AFA Grading

[Skullcruncher]

+1

AFA grading is a scam, as far as I'm concerned.

I would buy one of the MISB original G1 Jazz's that are on eBay at the moment in a heart beat, if it weren't for the fact that they have been AFA'ed. They've been there on eBay for months now. As much as I really, reaaaaallly want that collector's piece, I just can't bring myself to support that scam. Such a shame.

I could point to many transformers and transformer merchandise that have been on ebay for months so by your logic they all must be scams. If you want to pay a decent price for MISB G1 items you don't buy on ebay.

[Megatron]

I could point to many transformers and transformer merchandise that have been on ebay for months so by your logic they all must be scams. If you want to pay a decent price for MISB G1 items you don't buy on ebay.

You misunderstood my post. I never said anything about the price.

Also, the reason why I pointed out the fact that it had been on eBay for months was just to show that I have not yet caved in and bought it, even after contemplating it for so long. In the end, I couldn't do it, not because of the price, but because of the AFA thing. I just wouldn't feel good about it.

And hey, if you know of anywhere that I can source the vintage MISB G1 items that I'm after at a decent price, by all means point me in the right direction. I have looked everywhere and nothing.

[iamirondude]

who actually made them the toy authority anyway?were they always grading toys or did they start from something else like art or pottery and went from there. was there any other company that was doing it? when you are paying for a service like that and you send them your vintage misb/mosc figures you sure as hell don't want them opening them up like they did with 1 collector who had sent them a $4500+ sth american gi joe and they opened it and instantly they turned a $4500 figure into a $500+ figure. i know toys are meant to be opened but when it's 1 of only 10 or something like that you don't go opening it up.

[Skullcruncher]

don't do that. you'll cause a riot. what i can't understand tho is that how can a piece that is AFA graded can go for 3 or 4 times the amount of the ungraded item(even if the ugraded item is in better shape).i can understand that you've gotta put a premium on top for the grading but won't it be just the same as going down to the local hardware and getting the perspex your self?

Ha, well you can try casing it up yourself or even getting a company here in Australia but companys like AFA have got the cases pretty sussed by now and pretty cheap too.

There is no real price difference other that casing/postage with items that are AFA 75/80 and the standard MISB ones you will find on ebay. The big ticket items are the 85's and 90's and these do go for a small fortune - mainly because collectors are competitive and many want to own the only example in the world or 1 of 5, want the wow factor etc etc Just like the neighbour who upgrades their car every year.

who actually made them the toy authority anyway?were they always grading toys or did they start from something else like art or pottery and went from there. was there any other company that was doing it? when you are paying for a service like that and you send them your vintage misb/mosc figures you sure as hell don't want them opening them up like they did with 1 collector who had sent them a $4500+ sth american gi joe and they opened it and instantly they turned a $4500 figure into a $500+ figure. i know toys are meant to be opened but when it's 1 of only 10 or something like that you don't go opening it up.

Hmm I guess they did? Lol that collector is an idiot. If someone can send a toy worth $4500 to AFA and then cannot fill in the associated form with it - saying do not open etc then they get what they deserve. Crusty old tape is a big cause of issue with collectors who send items to AFA, likely it was half off when it was arrived and AFA pulled it off as per their standard mo.

[Skullcruncher]

You misunderstood my post. I never said anything about the price.

Also, the reason why I pointed out the fact that it had been on eBay for months was just to show that I have not yet caved in and bought it, even after contemplating it for so long. In the end, I couldn't do it, not because of the price, but because of the AFA thing. I just wouldn't feel good about it.

And hey, if you know of anywhere that I can source the vintage MISB G1 items that I'm after at a decent price, by all means point me in the right direction. I have looked everywhere and nothing.

Network. Message collectors who collect MISB items, find their contacts etc. For example a MISB Jazz could be found for $350-$400AU. Hes not rare and many collectors who want one have one. An AFA one would go for for $500-$550 Ask sellers if they would do a deal off ebay etc. It is a matter of trust and there is risk but the payoff can be well worth it.

[Cat]

Network. Message collectors who collect MISB items, find their contacts etc. For example a MISB Jazz could be found for $350-$400AU. Hes not rare and many collectors who want one have one. An AFA one would go for for $500-$550 Ask sellers if they would do a deal off ebay etc. It is a matter of trust and there is risk but the payoff can be well worth it.

It's amazing what you uncover just by talking to people, who know people, who know people.

It never hurts to send someone a friendly message. Be polite, be friendly, be a bit chatty (depending on the person), and you never know.

[iamirondude]

that's a good idea there. there's a perspex company here that's up near the airport and i might just head down there and see how much it would cost to bang up a couple of standard cases that you can join together and make a display of. with the collector what if he had done the paperwork all correct and properly but they still opened it up. if it was me i would be hunting down the turd that did it.

[Skullcruncher]

that's a good idea there. there's a perspex company here that's up near the airport and i might just head down there and see how much it would cost to bang up a couple of standard cases that you can join together and make a display of. with the collector what if he had done the paperwork all correct and properly but they still opened it up. if it was me i would be hunting down the turd that did it.

I look forward to seeing the quotes there could be some market for it.

Just ask for compensation and as Cat said being polite will actually work wonders. Recently AFA have compensated a couple of situations where they have been in dispute with a customer. (both with the item being damaged somewhere along the line) Its just not good customer service if they dont.

[iamirondude]

i've gotta head down that way tomorrow for my weekly doc app so if i have time i'll stop in but what i might do is take down a couple of tf's and joe's and see how much different size boxes will be for loose and boxed examples and i'll post the quotes.

[Megatron]

It's amazing what you uncover just by talking to people, who know people, who know people.

It never hurts to send someone a friendly message. Be polite, be friendly, be a bit chatty (depending on the person), and you never know.

Network. Message collectors who collect MISB items, find their contacts etc. For example a MISB Jazz could be found for $350-$400AU. Hes not rare and many collectors who want one have one. An AFA one would go for for $500-$550 Ask sellers if they would do a deal off ebay etc. It is a matter of trust and there is risk but the payoff can be well worth it.

Ah. I thought you may have known about a specific site or contact that actually sells them. Networking to find a specific item, especially a rare one, takes time and it can be a hit or miss affair. It's mostly via networking that I've come across items I never knew existed and didn't know I wanted, until I found about them through casual conversation. So that's really good.

I'm surprised to hear that a 1984/5 MISB Jazz, and specifically one that is available for sale, is not rare. Is this true?

So, yeah... of course. Networking is always the best option. And it's fun, too.