AFA Grading.

[Mr.Marion]

Eventually, yes, but probably not as soon as some might think.

I have never had this happen, not yet, with any of my carded figures.

They wont in our lifetime. In the meantime collecting is too much fun to cash in my chips. I'll let the next generation worry about what's biodegradable.

[TrekStar]

There are cheaper ways..

[ATTACH=CONFIG]16203[/ATTACH]

I give those out on Halloween.

[Blue Meanie]

I absolutely LOVE AFA and CGC. Yes, I know I am in the minority on this one -- on this board. I do not care. I said in a thread that I started a few months ago also, I have been burned way too many times on "raw" comics that were so off-the-mark graded and on MEGO MOC figures described as "mint" and not even close. Grading is so subjective -- everyone knows that. Of course, AFA and CGC are not perfect. Yet, I would far rather take my chances and have a third-party grade a figure or comic -- then buy it, as opposed to buying something "raw." These companies are not going away. In addition, whether it is right or wrong, you can command far more money (if you are selling) when they are graded as opposed to not -- there are no guessing games to what you are buying. I used to be against both companies years ago -- not anymore. I wised up. I have been burned before -- not again.

So basically you're into collecting for the $$$ value? That's fine if you are into it. Just seems absolutely pointless for anything that has more than one dimension to it. Comics as well as toys. You can never open that comic book encasement to read the book again. Just takes the fun out of collecting in my opinion. The example I gave is the most useless reason to grade a figure. It's a NEW figure and the number of those that were never opened far outweighs the number that were played with...so there is no value at all to the Flash figure other than what they sell for on ebay right now. $20 - $30...you're throwing away money you can spend on something else you can add to your collection. Again, if you are into collecting for monetary value...you have a better chance with the stock market these days...and that's with the 1200 points it lost in August. If you enjoy the hobby...then enjoy the hobby for what it is...collecting toys that made you happy when you were a kid.

BTW, you've said you've been burned by "off-the-mark" grading...here's a suggestion, go to a toy show or a comic show or a toy shop/collectibles shop and experience the figure or comic first hand. Look for yourself. Show me AFA's or CGC's written standards on how they grade. What's that, you can't find them?? Because they are non existent. You trust a company that has NO WRITTEN STANDARDS OR GUIDELINES on how they grade??!!?? That makes absolutely no COMMON SENSE. If you are a seller than I can see your point. For the person that is in it as a hobby and has fun with the figures and actually reads their comics it makes no sense to have the books slabbed or the toys encased. That being said...I would definitely get stuff graded comic book wise as a seller. Probably going to get a few done before the end of the year to sell on Ebay. Take that 5 - 10 times what the book is really worth and buy some stuff that I like and will NOT get graded. Don't have a graded piece in my collection and never will. I enjoy the many hobbies I have too much to have it cross the line into an investment. Good Luck with CGC and AFA...I hope they make you a lot of $$$.

[great_chandel]

I absolutely LOVE AFA and CGC. Yes, I know I am in the minority on this one -- on this board. I do not care. I said in a thread that I started a few months ago also, I have been burned way too many times on "raw" comics that were so off-the-mark graded and on MEGO MOC figures described as "mint" and not even close. Grading is so subjective -- everyone knows that. Of course, AFA and CGC are not perfect. Yet, I would far rather take my chances and have a third-party grade a figure or comic -- then buy it, as opposed to buying something "raw." These companies are not going away. In addition, whether it is right or wrong, you can command far more money (if you are selling) when they are graded as opposed to not -- there are no guessing games to what you are buying. I used to be against both companies years ago -- not anymore. I wised up. I have been burned before -- not again.

[palitoy]

This is the biggest turn off for me with grading, the idea that it elevates an item to 10 times it's going rate because somebody I don't know or trust gave it a number and a plastic case.

[Gorn Captain]

I'm starting a new company, Titanium Grading.
You can send your AFA encased graded figures to us, and we will put another sealed case around it to protect the AFA case. You can't get safer than that.
Also ask for our Triple Titanium offer! It comes with a Nuclear Attack Proof casing and a 500 year guarantee!

[Blue Meanie]

Didn't think grading could get worse...but it has. Check out this ebay listing and look at what this seller had graded. Talk about throwing away $$:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-RETRO-SUP...item33a7dca89e

[dumbldor]

You know eventually the rubberbands in the T2's are going to eventually snap...so that basically voids out the AFA grade in my opinion. Same goes for any GI Joe RAH figures...O Rings only last so long before they either dry rot or snap.

Eventually, yes, but probably not as soon as some might think.

I have never had this happen, not yet, with any of my carded figures.

[Gorn Captain]

I love AFA it gives buyers a sense of relief

There are cheaper ways..

Lax.jpg

[Gorn Captain]

You know eventually the rubberbands in the T2's are going to eventually snap...so that basically voids out the AFA grade in my opinion. Same goes for any GI Joe RAH figures...O Rings only last so long before they either dry rot or snap.

Nothing says "quality" like plastic container with a bunch of broken parts at the bottom. And it's sealed so tight, you can't even put them together again.

[Blue Meanie]

You know eventually the rubberbands in the T2's are going to eventually snap...so that basically voids out the AFA grade in my opinion. Same goes for any GI Joe RAH figures...O Rings only last so long before they either dry rot or snap.

[jwyblejr]

What boggles my mind with the grading are the ones that send in the broken Megos.

[alex]

I collect AFA loose vintage star wars, the figures themselves are just too small to start dusting with a cloth, plus I like the way they are incased for me to enjoy and not touch, and they really display nicely that way. Dont collect comics, but cant really see the logic in those, as U cant enjoy the artwork inside, I suppose same goes for boxed toys.

[toys2cool]

I love AFA Yes you don't need people telling you what grade it is..But it gives buyers a sense of relief that the item they're actually buying is that grade, authentic and it's some what secured.. so if someone wants to pay a little more for that security I say go for it

[Boy_Wonder_1978]

This is the exact feeling that I was getting here. I'm still relatively new to this forum and I'd not seen copious amounts of 'so called' AFA f85 b80 c80, etc, graded figures here, so I just thought I'd ask the question. Plenty of great points made and I'd agree with them all.
I've not heard many horror stories with AFA, but I did read once that a guy bought a carded AFA graded figure and there was something that bugged him with the leg of the figure. Curiosity got the better of him and he cracked open the acrylic case and removed the figure from the bubble only to find that the leg of the figure had a completely clean break. Surely if these people were the authority they 'protest' to be, something like that would have easily been picked up, no?

Sorry, but I'm not taken in by them either.

Thanks to MIB41 for pointing out that thread. Had I have become a member sooner I'd have caught that one.