Vintage Toy Guide - AFA graded figures warning
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- Опубліковано 4 жов 2024
- A short video to highlight the fact that graded figures can still get damaged. I have a nice 80 graded Chief Chirpa that is no longer worthy of the grade.
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I watch this video anytime I think about buying an expensive graded figure...
Bummer Man...
I wish I watched this video sooner. Because I feel that we would have started a discussion that includes how boxed first-run Hasbro Transformers have a similar issue. Collectors I used to follow talked about how they have to place their AFA graded pieces on their backs, and do so because the inner bubble tends to pop off. And that others might have events like yours, where the plastic bubble became increasingly brittle before AFA graded it. Stuff like that.
And besides the price of what I might want, risks like these are why I will not go vintage unless I am guaranteed a nice graded piece that was given the "Archival" treatment.
Ouch. Thanks for the warning. That AFA grading always seems to lead to problems in one way or another. :-(
I've had a few things graded by UK Graders, and they seem to do a better job than AFA. It's also a lot cheaper for me than posting stuff to the US. I think I still prefer loose figures overall, but it's nice to have a few carded ones as well.
That's a real shame. Not a fan of graded figures myself. Just a thought, if this was sent to be re-graded as a loose figure could it still get a U grade?
Ive worked in a parcel depot before and trust me !! Parcels and packets get propa lobbed about because of the pressure to get vans loaded , deliver and get back in a certain time frame ........ True story im afraid , If selling pack well !!
+MrKutzzy I'm sure they do. I always pack stuff well, but there is no way of stopping graded figures moving inside their bubbles and cracking out. I'll stick to loose figures :D
It seems like the packaging for graded figures should take that into account and support the figure inside the package (like a little shelf or something). It is not an issue I care about (more loose figures for me), but seems logical considering what the service is supposed to do and most of these will be shipped at some time.
On the same note, I sent a Mickey Mantle baseball card to PSA to be slabbed and graded. The card came back slid into the edge of the area that was sealed causing a crease! It received a low grade, and PSA refused to do anything to help! Grading services are a total scam!
I have had literally tens of thousands of cards graded and never had that happen. i think you have bad luck. sorry for your experience that truly sucks.
The ewok wasn't dropped he broke out of the AFA bondage on his own accord in protest at a pointless grading system. example- If you buy a graded figure 15 years down the line, if that has been left anywhere near sunlight then the grade isn't going to be the same if you sent it off for re-grading. I think these figures should have a 15 year time span like the m.o.t running down on a car. ultimately I think the whole system is flawed I would only buy newly graded figures to break it out of the package. release the beast. If they graded completely loose with just a certificate not case but cheap £5 for people selling on, it would give a indication of quality and when it was graded that may have some purpose. I myself do love minty figures as it reminds me of buying them back in the day and that toxic plastic loveliness that wafts out the pack when you open it. aaah bisto !!!
How do you figure out the population count of AFA graded action figures? The more rare the figure and grade is than more valuable it is? That's how graded sports cards go. If a sports card that receives a perfect 10 and if there isn't many that receive a 10 than more valuable it is
No idea. It all seem a bit made up when it comes to action figures.
Toy Polloi Also do you think an UK Star Wars AFA action figure is worth less than American Star Wars AFA figure or maybe it don't make much difference? I saw AFA 90 Star Wars figure for good price on ebay
Both graders seem to have their flaws and errors. I think prices are much the same. But it's cheaper just to buy a nice case for a figure.
Toy Polloi True it's cheaper but I'm predicting the wall street crowd will get into this when the population count of AFA 9.0 figures report comes. Most graded figures don't receive a 9.0. With sports cards for an example a Hank Aaron sports card from 1970s that receives 7 grade may get sold on ebay for anywhere from $50 to $200 but a graded 9 card of Aaron may go for anywhere from $300 to $3000 or a 10 may go to $10 thousand to over $100 grand. The condition, popularity and of course on how rare or common it is depends on how valuable the collectors item is worth
+CONTRA I don't think you can see these toys as an investment. Just enjoy them for what they are.
at the end of the day all you are getting is a really expensive hunk of plastic, and in some cases like a vinyl jawa a really overpriced hunk of plastic.
It's a poor investment in my opinion, I have more fun finding treasures (figures and such) for a couple of dollars in thrift stores, and you can find cheap stuff for customizing.
If we were talking about more modern (1995~) pieces that are not tri-logo, do not have low production number, are not error packaging, and/or are not considered historically significant despite its age... Your bias claims would carry some weight. But you are a hobbyist, not a serious collector. So to others, your hobby is a waste of money because there is no real monetary value to customizing more common loose beater figures.
As for this, the monetary value is based on the combination of rarity and historical significance. And those who manage to buy a Canadian Boba Fett on a 20-back card are not going to immediately turn around and sell it. They get the thrill of owning it, displaying it, and appreciating it. Because how many in the world are left? Which store did the carded figure first appear? This is part of the thrill and history of owning such a piece of Americana history.
But I might as well conclude that the reality of this will fall on deaf ears. And shall point out that pieces like a carded Jawa with a vinyl cape make investors rich. Especially since you will rarely find those on display at high-end auction houses. And at Rick Springfield's house. ;)
Stating the obvious there mate.
andygold007 Not to some.
andygold007 I didn't know and appreciate the head's up.