AFA Grading

[Gouki]

Its the same with many different types of appraisers. Insurance assessors quite often don't even know what they are valuing for insurance assessments/claims.

AFA is the only company really in the game and they get plenty of business so you can sit there and mock them and the collectors that like the service, but their making money and the haters, well they just continue to get even more bitter.

I've never seen an insurance assessor claim to know about the items they're appraising. Only about the type of insurance you're claiming against. I've seen AFA claim to know a lot about toys.

So they have a monopoly and can do what they want with no reprecussions, but fooling a few fans with more money than sense? It's great that you like them, and if you have the cash awesome (wouldn't you rather just get a bunch of MISB stuff for a fraction of the price?), but let's not pretend they're doing anything other than what they're doing; sticking toys in plastic cases to make themselves some high profit margins.

[Skullcruncher]

I've never seen an insurance assessor claim to know about the items they're appraising. Only about the type of insurance you're claiming against. I've seen AFA claim to know a lot about toys.

So they have a monopoly and can do what they want with no reprecussions, but fooling a few fans with more money than sense? It's great that you like them, and if you have the cash awesome (wouldn't you rather just get a bunch of MISB stuff for a fraction of the price?), but let's not pretend they're doing anything other than what they're doing; sticking toys in plastic cases to make themselves some high profit margins.

There are many people here that claim to know a lot about toys too

They dont have a monopoly there are also places UK Graders who offer the same service. There are lots of businesses that make high profit margins with appearing to do very little. So im not sure what your point is, get back to me when you have some valid reasons to discuss.

Oh the cases are acrylic as well - not plastic.

[GoktimusPrime]

Well with tape sealed ones you know someone hasn't swapped parts out at some stage,

Isn't that a given for any toy that's still mint sealed? Also, can't you just visually inspect the product for yourself by peeking through the bubble or window to make sure all the parts and accessories are right?

they look great on display, the UV cases means you can almost display them anywhere with worry of someone doing damage (unless the drop it lol),

Or you could just not let other people into your collection room without your presence. My own family doesn't access my TF room unless I'm there (it's locked when I go to work). But more importantly... people you live with should be able to respect your toys to not go about dropping it. My infant daughter knows how to handle my toys with care, even G1s -- she's been like that since she was 2... and I've never had to teach her how to handle toys properly. It's probably from watching me play w/ my toys with care instead of bashing them around. Mind you... she can sometimes play with her own non-TF toys quite violently, but she's always VERY careful with the Transformers!

the box art looks super shiny and you have something that is over 25 years in its original condition and giving the best chance to last another 25 years.

Again, isn't this a given whenever you buy a toy that's MISB/MOSC? (unless there's been mishandling during shipping or shelving). I'm not sure I see the benefit of paying someone else to tell me something that I can easily judge for myself by just looking at it.

Oh the cases are acrylic as well - not plastic.

Wouldn't glass shelving/cabinets/display units do a similar job in protecting your toys and keeping them openly visible? While the initial cost would be expensive, for a large collection would it be cheaper than getting every MISB toy individually graded and cased?

I dunno... I just don't see the point to it. If I want to know the condition of an MISB toy, I'll just inspect it myself. If I pick up a toy w/ damaged packaging, I'll sift through shelves and pegs to find one in better condition. I don't keep any of my toys locked in display units (except for my gunformers for legal reasons) -- but the windows of my TF room are well covered that blocks out sunlight. I have to switch on the light when I go in my TF room, even if it's in the middle of a bright sunny day because there's so little light that comes into the room. Forgive my ignorance, but how does an acrylic case prevent photodegradation? (chemistry was always my weakest science )

Yeah but you can't play with it. Might as well just have a framed photo of the box.

^This.

[Skullcruncher]

I think what Sinnertwin is asking is, what do you find so appealing about having and/or dealing with figures that have been AFA graded, MIB/MISB or otherwise?

- They look great on display
- The UV cases means you can almost display them anywhere with worry of someone doing damage
- The box art looks super shiny
- You have something that is over 25 years in its original condition and giving the best chance to last another 25 years.

Better?

Yeah but you can't play with it. Might as well just have a framed photo of the box.

Very simplistic way of looking at it, if thats your logic you shouldn't be buying toys at all, just going round taking photos of everything! and you still wouldn't have the toy - they way it was produced and originally offered for sale.

Isn't that a given for any toy that's still mint sealed? Also, can't you just visually inspect the product for yourself by peeking through the bubble or window to make sure all the parts and accessories are right?

It was only matter of time ...... thats the same for all toys on the market today. We are talking about toys that are older than 25 years and to find one still taped sealed is an effort alone.

Or you could just not let other people into your collection room without your presence. My own family doesn't access my TF room unless I'm there (it's locked when I go to work). But more importantly... people you live with should be able to respect your toys to not go about dropping it. My infant daughter knows how to handle my toys with care, even G1s -- she's been like that since she was 2... and I've never had to teach her how to handle toys properly. It's probably from watching me play w/ my toys with care instead of bashing them around. Mind you... she can sometimes play with her own non-TF toys quite violently, but she's always VERY careful with the Transformers!

Personally I think that is pathetic, you are barring people from going into a room without your mighty self being present. What if someone wanted to vaccum? What if for some reason someone had to come and do some maintenance when you were at work? You sound like you have put the fear of death into your daughter regarding your collection room so no wonder she plays with transformers carefully.

Again, isn't this a given whenever you buy a toy that's MISB/MOSC? (unless there's been mishandling during shipping or shelving). I'm not sure I see the benefit of paying someone else to tell me something that I can easily judge for myself by just looking at it.

This is so tiring, AFA cleans the toy and then the colours are brought to life when in the case, I cant explain it they just look better - just like our new house will before we put our furniture in it. Have you ever actually seen something that has been cased up in person?

Haters get stuck on the grades - 95% of the time the grade just confirms what the submitter expects. The other 5% AFA grade lower or dont grade at all because of an issue. I sent some carded g1s to AFA but they picked up the previous owner had touched them up with marker. I would have never of noticed it unless it was pointed out. The previous owner also confirmed this when I asked them.

Wouldn't glass shelving/cabinets/display units do a similar job in protecting your toys and keeping them openly visible? While the initial cost would be expensive, for a large collection would it be cheaper than getting every MISB toy individually graded and cased?

Box flaps can bend, cards can warp, putting even a decoy on top of a G1 box for an extended time can make a small dent. As per my comment in the other thread not all MISB need to be cased up, I have a horrible MISB ulta magnus that just sits on my shelf waiting to be traded.

I dunno... I just don't see the point to it. If I want to know the condition of an MISB toy, I'll just inspect it myself. If I pick up a toy w/ damaged packaging, I'll sift through shelves and pegs to find one in better condition. I don't keep any of my toys locked in display units (except for my gunformers for legal reasons) -- but the windows of my TF room are well covered that blocks out sunlight. I have to switch on the light when I go in my TF room, even if it's in the middle of a bright sunny day because there's so little light that comes into the room. Forgive my ignorance, but how does an acrylic case prevent photodegradation? (chemistry was always my weakest science )

Ah so you do care about the packaging condtion and its not all about freeing the toy and playing? Why do you do that if you dont find looking at the transformer in its original packaing pleasing in some way?

Again the cases have rails to ensure box flaps and cards stay straight. A case wont prevent everything but its giving it the best chance to last and stay in the same condition.

[Megatron]

- They look great on display
- The UV cases means you can almost display them anywhere with worry of someone doing damage
- The box art looks super shiny
- You have something that is over 25 years in its original condition and giving the best chance to last another 25 years.

Better?

But why send an item overseas to the AFA to be graded, which is expensive and an added risk (sending anything valuable overseas is, especially where it's out of your hands for a long time), when you can just buy or order a UV case elsewhere (preferably locally), for the primary purpose of protection or displayability?

I mean, sure, a grade on an item means that someone else has already done the inspecting for you, but this doesn't always guarantee that they got it right. Also, if I'm concerned that the item isn't genuine say, I can always ask for a second or third opinion from fellow collectors that I can trust. But the AFA has now taken it upon themselves to be the authority on action figure grading, so they influence collectors into spending money unnecessarily on a "grade" as well as skewing the item's true market value. I mean, how often do you see precious antiques, coins and other collectibles encased and graded by an authority, then sold for a higher price because of it? I can't think of one instance where I have. So why should vintage action figures and toys be any different? To me, it's just a money making scheme where the AFA have simply found a niche in the collectibles market that they can exploit for profit.

[Skullcruncher]

But why send an item overseas to the AFA to be graded, which is expensive and an added risk (sending anything valuable overseas is, especially where it's out of your hands for a long time), when you can just buy or order a UV case elsewhere (preferably locally), for the primary purpose of protection or displayability?

There are a many greater things in life that have more risk than posting something overseas. You can buy sliding bottom cases from a few sources so if you do have something MIB or MISB that is always an option.

I mean, sure, a grade on an item means that someone else has already done the inspecting for you, but this doesn't always guarantee that they got it right. Also, if I'm concerned that the item isn't genuine say, I can always ask for a second or third opinion from fellow collectors that I can trust. But the AFA has now taken it upon themselves to be the authority on action figure grading, so they influence collectors into spending money unnecessarily on a "grade" as well as skewing the item's true market value. I mean, how often do you see precious antiques, coins and other collectibles encased and graded by an authority, then sold for a higher price because of it? I can't think of one instance where I have. So why should vintage action figures and toys be any different? To me, it's just a money making scheme where the AFA have simply found a niche in the collectibles market that they can exploit for profit.

I work part time at an auction house (1 day a week) and a nice display case really does increase the price. It doesn't matter if the item is still accessible or not. It does defy logic but that is what the market demands. Taxidermy, coins, photos, stamps all of them and more.

Anyone who grades anything - on the boards here, ebay have taken it onto themselves to be the authority on that item. If someone grades a yellowed toy with a missing arm as mint or 8/10 everyone knows its not. AFA have turned it into a business, how long it will last is anyones guess, but if you are against companys finding market niches and a making profit you need to be out protesting at companys alot bigger than AFA!

[Megatron]

There are a many greater things in life that have more risk than posting something overseas. You can buy sliding bottom cases from a few sources so if you do have something MIB or MISB that is always an option.

Absolutely, that's my point.

I work part time at an auction house (1 day a week) and a nice display case really does increase the price. It doesn't matter if the item is still accessible or not. It does defy logic but that is what the market demands. Taxidermy, coins, photos, stamps all of them and more.

I have nothing against display cases at all, which is a separate thing to grading.

Anyone who grades anything - on the boards here, ebay have taken it onto themselves to be the authority on that item. If someone grades a yellowed toy with a missing arm as mint or 8/10 everyone knows its not. AFA have turned it into a business, how long it will last is anyones guess, but if you are against companys finding market niches and a making profit you need to be out protesting at companys alot bigger than AFA!

Of course, but I refuse to pay overinflated prices for someone else's authoritative opinion when it doesn't make an item any more valuable to me because of it.

I'm against companies finding market niches that they can exploit for profit. Meaning, they're not much use except to encourage people to spend money. The best way to protest something is not to encourage it, which I generally do already for anything I don't agree with.

[VERT]

You sound like you have put the fear of death into your daughter regarding your collection room so no wonder she plays with transformers carefully.

Hahahahahahahah No thats me. MMmmmm Hey kids touch my stuff and lean all about the fear of death. Now go find me something to beat you with. So growing up with grumpy crazy daddy they know to look but dont touch. Bwhahahahahah My bulk of the collection in locked up. I have the only key. I dont care if the kids go in. Its only locked when im out.

[GoktimusPrime]

Or you could just not let other people into your collection room without your presence. My own family doesn't access my TF room unless I'm there (it's locked when I go to work). But more importantly... people you live with should be able to respect your toys to not go about dropping it. My infant daughter knows how to handle my toys with care, even G1s -- she's been like that since she was 2... and I've never had to teach her how to handle toys properly. It's probably from watching me play w/ my toys with care instead of bashing them around. Mind you... she can sometimes play with her own non-TF toys quite violently, but she's always VERY careful with the Transformers!

Judging from Skullcruncher's response, I evidently haven't articulated my intended meaning (suffering pneumonia for the past 3 days hasn't helped), so please allow me to clarify what I meant to say...

I was suggesting that an alternative to using acrylic cases to protect your toys might be:
+ supervision of children
+ where the child may have regular access to your room (e.g. is living with you), ensure that the child has a healthy respect for toys, which I think is a good thing to have anyway.

The reason why my TF room is locked and other people aren't allowed in there when I'm not present is because it's a legal requirement of my NSW Gun TF permit. My wife does have a spare key should she need to access that room (usually to chuck in my TF clothes separated from the laundry). I do all the cleaning/maintenance of that room (it's just easier that way ). If my daughter wants to go in that room it would be to access the Happy Meal and PlaySkool/Tonka TFs that she likes to play with, then my wife will allow her to do that. She just goes in and takes the toys she wants to play with them somewhere else.

I hope that clarified the original intention of my previous clumsily worded post. And I can see that while acrylic cases are more costly, it does add extra security for each individual toy as it would provide a constant and more hassle-free form of individual protection for the toys.

[Megatran]

^ It's your house. You don't need to justify to any nay sayers on who is allowed into your treasured room (I bet there's a treasure trove of goodies ). Enough said on that matter.

Good to hear your little one appreciates & cherishes TF toys. I dropped my Fort Max Reissue box on the first day and damaged one of the corners. Me bad.