA, a so-called "value charge" may occur. This means that the declared value of the item is lower than its actual value, and the PSA service is placed in a more expensive price category. This circumstance leads to a subsequent increase in the invoice amount at ETA-GS.

  • ETA-GS guarantees that the submission guidelines of the grading companies are fully complied with.

  • ETA-GS organizes the shipment and return transport of the items, including all necessary formalities, even to countries outside of Europe.

  • Shipping is completely organized by ETA-GS and is already included in the invoice amount - there are no additional costs.

  • All cards received by ETA-GS are insured during the entire evaluation process and during postal shipment, up to a maximum amount of 5,000 euros per submission. In individual cases, the submission may exceed the value of the maximum insurance coverage.

  • In the event of loss or damage, the maximum insurance benefit is paid out proportionally.

  • For more valuable individual items, an adjustment of the insurance sum is possible and is subject to a case-by-case review. In principle, there is no entitlement to an individual insurance sum.

  • ETA-GS coordinates all communication with the international grading companies and serves as your sole point of contact.

    The submitted items are handled with the greatest care and dedication by our employees. The entire process from opening incoming mail to professional storage and forwarding to the selected grading company is video-monitored using high-resolution, state-of-the-art technology.

    Every single item is photographed and registered in detail, ensuring that confusion between owners is guaranteed to be excluded.