GRADED AFA FIGURES - WHAT'S THE POINT?
Вставка
- Опубліковано 17 кві 2020
- This is my first ever AFA graded action figure, so I thought it would be fun to discuss the topic of getting your figures graded and is it worth doing?
PLEASE LIKE & SUBSCRIBE
FACEBOOK - @AT80S
TWITTER - @80s_all
THANKS FOR WATCHING.
If you're going to display loose Kenner vintage Star wars figures.....nothing looks better ( In my opinion ) than having them displayed side by side like the photos depicted on the back of the vintage Kenner cardbacks.....especially the Jedi cardbacks with complete figures. That acrylic case your Luke came in was very nice but as soon as you took him out..that's pure nostalgia. Great video AT8
Thanks!!! Yeah, having a complete set of figures lined up the way they appeared on the card backs would be amazing.
When I was young I had a OG Snake-eyes 1st edition that I tried to keep in package....made it a total of two weeks... before I had to let him breathe.
I was so impatient as a child, I practically had them opened on my way out of the store.
Don’t get me wrong, I lost many guns, lightsabers etc in the car seats before I got home as well....never did find them....
Cracking Luke bespin figure 👌 fair play for releasing him from the plastic prison , I've accumulated quite a few graded figures while collecting a full set again over the years and they do display nicely but I can see your point , they are made to be handled and played with so encasing them in plastic does seem a bit unnatural ,ignore any a,holes and keep collecting whatever way makes you happy man 😁
Thanks. This figure is a beauty and I'm really pleased with it. I'm all about holding the figures and remembering back to when I was a child and there's no way I could do that with it trapped in that case.
Gonna play devil's advocate here - I do collect loose graded as I like the way the figures display on the shelf without fear of them falling over, getting dusty, weapons getting lost etc... By your own admission you only purchased a graded item to get the quality of figure you wanted and as such quality always sells and that does often attract a premium price. I personally prefer loose graded figures to carded figures which many of in the ESB and the ROTJ line are suffering from plastic degradation to the blister bubbles. I also think graded items will become more in demand due to the launch of the repro retro line from Hasbro. This is not an attack on any ones opinions as with any collecting you must decide on what is best for your own individual needs/budget. Good discussion though!
I agree that these AFA figures do display very nicely. Maybe once I complete my loose collection, I might get a couple to display myself.
That was quite a harrowing video - I was in constant fear for your fingers. I remember when my mum try to convince me to give out my toys but I insisted on keeping my Star Wars toys (I think there were some small concessions, I got rid off my beat up X-wing regrettably). Those same toys made it with me 12 years ago when I relocated to Australia from UK (south of the border) and are now on display in my house. Some in very bad condition but it shows the love I had for them as a child. I feel your pain on selling your own collection because I know how much I would miss mine if I had to relinquish them. Love your videos and keep up the good work.
Thank you!!! I amazed myself by not drawing any blood. That's awesome that you still have your original childhood toys.
You're fucking 80's..love these stories..
Great video, really enjoyed hearing your personal story regarding your memory to the action figure. That’s why we collect things in, my opinion, the memories attached to items. Thanks for sharing and please be careful with the knife, you gave us some tense moments when you trying to open that plastic case.
Thanks. I'm so proud of myself for not drawing blood, I was certain I was going to cut myself. The memories attached to these toys are indeed, the very reason I collect them.
I got so lucky I bought a bespin luke for 5 bucks and it's brand new...not a scratch on it..no paint loss, no wear, joints have never been moved...I was not expecting it..but I do appreciate it. I don't do graded figures...I need to be able to pose an display them..love your philosophy bro and with you on this💯💯💯💯🔥🔥🔥🔥
You done real great, bro !
The instant I had commited to this procedure of cracking open an acrylic case…
pieces of plastic started flying through the air right away & I had cut myself painfully in no time
-feverishly on the lookout for some adhesive elastoplast to stop the bleeding.
I'm amazed that I didn't cut myself as there were sharp shards of plastic flying everywhere.
Great video. I tend to re-card all my decent figures to display then try and get a loose good quality understudy (!!) to physically hold and admire as I did back as a child.
That's a really clever thing to do.
Yessss!!! Love your vids - based in the UK. These figures belong out in the air, not in their case. I share your views and ethos exactly. Get ‘em outttt!!!
Thanks!!! 👍🏻
Agree with you. If a fan considers themself a true fan, they have held a vintage card, opened it, played with the figure, ship, or playset. There was an emotional connection. You cannot get that when it's locked inside a graded case. - Rob
Well said.
People who have them graded didn't play with them as kids...but I might be wrong..wouldn't be the first time...haha
Loved the video & ur rational regarding ur feelings! I never feel offended when u uncard a figure or in this case, uncaseing. For me, a carded figure is gold, even a so-called “beater card”. But ur actions are justified in all ways applicable. Great job on all ur videos Kenner Star Wars related.
Thank you!!!
Absolutely agree with you on the figure grading situation. Crack open and hold them. 👍
Exactly. 👍🏻
Anyone trying to tell you what do to with your own property can donate their own money to you so you'll stop😉.
I'm with you. I pretty much only collect loose. I have a couple Stan Solo carded figures but touching and feeling and playing with it (I saw what you did there😂) is equally important to recapturing the magic.
Oh yes, you have to touch and feel them (hehehe) to really recapture the memories.
I buy them, primary because they have been graded, but most important, I dont have to dust them and maybe rub some paint of them, especially with this type of figure.
👍🏻
I don't buy these graded stuff because I don't like the fact that you cannot touch them. I buy only lose figures in good condition and put them on figure stands. BTW: In around 1998 or 1999 I sold all my old vintage Star Wars figures to a comic store here in my town. 136 figures including most of the Last 17 figures, like Yak Face, Luke Stormtrooper, two Imperial Gunners, Barada, Amanaman, A-Wing Pilot, Romba, Han in Carbonite, Imperial Dignitary, Anakin Skywalker and Luke Endor Battleponcho. It was almost a complete collection of vintage SW Figures. Not all with weapons and not all in the best condition but a lot of the figures still had their original weapons and were in very good shape. I had no computer at this time and no internet and no idea about how much they could be worth. So I sold them to the store for 280 German Marks (200 Dollars maybe in 1998). When I later noticed my mistake, I changed my name in Stupid Idiot.
I know how heartbreaking it is to sell your collection. I guess the only good thing about doing it is that I get to collect them again.
@@AllThings80s A few months ago I decided to get me a vintage SW collection again to revive my childhood memories. Now I only need two figures to complete my collection (R2 Pop Up Lightsaber and Lando General). I also bought some vehicles, spaceships, creatures and playsets that I never had as a child, such as the AT-AT, Millennium Falcon, the Rancor monster or the imperial attack base and the Turret and Probot playset. It's just fun to look at these things and enjoy them again :)
@@ganimed1976 That sounds like an awesome collection you've got there.
@@AllThings80s Yes, it's just fun to finally own these great toys again after so long and to have them around. Like good old friends you see again after a long time. I had been thinking about collecting vintage Star Wars toys again for a long time. But it all started last December when I saw an episode of the Mandalorian that featured IG-11. After that I bought an vintage IG-88 droid on ebay and the collection started.
I totally agree. Just a way to drive prices up on an already expensive hobby. I grew up on the Original Trilogy and collect Star Wars toys and memorabilia from that era. Most my collection is boxed and/or carded but not AFA worthy (maybe some) but it’s the nostalgia and great memories and the love for these toys that I collect them and it’s nice to be able to hold them instead of having them entombed in a Carbonite block 😄. Great video! Is Luke Bespin your favorite figure?
Thanks. I'm all about the nostalgia and in order to really appreciate these figures, you have to be able to hold them. Luke Bespin is definitely one of my favorite figures. I would have to really think about it before I can declare my all time favorite figure.
I love afa figures personally. They grade them which lets me know the accessories and figure are genuine and not fakes. They are protected in a dust proof/UV light proof case that makes sure they wont lose color and fade over time. They are nice looking on the shelf also. It costs about 40 dollars to send a figure in and have it professionally graded. Also when you buy a 85 gold standard figure graded on ebay from afa you know its a beautiful mint figure. For me I want 1 of each Kenner Star Wars figure graded at 80 or more for my collection. When you buy a figure online 50 percent of the time its never as nice as advertised and you have 0 clue if the accessories are real or fakes. The fake repo accessories are identical to the original ones but if your figure is afa graded you know its genuine.
I agree that getting an AFA is a safer bet than buying loose, but for me, I like to be able to hold the figures and "play" with them just like I did as a kid.
"I like to hold & play with them"! Said the vicar to the nun. Best double entendre ever.🤣🤣🤣 glad it had the right smell. Cheers👍🍻
I hope that everything I handle and play with has a nice smell..........hehehehe
Man, that was awesome! Congrats on that beautiful new Luke. not to sound cheesy, but i could talk Star Wars figures all day with you brotherman. Love the channel, love the figures👍👍
Oh yeah, I love looking back at my childhood and like you, I can talk all day about this stuff.
It doesn't bother me that you opened it and I understand because it is fun to have it tangible but I don't think grading figures is a waste of time, as other commenters have said. 3 reasons: 1) As a buyer I think it provides reassurance you are not wasting your money. 2) They look awesome presented like that. 3) Preservation--prevents oils and UV from degrading them. And 4) The dirty word: Investment--someday someone other than you might be needing to sell them, and grading may insure they get a fair price...unless there's a great depression apocalypse in which case the last point means nothing!
Those are all valid points you raise. I guess it all comes down to personal preferences. As I've said many times, I'm doing this to rekindle memories from my childhood and in order to do that, I have to get hold of the figures. I must say, I was really impressed with how well made and how nice those AFA cases look and if I ever become a rich man, I'm sure I would build a collection of those (to go along side my loose figures).
AFA has graded fake figures numerous times, so getting them graded is no guarantee that you haven't wasted your money at all. As for investment, regardless as to what a small percentage of hoarders, I mean collectors think, it does't work as an added investment because being graded does not add any more value to the item.
@@megomego-likemaven4650 Exactly. These figures shouldn't be viewed as some kind of investment. They're toys and they are supposed to be enjoyed.
@@megomego-likemaven4650 It's a market reality that graded items sell for more. Value is an abstraction but it is based in reality on what people do..i.e. pay for something in a market. Grading is kind of like having a car or house inspected before you buy it..stuff could still go wrong but it provides some assurance. Another reason to grade is the aesthetics. It presents an item as if to say this is a work of art and should be examined by experts and preserved. If you want to questions that people are really "experts" well I get that though. To me the main drawback to grading is you miss the toy smell!
@@jartladder15 In my point of view, this would be accurate if companies, such as AFA were qualified to make calls on what the exact condition an item is in. It also fails to work your suggested way when AFA is notorious for grading counterfeit items as authentic as well as AT8 mentioned, not grading with any kind of consistency. AFA graded items are being purchased for the rates they sell for due to a few things including many buyers not being completely informed of how shady of a company AFA is, as well many buyers/collectors of AFA graded items only collecting these graded items due to their believing that graded adds value. The entire grading market is based on lies, inconsistency and scamming. Now, all of that being said, I would not try to tell anyone how they should spend their money, however, since I feel that I am a decent person who doesn't liked to see others cheated out of their hard-earned money, I will always do my best to make certain that other folks know the facts about this bogus company.
I appreciate that we can discuss this on such a civilized level and I thank you both for that. It's very refreshing.
I enjoyed your video. I collect loose vintage Star Wars for mostly the same reasons you do. Well done, Sir. Personally, I find that the vintage weapons (light sabers and palace blasters) are harder to come by than a very high grade figure.
I'm glad you enjoyed it. It sure is difficult to find certain vintage weapons. I guess the one benefit of these graded figures is that you do get the figure complete with their weapons.
Most sellers are over pricing them very high...I've seen sone bespin sabers, vader sabers, jedi knight gun...sell for over $50...for a plastic weapon...I'd rather by repro
Ive recarded a set vintage STAR WARS figs and Ive collected a set off the card plus Im collecting the new retro figs and keeping them on the cars ,so whats ur feeling on that
I think that's really cool. I like the idea of recording to make your display look good. It sure beats displaying a genuine carded figure with a yellow bubble and beaten up card.
For me personally I think it’s looks nice on the shelf, most of the time I have an extra version of the figure and just want one that is protected and I enjoy the look of the case, but I can completely see your point of view, and it completely drives the price of the collector market up
I agree that they do look nice when displayed on a shelf, but for me, these figures should be loose and displayed they same way they appeared on the card backs.
I fully agree! I don’t like grading my figure either!
I really see no point to it.
Toys are meant to be played with, great video
They most certainly are. Thanks.
To each his own I guess. If you regard Star Wars toys as an investment well yeah..
But as a collector myself I'd hate to have my figures stacked in boxes. Just when I was a boy, 40 yrs ago, I still display my variants in a suitable cabinet (hearing you talk makes me glad I never sold my figures). I do case my carded figures though, but simply because that looks good and they can be displayed, you can buy the acrylic cases. Grading does not make much sense to me, after years of collecting you know exactly what to look for. But the fact a figure increases tenfold when graded is nonsense.
I completely agree. 👍🏻
I had scratched some black paint off of the helmet of my vintage Kenner Death Squad Commander when I tried to liberate him from his plastic casket.
It was my first attempt at cracking one of these acrylic cases & it ended up in a veritably nightmarish disaster ! ! !
Subsequently I decided to buy myself a sturdy Kohetsu oyster knife-in order to crack open these cases.
In the mean time-after some practice-I started getting better at these uncasings.
[ But it still consumes a whole lot of patience, time & effort. And it still makes me feel very unpleasant & nervous. ]
The oyster knife sounds like a good idea. Did you still have sharp pieces of plastic flying everywhere?
@@AllThings80s The most important thing is to remain calm under all circumstances-even when the pieces are flying around through the air.
As long as the action figure itself doesn't get blemished, everything is perfectly fine OK.
But I wasn't happy when I scratched that bit of black paint off of the helmet of my *Death Squad Commander* .
[ It was a tiny tiny bit, but still… these AFA‑graded figures don't come cheap. ]
@@temazros6112 Yes, I can imagine how annoying that must have been when you scratched the paint on the Death Squad Commander's helmet.
You are absolutely right: these toys were made to play with and as a child I ripped the bubbles from the cards to play with them. I have a lot of loose vintage figures, they are so fun to have them around and create diorama's, taking pictures of them in kind of a play mode. I own some vintage carded figures and boxed vehicles and play sets, but that is more about the nice packaging they made in that time. Nice review and a good cause opening this stunning, lovely Bespin Luke.
Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed this video. I can't stand having a figure and not being able to play with it.
I don't have any problem with the way people collect. Graded, ungraded, loose, boxed, carded. I keep some things in the box or on the card and buy 2 if I really feel the need to open one. Sometimes, I don't even care. I open them (but keep the box or card) My reasoning is that, part of the nostalgia (for me) was seeing the box art on the store shelves ... and I miss that. Anyways, I can come here and watch you open something and it takes my urge away to do it myself! Win-win. lol.
Exactly!!! Watch me do it so you don't have to.......lol
Great video. I would like to see a video showcasing your growing collection at some point in the near future. Any chance of that?
Yes, I plan on doing that quite soon. Stay tuned.
Totally agree!! I only collect loose because thats how they were when I was a kid 👍👍👍
Exactly!!!
I have some graded and some loose but most my grades are the higher dollar figures and my carded figures I have one graded and the rest in acrylic but for the basic figures I prefer to have them loose. I only like having some of high dollar figures encased. I have only paid to get a figure recased not graded though.
I can understand keeping the top dollar items encased, but not for a figure like this one.
All Things 80s Yeah I only have 2 basic ones graded cause I bought to see what grading was about and I was like you know what I will just buy loose ones of them to keep one encased and keep one out.
Agree , as a small UA-cam channel I would rather get my figures opened . I wish I could get more .
Needle nose pliers are your friend when opening encapsulated items !
Good to know. Thanks. 👍🏻
I Agree with You Entirely!
👍🏻
What makes the AFA grader an authorised expert in figure grading? Do they have to attend grading school?
Exactly!!!
I liked ur video and yes Im like u I too made the same mistake selling off the SW collection ,Ive been slowly buying it back at a very heavy price
I'm glad you liked the video. I can say that selling my childhood collection is one of the biggest regrets I have in life.
I know how u feel
OHMYGOD! THE HORROR!….
Just kidding!… 🤣 I open almost everything and have hundreds of figures, I’m with you 100% 👍
Blaster in left hand, saber in right. Was painful watching you struggle 🤣 I've just done a similar video opening a rebel commando. Grading loose is a waste of time.
I had to double check, and there's no way the blaster can fit in the left hand and even less chance of the saber staying in the right. I completely agree with you about grading being a waste of time.
I pretty much agree with everything you said. I don't want my figures behind glass where I can touch them if I want. The only reason I'd want done MOC figures would be to hang them ama create the feeling I had looking at them in stores. Otherwise I like em loose. My Luke Bespin might be my best conditioned figure. I got lucky with it.
I need to hold them in my hand.
Oh yes.....LOL
I am 36 and still have a toy in my pocket every day I get why you did it I would put it in a bench vice and squeeze it till it cracks
That's actually a good idea for cracking those cases open.
Understand what you’re saying, I have both graded and loose so I can hold one and have the pleasure of a mint one that will be protected.
These cases should have sliding backs so can take them if you want, there’s afa and ukg and cas I think
They can't be opened so that people can't replace the figure inside and say that it got the grade that's on the case.
Ahh hard to watch but each to their own. If this is what you want to do then more power to ya! But for me, I like both loose figures but also graded. To know that a figure is secured from degrading and loosing accessories is a nice feeling to me. They display nicely in their acrylic case. I only have one graded figure yet. A AFA 85 graded Han Solo Trench coat. But I also have a very nice exampel of that figure as a loose figure.
👍🏻
I'm with you ... all of my collections are loose but high grade. I have been posting some on my channel
Nice. I'll check your channel out. 👍🏻
@@AllThings80s thanks. It ain't much, just a way to look at them while they're in deep cold storage 🙂
@@thecurationstation6310 👍🏻
This one is my favorite one. I never liked the figures they had on the box for the rebel transport and always imagined who SHOULD be on it ... then they finally made the action figures 25 years later ua-cam.com/video/aO1ojvOuwZM/v-deo.html
@@thecurationstation6310 👍🏻
I have loose and graded so I get the best of both worlds
👍🏻
Sir you are a rebel
Yes I am.
buy 2, an AFA version to preserve and a play worn version to hold!!!!
No ...you can absolutely judge what people collect!? You can't dictate that to them . However if someone is collecting woman's underwear... That's creepy lol
LOL 👍🏻
Sacrilege lol. I have a graded comic then I said wait I cant read this dam thing bravo for opening
Exactly. Figures and comics are supposed to be enjoyed and not trapped inside plastic.
"THERE WILL BE BLOOD!"
Hahahaha
I completely agree with you. The only figures I have kept in the package were my GI JOES and that's because I love the card art. But even those I have opened and I don't regret it one bit. I was just careful not to damage the card art. Beautiful figure by the way. I thought you were gonna have to use the FORCE to get that damn case open. Really enjoyed the video of you being an asshole. Lol, just kidding. See you next time.
Thanks. The figure is a beaut and I'm so happy to have it in my collection again.
I understand you , it’s and I agree it’s your s open it lol 😂
Absolutely. 👍🏻
Great story. Hate graded figures.
Thanks.
I think the whole grading thing is just a bit of a money maker tbh
It certainly is. 👍🏻
Getting your figures graded is a waist of time and a waist of money.... An action figure is meant to be hold in your hands to be played with and/or put in a diorama and not to be burried in a plastic case. Nice video.... keep up the good work
Spot on!!! The clue is in the name, "ACTION figure". You can't see much action if it's trapped in a plastic case.
I detest grading! The people who offer these services have no more expertese in grading a figure than anyone else! It's a scam! The only reason to grade is if you collect for investment or to make money! I collect for fun and nostalgia! Open your toys and have fun! I have spoken!
Definitely!!!! These are toys and toys are meant to be played with.
I'm sorry, the only way I can keep stupid kids with greasy fingers and annoying cousins that don't ask permission to man handle my figures is to AFA grade them. These are not toys, they are artifacts. AFA grading all the way!
Graded figures waste of money, use a blow dryer to heat up the epoxy, it will come apart much more easily.
They don't even display well.
True, but it did look quite nice until I freed him.
Graded Star Wars action figures seem so soulless!
Absolutely.
The advantage of buying graded figures is that you know the figures and the accessories are real and not reproductions.
Not always. There are examples of them grading figures with repro weapons supposedly by mistake.
@@AllThings80s I would rather put my trust in them than the sellers on eBay.
@@RansomeStoddard Fair enough
AFA is the biggest con game ever.
It certainly is.
I’m not gonna lie, if I had been investing in the stock market over the last year, I’d be screwed. But, instead I have been investing in collectibles. Mainly Magic the Gathering cards, but I’m diversifying into Star Wars figures. Collectibles seem to be a better investment at the moment than stocks or crypto. Plus I own a house which is another good asset. But I own zero stocks
I cringed
Why?
All Things 80s if you have to ask...you will never understand
@@jamms121931 Understand what? That I'm not allowed to open something I own?
All Things 80s You are allowed, its yours. But this was very painful for me to watch
@@jamms121931 Fair enough