A gap along a Pokémon slab edge should be documented with clear photos, video, measurements, and the original listing before the holder is handled further. The gap alone does not prove tampering, because a slab—the sealed plastic holder around a graded card—may have a visible molded seam or minor assembly variation. Document the holder's condition first, then compare the suspicious area with the other edges and corners. This record helps a seller, marketplace, grading company, insurer, or payment provider evaluate what actually arrived.
Table of Contents
- Is It a Seam or a Separated Edge?
- Photograph the Evidence Clearly
- Preserve the Transaction and Shipping Record
- Decide What the Documentation Can Prove
Is It a Seam or a Separated Edge?
A normal seam often looks consistent across much of the holder. Its width, depth, and shape usually follow the slab's molded edge rather than appearing at one isolated point. A concerning gap may be localized, uneven, or wide enough to expose an internal lip.
Nearby stress whitening, chips, tool marks, adhesive residue, trapped debris, or movement between the plastic halves deserves closer documentation. Lighting can exaggerate or hide a seam. Inspect the slab from several angles against both light and dark backgrounds, but do not press, twist, or flex it to test whether it opens.
Photograph the Evidence Clearly
Begin with full views of the slab's front and back. Then photograph all four edges, every corner, the label, the certification number, and the card inside.
For the questionable area, capture: Keep the original image files. Cropping and annotations can help explain the problem, but preserve unedited versions with their original resolution and metadata.
- One straight-on image showing its location on the slab
- Several close-ups from different angles
- A side-lit image that reveals depth and surface marks
- A photo with a ruler or scale beside the gap
- The opposite edge for comparison
Preserve the Transaction and Shipping Record
Save the complete listing before it changes or disappears. Capture the description, condition claims, seller information, price, listing photographs, certification number, return terms, and messages about the slab. Photograph the shipping box, label, internal packaging, and any visible impact damage.
If possible, record one continuous unboxing video that shows the sealed package, how the slab was packed, and its condition when removed. Compare the received slab with the listing images. Note whether the gap, crack, or edge marks were already visible, while recognizing that reflections and low-resolution photographs may prevent a firm comparison.
Decide What the Documentation Can Prove
A certificate number that matches an online record can support identification, but it does not independently prove that the holder is unopened or genuine. Likewise, an edge gap may establish a holder defect without showing that the card or grade was altered. Do not open, glue, clamp, polish, or otherwise repair the slab.
Those actions can destroy evidence, worsen the damage, and complicate a return or authenticity review. Contact the seller or marketplace within the applicable deadline and describe observable facts rather than accusing anyone of tampering. If further review is needed, send the grading company the certification number, full-holder images, edge close-ups, measurements, and proof of purchase while keeping the slab in the condition received.
