CardShake

Trade & Shipping Rules

What every member can expect from the other side of a deal.

CardShake connects collectors directly. We never hold cards or money, we don't process payments, and we are not a party to any deal. Every deal is between you and the other member. These rules exist so both sides know exactly what's expected.

Who sends first

  • Cash purchases: the buyer pays first, the seller ships within 3 business days of receiving payment.
  • Trades: both members ship within 3 business days of the deal being agreed, and both add tracking before either package is marked received.
  • If one member has fewer than 5 completed deals and the other has 5 or more, the newer member pays or ships first, unless both agree otherwise in the deal messages.
  • Any change to these defaults must be agreed in the deal's message thread so there's a record.

Payment

  • Accepted methods are whatever the seller lists: Zelle, Cash App, Venmo, or PayPal.
  • Zelle, Cash App, Venmo friends & family, and PayPal friends & family have NO buyer protection. Only use them with members you trust.
  • Venmo Goods & Services and PayPal Goods & Services offer buyer protection. Sellers may add the fee to the price but must say so before the deal is agreed.
  • Never pay outside the payment details shown on the member's CardShake profile. If someone asks you to pay a different account, report them.
  • Add a note to every payment: "CardShake deal #[deal number]."

Shipping requirements

  • Under $20 total: plain white envelope with a top loader is allowed; tracking is strongly recommended.
  • $20 and up: bubble mailer with tracking is REQUIRED (USPS Ground Advantage or better).
  • $250 and up: tracking plus insurance or signature confirmation for the full value is REQUIRED.
  • Cards must be in a penny sleeve and top loader (or slab/one-touch), and secured so they can't slide.
  • The tracking number must be entered on the deal within 24 hours of shipping.
  • Take a photo of the packed cards and the sealed, labeled package before shipping. Keep it until the deal is complete.

Receiving

  • Record a short unboxing video when opening packages over $100. Without one, condition or "missing card" claims are hard to support.
  • Check the cards and mark your side received within 48 hours of delivery.
  • If something is wrong, message the other member in the deal thread before marking received.

When something goes wrong

  1. Message the other member in the deal thread first. Most problems are honest mistakes.
  2. If they don't respond within 3 business days, or won't resolve it, click "Report a problem" on the deal.
  3. If you paid with a protected method (Goods & Services), open a claim with that payment provider. They, not CardShake, can refund you.
  4. For suspected fraud or theft, you can also file a report at reportfraud.ftc.gov and with USPS if it involves the mail.

CardShake can't refund money or recover cards, but we review every report, and members who scam, ghost, or fail to ship are suspended or removed and flagged on their profile.

Cancelling a deal

  • Either member can cancel before anything has been paid or shipped.
  • After payment or shipping, a cancellation must be agreed by both members, and any money or cards must be returned within 3 business days.

Strikes

  • Missing a shipping or payment deadline without communicating: 1 strike.
  • Shipping without tracking when tracking was required: 1 strike.
  • 3 strikes in 6 months: account suspended for 30 days.
  • Confirmed scam, counterfeit, or non-delivery: permanent removal.

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