Last Updated: December 11th, 2025
CardsIQ Terms of Use
These Terms of Use (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of CardsIQ’s services, including our website, mobile applications, platforms, and the content, features, and tools offered (collectively, the “Service”). CardsIQ, LLC (“CardsIQ,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) is a Florida limited liability company headquartered in Miami, Florida. By accessing or using our Service, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, you may not access or use the Service.
1. Eligibility and Account
To use CardsIQ, you must be at least 18 years old, or have verifiable parental or legal guardian consent if you are between the ages of 13 and 17. By creating an account, you confirm that all information provided is complete, accurate, and current. You are solely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials and for any activity that occurs under your account. CardsIQ may suspend or terminate accounts in cases of non-compliance with these Terms, suspected fraud, or misuse of the platform.
2. Know Your Customer (KYC) and Compliance
CardsIQ complies with applicable financial regulations, including Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) laws. Identity verification is performed via our KYC provider, Persona. By using our services, you agree to provide accurate identification and documentation as requested and to keep such information current. Failure to complete identity verification may result in restricted access, held payouts, or account suspension.
3. Platform Fees
CardsIQ applies a platform fee on completed transactions. This fee is automatically deducted from the payout and is non-refundable. The fee covers infrastructure, verification, support, and ongoing development of the CardsIQ ecosystem.
By using the CardsIQ platform, you agree to the deduction of the platform fee on qualifying orders. Fees are disclosed during order review or offer acceptance.
4. Instant Offers and Marketplace Sales
CardsIQ operates an instant marketplace for graded cards. Our system evaluates market data to present cash offers that you may accept or decline.
- Transaction Types: Value Guaranteed Transactions apply only to cards that remain secured within our verified partner network. Any card that is no longer secured within that network can only be sold to CardsIQ as a Marketplace Sale and is subject to Marketplace rules.
- Offer Window: Offers are generated dynamically and may change until accepted. Unaccepted offers may expire after the displayed window.
- Acceptance and Lock: When you accept a Marketplace offer, the payout amount locks at offer generation for that submission. The label must be created and receive its first carrier scan within 3 days of label creation. If the package does not receive its first carrier scan within 3 days, the order may be automatically cancelled and the offer may expire. CardsIQ may, at its discretion, present a new offer based on then-current market value.
- Market Movement: Marketplace Sales include downside protection during transit as stated in these Terms. There is no upside adjustment in Marketplace Sales and your payout remains the locked offer amount.
- Verification: Cards must be authentic, unaltered, and match the stated grade and card details. If an item is misrepresented, CardsIQ may revise the payout or reject the submission.
- Shipping (Marketplace Sales): Unless otherwise stated, you must generate your shipping label through the platform and ship the item promptly. You are responsible for ensuring the package is tendered to the carrier in time to receive a first scan within 3 days of label creation. Failure to ship in accordance with platform guidelines may result in cancellation or re-evaluation.
- Cancellation: For Marketplace Sales that require shipping, you may cancel before acceptance or shipment. After acceptance and shipment, the sale is binding pending verification.
5. Value Guarantee (Partner-Distributed Repacks)
Certain transactions involve cards distributed through repack products offered by verified third-party sellers within the CardsIQ network. These repacks are backed by the CardsIQ Value Guarantee, which ensures the included cards meet or exceed a guaranteed fair market value determined by CardsIQ’s pricing engine at the time of allocation, subject to the rules disclosed for that specific product or break.
- Offers backed by the Value Guarantee are final upon acceptance and are not cancellable by the user.
- Cards covered by the Value Guarantee are considered secured within the CardsIQ partner network. Users do not ship these cards to CardsIQ as part of the Value Guarantee; verification is handled within the partner network and by CardsIQ.
- While a card remains secured within the partner network and subject to the Value Guarantee, your payout will not fall below the guaranteed floor for the applicable product or break.
- Where disclosed for a specific product, you may also receive an adjusted payout if verified live market data at the time of final pricing within the network exceeds the guaranteed floor.
- If a card covered by the Value Guarantee leaves the partner network (for example, when the end user takes possession outside of the partner environment), the Value Guarantee no longer applies. Any later sale of that card to CardsIQ will be treated as a Marketplace Sale under these Terms and will be liquidated at true real-time market value with no upside adjustment and downside protection only during transit as described in Section 4.
- If verification finds material discrepancies within the partner network, CardsIQ may adjust the payout or void the transaction in accordance with the applicable repack rules.
The Value Guarantee applies only to eligible, verified repack transactions that remain secured within the partner network. It does not apply to standard Marketplace submissions that require user shipping, except when otherwise stated in product-specific disclosures.
6. Shipping and Label Requirements
All Marketplace shipments must use a CardsIQ-generated label unless CardsIQ gives written approval to use another carrier label. Using non-CardsIQ labels without approval places all shipping risk on the user, including loss, damage, misrouting, and tracking issues.
- Marketplace Sales: the first carrier scan must occur within 3 days of label creation or the offer may be automatically cancelled and the order closed. CardsIQ may, but is not obligated to, present a revised offer based on then-current market value.
- Value Guaranteed Transactions do not require user shipping; those cards remain secured within the partner network and are not subject to Marketplace shipping requirements.
See the Shipping Policy for packing standards, timelines, and status updates. Using the correct label links tracking, verification, and payment to your order.
7. Pre-Shipment Photos and Risk Allocation
CardsIQ does not automatically collect pre-shipment photos inside the platform. To be eligible for assistance with shipping-related claims, you must take clear photos of the front and back of each slab in your order and email them to claims@cardsiq.io before the carrier receives the package and before the first carrier scan. Your email must include your order ID and sufficiently clear images to identify each card.
If you do not email pre-shipment photos to claims@cardsiq.io prior to the first carrier scan, you forfeit eligibility for shipping-related claims, and CardsIQ is not liable for shipping mishaps, including but not limited to broken slabs, lost or misrouted packages, or other damage occurring in transit.
8. Verification, Order Modification, and Partial Payouts
All orders are subject to intake and verification. CardsIQ may modify orders that fail verification in whole or in part.
- Whatever is verified as correct will be paid according to the verified offer or applicable rule set for the transaction type.
- Differences such as same card with a different certification number, different card with same grade, grade mismatch, tampered or cracked slab, or failed authentication may lead to recalculated offers or rejection.
- If an item is rejected, you may request return shipping from the order portal. If misrepresentation is found, return shipping may be charged to the user.
See the Payout Policy for timing, adjustments, and return handling when only some items pass verification.
9. Insurance and Claims
If you follow all required steps, including using a CardsIQ label and emailing clear pre-shipment photos to claims@cardsiq.io before the carrier receives the package, CardsIQ will connect you with our insurance partner to handle any eligible claims for loss or damage in transit. The insurance company is solely responsible for determinations, timelines, and payouts. CardsIQ is not responsible for claim outcomes or delays. If you ship on a non-CardsIQ label without written approval, or fail to email required pre-shipment photos before the first carrier scan, CardsIQ will not facilitate insurance claims and is not liable for loss, damage, or other shipping-related issues.
10. Payouts
Payouts are initiated after acceptance and successful verification. For Value-Guaranteed repack transactions, payouts are processed upon network confirmation that the card is secured and verified within the partner network. For shipped Marketplace Sales, payouts are processed after CardsIQ receives and verifies your card.
- Supported methods include bank transfer (ACH), eligible instant rails to debit cards, and providers such as PayPal and Venmo when available.
- Payout accounts must be owned by and registered to the verified user. Name matching between KYC and payout destination may be required.
- CardsIQ may place temporary holds or delay payouts for compliance checks, fraud review, chargeback risk, or account security.
- If a payout fails due to invalid details or provider rejection, you must update your payout method. CardsIQ may reattempt after correction.
Transfer times vary by provider and method. Instant options are subject to provider availability, limits, and risk review. See the Payout Policy for full details.
10A. Tax Information (W-9) and 1099 Reporting
To comply with U.S. federal and state tax reporting, CardsIQ collects required payee tax information and coordinates delivery of Forms 1099 through our payment partners.
- W-9 collection via Persona: Before payouts are enabled, you authorize CardsIQ to collect your W-9 data (legal name, address, SSN or EIN, and classification) through Persona. We store this information in your CardsIQ profile and you agree to keep it accurate and current.
- Who issues the 1099: For payouts issued through Stripe, Stripe will generate and furnish the applicable Form 1099 on behalf of your connected account and may make it available in Stripe’s tax portal. For payouts issued through PayPal or Venmo, PayPal and Venmo will generate and furnish Forms 1099 directly in your respective PayPal and Venmo accounts. CardsIQ may surface links or copies in your CardsIQ profile when available.
- Consent to e-delivery and outreach: By accepting these Terms, you consent to electronic delivery of tax forms and pre-filing outreach notifications from CardsIQ and our payment partners, including email and in-app messages. You agree that we and our partners may contact you to confirm or correct tax information before filing. Failure to respond may delay payouts or forms.
- Your responsibilities: You are responsible for the accuracy of your tax information and for any taxes due that arise from your use of the Service. CardsIQ does not provide tax advice.
- Data use and security: Tax data is used only for identity, payout, and tax reporting compliance and is handled according to our Privacy Policy. You authorize CardsIQ to share required data with payment partners and government authorities as the law requires.
1099 thresholds and rules are set by law and may change. CardsIQ and its payment partners follow the rules in effect for the relevant tax year.
11. Content and Intellectual Property
All content and tools available on CardsIQ (including text, software, trademarks, logos, and analytics) are the intellectual property of CardsIQ or its partners. You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or otherwise exploit platform materials without explicit written permission.
You retain ownership of content you submit, but by doing so, you grant CardsIQ a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual license to use, reproduce, and display that content in connection with operating the Service.
12. Prohibited Conduct
The following actions are strictly prohibited:
- Submitting counterfeit or stolen items
- Using the platform for money laundering or fraudulent activity
- Circumventing KYC or identity verification
- Interfering with the platform’s integrity or operations
- Harassing or impersonating others
- Introducing malicious code or attempting unauthorized access
- Manipulating market prices or submitting cards based on shill-bidded or fake comps. CardsIQ may detect such activity and revise the payout or return the card. Return shipping will be the responsibility of the user, and the card will not be returned until a shipping label is purchased through the CardsIQ platform.
13. Third-Party Independence
CardsIQ is an independent platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or partnered with any third-party grading company, marketplace, manufacturer, brand, or distribution platform unless explicitly stated in writing. References to third-party names, trademarks, or services are for identification only and do not imply association. Each third party is solely responsible for its own products and services.
14. Platform Availability and Disclaimers
CardsIQ is provided “as is” and “as available.” We do not guarantee uninterrupted service, pricing accuracy, or specific transaction outcomes. We disclaim all warranties, including merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.
15. Limitation of Liability
CardsIQ shall not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising from your use of the Service. Our maximum aggregate liability is limited to the amount paid to you in your most recent completed transaction.
16. Arbitration and Dispute Resolution
All disputes must be resolved via binding arbitration conducted by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Consumer Arbitration Rules. You waive the right to participate in class actions or jury trials.
- Unless prohibited by law, arbitration hearings will be held in Miami-Dade County, Florida, or by remote video conference at the arbitrator’s discretion.
- This clause does not prevent either party from seeking provisional remedies in a court of competent jurisdiction in Miami-Dade County, Florida.
Opt-out: You may opt out of arbitration within 30 days of creating your account by emailing legal@cardsiq.io.
17. Termination
CardsIQ may terminate or suspend your account at any time for any reason, including violation of these Terms. You may terminate your account by contacting support@cardsiq.io. All pending obligations under accepted offers remain enforceable upon termination.
18. Changes to These Terms
CardsIQ may revise these Terms at any time. Updates will be posted with a revised effective date. Continued use of the Service after changes constitutes acceptance. Please review the Terms regularly.
19. Privacy and Data Security
We are committed to protecting your personal information. Data is stored securely and handled in compliance with applicable privacy laws. See our Privacy Policy for details. To request access, correction, or deletion of your data, contact privacy@cardsiq.io.
20. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida, without regard to its conflict-of-laws rules. For any dispute not subject to arbitration, the exclusive venue and jurisdiction shall be the state or federal courts located in Miami-Dade County, Florida, and you consent to personal jurisdiction in those courts.
21. DMCA Policy
If you believe your copyright has been infringed, submit a notice containing:
- Your signature
- Description of the copyrighted work
- Location of infringing content
- Your contact details
- A good-faith belief the use is unauthorized
- A declaration that your notice is accurate under penalty of perjury
Send DMCA notices to: legal@cardsiq.io
We will review all notices and take appropriate action, including removing infringing content as required by the DMCA.
22. Virtual Wallet and Stored Balance
CardsIQ provides users with a virtual wallet (“CardsIQ Wallet”) for managing payouts, withdrawals, and platform transactions. Funds displayed in your wallet represent pending or available balances held on your behalf by our licensed payment processor and do not constitute a bank account or stored value facility.
- CardsIQ is not a bank or financial institution. Wallet balances are not insured by the FDIC or any other government agency.
- Wallet balances may include pending transactions or adjustments subject to verification, dispute, or compliance review.
- Funds are custodied and disbursed through regulated third-party payment processors such as Stripe, PayPal, or Venmo, subject to their own terms of service.
- CardsIQ reserves the right to freeze or hold wallet balances if suspicious, fraudulent, or prohibited activity is detected, or if required by law enforcement or regulatory authorities.
By using the CardsIQ Wallet, you acknowledge and agree that CardsIQ acts only as a service facilitator and not as a financial custodian or fiduciary of user funds.
22A. Withdrawal Availability and Liquidity Management
CardsIQ may enable or disable wallet withdrawals at any time, including for extended periods, to manage transaction volume, reconcile accounts, or address the funding availability and performance of payment providers. This aligns with our Payout Policy and helps ensure secure, accurate processing across all payout channels.
- Temporary suspension of withdrawals may occur on weekends, holidays, or during periods of high transaction volume or provider constraints.
- While withdrawals are disabled, you retain full visibility of wallet balances and pending payouts; no interest accrues on wallet balances.
- Normal withdrawal operations typically resume once provider funding cycles and internal reconciliation are complete. Compliance holds and risk reviews may extend any pause.
- CardsIQ will post notices of extended withdrawal holds when practicable, but real-time availability depends on third-party processors and banking networks.
See the Payout Policy for additional rules on payout timing and method availability. This clause does not modify ownership transfer rules or verification requirements.
23. Marketplace Transactions and Ownership Transfer
When you accept a verified offer or complete a transaction through the CardsIQ Marketplace, ownership of the card transfers to CardsIQ or its designated buyer upon confirmation of receipt and verification by CardsIQ intake staff.
- CardsIQ is not liable for market fluctuations after acceptance — all offers are based on verified data at the time of offer generation, subject to the specific protections and rules that apply to the transaction type.
- Converted Value-Guaranteed transactions are liquidated under Marketplace rules at true market value. There is no upside adjustment and downside protection applies only during transit as stated in these Terms.
- Once ownership has transferred, CardsIQ may resell, repackage, or redistribute the card at its sole discretion.
- CardsIQ reserves the right to void any transaction that violates these Terms or involves suspected fraud, counterfeit goods, or misrepresentation.
Users acknowledge that acceptance of an offer constitutes a legally binding sale and transfer of ownership, subject to verification and applicable law.
24. Third-Party Payment Processors
CardsIQ uses licensed third-party payment processors (including Stripe, PayPal, and Venmo) to facilitate financial transactions such as payouts, refunds, and wallet withdrawals.
- All payments are subject to the terms, privacy policies, and compliance requirements of the respective payment processor.
- CardsIQ does not control or guarantee the timing of transfers once funds are submitted to these processors.
- Disputes regarding payment delivery, account holds, or provider-side errors must be directed to the applicable processor.
By using CardsIQ, you agree that CardsIQ is not responsible for actions or delays caused by third-party payment providers.
25. Regulatory and Tax Reporting
CardsIQ and its payment partners may be required by law to report transaction data to tax authorities or regulators.
- You are solely responsible for determining and paying any taxes arising from your use of the Service.
- CardsIQ or its partners may issue tax forms (such as IRS Form 1099-K or 1099-NEC) when required by applicable law.
- By using the platform, you authorize CardsIQ and its payment partners to collect and report necessary information to comply with tax and financial regulations.
26. Pricing Data and Market Estimates
CardsIQ’s offer and valuation engine aggregates public and proprietary market data to determine estimated fair market values. These estimates are for transactional purposes only and are not guarantees of resale value, investment performance, or future market trends.
- CardsIQ does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of valuation data.
- Market values fluctuate, and prices shown on the platform may change without notice.
- Users acknowledge that accepted offers are final regardless of subsequent market movements, subject to the specific protections and rules that apply to the transaction type.
27. Company Information and Notices
CardsIQ, LLC is a Florida limited liability company headquartered in Miami, Florida. Unless otherwise specified, legal notices to CardsIQ must be sent to legal@cardsiq.io. Operational communications may be sent to support@cardsiq.io.
By using the Service, you consent to receive electronic communications from CardsIQ. These communications may include updates to these Terms, transactional notices, and other information.