As i have my first loose AFA figures on there way in the post, i would like to know abit on how it works and you general opinions of it from you experts out there....

1. Is this the only organisation in America that grades Kenner figures ?

2. who actually grades the figures, are they lovers or enthusiasts of the hobby, or do they just employ people and teach them how to grade figures ?

3. How much does it cost to have your figures graded? is it worth it?

4. is it good for the hobby?

5. how did AFA become to be the trusted toy grader? did they just turn up and say here we are send us your stuff, we are the experts, and people did ?

6. is there any negatives about having figures locked away for ever in perspex or this type of plastic casing

Thanks for helping me out with this, i have heard of Tom Derby, is he the reason why this company is ''the one'' that is used for this , cheers n thanks for your help.......

Here are the answers, in summary, to the best of my knowledge:


1. Is this the only organisation in America that grades Kenner figures ?

As far as I know, yes. There is another group called UKG based in the UK.

2. who actually grades the figures, are they lovers or enthusiasts of the hobby, or do they just employ people and teach them how to grade figures ?

The graders are employees of CGA and while they may collect, they are employees in the sense that they are tranied and paid.


3. How much does it cost to have your figures graded? is it worth it?

Cost can vary becuase of the speed or turnaround. I'd say expect $20ish per figure if you can wait.

As for "is it worth it" that will depend on you. Personally I use them for rarer items as an authentication vehicle, not for telling me how shiny and nice it is.


4. is it good for the hobby?

Next Question


5. how did AFA become to be the trusted toy grader? did they just turn up and say here we are send us your stuff, we are the experts, and people did ?

Like any business, through marketing and a happy base of customers. Tom Derby's involvement is also a big plus. I'm sure there is more to the story but I've never cared to find out.


6. is there any negatives about having figures locked away for ever in perspex or this type of plastic casing

I've never heard of any issues with damage to a loose figure.

DarthBerizing wrote:

Here are the answers, in summary, to the best of my knowledge:


1. Is this the only organisation in America that grades Kenner figures ?

As far as I know, yes. There is another group called UKG based in the UK.

2. who actually grades the figures, are they lovers or enthusiasts of the hobby, or do they just employ people and teach them how to grade figures ?

The graders are employees of CGA and while they may collect, they are employees in the sense that they are tranied and paid.


3. How much does it cost to have your figures graded? is it worth it?

Cost can vary becuase of the speed or turnaround. I'd say expect $20ish per figure if you can wait.

As for "is it worth it" that will depend on you. Personally I use them for rarer items as an authentication vehicle, not for telling me how shiny and nice it is.


4. is it good for the hobby?

Next Question


5. how did AFA become to be the trusted toy grader? did they just turn up and say here we are send us your stuff, we are the experts, and people did ?

Like any business, through marketing and a happy base of customers. Tom Derby's involvement is also a big plus. I'm sure there is more to the story but I've never cared to find out.


6. is there any negatives about having figures locked away for ever in perspex or this type of plastic casing

I've never heard of any issues with damage to a loose figure.

Gee that was quick Darth, thankyou very much for that, i knew there were experts around here like your self that could answer my questions...

im not thinking about getting my whole collection done or anything, i just wanted to pick up a few of my other favs , i thought they would look ok in my loose collection for display.

Do the figures knock around in the cases ? say if it was an imperial dignitary, could you damage his very fragile little nose in that case, it seems like you only have to look at his nose to knock of the white paint to expose the purple underneath, thanks again for you reply mate, cheers

You'll get a different answer from every collector. Here's my take:

ozzie Greedo wrote:

As i have my first loose AFA figures on there way in the post, i would like to know abit on how it works and you general opinions of it from you experts out there....
Thanks for helping me out with this, i have heard of Tom Derby, is he the reason why this company is ''the one'' that is used for this , cheers n thanks for your help.......

1. Is this the only organisation in America that grades Kenner figures ?

They are the most popular one, but other grading companies do exist. Here's one that I've seen mentioned before in auctions.

2. who actually grades the figures, are they lovers or enthusiasts of the hobby, or do they just employ people and teach them how to grade figures ?

All we know is that they're not humans, as when most sellers list a U grade figure they use the line "never touched by human hands". As far as I know we really don't know. From what I've read/heard they are just people employed and taught what to look for. You'd think someone that collects would be ideal but, I'd think someone who doesn't and could look at an item subjectively would be more ideal.

3. How much does it cost to have your figures graded? is it worth it?

I've never submitted anything, but their pricing is here.

4. is it good for the hobby?

This is certainly where you'll get mixed answers. I think the authentication part which essentially bypasses AFA and goes to Tom Derby is a good thing for the hobby with rarer pieces and those that are easily faked.

However, you can certainly argue that graded pieces falsely inflate prices on rather commons items. Is it really worth that much more because it was sealed in an acrylic case and given a grade by a random person? To some people it is and others could care less. I still think that eventually the more common graded items will loose there value over time.

As far as directly hurting the hobby though, my only problem was once they started U grading things. I think that once they realized what some collectors were doing, it should have been done away with. Especially with the 2nd word in their slogan being "preservation". The U grade in no way shape or form is preserving anything.

So really it is hit or miss if it is good for the hobby. In some ways, yes, but in some ways no.


5. how did AFA become to be the trusted toy grader? did they just turn up and say here we are send us your stuff, we are the experts, and people did ?

I think it was mainly the fact that they were one of the first and as John mentioned they had Tom's name pretty much behind it, which was a name well known by collectors. Then things just kind of took off from there.


6. is there any negatives about having figures locked away for ever in perspex or this type of plastic casing

As far as I know there isn't really a negative to having a figure in a case other than shipping graded MOCs where you can't protect the bubble. during transit.

2. who actually grades the figures, are they lovers or enthusiasts of the hobby, or do they just employ people and teach them how to grade figures ?

I was always under the impression that they strictly hired people who were not collectors. I think for the reason that Shawn suggested, to keep them impartial and focus on the flaws... not the rarity or value of said piece. (Since we are color coding, I like green )


As for the effects on the hobby... well... that's a giant can of worms. There are definitely arguments on both sides of the coin and they both have valid reasons. Without injecting personal opinion into the answer it's basically a personal choice. If you want to get something graded, that's your call. Just like it's your call to not get something graded. We can argue the merits of either choice until the dead horse is pulverized, but that's what it comes down to at the end of the day.

The authentication bit is nice and does offer a service that wasn't previously available to the mass market.

Now for my personal opinion . Personally, I won't overpay for an AFA label. And I tend to shy away from collecting them. I am also not a fan of the infamous "U" grade and see that as being more harmful to the hobby as a whole than the actual act of grading an item.

there have been a couple photos posted here and there on the internet where a repro weapon slip by in their loose grading ... so I don't trust them 100% on loose items ... and they really stink when it comes to Mego items ... it's like they were built on grading vintage star wars.

it's not all bad, but IMO it's a flawed system and over rated

if Tom Derby himself graded the items I would have no issues ... but I doubt he does any of the grading unless ultra rare or something.

Stands for

Spoiler:

I don't know why anyone has anything to do with them after the U grade fiasco. The company is like a wolf dressed as a sheep IMO.
I certainly don't understand the well over inflated prices the figures command. Some people have more money than brains apparently.

Josh

Count me a a brainless one then (not a hard stretch mind you LOL).

I use them but admittedly not for the convention use of telling me how bright and shiny my figures are. I use them for three things:

1) Authenticating rarer items
2) Protecting rarer items
3) Displaying odd stuff

I think #2 is the most useful. The do a great job with custom rails. My 3 rarest MOCs (Vinyl Jawa, Harbert Yoda, Uzay R5) are all in custom cases. The work is outstanding and really bar none

As for authentication, it's a big help if I go to trade or sell . It's sad how many fakes are out there, and buyers do like the assurance of AFA

There are certain, rarer figures, that I personally would not touch unless AFA graded with COA.

http://forum.rebelscum.com/t1084011/#post18880044

Is it just me or is that rare figure able to move around in that case? Sure looks like it can. That is fooken shoddy if you ask me.
Surely it wasn't graded facing on an angle like that?

to be honest ... a jawa and yoda are prob. safe since they're so small ... but most MOC figures have a chance at falling and the force of the fall being inside an AFA case is more likely to cause the bubble to crack or pop off the card than if the figure were not in a solid case ... a star case can take a bit of the impact ... still anytime a MOC falls it's not a good thing ... but to feel that your item is safe in an AFA sealed case is false. having a case where you can remove the figure every now and then allows for you to keep a better look on your item also breaks the bond the card/bubble has with the case ... since long term contact can cause items to stick ... sure you said .. well I'm never going to take it out of the case ... but what if it cracks ... or starts to yellow or a scratch is put on it and make it look awful and you go to replace it ... only to have the edge of the card rip off due to getting stuck on the afa case ...

just go look at a museum ... how many items do you see they have that are 100% completely sealed into their cases to where they never can be touched or moved from one case to another ???? NONE ... and there's a reason for it.

Now I understand with rare items having them be 100% proven to be real ... and afa does do that ... but I think it would be better if they just had the item be photographed and then a slip of paper saying it's real ... and never be put into a perm. case.

I know there are come high end comic collectors who buy high graded comics ... and have them removed from the cases ... same with baseball card collectors due to the fear of what long term inside those cases will do ... sure they're acid free ... but they're not perfect ... they are still made of plastics ... and plastics have a way of breaking down over time ...

true the cases most likely will outlive the item inside ... but still the what if's having the ability to remove an item from one case and put it into another is a freedom you lose when you AFA.

To each their own ... but don't let AFA fool ya ... they can't protect you items as well as they like to say they can ... look how many MOC have been lost due to the cases and shipping them back to the owner? WAY TOO MANY ... just one loss is too many ... which proves their cases need to be upgraded.

Josh wrote:

http://forum.rebelscum.com/t1084011/#post18880044

Is it just me or is that rare figure able to move around in that case? Sure looks like it can. That is fooken shoddy if you ask me.
Surely it wasn't graded facing on an angle like that?

It's probably pretty stable. I assume the sideways mount was to protect the figure from hitting the front of the glass.

I would be pissed if it came back sideways like that. Looks shit if you ask me.

I've been told sometimes the loose figure can move around inside the case ... that vlix looks like he's rotated.

A loose figure should be fully secured inside the case. It should not be able to move around.

I would also be a little disappointed if it looked like that when it came back from AFA.

I think the Vlix was placed intentionally in the case like that and did not shift. The way the holders inside the case seem to be positioned indicate it didn't move around. This may sound strange, but I think they positioned him as best with their standard case size to not have to bump the figure (and charges) for a custom case. Reminds me a lot like the way I had to position my Gamorrean Guard to fit in one of the loose figure clamshell blister cases because his arms where too wide and his belly would protrude the allowable space the case permits.

Unlike most collectors here, I actually like AFA. I like the look of it being encased, and I like the authentication aspect of it. But that's all been said before.

A significant point that I think doesn't get discussed enough, is the benefit AFA is to others besides yourself. For instance, I know most of us feel pretty comfortable in grading items, and identifying them as well. But what if you have an accident tomorrow? Would your wife or kids know what the hell you have or what to do with them? Would they be able to sell them appropriately if they preferred the money instead of a bunch of plastic? AFA items make it much easier to transfer them to a new owner. If it's got an AFA label, it makes it much easier for others to list, sell, or consign these items after we're gone.

Just thought I'd throw another discussion point out there.

DarthTad wrote:

Unlike most collectors here, I actually like AFA. I like the look of it being encased, and I like the authentication aspect of it. But that's all been said before.

A significant point that I think doesn't get discussed enough, is the benefit AFA is to others besides yourself. For instance, I know most of us feel pretty comfortable in grading items, and identifying them as well. But what if you have an accident tomorrow? Would your wife or kids know what the hell you have or what to do with them? Would they be able to sell them appropriately if they preferred the money instead of a bunch of plastic? AFA items make it much easier to transfer them to a new owner. If it's got an AFA label, it makes it much easier for others to list, sell, or consign these items after we're gone.

Just thought I'd throw another discussion point out there.

That's certainly a valid point Tad and I can see the reasoning behind that.

However, I also feel that part of the collecting experience should be documenting and keeping records of what you have. It requires some more work from the collector rather than paying AFA to do it, but I think that can be part of the fun too during the down times when your not buying anything. You can even make your own labels and mark them how you want. At one time I was even going as far as making my own SKA (Shawn_K Authority) labels on my cases. lol I might still have a picture somewhere. It really depends on how far you wanted to take it, but any collector could really make up their own labels, barcodes, and corresponding database with everything inside that you could show a loved one in case of emergency.

Pic added

Quote :

Unlike most collectors here, I actually like AFA. I like the look of it being encased, and I like the authentication aspect of it. But that's all been said before.

A significant point that I think doesn't get discussed enough, is the benefit AFA is to others besides yourself. For instance, I know most of us feel pretty comfortable in grading items, and identifying them as well. But what if you have an accident tomorrow? Would your wife or kids know what the hell you have or what to do with them? Would they be able to sell them appropriately if they preferred the money instead of a bunch of plastic? AFA items make it much easier to transfer them to a new owner. If it's got an AFA label, it makes it much easier for others to list, sell, or consign these items after we're gone.

Just thought I'd throw another discussion point out there.

You make a valid point, but I think you yourself, having your collection catalogued properly, goes a long way to ensuring that also.
I think there is also a difference between paying an over inflated price for a piece because it is graded, and getting it graded yourself. Big difference. So I wasn't having a go at people who do, do that...Getting it graded themsleves I mean, obviously.
I don't hate AFA. But I don't think they've done the hobby any favours with some of their practices. Because of that, I just don't support them by sending things in to be graded. It's called putting your money where your mouth is. Plenty of other places I can get an acrylic case from or, an authenticaton.

shawn_k wrote:

DarthTad wrote:

Unlike most collectors here, I actually like AFA. I like the look of it being encased, and I like the authentication aspect of it. But that's all been said before.

A significant point that I think doesn't get discussed enough, is the benefit AFA is to others besides yourself. For instance, I know most of us feel pretty comfortable in grading items, and identifying them as well. But what if you have an accident tomorrow? Would your wife or kids know what the hell you have or what to do with them? Would they be able to sell them appropriately if they preferred the money instead of a bunch of plastic? AFA items make it much easier to transfer them to a new owner. If it's got an AFA label, it makes it much easier for others to list, sell, or consign these items after we're gone.

Just thought I'd throw another discussion point out there.

That's certainly a valid point Tad and I can see the reasoning behind that.

However, I also feel that part of the collecting experience should be documenting and keeping records of what you have. It requires some more work from the collector rather than paying AFA to do it, but I think that can be part of the fun too during the down times when your not buying anything. You can even make your own labels and mark them how you want. At one time I was even going as far as making my own SKA (Shawn_K Authority) labels on my cases. lol I might still have a picture somewhere. It really depends on how far you wanted to take it, but any collector could really make up their own labels, barcodes, and corresponding database with everything inside that you could show a loved one in case of emergency.

At the end of the day, if the insurance adjuster's source to verify authenticity isn't up to speed with how to properly authenticate a DT saber, vinyl cape Jawa, et. al, then I think having a COA on hand (should the need ever arise) is your best insurance policy.

shawn_k wrote:

DarthTad wrote:

Unlike most collectors here, I actually like AFA. I like the look of it being encased, and I like the authentication aspect of it. But that's all been said before.

A significant point that I think doesn't get discussed enough, is the benefit AFA is to others besides yourself. For instance, I know most of us feel pretty comfortable in grading items, and identifying them as well. But what if you have an accident tomorrow? Would your wife or kids know what the hell you have or what to do with them? Would they be able to sell them appropriately if they preferred the money instead of a bunch of plastic? AFA items make it much easier to transfer them to a new owner. If it's got an AFA label, it makes it much easier for others to list, sell, or consign these items after we're gone.

Just thought I'd throw another discussion point out there.

That's certainly a valid point Tad and I can see the reasoning behind that.

However, I also feel that part of the collecting experience should be documenting and keeping records of what you have. It requires some more work from the collector rather than paying AFA to do it, but I think that can be part of the fun too during the down times when your not buying anything. You can even make your own labels and mark them how you want. At one time I was even going as far as making my own SKA (Shawn_K Authority) labels on my cases. lol I might still have a picture somewhere. It really depends on how far you wanted to take it, but any collector could really make up their own labels, barcodes, and corresponding database with everything inside that you could show a loved one in case of emergency.

Great minds Shawnie

finestcomics wrote:

At the end of the day, if the insurance adjuster's source to verify authenticity isn't up to speed with how to authenticate a DT saber, vinyl cape Jawa, et. al, then I think having a COA on hand (should the need ever arise) is your best insurance policy.

Yes, but we're talking about grading in general and not just pieces that have to be authenticated.

shawn_k wrote:

finestcomics wrote:

At the end of the day, if the insurance adjuster's source to verify authenticity isn't up to speed with how to authenticate a DT saber, vinyl cape Jawa, et. al, then I think having a COA on hand (should the need ever arise) is your best insurance policy.

Yes, but we're talking about grading in general and not just pieces that have to be authenticated.

I was following on the point where AFA serves its purpose. In this context, and especially in the case of loss, I think it's the same discussion, especially when AFA's refusal policy is pretty much a green light that any boxed/carded/loose figure that's been graded is not fake.

shawn_k wrote:

DarthTad wrote:

Unlike most collectors here, I actually like AFA. I like the look of it being encased, and I like the authentication aspect of it. But that's all been said before.

A significant point that I think doesn't get discussed enough, is the benefit AFA is to others besides yourself. For instance, I know most of us feel pretty comfortable in grading items, and identifying them as well. But what if you have an accident tomorrow? Would your wife or kids know what the hell you have or what to do with them? Would they be able to sell them appropriately if they preferred the money instead of a bunch of plastic? AFA items make it much easier to transfer them to a new owner. If it's got an AFA label, it makes it much easier for others to list, sell, or consign these items after we're gone.

Just thought I'd throw another discussion point out there.

That's certainly a valid point Tad and I can see the reasoning behind that.

However, I also feel that part of the collecting experience should be documenting and keeping records of what you have. It requires some more work from the collector rather than paying AFA to do it, but I think that can be part of the fun too during the down times when your not buying anything. You can even make your own labels and mark them how you want. At one time I was even going as far as making my own SKA (Shawn_K Authority) labels on my cases. lol I might still have a picture somewhere. It really depends on how far you wanted to take it, but any collector could really make up their own labels, barcodes, and corresponding database with everything inside that you could show a loved one in case of emergency.

Pic added

That's a good point, Shawn. And I do try to keep as good of records as I can. But I also think that it would be difficult for any non-collector to go through a database and try to discern what is what. I guess my point is, that of all my pieces, the ones that are AFA graded would be the easiest for my family to sell if I should pass on. Even though they aren't necessarily the most valuable, most of my collection isn't AFA graded, the ones that are would be simple for my family to benefit from.

I think this is especially true for truly rare or one-of-a-kind items. For instance, to a non-collector, a 12-Back proof card looks like a piece of packaging that someone forgot to throw away. But those in the know understand the importance, value, and collecting significance of them.

I'm not planning on passing away anytime soon, and like I said, most of my collection isn't AFA graded, but I understand why folks do send everything in.

DarthTad wrote:

shawn_k wrote:

DarthTad wrote:

Unlike most collectors here, I actually like AFA. I like the look of it being encased, and I like the authentication aspect of it. But that's all been said before.

A significant point that I think doesn't get discussed enough, is the benefit AFA is to others besides yourself. For instance, I know most of us feel pretty comfortable in grading items, and identifying them as well. But what if you have an accident tomorrow? Would your wife or kids know what the hell you have or what to do with them? Would they be able to sell them appropriately if they preferred the money instead of a bunch of plastic? AFA items make it much easier to transfer them to a new owner. If it's got an AFA label, it makes it much easier for others to list, sell, or consign these items after we're gone.

Just thought I'd throw another discussion point out there.

That's certainly a valid point Tad and I can see the reasoning behind that.

However, I also feel that part of the collecting experience should be documenting and keeping records of what you have. It requires some more work from the collector rather than paying AFA to do it, but I think that can be part of the fun too during the down times when your not buying anything. You can even make your own labels and mark them how you want. At one time I was even going as far as making my own SKA (Shawn_K Authority) labels on my cases. lol I might still have a picture somewhere. It really depends on how far you wanted to take it, but any collector could really make up their own labels, barcodes, and corresponding database with everything inside that you could show a loved one in case of emergency.

Pic added

That's a good point, Shawn. And I do try to keep as good of records as I can. But I also think that it would be difficult for any non-collector to go through a database and try to discern what is what. I guess my point is, that of all my pieces, the ones that are AFA graded would be the easiest for my family to sell if I should pass on. Even though they aren't necessarily the most valuable, most of my collection isn't AFA graded, the ones that are would be simple for my family to benefit from.

I think this is especially true for truly rare or one-of-a-kind items. For instance, to a non-collector, a 12-Back proof card looks like a piece of packaging that someone forgot to throw away. But those in the know understand the importance, value, and collecting significance of them.

I'm not planning on passing away anytime soon, and like I said, most of my collection isn't AFA graded, but I understand why folks do send everything in.

The liquidity of graded collectibles and its purpose as a selling tool is it's strongest argument.