Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Funko Pop!?
Funko Pops!, or just Pops!, are vinyl plastic bobble-head figurines, with oversized heads and eyes, and often are based on popular movies, video games, comic books, popular culture, and other celebrity icons. They have become increasingly popular in the last few years and are now considered collectible items, with the current resale market of Funko Pops being approximately worth $700M+ in 2023.
What does grading & authentication mean?
To evaluate the condition and legitimacy of your favourite collectibles, through careful examination by dedicated experts with years of experience in assessing and authenticating collectibles like Funko Pop!s. Your collectible will be inspected for any and all damage, as well as the authenticity of the item (ensuring it isn't counterfeit or custom), and then given an appropriate grade that confirms the quality of the Funko Pop! on the date it was inspected.
Why would you authenticate and grade a Funko Pop?
Many collectors and enthusiasts want to have their favourite Funko Pop!graded because it determines the overall condition and protects the collectible by maintaining that condition within a hard sealed case. Funko Pop! Grading also helps to establish trust and peace of mind for both collectors and potential buyers/re-sellers, by guaranteeing their item is genuine and it's condition is clearly stated and protected.
Why choose Diamond Funk Grading & Authentication?
Our 'Diamond Funk Grading Standard' is specifically designed for Funko Pops to guarantee the quality of the item and potentially increase its value. Using Diamond Funk's grading service, you can also avoid high international shipping costs, which can be in the excess of $200 with some competitors. Located in the UK, we can assure not only a reliable service but also efficient, with a very quick turnaround time (usually 14 days), as opposed to waiting sometimes more than 6 weeks+ for international companies to deliver to your door.
What is the 'Diamond Funk Grading Standard'?
Newly developed grading process specifically designed for grading and authenticating Funko Pops. We offer our exclusive 19-tier grading standard in both numerical and colour-coded formats, clearly showing the assigned grade of your prized collectible. The grades range from the highest possible grade, a 'DF10 Diamond (Mint +)', to the lowest grade we assign, 'DF1 Amber (Decayed)'. Using this brand new grading system, we can reliably determine the overall condition of your Funko Pop and help establish its potential value.
Will your Funko Pop be permanently encapsulated?
Unlike other grading services that 'encapsulate' your Funko Pop and make it permanently sealed in its protective case forever, Diamond Funk are aware that some collectors and enthusiasts may want to retrieve their collectible again in the future. Perhaps the opportunity to get your Funko Pop autographed by a celebrity occurs, this would be impossible if it was 'encapsulated' in its own plastic prison!
How will Diamond Funk protect your Pop?
Diamond Funk use premium, hard acrylic, Funko branded, stackable cases which protect every aspect of your collectible, whilst still being accessible from the lid of the display case. During the grading process, once a grade has been assigned, your Funko Pop will be sealed into its protective display case using tamper-proof seals. Once these seals are broken, the Diamond Funk grade assigned to your collectible will regrettably be void.
Will the grade of your collectible be permanent?
Any Funko Pop graded and authenticated by Diamond Funk is guaranteed 100% genuine and in the condition specified by the grade your Pop was assigned during the grading process. This guarantee will be considered void once the tamper-proof seals, on the lid of the protective display case provided with your graded Funko Pop collectible, have been broken, and/or damaged . Any custom-made and/or counterfeit items sent for grading will instantly fail our grading process, and customers may still be charged for authentication in these instances.
What is our background in Funko Pop grading & authenticity?
Dedicated and professional team with more than 20+ years experience in the comic book collectibles market, which has included Funko Pops since 2010. We have the knowledge and expertise to assure to our customers that we are the most dependable and reliable grading service available for Funko Pops in the United Kingdom. We can guarantee a premium quality grading and authentication service, at a competitive market price, using our newly developed Funko Pop grading system, the 'Diamond Funk Grading Standard'.
How will Diamond Funk authenticate your Pop?
After we receive your Funko Pop, it will be expertly examined by one of our skilled inspectors, and then graded using the 'Diamond Funk Grading Standard' (DFGS). The condition of your collectible will be thoroughly inspected in order to determine an appropriate grade for your Funko Pop. 'Damage Reports' are included when we return your item, detailing the inspection and the reasoning behind the grade assigned.
During the inspection process the item is given a unique authentication number, located on a holographic, tamper-proof sticker affixed to the bottom of your Funko Pop (usually over recycling information panel).
Your collectible will then be sealed, in a protective display case, with tamper-proof stickers and a 'Grade Plaque' to display the grade awarded. Customers will also be given a 'Certificate of Authenticity' upon receiving their grade to validate their Funko Pop and its assigned grade.
When is the right time to get a Funko Pop graded?
Anytime is the right time for getting your favourite collectibles graded and authenticated. Diamond Funk are happy to grade any genuine Funko Pops, as long as they are still with their original box, whatever the condition might be. Funko Pops are generally produced in 'Series/Editions' which often eventually go out of production and will not be manufactured or packaged in the same way again. These are referred to as 'Vaulted' Funko Pops, which makes them more rare than other available Pops, and therefore potentially more valuable.
Which Funko Pop's are the most worthy of grading?
Autographed Funko Pops are usually the number one contender when discussing getting a Funko Pop graded and authenticated. This is common practice with most popular collectible items and generally speaking, a signature can add substantial value to an item, depending on the relevance and popularity of the artist/author of the signature. Proving the authenticity of these items can sometimes be complicated though, and this can increase the turnaround time of our service, due to the difficulty of authenticating some signatures.
Other examples of Funko Pops customers often like to get graded and authenticated include, 'Vaulted' Pops, rare or original series Funko Pops, 'Chase' variant Pops, 'Limited Edition' variations, and many others. Maybe you just want to get your favourite and most well beloved Funko Pop protected, authenticated and graded, so it stands out above the rest on your own display.
How to get your Funko Pop graded & authenticated?
Diamond Funk Grading & Authentication are by no means the only option available when looking to protect your Funko Pop collectibles. We offer a unique service to customers in the UK, which is fast, reliable and secure, and avoids large international shipping costs. There are also many risks with sending your favourite collectible item abroad, as it may get lost or damaged during the shipping process.
Diamond Funk are committed to offering our customers a premium grading and authentication service, at a competitive price, and strive to be considered the highest and most prestigious grading standard for Funko Pops in the UK, and beyond.
Terms & Conditions
GRADING POLICY
Diamond Funk Grading & Authentication reserve the exclusive right to grade any Funko Pop! using our 'Diamond Funk Grading Standard', and allocate an appropriate grade in relation to the condition of the collectible item. All grades are considered accurate and definite, unless Pop! is returned for re-grading (see our 'Regrading Policy' below). Customers are required to pay for our grading and authentication services immediately upon purchase and ship to us their items at their own expense, using a reputable courier service (Recommend: Royal Mail).
By purchasing our services, the customer acknowledges that their collectible item will be extensively examined by one of our expert inspectors, for any damages or faults. The item will also be checked for authenticity, using a variety of methods, which if failed will make the grading process voided. In this instance, your Funko Pop! Will be returned to you with a 'Damage Report' specifying that the item is classed as 'Ungraded', along with our reasoning's for failing to grade and authenticate your item. Please be aware that any custom made or counterfeit items sent to Diamond Funk will automatically fail to comply with our grading standard, and your collectible will be listed as 'Ungraded & Unauthentic'. Customers will still be charged for the grading and authentication service in these scenarios.
RETURNS & REFUNDS
Unfortunately, Diamond Funk Grading & Authentication are unable to accept returns, and/or, allocate refunds. Due to the nature of the grading process, if graded, your Funko Pop! will be allocated a unique authentication code and will be marked with a tamper-proof sticker on the base/bottom of the items box. These can NOT be removed without damaging the item, and voiding the authenticity of the collectible.
Refunds will be issued in the event that your Funko Pop! is returned to you in a damaged state, that was clearly the fault of Diamond Funk Grading & Authentication. Missing certificates of authenticity, damage reports, or grading plaques will be considered the responsibility of us to refund you, the customer. Refunds, in these instances, will be handled by our 'Help/Support' section available on our website, or by contacting us directly, by either phone or email. Please note, that any damage to your graded item that was incurred through the delivery/shipping process is NOT considered our responsibility, therefore, a refund will not be issued and the customer will still be charged for our services. In any event where the item is lost, misplaced, abandoned, or destroyed during the delivery/shipping process, Diamond Funk Grading & Authentication accept zero responsibility for the loss or destruction of your item.
RE-GRADING POLICY
Grades allocated using the Diamond Funk Grading Standard are considered final and permanent, as long as our tamper-proof seals have not been broken, or the protective case damaged. In any event where the customer may be unhappy with their collectibles assigned grade, or the seal has been tampered with or damaged, or the protective display case has been damaged, your Funko Pop! can be sent for re-grading. This will require your collectible being allocated a new authentication number and tamper-proof sticker (placed atop the old one), as well as being given a new grade, new grading plaque, and new display case. Customers will be charged the full standard price of grading and authentication, as the collectible must go through the whole grading process again.
Please be aware that Funko Pops sent for regrading often are regarded as having their condition worsen over time, and therefore the new assigned grade will likely be lower than before. Diamond Funk only suggest having a collectible re-graded if for any reason the tamper-proof seal has been broken, e.g. customer/collector wanted their graded Funko Pop! autographed and therefore chose to break the seal, or their protective display case was damaged and/or destroyed.
SHIPPING/DELIVERY
Diamond Funk Grading & Authentication does NOT accept any responsibility or liability regarding the shipping/delivery of your Funko Pop! Collectible. Customer agrees upon purchase to ship their desired item to the address provided, at their own expense, and own responsibility. We suggest a 'Signed For' or 'Recorded' delivery service, such as Royal Mail, to ensure the safety of your collectible item during transit to Diamond Funk. The customer is responsible for their own property, up until the moment it has arrived and/or signed for. After being graded and authenticated, the customers Funko Pop! will be securely packaged and sent directly back to them using the aforementioned delivery service (Royal Mail Signed For), at this point, the responsibility for the item/s will be the selected courier service. Royal Mail services are suggested and used by us, not just for reliability and cost, but also for the extra postal insurance for the item (in case of loss or damage), as well as a tracking number being provided to the customer.
When shipping to Diamond Funk, please ensure that your collectible is very well protected and packaged, and is securely within its box before delivery, this will ensure that we can assign your favourite collectible the best possible grade available, as determined by one of our quality inspectors and authenticity experts.