AFA Grading

[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!