Last updated: July 28, 2025
Quick Overview
What is Collectrade?
Collectrade is a mobile-first platform built for comic collectors to securely trade, manage, and showcase their collections (graded and raw). It focuses on verified trades, transparent fees, community tools (wishlists, profiles, messaging), and a trade flow that actually protects both sides.
Is Collectrade only for comics?
The core focus is comics (graded and raw), but the platform is designed to support other collectibles (e.g., TCG and toys) over time. Some early features (wishlists, collection management, and parts of the trade flow) already work across categories.
How is Collectrade different from a normal marketplace?
Marketplaces are built around selling and taking fees on every transaction. Collectrade is built around trading plus verification, protection, and community-first features. It’s built for collectors who cycle, upgrade, and curate, not just flip.
Do I have to trade to use Collectrade?
No. You can use it entirely as a free collection manager if you want: track what you own, what it’s worth (personal values for now), and what you want next.
Who is Collectrade for?
Collectors who trade up (swap lower grades for higher grades)
People who buy multiples and want a smarter way to move extras
Fans who want a safer, structured process with verification
Anyone who wants a modern, community-first trading app for comics
COMING SOON: Collectors who prefer hybrid trades (item + cash)
Accounts & Security
How do I create an account?
Sign up with email and password (and soon, social logins like Google/Apple). The signup flow is split in two steps:
Username, email, password
Full profile details (name, address, etc.) needed for trading, shipping, and verification.
Do you verify emails?
Yes. Email verification is required to use core features (e.g., trades, messaging).
Do you require ID verification?
Planned. For higher-value trades, dispute cases, and to build trust, Collectrade will introduce optional-to-required ID verification tiers (with a visible badge on profiles).
Is two-factor authentication (2FA) supported?
Not yet. It’s on the roadmap for post-beta once core trading, payments, and shipping flows are fully stable.
What if someone harasses or scams me?
You can block and report users. We also log major events (trade accepted/rejected, disputes, penalties) to support moderation, pattern detection, and enforcement.
Can I delete my account and data?
Yes. You can delete your account from Account Settings → Delete Account, or email support@collectradeapp.com. Some data may be retained if required by law or involved in an active dispute.
Collection Management
Can I manage my collection for free?
Yes. Collection management is free—you can add items, images, personal values, and notes without paying.
What data can I store for each collectible?
Title / Issue
Grading company & grade (if applicable)
Certification number (for census lookups)
Collectible type (comic, TCG, sports card, etc.)
Brand / publisher (Marvel, DC, Pokémon, etc.)
Personal value
Images (multiple, with the first as the main display)
Can I upload multiple images and reorder them?
Yes. You can upload up to 6 images per collectible, delete/replace them, and keep the first image as the primary.
Do you pull market values automatically?
Not yet. For now, you can log personal values. Market value integrations are actively being explored. In the meantime, you’ll see “Check Recent Sales” buttons that deep-link you to platforms like eBay.
Do you support CGC/CBCS/PSA census lookups?
Yes. You can use the cert number to go directly to CGC, CBCS or PSA population reports from the item page.
What’s the Wishlist feature for?
You can mark items you want and come back to review later. If 5+ users wishlist the same collectible, it’s flagged as “trending” (planned visual indicator).
Can other users see my collection?
By default, yes, on your profile. You’ll be able to control what’s public vs. private as privacy controls roll out.
Can I mark an item as “being traded”?
Yes. When an offer involving your item is accepted, it’s automatically marked as Being Traded and blocked from edits/deletes. All other pending offers on that item are auto-rejected.
Do you show total portfolio value?
Yes—for now it’s derived from your personal values. When market value APIs arrive, you’ll be able to toggle between personal vs. market-based valuations.
Trading & Offers
How do trades work on Collectrade?
Trades are peer-to-peer but processed through Collectrade HQ (our middleman verification service). Each trade has the following stages:
Offer Sent – One user proposes items (with optional cash).
Offer Accepted – The other user reviews and accepts.
Payment Made – Users pay their Collectrade fees + shipping.
Items Shipped to HQ – Each party sends their item(s) to our secure hub.
Verification – Items are photographed, checked for damage/authenticity.
Items Shipped Out – HQ ships each collectible to the other party.
Trade Completed – Status is updated and archived.
Can I include cash in my offer?
Not yet. Trades are currently item-for-item. Eventually, item + cash, or even cash-for-item transcations will be included.
Do both users pay fees?
Yes. Trade fees are split between both users, based on the total value of the trade (see fee breakdown below).
Do you offer raw comic trades?
Yes, but raw books are traded at your own risk. We do visually verify them for obvious damage, but we do not grade raw books. We highly reccommend asking for additional pictures when trading raw comics. If condition is critical, we recommend sticking with graded slabs.
What happens if someone never ships their item?
After a trade is accepted, there’s a shipping deadline. If one party fails to ship, the trade is canceled and the other party is refunded. The party that did not ship will not be refunded any fees as penalty. Repeated offenses may lead to suspension.
Can I cancel a trade after I ship?
No. Once your item is shipped to HQ, the trade is considered locked. If you change your mind, you must contact support—but reversal is not guaranteed.
Fees & Payments
How much does it cost to use Collectrade?
Collection management is free. Trade fees apply only when a trade is accepted, and they are split between both users.
Current Fee Structure:
$0–$499 = 2.75% per user
$500–$2,499 = 2.25% per user
$2,500+ = 1.75% per user
Shipping: Flat-rate based on collectible type (see below)
How do I pay my trade fees?
Once a trade is accepted, you’re prompted to pay using Stripe Checkout. It’s secure, fast, and supports all major credit/debit cards.
Can one person cover both users’ fees?
Yes. There’s an option for “I’ll cover all fees and shipping” when sending or accepting a trade.
Are there refunds?
Fees are refundable only if the other party fails to ship. Once both items arrive at HQ, fees are locked in.
Are there hidden charges or taxes?
No hidden fees. You only pay:
Your trade fee (percentage-based)
Flat-rate shipping
Optional outbound shipping insurance
Shipping & Labels
How does shipping work?
Once both users accept and pay, each receives a shipping label generated by Collectrade. You must ship your item to Collectrade HQ for verification. After that, Collectrade ships it to the other user.
Who provides the shipping label?
Collectrade does. The label includes:
Tracking
Your name + item title (for double verification)
Ship-to address for Collectrade HQ
How much does shipping cost?
Shipping is a flat rate of $19.99. This covers shipping to Collectrade HQ and Collectrade HQ to the user.
What carrier do you use?
We partner with Shippo to offer discounted USPS/UPS labels. You don’t need an account—just print and ship.
Do you offer packaging guidance?
Yes. Once your trade is accepted, you’ll receive step-by-step packaging instructions tailored to your collectible type (e.g., slab, raw comic, etc.).
What packaging does Collectrade use?
We take packaging seriously. Once your item arrives at HQ, it’s carefully inspected and then professionally repackaged using Gemini mailers—widely considered the gold standard in comic book protection. We include padding, mylar bags (when appropriate), and ensure that every trade is shipped with maximum care and protection.
Can I buy insurance?
Optional insurance is coming soon. In the meantime, all shipments are fully tracked, and high-value trades are monitored closely during the in-transit phase.
What if my item is damaged or lost?
If damage or loss occurs on the way to Collectrade HQ, we assess the packaging and may pause the trade if the item is unusable.
If damage occurs while at HQ, Collectrade is responsible.
Once a collectible leaves HQ and is marked as delivered by the shipping carrier, Collectrade is no longer liable for that package.
We strongly encourage recipients to be available on delivery day and to contact their carrier immediately if a problem occurs post-delivery.
Disputes & Protection
What happens if the item I receive is fake or misrepresented?
All items are verified at Collectrade HQ before being sent to their final recipient. If we identify a fake or a significant issue (wrong book, undisclosed damage, etc.), the trade is paused, and both users are contacted. Collectrade will void the trade and return the item(s) if a bad actor is identified.
Do you grade raw comics?
No. We do not assign grades. We perform a visual inspection only for significant flaws. If condition is critical, we recommend trading graded books only.
Can I dispute a trade after it’s completed?
Once a package is delivered and marked as such by the carrier, the trade is considered final. If damage or loss occurs after confirmed delivery, Collectrade is not responsible. We package with extreme care, but we cannot protect against theft, weather, or damage after handoff to your doorstep.
What if my item never arrives at Collectrade HQ?
If your trade partner fails to ship or the item is lost before reaching us, the trade is canceled, and your fees are refunded. We’ll also investigate tracking records and suspend repeat offenders.
Suspension & Protection
What can get a user banned?
Sending fakes or damaged items
Not shipping repeatedly
Abusive behavior or harassment
Attempting to defraud other users
Refusing to comply with our dispute resolution process
Do you charge penalty fees for violations?
Yes. If a user backs out mid-trade, sends an incorrect item, or causes loss/damage through negligence, a penalty fee may apply. These are collected via Stripe and help cover shipping, time, and damage to the platform’s trust.
Will you require photo ID?
Yes—ID verification is rolling out for high-value trades and repeat offenders. Verified users will earn a badge on their profile to signal trust.
Ratings & Reputation
Can I rate someone after a trade?
Yes. After a trade is complete, you’ll be prompted to leave a 1–5 star review for the other user, along with an optional comment.
What’s shown on a user’s profile?
Each profile displays:
Total trades completed
Average rating
Wishlist
Collection (public by default)
Verified badges (e.g., ID verified, early supporter, etc.)
Can I block or report a user?
Yes. From any profile or message thread, you can block or report a user. Our team reviews all reports and takes action accordingly.
Messages and Trade Chat
Can I message other users?
Yes. Collectrade supports direct messaging between users, so you can negotiate a potential trade, ask questions, or request additional photos before sending an offer.
How do I start a conversation?
Visit another user’s profile and tap the Negotiate button to start a chat. You don’t need to send an offer first—messaging is open to all users to encourage smoother negotiation and better trades.
What can I use messaging for?
Ask about condition, shipping timelines, or bundle deals
Negotiate terms (e.g., cash add-ons, swap proposals)
Send photo requests or clarify trade details
Build rapport with other collectors before committing to a deal
Are there any rules for messaging?
Yes. Messaging should be respectful, relevant, and used within the platform’s guidelines. Attempting to bypass fees, solicit off-app trades, or abuse the feature will result in suspension or bans.
Can I block or report someone?
Absolutely. If a user is rude, spammy, or suspicious, you can block and report them directly from the chat. Our team reviews all reports promptly.
Are chats private?
Chats are private, but we reserve the right to review flagged messages to protect the community. We do not actively monitor normal conversations.
Privacy & Data
What personal data does Collectrade collect?
We collect information needed to run the platform safely and effectively, including:
Email address
Full name and username
Shipping address
Phone number
Collectible data (images, descriptions, personal values)
Device and usage data (see full Privacy Policy for details)
Do you sell user data?
Never. We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal data to third parties. Your information is only used to operate the app and protect users.
Who can see my collection and trade history?
By default, your collection and past trades are visible to other users on your profile. We will soon offer privacy toggles to let you control what’s public and what’s not.
Is my payment info stored?
Collectrade never stores credit card numbers or billing credentials. Payments are processed securely through Stripe, and any saved payment methods are managed by Stripe, not us.
Where is my data stored?
Your data is stored in Firebase (Google Cloud) with industry-standard encryption. Files, photos, and documents are stored securely in Firebase Storage.
Can I delete my data?
Yes. You can delete your account and associated data from the app settings or by emailing support@collectradeapp.com. We’ll erase all non-essential data unless we’re legally required to retain parts for compliance.
Legal & Safety
What protections does Collectrade offer?
We protect users through:
Verified, secure trade processing via Collectrade HQ
Trade status tracking (paid, shipped, verified, delivered)
In-house trade verification
Block/report features
Future ID verification for high-value users
Penalty enforcement for scammers
Do you offer terms & conditions?
Yes. You’ll find the full Terms of Use and Privacy Policy linked at the bottom of the website and inside the app. These govern all activity on the platform.
Is Collectrade a marketplace or just a trading platform?
Collectrade is a trading platform with optional cash components. It is not a traditional marketplace. We do not enable public auctions, live sales, or reseller storefronts—this is strictly collector-to-collector with a focus on fairness and security.
Roadmap & Expansion
Will you add support for other collectibles?
Yes. While the platform launched with a focus on comics (graded and raw), support for TCG cards, action figures, and more is in active development.
Are market values coming?
Yes. For now, users input personal values. We’re working toward API integrations with platforms for market-driven pricing and charts.
Do you plan to attend comic cons or shows?
Yes. Collectrade will eventually have a presence at major conventions to grow awareness, support the community, and offer real-world giveaways and onboarding. Our first test runs are planned for late 2025.
Are you going to offer peer-to-peer (non-middleman) trades?
Not at this time. For safety and reputation reasons, all trades go through Collectrade HQ. However, we may explore peer-verified trades as a future feature for highly rated users.
Support & Contact
How can I get help?
For support, questions, or bug reports, contact: support@collectradeapp.com
Or use the in-app “Contact Support” option in Profile.
Where can I give feedback or suggest features?
We welcome feedback! Email us or send ideas through the in-app support option. We're building this platform with collectors, not just for them.
Where is Collectrade based?
Collectrade is owned and operated in the United States by Collectrade LLC, registered in New Jersey. The platform is built by collectors, for collectors.
