Terms of service
TERMS OF SERVICE, SALES, RETURNS, BUYING, TRADING, WEBSITE USE & STORE CONDUCT POLICY
Effective Date: August 29, 2026
Imperial Shark Trading Company
18 West Main Street, Casey, Illinois 62420
These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern purchases, sales, trades, online orders, website use, marketplace transactions, events, and conduct involving Imperial Shark Trading Company (“Imperial Shark,” “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”).
By purchasing merchandise from us, selling or trading merchandise to us, using our website, placing an online order, participating in an event, entering our premises, or otherwise conducting business with Imperial Shark Trading Company, you agree to the applicable provisions of these Terms.
PART I — SALES CHANNELS & GENERAL TERMS
1. SALES CHANNELS COVERED
These Terms apply, where applicable, to transactions conducted through:
- Imperial Shark Trading Company's physical retail store;
- Imperial Shark Trading Company's website;
- eBay;
- Mana Pool;
- TCGplayer;
- CollX; and
- Any other online, marketplace, social-commerce, or physical sales channel operated by Imperial Shark Trading Company.
Transactions conducted through third-party marketplaces are also subject to that marketplace's applicable terms, buyer protections, return requirements, payment procedures, and dispute-resolution processes.
If a mandatory third-party marketplace requirement conflicts with these Terms, the applicable marketplace requirement controls that particular transaction to the extent required.
PART II — PURCHASES, RETURNS & REFUNDS
2. ALL SALES FINAL — PHYSICAL STORE
Due to the unique nature of the trading-card, sports-card, memorabilia, and collectibles industry, ALL PHYSICAL-STORE SALES ARE FINAL ONCE THE PURCHASED MERCHANDISE LEAVES THE STORE, except where otherwise required by applicable law.
Imperial Shark generally does not accept returns, exchanges, or provide cash refunds after merchandise has left our possession.
This policy is necessary because once merchandise leaves our control, we can no longer reliably verify:
- That merchandise presented for return is the exact merchandise originally purchased;
- That a raw card has not been substituted for a lower-condition, lower-grade, or lower-value copy;
- That a graded card, slab, label, or certification has not been substituted or altered;
- That an authentic product has not been replaced with a counterfeit;
- That sealed merchandise has not been opened, searched, weighed, altered, tampered with, or resealed;
- That components or accessories have not been removed or substituted;
- That the merchandise's condition has remained unchanged; or
- That certification numbers, packaging, seals, labels, or other identifying characteristics have not been altered.
Customers are responsible for carefully inspecting merchandise before completing an in-store purchase.
ALL SALES FINAL — NO CASH REFUNDS — NO RETURNS OR EXCHANGES AFTER MERCHANDISE LEAVES THE STORE, EXCEPT WHERE REQUIRED BY LAW.
3. DISCRETIONARY STORE CREDIT
Management may, under exceptional circumstances, elect to provide store credit on a case-by-case basis.
Store credit:
- Is not guaranteed;
- Requires management approval;
- May be less than the original purchase price depending upon circumstances and condition; and
- May be subject to reasonable conditions permitted by law.
An exception made for one transaction does not modify the Company's general policy or require Imperial Shark to make the same exception in another transaction.
4. ONLINE & MARKETPLACE RETURNS
Purchases through Imperial Shark's website are subject to the policies displayed on the website at the time of purchase.
Transactions through eBay, Mana Pool, TCGplayer, CollX, or another third-party marketplace are additionally governed by applicable mandatory marketplace policies.
Nothing in these Terms is intended to eliminate rights that cannot legally be waived.
When a return is authorized or required, Imperial Shark may, where permitted, verify:
- Product identity;
- Serial and certification numbers;
- Grading labels;
- Condition;
- Authenticity;
- Packaging and factory seals;
- Pre-shipment photographs; and
- Other identifying characteristics.
Evidence of product substitution, counterfeit replacement, tampering, or suspected fraud may be preserved and reported to appropriate marketplaces, payment processors, carriers, insurers, or law-enforcement authorities.
PART III — TRADING CARDS, COLLECTIBLES & PRODUCT CONDITION
5. COLLECTIBLE MARKET VALUES
Trading cards, sports cards, collectibles, memorabilia, and similar merchandise can have subjective and rapidly changing market values.
Prices may fluctuate because of supply and demand, player performance, tournament results, scarcity, grading results, population reports, reprints, new releases, collector interest, market trends, and other factors.
A subsequent increase or decrease in market value does not create a right to a refund, exchange, price adjustment, or store credit.
6. RAW CARD CONDITION
Raw cards are sold according to Imperial Shark's reasonable assessment of their condition at the time of sale.
A condition assessment is not a guarantee of any future third-party grading result.
Imperial Shark does not guarantee that a raw card will receive any particular grade from PSA, BGS, CGC, SGC, or another grading company.
Customers purchasing cards for grading assume the risks inherent in third-party grading.
7. GRADED CARDS
Third-party grades are opinions issued by the applicable grading company and are not grades assigned by Imperial Shark.
Imperial Shark does not guarantee that another grading company will:
- Agree with an existing grade;
- Cross-grade a card at the same grade;
- Increase the grade;
- Maintain the grade following resubmission; or
- Indefinitely recognize a particular certification.
8. SEALED & RANDOMIZED PRODUCTS
Unless otherwise required by law or mandatory marketplace policy, opened booster packs, booster boxes, mystery products, blind-box products, sealed trading-card products, and similar merchandise cannot be returned after opening.
Imperial Shark does not guarantee:
- Specific cards or characters;
- Pull rates;
- Particular rarities;
- Monetary value of contents;
- Grading potential; or
- Any particular outcome from randomized merchandise.
Dissatisfaction with the contents of legitimately randomized merchandise does not by itself constitute a product defect.
9. AUTHENTICITY
Imperial Shark takes authenticity seriously and endeavors to sell genuine merchandise.
Customers with legitimate authenticity concerns should promptly contact Imperial Shark and preserve the merchandise, packaging, receipt or transaction record, certification information, and other associated documentation.
Authenticity concerns will be investigated individually and handled according to applicable law and, where applicable, marketplace requirements.
PART IV — PRICING, BUYING, SELLING & TRADING
10. RETAIL PRICING & MARKET VALUE
Imperial Shark buys, sells, and trades merchandise in markets where values can change rapidly.
Imperial Shark may price merchandise offered for sale to customers at up to 110% of the Company's determined current market value.
Market value and retail pricing may be determined using information Imperial Shark considers reasonably appropriate, including:
- Recent comparable sales;
- Recognized industry marketplaces;
- Pricing databases and guides;
- Product condition;
- Third-party grade;
- Availability;
- Rarity;
- Local and national demand;
- Liquidity; and
- Current market conditions.
Market value is not necessarily the same as an individual asking price appearing on eBay or another marketplace.
Prices may change as market conditions change.
11. CASH PURCHASES FROM CUSTOMERS — UP TO 70%
When Imperial Shark purchases qualifying merchandise from a customer for cash, the Company may offer up to 70% of Imperial Shark's determined current market value.
70% is a maximum cash-purchase rate and is not a guaranteed offer.
Actual offers may be lower based upon factors including:
- Condition;
- Grade;
- Authenticity;
- Demand;
- Recent comparable sales;
- Liquidity;
- Quantity;
- Existing store inventory;
- Duplicate inventory;
- Product category;
- Anticipated resale time;
- Marketplace and payment-processing costs;
- Expected resale value;
- Market volatility; and
- Risk.
Customers are under no obligation to accept an offer.
12. STORE CREDIT — UP TO 75%
Customers choosing store credit instead of cash may receive up to 75% of Imperial Shark's determined current market value for qualifying merchandise accepted by the Company.
75% is a maximum store-credit rate and is not guaranteed.
Actual store-credit offers may be lower depending upon the merchandise and relevant business and market factors.
13. CASH + STORE CREDIT COMBINATION TRANSACTIONS
At Imperial Shark's discretion, customers may be permitted to receive a combination of cash and store credit for the same accepted item or transaction.
Each portion retains its respective applicable valuation.
The portion compensated in cash will be valued using the applicable cash-purchase rate, up to 70% of market value.
The portion compensated through store credit will be valued using the applicable store-credit rate, up to 75% of market value.
Choosing a combination of cash and store credit does not convert the entire transaction to the higher store-credit rate.
The applicable offer will be disclosed before the customer accepts the transaction.
14. DETERMINATION OF MARKET VALUE
For purposes of these Terms, “market value” means the reasonable current market value determined by Imperial Shark at the time merchandise is evaluated.
Imperial Shark may consider recent verified sold transactions, recognized collectible marketplaces, pricing databases, grading information, condition, scarcity, demand, liquidity, local market conditions, and other relevant information.
Active listings and asking prices do not necessarily establish market value.
Imperial Shark's valuation represents the Company's assessment for purposes of determining whether and on what terms it is willing to enter a transaction. Customers remain free to decline an offer.
15. RIGHT TO REFUSE PURCHASES & TRADES
Imperial Shark reserves the right to refuse to purchase or accept in trade any individual item, group of items, collection, or entire transaction.
The Company is under no obligation to purchase merchandise merely because it is presented for evaluation.
Imperial Shark may decline merchandise based upon:
- Insufficient value;
- Condition;
- Lack of demand;
- Excessive existing inventory;
- Difficulty reselling;
- Low liquidity;
- Authenticity concerns;
- Inability to reasonably establish value;
- Excessive quantity;
- Product category;
- Anticipated resale costs;
- Business needs;
- Risk;
- Reasonable suspicion that merchandise may be stolen;
- Reasonable suspicion that merchandise may be counterfeit; or
- Other legitimate business considerations permitted by law.
16. STOLEN, COUNTERFEIT OR SUSPICIOUS MERCHANDISE
Imperial Shark maintains a ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICY for knowingly attempting to sell or trade stolen or counterfeit merchandise.
If merchandise raises reasonable concerns regarding ownership or authenticity, Imperial Shark may refuse or discontinue the transaction, request additional information where appropriate, preserve relevant information as permitted by law, and contact law enforcement when circumstances reasonably warrant doing so.
17. OWNERSHIP & AUTHORITY TO SELL OR TRADE
By presenting merchandise to Imperial Shark, the customer represents that:
- The customer lawfully owns the merchandise or has authority to transfer it;
- The merchandise is not stolen or unlawfully obtained;
- The customer is legally permitted to transfer it;
- The customer has not knowingly misrepresented authenticity, condition, origin, grade, ownership, or other material characteristics; and
- Known alterations, restoration, trimming, resealing, counterfeiting, or material modifications have been disclosed.
Imperial Shark may require identification or additional information where permitted or required by law.
18. CUSTOMER ACCEPTANCE OF BUY/TRADE OFFER
Customers will have an opportunity to accept or decline Imperial Shark's offer.
Customers are never required to accept our offer.
Once an offer is accepted and the transaction is completed, ownership of accepted merchandise transfers to Imperial Shark, subject to applicable law.
Customers cannot subsequently demand additional compensation solely because:
- The merchandise later increases in value;
- Imperial Shark subsequently resells it for more than anticipated;
- Another business would have offered more;
- A different market comparison is subsequently discovered; or
- Market conditions change.
Likewise, Imperial Shark assumes the commercial risk that purchased merchandise may decline in value or sell for less than anticipated.
PART V — COUNTERFEIT & FRAUDULENT MERCHANDISE
19. ZERO-TOLERANCE COUNTERFEIT POLICY
Imperial Shark maintains a ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICY regarding counterfeit, fraudulent, knowingly misrepresented, altered, or stolen merchandise.
Anyone who knowingly attempts to sell, trade, consign, return, or otherwise transfer counterfeit merchandise to Imperial Shark may be reported to appropriate law-enforcement authorities.
This includes counterfeit or fraudulent:
- Trading cards;
- Sports cards;
- Graded cards and slabs;
- Authentication or grading labels;
- Collectibles;
- Memorabilia;
- Sealed products;
- Autographs;
- Certificates of authenticity; and
- Other merchandise.
Where legally permitted, Imperial Shark may preserve relevant evidence including surveillance footage, photographs, transaction records, communications, certification numbers, identification information lawfully obtained, witness information, and other documentation.
Suspected Counterfeit Merchandise as Evidence
If law enforcement requests, directs, or otherwise lawfully authorizes Imperial Shark to preserve suspected counterfeit merchandise as evidence, the Company may secure that merchandise for transfer to the investigating agency.
Imperial Shark will not independently confiscate customer property unless legally permitted or authorized or directed by appropriate authorities.
Imperial Shark may immediately refuse any transaction involving merchandise reasonably suspected of being counterfeit, fraudulent, stolen, altered, improperly resealed, or otherwise illegitimate.
PART VI — CUSTOMER DAMAGE & STORE PROPERTY
20. CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITY FOR DAMAGE
Customers are expected to handle merchandise, displays, fixtures, equipment, and Company property with reasonable care.
If a customer intentionally, recklessly, or negligently damages merchandise prior to purchase, Imperial Shark reserves the right, to the extent permitted by applicable law, to require the responsible customer to pay for the damaged merchandise or resulting recoverable loss.
This includes damage to:
- Raw or graded cards;
- Collectibles;
- Figures and toys;
- Memorabilia;
- Sealed merchandise;
- Packaging;
- Display cases;
- Shelving;
- Electronics;
- Signs;
- Furniture;
- Fixtures;
- Equipment; and
- Other Company property.
21. CHILDREN & MINORS — PROPERTY DAMAGE
Parents and guardians are expected to appropriately supervise children and minors accompanying them.
If a minor intentionally, recklessly, or negligently damages merchandise or Company property, Imperial Shark reserves the right to seek reimbursement from legally responsible persons, including a parent or guardian where applicable, to the extent permitted by Illinois law.
Intentional destruction, vandalism, or suspected criminal damage may be reported to law enforcement.
PART VII — SHOPLIFTING & THEFT
22. ZERO-TOLERANCE SHOPLIFTING POLICY
SHOPLIFTING IS NOT A GAME.
Imperial Shark maintains a ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICY FOR SHOPLIFTING, THEFT, ATTEMPTED THEFT, FRAUDULENT CONDUCT, AND INTENTIONAL CONCEALMENT OF MERCHANDISE FOR THE PURPOSE OF THEFT.
This policy applies to adults and minors.
Prohibited conduct includes:
- Taking merchandise without paying;
- Intentionally concealing merchandise for theft;
- Switching, altering, removing, or covering price labels;
- Unauthorized opening of sealed merchandise;
- Removing cards or collectibles from packaging;
- Product switching;
- Placing higher-value merchandise into lower-priced packaging;
- Intentionally failing to pay;
- Fraudulent returns;
- Taking Company equipment or property; and
- Knowingly assisting another person in theft.
Imperial Shark does not maintain a policy of ignoring suspected theft merely because the merchandise has a relatively low monetary value.
23. ADULT SHOPLIFTING
When Imperial Shark has reasonable grounds to believe an adult committed or attempted theft, the Company may take appropriate lawful measures including:
- Terminating the transaction;
- Contacting law enforcement;
- Requiring the individual to leave;
- Seeking a lawful trespass prohibition;
- Preserving evidence;
- Refusing future service; and
- Pursuing available civil or criminal remedies.
24. SHOPLIFTING INVOLVING MINORS
Being under 18 does not make theft acceptable.
When a minor is reasonably suspected of theft or attempted theft, Imperial Shark may contact law enforcement and the minor's parent or legal guardian as appropriate and permitted by law.
The matter may be referred to law enforcement regardless of merchandise value.
Where legally permissible, Imperial Shark may also prohibit the minor from returning, require parental or guardian accompaniment for future visits, and seek legally available recovery for merchandise or property damage.
25. SURVEILLANCE & PRESERVATION OF EVIDENCE
Imperial Shark may utilize lawful video surveillance and other security measures to protect customers, employees, merchandise, and Company property.
Evidence concerning suspected theft, fraud, counterfeiting, vandalism, product substitution, or other potentially unlawful activity may be preserved.
Where legally permitted, evidence may be provided to law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, insurers, attorneys, marketplaces, payment processors, carriers, authentication companies, grading companies, or other appropriate parties.
26. TRESPASS & FUTURE ACCESS
Individuals involved in substantiated theft, attempted theft, fraud, intentional property damage, counterfeit transactions, threats, or similar serious misconduct may be refused future service or prohibited from returning to Imperial Shark property, subject to applicable law.
Law enforcement may be contacted if an individual refuses a lawful direction to leave or returns after being lawfully prohibited from the premises.
Nothing in these Terms authorizes unlawful force, searches, or detention.
PART VIII — ORDERS, PRICING & SHIPPING
27. PRICING & LISTING ERRORS
Imperial Shark attempts to maintain accurate pricing, inventory, photographs, and product information.
Errors may occur because of typographical mistakes, database errors, inventory discrepancies, marketplace synchronization, software problems, or other inadvertent mistakes.
To the extent permitted by law and applicable marketplace requirements, Imperial Shark may correct errors and cancel an affected transaction before fulfillment when merchandise was listed at an obviously erroneous price or with materially incorrect information.
If payment has been collected for an order that is validly cancelled, the appropriate refund will be issued.
28. PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHS
When a listing indicates photographs depict the actual item, those photographs are intended to represent the merchandise being sold.
Representative images may be used for sealed products or multiple substantially identical units.
Lighting, photography, protective sleeves, cases, and display settings may affect appearance.
29. INVENTORY AVAILABILITY
Online inventory may occasionally become unavailable because of simultaneous online and in-store purchases, inventory discrepancies, damage, listing errors, or synchronization delays.
If merchandise legitimately cannot be fulfilled, Imperial Shark may cancel the affected order and issue the appropriate refund.
30. SHIPPING
Customers are responsible for providing complete and accurate shipping information.
Shipping methods, tracking, insurance, signature requirements, packaging, and carrier services may vary according to merchandise value, destination, sales channel, and selected service.
Carrier delivery estimates are generally estimates and are outside Imperial Shark's direct control after the carrier accepts a shipment.
31. LOST OR DAMAGED SHIPMENTS
Customers should promptly report shipping damage or delivery problems through the sales channel where the purchase occurred.
Customers may be required to retain packaging, containers, labels, photographs, damaged merchandise, and other evidence necessary for a claim.
Marketplace transactions remain subject to applicable marketplace procedures.
32. ORDER CANCELLATIONS
Cancellation requests are not guaranteed after an order has entered processing or shipping.
Marketplace transactions remain subject to applicable marketplace cancellation requirements.
PART IX — FRAUD, CHARGEBACKS & PRODUCT SUBSTITUTION
33. FRAUD & PRODUCT SUBSTITUTION
Imperial Shark reserves all available rights concerning suspected fraudulent activity, including:
- Counterfeit cards or collectibles;
- Card swapping;
- Slab swapping;
- Counterfeit substitution;
- Resealing;
- Product substitution;
- Altered certification numbers;
- Fraudulent grading labels;
- Condition manipulation;
- False non-delivery claims;
- Fraudulent item-not-as-described claims;
- Stolen merchandise; and
- Returning merchandise different from that originally sold.
Suspected criminal activity may be reported to appropriate authorities.
34. CHARGEBACKS & PAYMENT DISPUTES
Imperial Shark reserves the right to challenge suspected fraudulent chargebacks or payment disputes using available transaction records, photographs, certification or serial numbers, tracking, delivery confirmation, communications, surveillance records where lawfully maintained, and other relevant evidence.
Suspected fraudulent chargebacks, false claims, counterfeit substitutions, or return substitutions may be reported to appropriate parties or authorities.
PART X — STORE CONDUCT & CUSTOMER SAFETY
35. GENERAL CUSTOMER CONDUCT
Customers and guests are expected to conduct themselves safely and appropriately and respect other customers, employees, merchandise, property, and Company operations.
Imperial Shark reserves the right, consistent with applicable law, to refuse service or require an individual to leave for theft, fraud, threats, harassment, violence, vandalism, intentional property damage, abusive conduct, or other unlawful or materially disruptive behavior.
36. HATE SPEECH, RACISM, DISCRIMINATION & TARGETED HARASSMENT
Imperial Shark maintains a ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICY for hate speech, racism, discriminatory conduct, targeted harassment, threats, intimidation, or other hateful conduct directed toward customers, employees, vendors, guests, or other persons on Company property.
This applies to conduct communicated verbally, in writing, electronically, through gestures, displays, images, symbols, or other means.
Prohibited conduct includes racial slurs, targeted discriminatory insults, threats, intimidation, targeted harassment based upon protected characteristics, or displaying hateful material for purposes of threatening, intimidating, or harassing others.
Individuals engaging in prohibited conduct may be instructed to immediately stop and/or leave the premises.
Depending upon severity, repeated warnings are not required by Company policy.
If an individual refuses a lawful direction to leave, law enforcement or other appropriate authorities may be contacted and lawful measures may be taken to remove the individual.
Company or security personnel may assist with removal only to the extent permitted by applicable law and reasonable safety practices.
Nothing in these Terms authorizes unlawful force.
Serious or repeated violations may result in refusal of future service or prohibition from future store access, subject to applicable law.
Ordinary disagreements, criticism, competitive banter, or differences of opinion do not by themselves violate this provision unless the conduct crosses into targeted harassment, threats, unlawful discrimination, or other prohibited conduct.
37. NO HORSEPLAY & APPROPRIATE CONDUCT
Imperial Shark is a retail business and family-friendly environment.
Horseplay is prohibited.
Prohibited conduct includes:
- Running or chasing;
- Wrestling, pushing, shoving, or roughhousing;
- Fighting or play-fighting;
- Throwing merchandise or objects;
- Climbing on shelving, counters, furniture, displays, or fixtures;
- Recklessly handling merchandise;
- Dangerous practical jokes or pranks;
- Blocking entrances, exits, or aisles;
- Tampering with displays, electronics, security equipment, or restricted areas; and
- Other materially unsafe or disruptive behavior.
Serious, dangerous, destructive, or repeated conduct may result in an individual being required to leave.
Parents and guardians are expected to appropriately supervise accompanying children.
Children engaging in repeated unsafe behavior may be required to leave with their parent or guardian.
Have fun, enjoy the hobby, play games, shop and trade—but do so safely and respectfully.
PART XI — MILITARY SERVICE & FALSE MILITARY REPRESENTATION
38. VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESS
Imperial Shark Trading Company is proudly owned by a United States Army Veteran and maintains substantial respect for the men and women who legitimately serve or have served in the United States Armed Forces.
Imperial Shark maintains a ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICY for fraudulent military or veteran representations when those representations violate applicable federal, Illinois, or other law.
39. FALSE MILITARY REPRESENTATION FOR TANGIBLE BENEFIT
No person may knowingly and falsely represent themselves as an active-duty service member, member of the Reserve Forces or National Guard, or military veteran for purposes of fraudulently obtaining benefits to which they are not entitled.
This includes attempts to improperly obtain:
- Military or veteran discounts;
- Merchandise;
- Money or property;
- Store credit;
- Promotional benefits;
- Prizes or giveaways;
- Preferential pricing; or
- Another tangible benefit.
Illinois law addresses certain knowingly false representations of military or veteran status used to obtain money, property, or another tangible benefit.
40. MILITARY MEDALS, DECORATIONS & STOLEN VALOR
Federal law prohibits certain fraudulent representations concerning specified military decorations or medals when made with intent to obtain money, property, or another tangible benefit.
Individuals may not use false claims regarding qualifying military awards, decorations, medals, or honors as part of a fraudulent attempt to obtain merchandise, discounts, money, property, or another tangible benefit from Imperial Shark.
Imperial Shark does not characterize every inaccurate statement or lie about military service as a criminal offense. Whether particular conduct violates federal, state, or local law depends upon the circumstances and applicable law.
41. REPORTING SUSPECTED MILITARY-STATUS FRAUD
When Imperial Shark has reasonable grounds to suspect an individual knowingly made a fraudulent military or veteran representation in connection with conduct potentially violating applicable law, the Company may:
- Refuse the discount or benefit;
- Refuse or terminate the transaction;
- Require the individual to leave;
- Preserve relevant evidence;
- Refuse future service where legally permissible; and
- Report suspected unlawful conduct to appropriate authorities.
Where legally permitted, Imperial Shark may preserve surveillance footage, photographs, transaction records, receipts, communications, witness information, and information voluntarily presented in support of military or veteran status.
Imperial Shark does not make the ultimate legal determination that an individual committed a crime. That determination belongs to law-enforcement authorities, prosecutors, and courts.
Respect for Legitimate Veterans
This policy addresses fraudulent conduct—not legitimate military service.
Imperial Shark recognizes that service histories vary and that legitimate veterans do not necessarily possess the same documentation, awards, experiences, or length of service.
Those who legitimately earned the title of United States Veteran deserve to have that service respected.
PART XII — WEBSITE SECURITY & ACCEPTABLE USE
42. WEBSITE SECURITY, HACKING, SERVICE INTERFERENCE, SPAMMING & PHISHING
Imperial Shark maintains a ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICY regarding unauthorized access, hacking, malicious interference, fraud, abuse, or manipulation of its website, online store, accounts, systems, communications, or connected services.
Users may not attempt to interfere with the security, integrity, availability, operation, or legitimate use of Company systems.
Prohibited Activities
Prohibited conduct includes:
- Hacking or attempting unauthorized access;
- Bypassing or attempting to bypass passwords, authentication, security controls, rate limits, or access restrictions;
- Introducing malware, viruses, ransomware, malicious scripts, worms, Trojan horses, or harmful code;
- Denial-of-service or distributed denial-of-service attacks;
- Traffic flooding or intentional service degradation;
- Manipulating website code, APIs, forms, checkout processes, shopping carts, inventory, pricing, payment systems, promotions, discounts, shipping calculations, or other functions;
- Exploiting bugs, vulnerabilities, configuration errors, or unintended behavior for financial or personal benefit;
- Manipulating prices, inventory, discounts, gift cards, store credit, rewards, taxes, shipping charges, or checkout totals;
- Using bots, scripts, scraping systems, or automation to circumvent restrictions, disrupt services, or improperly access protected information;
- Creating fraudulent accounts;
- Attempting to access another customer's account or non-public information;
- Impersonating Imperial Shark, its owners, employees, representatives, customers, vendors, or partners;
- Sending spam or abusive automated submissions;
- Phishing;
- Credential theft;
- Social engineering;
- Account takeover;
- Creating fraudulent websites, domains, social accounts, emails, listings, or communications impersonating Imperial Shark;
- Manipulating reviews, transactions, orders, payments, or customer information;
- Attempting unauthorized access to confidential, customer, employee, financial, authentication, or security information; or
- Assisting another person in prohibited activity.
43. UNAUTHORIZED SECURITY TESTING
Users may not probe, scan, penetration-test, vulnerability-test, or otherwise attempt to identify or exploit security weaknesses in Imperial Shark systems without prior written authorization.
The existence of a vulnerability does not constitute permission to exploit it.
44. RESPONSE TO MALICIOUS ACTIVITY
Where appropriate and legally permitted, Imperial Shark may block or restrict access, suspend or terminate accounts, cancel fraudulent transactions, preserve evidence, protect affected systems, notify service providers, and report suspected criminal conduct.
Relevant evidence may include security logs, IP-address information, account activity, transaction information, communications, timestamps, device/browser information, and other relevant technical records.
Such information may be provided where legally appropriate to law enforcement, courts, attorneys, cybersecurity professionals, hosting providers, marketplaces, financial institutions, payment processors, insurers, or other appropriate parties.
45. WEBSITE EXPLOITATION & PRICING MANIPULATION
Customers are not entitled to knowingly exploit an obvious technical malfunction, unauthorized discount, manipulated price, software error, checkout exploit, or website vulnerability.
Where permitted by applicable law and marketplace requirements, Imperial Shark may cancel transactions resulting from intentional manipulation, exploitation, unauthorized access, or fraud.
PART XIII — WEBSITE CONTENT & THIRD-PARTY SERVICES
46. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Original Imperial Shark photographs, graphics, logos, branding, website content, written descriptions, promotional materials, and other original materials are owned by Imperial Shark or used with appropriate authorization and may not be commercially reproduced without permission except as otherwise permitted by law.
Third-party trademarks, product names, characters, logos, and other intellectual property remain the property of their respective owners.
Resale of third-party merchandise does not itself imply sponsorship, affiliation, or endorsement.
47. THIRD-PARTY SERVICES
Imperial Shark does not control the operation, availability, technology, payment systems, policies, or services of independent third-party marketplaces.
Customers using those services may enter into separate agreements with those platform operators.
48. MARKETPLACE POLICIES CONTROL WHERE REQUIRED
These Terms supplement rather than replace mandatory policies imposed by eBay, Mana Pool, TCGplayer, CollX, payment processors, shipping carriers, or applicable law.
If a marketplace requires Imperial Shark to accept a qualifying return, refund, cancellation, buyer-protection claim, or other remedy, Imperial Shark will comply with applicable requirements.
PART XIV — LEGAL TERMS & DISCLAIMERS
49. COLLECTIBLES ARE NOT GUARANTEED INVESTMENTS
Statements concerning rarity, collectibility, scarcity, popularity, historical pricing, or market trends are not guarantees of future value.
IMPERIAL SHARK DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT ANY TRADING CARD, SPORTS CARD, COLLECTIBLE, MEMORABILIA, OR OTHER PRODUCT WILL MAINTAIN OR INCREASE ITS MONETARY VALUE.
50. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Imperial Shark will not be responsible for indirect, incidental, special, or consequential losses resulting from changes in collectible market values, grading results, investment expectations, resale results, or circumstances outside the Company's reasonable control.
Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability that cannot legally be excluded or limited.
51. FAILURE TO ENFORCE
Imperial Shark's decision not to enforce a provision in a particular circumstance does not permanently waive that provision or prevent future enforcement.
52. SEVERABILITY
If any provision is determined to be unlawful, invalid, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in effect to the extent permitted by law.
53. CHANGES TO THESE TERMS
Imperial Shark may periodically revise these Terms.
For online transactions, the version applicable when the transaction occurs will generally govern, subject to applicable law and mandatory marketplace requirements.
54. GOVERNING LAW
Except where federal law, mandatory consumer-protection requirements, another jurisdiction's applicable mandatory law, or marketplace rules require otherwise, these Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Illinois.
55. ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS
By making a purchase, submitting an online order, selling or trading merchandise to Imperial Shark, using our website or services, participating in an event, or otherwise entering into a transaction with Imperial Shark, the customer acknowledges the applicable Terms and agrees to be bound by them to the extent permitted by law.
For physical-store purchases:
ALL SALES ARE FINAL ONCE MERCHANDISE LEAVES THE STORE. NO RETURNS, EXCHANGES, OR CASH REFUNDS EXCEPT WHERE REQUIRED BY LAW. MANAGEMENT MAY AUTHORIZE STORE CREDIT ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS.
PART XV — OUR COMMITMENT TO YOUR EXPERIENCE
56. WELCOME TO IMPERIAL SHARK TRADING COMPANY
While these Terms establish important policies designed to protect our customers, employees, merchandise, property, online systems, and business, our ultimate goal is simple:
We want everyone who walks through our doors or shops with us online to have an enjoyable experience with Imperial Shark Trading Company.
Whether you are an experienced collector, competitive player, sports-card enthusiast, family visiting our store, first-time collector, tourist, or simply stopping in to see what we have to offer, we want you to feel welcome and enjoy your time with us.
Our policies are not intended to take away from that experience. They exist so that we can provide a safe, fair, respectful, honest, and enjoyable environment for everyone.
We ask our customers to treat our employees, other customers, merchandise, property, and one another with the same respect that we intend to provide to them.
We appreciate every customer who chooses to shop, collect, trade, sell, play, participate in events, or simply spend time with us.
Thank you for choosing Imperial Shark Trading Company. We sincerely hope you enjoy your experience with us, and we look forward to serving you, your family, and the collecting community for many years to come.
WELCOME TO IMPERIAL SHARK TRADING COMPANY
Enjoy the store. Enjoy the hobby. Respect each other. And have a great time.
CONTACT INFORMATION
THE WORLD FAMOUS IMPERIAL SHARK TRADING COMPANY
18 West Main Street
Casey, Illinois 62420
Physical Retail • Online Sales • Buying • Selling • Trading • Collectibles
