If you guys haven't read Tom's post on his duties at AFA/CIB, then you should definitely take the time to read through.

Tom Derby's AFA Post

A couple things that should be taken away from the thread. First and foremost, Tom D is a real person, and a real collector. From the sounds of his post he has a true passion for the hobby and is a champion for it. I think we should all keep that in mind when speaking about AFA.

Another thing is the personal mention of TIG and Jay. It's a HUGE kudos for Jay to be recognized for all of his efforts and the community he has built here is a big part of that. So I guess a congratulations is owed for everyone on this site!

And lastly, but probably equally as important, is Tom's mention of Wolff. I know we all like each other on this site and we all like to tease each other. Wolff being both the giver and receiver of that treatment. However, I think we all need to recognize Wolff's efforts in this hobby. He is probably one of the most underrated people in this hobby (along with all of the other variant hunters Uli, Mike, Javi, etc.). Wolff's efforts for his guide are clearly next to none. I know he's been struggling with that for a few weeks now, but I think it's clearer now than it ever was just how invaluable his guide will be to this hobby. So let's all help and encourage our buddy Wolff to finish his guide.

Wolff your my hero.

I'm your biggest fan.

Tom's thread is really hard to read - esp. when English is not you native language I think. It took me an hour to go through it (and I probably was able to understand about 70 percent only)...

... well first I have to draw my hat (so we say in Germany) for Tom. To me it seems he is not the AFA monster a lot of us think (or thought) he is.

... am I right that he is offering his full knowlegde about different weapons (perhaps with info on what card or what coo the weapon was found)?
If so - Jay please email him and ask for his input. I think the main site of TIG (yes it still is the main site for me) could really win with Tom's help.

Just my thoughts...

Uli

Idefix13 wrote:

Tom's thread is really hard to read - esp. when English is not you native language I think. It took me an hour to go through it (and I probably was able to understand about 70 percent only)...

... well first I have to draw my hat (so we say in Germany) for Tom. To me it seems he is not the AFA monster a lot of us think (or thought) he is.

... am I right that he is offering his full knowlegde about different weapons (perhaps with info on what card or what coo the weapon was found)?
If so - Jay please email him and ask for his input. I think the main site of TIG (yes it still is the main site for me) could really win with Tom's help.

Just my thoughts...

Uli

Dont worry Uli i have already email Tom regarding the TIG original weapon / accessories variants and REPRO guide

If anyone hasn't read Toms post yet i 100% recomend grabbing a coffee or beer and checking it out!

I just want to add that the Imperial Gunnery is not possible without this fantastic community!

Great work Jay.

The highest accolades.

Dan.

That was a great read, even if it took so long to finish it. Big props go out to Tom for coming on and discussing what he did to explain it all and lay it out for all of us. I for one can't wait to see his completed site he's working on since I'm into other vintage lines.

Also huge props to Jay, Wolff, and Shawn for their major contributions to the community.Without these three great guys, the collecting community would still be wondering about certain things. Glad to be a part of it all.

Ok...its good to have been mentioned but the U grade still stinks of profit no matter what, its plain and simple...you kill the U grade to stop the destruction of the hobby...or you bypass it and roll in the cash...

if alls clear on U grading im gonna go and riun some fucking Luke X-wings cos i want £2000 in my pocket

Plantman wrote:

Ok...its good to have been mentioned but the U grade still stinks of profit no matter what, its plain and simple...you kill the U grade to stop the destruction of the hobby...or you bypass it and roll in the cash...

if alls clear on U grading im gonna go and riun some fucking Luke X-wings cos i want £2000 in my pocket

I'm going to assume that was aimed at me Andy. By removing the petition, I'm not saying AFA is cleansed of U grading. As I've said countless times, the purpose of my article was to try to educate collectors in general and U collectors. The petition detracted from that and it is even more obvious to me because of some of the comments about the whole thing being a waste of time, etc that I've gotten now. That's why I should have stayed with my original feeling and not ever put a petition in the first place. I've commented several times that an online petition never got anything accomplished. In this case Tom did take notice and expressed the concerns to CGA. Really what more can we do? I can give them a list of 100 names or 1000 names, but if AFA is still making money on the thing they're not going to stop, but they have taken notice and are talking about some changes.

They certainly should have thought about the ramifications before offering the service and it has certainly hurt their image in the minds of many collectors. We cannot restore the figures that have been destroyed, but we can try to educate the U graders why it is important to us that future ones are saved.

The petition may be gone, but the article is still there. That is what was supposed to be the main course of what I wanted to accomplish, not some petition for everyone to vent their anger. I've probably tainted all the time and effort I put into the article now with a petition that took me a few seconds to create. I've left it open for someone else to step up to the plate and take it over. I posted a free website on RS that all someone has to do is sign up. Here it is again

Nah, that wasnt aimed at you at all, it was aimed at Tom i suppose lol

AFA are full of shit in my opinion, they have seen an influx of minty moc submitted for U and been asked to destroy them and they dont care, they just do it.
IF they were concerened they would simply stop it...but they wont.

Tesco dont stop selling cigarettes because they cause cancer...so why would AFA give a shit about a once 99c toy.

tbh i bet they have marketing meetings on how to keep this trend going...maybe throwing out the odd U95 to get the "minty" tosspots excited and keep the flow of submissions going strong.

my anger should be towards the collectors i suppose because i bet the AFA guys open that figures up, shove it up their arse and then case it and piss themselves when someone pays £1000 for an "untouched gem"

fucking hilarious it is.

Plantman wrote:

Nah, that wasnt aimed at you at all, it was aimed at Tom i suppose lol

sorry about that Andy. I'm still waiting for the morning caffeine to kick in.