Grading Matrix

Pop Guardian NZ prides itself on bringing you high quality products and second hand pop is no different! Our Grading Matrix is extremely in depth and we don't leave anything unturned! See below for our grading matrix, and an example of what you will find on a product page when we grade our pop! 

What Pops Come With A Grade?

As we have such a high turnover of Pop you will see that not every item is graded. Items that are graded are: 

  • Grails (which are Pop Vinyls over $250NZD)

All pops are subject to the grading matrix below. Please note that we are human, and we do not see absolutely every flaw. Although we go through the item with a fine tooth comb, some things can be missed. With our 360 degree spin (for Grails only) you will be able to check out the Pops first hand and see what flaws we are talking about!

The Grading Matrix

Please see below the Grading Matrix for Pop Guardian NZ! We are the harshest critics and will grade items like true grading companies and will always have items not he lower end of the scale! 

Please Note: We use integers of 5 all the way down to 7. Everything below that is in an integer of 1. We will not grade pops that are below 5 as we consider these pops out of box. All pops that we consider a grade higher than 5 will still look nice in one of our Pop Guardian NZ protectors which can be found HERE.

Grade 10: The pop has extremely minimal flaws. Light scuffing on the box is ok, no window damage at all (including scuffing). 

Grade 9.5: Light scuffing to the box, or the window (but not both). No creases, and no signs of dents, rips, stains, or tears. 

Grade 9: Light scuffing to the box and/or the window. May have some light marks but nothing too major or eye catching. No creases, rips, stains, or tears. 

Grade 8.5: One light crease no longer than 2cm is acceptable. Light scuffing to the window and/or the box. May have some light marks/stains but nothing to major or eye catching. Staining may occur at this level in replacement of a crease. No rips, or tears at this grade.

Grade 8: Up to 3 creases no longer than 4cm. Light scuffing to the window and/or the box. Light tears in the corners are also acceptable no longer than 2cm (this is mainly box integrity and will be due to age/construction of the box). Staining may occur at this level in replacement of creases. 

Grade 7.5: Creasing on more than 2 sides of the box OR 2 or more creases on the same side of the box. The creasing can be heavy or light. Light scuffing to the window and/or the box. Light tears in the corners are also acceptable no longer than 2cm (this is mainly box integrity and will be due to age/construction of the box). Staining may occur at this level in replacement of creases.

Grade 7: Creasing on over 50% of the sides, of the box. The creasing can be heavy or light. Scuffing to the window and/or the box. Light tears in the corners are also acceptable no longer than 3cm (this is mainly box integrity and will be due to age/construction of the box). If 3 or more sides are in 8.5 grade or higher this will pass Grade 7.

Grade 6: Creasing on over 50% of the sides, of the box. The creasing is heavy. Scuffing to the window and/or the box. Tears in the corners are also acceptable no longer than 3cm (this is mainly box integrity and will be due to age/construction of the box). If 2 or more sides are in 8.5 grade or higher this will pass Grade 6.

Grade 5: We would consider this to be next to out of box. It is damaged quite heavily but some sides still remain unblemished or lightly damaged. If 2 or more sides are in 8 grade or higher this will pass Grade 5. Very minimal pops will make it to the site on Grade 5. 

You will never see a Pop graded below a 5. These will be placed on Trade Me instead, although we haven't had one this bad before.