The one on the left also has an extra price sticker placed right on the logo - for many thats going to make them pass on a clean displayable figure.

AFA grading is really down to how well it displays in many cases and if a sticker or mark on the card runs through the card art work or the logo it will lose points.

shawn_k wrote:

That makes sense to me Chris. I seem to remember Tom saying that some more videos were coming, showing how AFA worked on the inside. Even though I don't collect AFA, I would be interested to see the whole process, from figure received to the final encasing.

I will love to see that !!!!! .... but like a reality show!!! ... lol!:

JOE_O" : The one on the left also has an extra price sticker placed right on the logo - for many thats going to make them pass on a clean displayable figure."

Yes you are right, but according to AFA grading procedures , is still the original price sticker and it´s in very good shape!

Like everybody in here, I will really like to know their grading procedures...... the only thing I don´t understand is how on earth somebody misses a SW series with and ESB series?????

I wish I had time to address all to points in this thread regarding AFA grading (some unusual theories out there) but will raise a few quick points. First of all, keep in mind AFA is a company that has evolved over time. They have not always been under the same ownership and have taken on some radical changes over the years. I think most people who submit on a regular basis would agree that they have become more strict over time. From what I can gather from my conversations, this seems to be a direct correlation with improved grading procedures. For example, I know that an item is not seen by just one grader, there are different tiers of graders and strict processes of review that an item must go through to obtain a final grade. Also, they purposely do not hire toy collectors or people with any interest in the items they are grading to try to eliminate emotional subjectivity. I think with all the new and improved procedures you will start to see a lot more consistency, I know I have with my submissions over the past year. Mistakes still happen, so I scrutinize every piece but even more so with an item graded more than a year or two ago.

To answer the original question.. I agree with most, an 80 will usually cost about the same as an ungraded item in similar condition. The premium for AFA-graded pieces seems to kick in around 85 unless it is a really rare piece, then an 80 will also command a premium. I also have seen many cases where a beautiful piece that is an 85 with an 80 sub will often be treated like an overall 80 because of that one sub. Even if a figure grade is pulled down to an 80 because of a loose weapon or tape inside the bubble! I won't even address the u-grade phenomenon, that is a whole other level of craziness!

-chris

PS - Regarding the 3 graded MOC.. I think I can see why they received those subs for the cards.. The 1st has a torn hanger (hence the 75), the 2nd has a price sticker that is a little distracting and the 3rd has no visible issues from the photos. I would not have any problems with these grades if I submitted those items, they seem perfectly legitimate, at least looking at photos from a few feet back.

I know others have stated similar points but wanted to weigh in.. : )

-chris