Wondering what condition your collectibles are really in? This free tool walks you through the same checkpoints professional graders look at — for trading cards, scale figures and plush — and gives you an honest, category-by-category read on where your item stands. Pick a category, rate each checkpoint, and get a plain-English verdict plus tips on protecting and, if you like, adding to your collection from HD Toys Store Japan.
Watch: How We Check Condition
Before you rate your own item below, here is the same checkpoint pass we do on every piece we list — box edges, paint and surfaces, seams and joints, and included extras. The piece in this clip is Transformers Micro Powered Master DaiAtlas C-348 General Commander Zone G1 1990 from our current inventory.
Care & Storage: keeping the condition you just graded
Grading tells you where an item stands today. A few simple habits keep it there — and protect its resale value for years. Here is how to look after each type.
Trading Cards
- Sleeve first, then hard-case. A penny sleeve inside a toploader or one-touch protects the corners and edges — the two things that most often cap a card’s grade.
- Store flat and snug, never loose. Cards left loose in a drawer bow and warp. Keep them in side-loading binder pages or boxed standing upright so nothing bends.
- Away from sunlight and humidity. UV light fades ink and damp air warps and clouds the surface. A closed box in a room-temperature cupboard is ideal.
- Handle by the edges. Clean, dry hands and an edges-only grip avoid fingerprints and fine surface scratches that show up under light.
Browse trading cards in stock →
Scale Figures & Statues
- Keep out of direct sunlight. White and clear plastics yellow with UV exposure — the most common value-killer on older figures. Display behind glass, away from windows.
- Dust gently and often. A soft makeup brush or an air blower lifts dust without scratching; avoid solvents and household sprays on painted detail.
- Mind heat and weight. Heat softens PVC and can lean a pose over time. Don’t stack or press parts together, and support heavy pieces on their stand.
- Keep the box uncrushed. For boxed pieces the box is part of the value — store it flat and dry if you may resell later.
Browse scale figures in stock →
Plush & Soft Toys
- Spot-clean only, keep dry. Blot marks with a barely-damp cloth and a little mild soap; never soak — wet stuffing mats, loses shape and can smell.
- Store breathable, not sealed. A cloth bag or open shelf beats a sealed plastic bag, which traps moisture and causes a musty odor.
- Protect the tags. Hang and tush tags drive plush value; a simple tag protector keeps them crisp and attached.
- Out of sun and dust. Bright light fades fabric and airborne dust encourages pilling — a shaded, low-dust spot keeps colors and texture like-new.
Once you know the condition, see what it means for value and how easily it sells in our Condition & Market Liquidity Guide →