AFA grading worthless.

[flash70]

I really getting tired of this company and all its AFA grading bull!!!

It is just destroying the toy collectible market.

[Spirit-Iron_Lun]

Yeah Im not an AFA collector. I hates them

[DESTRO]

I don't hate them but I do think its silly. If your a collector and you can't tell that something is in Mint Condition then ask a friend. I would never pay for this service, I can tell with my own eyes whats mint and what is not.

[C.I.A.D.]

See, what kills me is that their name includes "Authority". With all due respect, who made them the Authority? I didn't get the memo....

Now listen to this nonsense. Let's just say "a buddy" of mine mailed something in to AFA to be graded. The figure, MINTY MINT and CASE FRESH came back with a grade of 75. He took it out of the case, sent it BACK to them under his girlfriends name...and it came back with a grade of 90! Whaaaaaa? How is that even possible?

Anyways, I wouldn't spend my money on any AFA graded product. People seem to think that AFA = three times the going price.

C'mon...look on eBay. There's CRYSTAL BALL figures that are AFA graded going for $250. Riiiiiiiiiiiiight. Let me grab my check book. :|

[apacolypse]

Bah...I don'ts believe in them either.

[apolo_sputnik@yahoo.com]

What is really messed up is they are NO authority!

Several transformer fans I know purchased AFA graded G1 Transformers, and the AFA did not realize they had graded a knockoff toy. Not only was the toy recent, but it wasn't even authentic.

So...who grades the AFA? They just sew confusion and raise prices for no reason in the collectors market. Must work for Cobra or something.

[apacolypse]

It makes no sense to me.

Bottom line for me is...If I like the item, I buy it. If I don't...I don't. I don't need someone grading my toys/collectibles....I do that myself.

As for quality of the items...thats what price haggling is for. If its in good condition...I'll pay more for it, if its not...then I don't. I have a set of eyes...I don't need to pay someone to tell me this is "mint".

As said previously....who made the AFA the authority? What standards of grading do they follow? Based on CIAD's story....they definately are not ISO 9000 certified...considering the same item was given different gradings.

[General Scarlett]

It's so sad when 'white collars' get 'drunk with power'.........


Hey, at least those who do collect KNOW what's what...........;)

[MINISTER OF PROPAGANDA]

Lol! Its a crock!! I saw a BLACK sdcc C.C. go for 499.99$!!! The messed up part is whoever was selling listed it with a tag saying: VERY RARE 1 OF ONLY 9 IN EXSISTENCE WITH THIS RATING....Then over the next two weeks I saw three more auctions from that dude w/the same tag same item...What? Does he own 4 of only 9??????? Such a scam!!! >:(

[HissCommander]

Now listen to this nonsense. Let's just say "a buddy" of mine mailed something in to AFA to be graded. The figure, MINTY MINT and CASE FRESH came back with a grade of 75. He took it out of the case, sent it BACK to them under his girlfriends name...and it came back with a grade of 90! Whaaaaaa? How is that even possible?


you should send a letter to AFA telling them. thats the greatest thing ive heard all day.

[Syn3sthesia]

I'm the only Authority that gets to grade my toys based on sentimental value and not financial gain.

[VIPER 48]

I would never buy anything AFA. I think the whole idea of grading toys is pointless and it gives people the right to over charge suckers for something that isn't worth it...That is just my opinion though...

[MunkyX]

I've been a collector long enough and am anal enough to know what to look for when I pull a toy or carded item off the shelf to see whether its mint or otherwise. I look for dings, scratches, ripples, bubbles, creases, and whatever else I can find or see to determine if this is the piece that will go into my collection or if I'm opening it. I don't need the AFA to charge me whatever amount they deem fit to tell me that my nice new Snake Eyes card is mint or not.

[OSOK]

I'm not sure trust them either, you mail them a figure, whats happens if it gets lost in the mail or they mess it up somehow?

[spazzy]

there are so many bad graders out there that it can really ruin your day when "you" think something is mint and the item you receive is in good condition because the seller thought it was mint.

AFA is a peace of mind for alot of people, knowing exactly what grade they are getting.

I personally try to avoid buying afa items because the cost is too much, but if I ever see something that I want at a reasonable price I would get it.

I only have a few items I would consider getting afa, but many items I want to get custom cases for (boxed items) I don't need those graded.

[spazzy]

I'm not sure trust them either, you mail them a figure, whats happens if it gets lost in the mail or they mess it up somehow?


they require you to send it registered mail, it isn't getting lost anywhere.

[spazzy]

I would never buy anything AFA. I think the whole idea of grading toys is pointless and it gives people the right to over charge suckers for something that isn't worth it...That is just my opinion though...

nobody has to buy the afa items, it is up to them.
The only reason it does so well, and sellers can charge outrageous prices is because idots will pay those ridiculous prices.


same thing with ebay, NOONE is "forcing" you to pay inflated prices, but many will because of the convenience...or something.

[VIPER 48]

nobody has to buy the afa items, it is up to them.
The only reason it does so well, and sellers can charge outrageous prices is because idots will pay those ridiculous prices.


same thing with ebay, NOONE is "forcing" you to pay inflated prices, but many will because of the convenience...or something.

No offense to anyone who collects AFA or decides to send their toys off to be graded. Everyone has their own opinion of it and to each his own. I agree with what you are saying. My view on it is grading toys is pointless. You take a 7 dollar toy and after it is graded, it magically becomes a 300 dollar toy. Everyone collects for different reasons, some like me for their kids, some for themselves, and some collect for profit. I am not going to get in a big discussion on this, but i think you see where i am going...

BTY, i have friends that like AFA and i tell them the same thing. It is practical for some people, but just not for all...

[Shogi]

they require you to send it registered mail, it isn't getting lost anywhere.

But it can be messed up by them.

I know this is technically heresay, but I have heard a story about someone who sent a figure into AFA and when they sealed it in their case, the card shifted and a corner of it was sealed between the two plastic case halves thus damaging the card and making it a lower grade than what they graded it at.

I've also seen them grade a loose Hawk figure as complete when it had a battle pack helmet. It's for reasons like this and the fact that I believe people can grade their own figures is why I don't use them.

[spazzy]

afa is for the anal collector. They want to KNOW what exactly they are getting.

I think it is very stupid to send a $7 figure in. Maybe in 25 year it may be popular, but I only like vintage items afa'd.



I am not saying there aren't freak accidents in the mail, but I had no problem sending in some figures, the packing when it was returned was very nice, and I beleive my figs were graded fairly.

Now that was a few years ago, for all I know they completely changed there way and suck now, but obviously they can get away with it, because they still get plenty of business.

[sweeper]

I would like to know who grades at AFA, and how many 'judges' there are. From what I've seen, they aren't very professional. Atleast not the "Authority" they pretend to be.

[flash70]

I really like what we are hearing guys...I hope we have more true collectors who really enjoy collecting items without the junky acrylic box with a stamp of approval from a few elitist scum.

I wanted to get back into buying vintage mib and moc joe items at decent prices and now (these days) its all AFA junk.

Can't stand that type of bull$#!+!!!

[shdwknt]

Im going to play devils advocate here for just a moment.

Mind you I collect because I love the hunt and the toys.. most are toys I have owned when I was a kid.. Im not in it for the flip return profit.. if I was.. I wouldnt have a toy room that I have dropped over 20k in the past 10years.

ANYHOW.

I have purchased 2 afa figures.. and had 1 vintage item graded.. heres my reason I did:

1.) I purchased both a Rowdy Piper and Gold Head PDD graded from a seller - I got the figures at $250 each shipped. 250.00 a peice yes is OUTRAGOUS.. however thats the going rate damn near for those figures not graded and I wanted them for my collection.. now.. I have in the past spent $200.00 on a gold pdd that was in HORRIBLE condition from a seller that swore it was mint.. yes Im anal at times if I am spending $200.00 on a figure I do not want veins.. creases and bent corners on my packages.. It took me over a month and a half between the seller and paypal to get my money back.

AFA graded at this point was a piece of mind.

2.) the vintage figure i had graded was from my Vintage Masters of the Universe line.. Its one of the only vitage pieces I still had from childhood that has some how magically stayed in mint condition and I paid to have it sealed in that same condition. This was a personal affect that I wanted protected.. more then I cared about the grade..

Anyhow.. I understand why you guys dont like it.. as long as you guys understand there are some acceptable reasons to do it..

[CG76]

I totally agree with shdwknt.

I've purchased non-AFA graded items that were described as mint before but turned out not to be the case. So if I see a vintage graded carded figure at a reasonable price that I'm looking , then I would buy it. Peace of mind is sometimes worth paying a few bucks more.

I generally have all my carded vintage figures graded right away so the cards and bubbles get protected by the cases. On the other hand, I have lots of vintage vehicles I haven't sent out to be graded since they hold up better than carded figures do. I may get them graded in the future but I'm in no rush. The downside with grading is that it's very expensive.

[Glumby]

I really like afa since there will be no surprises with non-afa ones from ebay. Only got a few in my album page but I hoep to get more.

[crock master]

spend money to make it worth money? makes no sence.

[fred v]

i say,be you're own afa,whatever they are worth to u is all that counts,not some putz who looks for defects on the card and that whole speil...:)

[WVMojo]

While I don't agree with it, I have to applaud them for their business savvy. I mean come on, you pay to ship them a toy that they look at, give it a grade and send it back to you. These things will come and go though...back in the 80's and early 90's Beckett was THE end all be all for baseball card price guides even though there were several on the market at that time. Today I couldn't even tell you if Beckett was still in existence without doing a google search and I'm a little too lazy to be searching for that.

[machiwoomiapoo]

I don't care either way. AFA is just another way to make things worth more than they really are.

[Derek2783]

I really like what we are hearing guys...I hope we have more true collectors who really enjoy collecting items without the junky acrylic box with a stamp of approval from a few elitist scum.

I wanted to get back into buying vintage mib and moc joe items at decent prices and now (these days) its all AFA junk.

Can't stand that type of bull$#!+!!!

Flash, it sounds like what you're really upset about is that you can't buy what you want and a price you want. Unfortunately, that's life man.

The type of "bullsh--" I can't stand is people who are always looking for a scapegoat to blame for the fact that they can't have exactly what they want the way they want.

I happen to like the idea of a professional grade, an acrylic case, and a stamp. That's just me. I can't afford AFA though, so I do without. C'est la vie.

Degrading those who enjoy the services of AFA is pretty narrow minded. One can still be a "true collector" while having something AFA graded, or purchasing AFA graded items, and it's not right for you to rail against those collectors. Calling AFA "scum" seems a little low too. There are plenty anecdotal stories about this or that, but overall, they seem to do a fairly good job.

[grimdaddy]

AFA is always a touchy subject. You either hate the idea or love it with no room for in between feelings.

I personally like to AFA my moc vintage figures so I can display them. Earlier this month I sent six of my 1987 Takara G.I. Joes to be cased/graded.

Besides the occassional mess up, I'm sure they see enough figures to be somewhat of an authority on the matter. It would be cool to see what they use as guidelines for grading though. In the end, I do not believe people should slam other collectors for the way they collect. No matter if you want to AFA your stuff or open and display it we should try to remember that we are all part of the same Joe community.

[lldjslim]

AFA is owned and operated by terrorist.

If send anything to AFA to be graded you are supporting terrorist.

[MachineGunEtiquette]

burn down the afa.

[Mandingo Rex]

I skipped ahead, so if this was posted previously, then sorry...

But I just saw on HTS that "coming soon" we can buy AFA Buzzers, hooded CCs, Serpentors, Wild Bills, Vipers and PP Officers for AFA prices...

I'm sorry, but if they didn't sell on the shelves, did you expect to take all the overstock and sell it at absurd prices? Sorry Hasbro, but those guys don't sell at retail, I doubt any moron's going to shell out AFA prices for those guys.

I laughed at the selection. Seriously, that's just sad.

[Glumby]

AFA is owned and operated by terrorist.

If send anything to AFA to be graded you are supporting terrorist.

Wasnt this your first response to your thread that was closed by the mods a few days ago?

[Glumby]

These are the same threads that get started every couple weeks. You either love it or hate it. It truly dosent matter to me what or how you feel about the subject. I will continue to buy afa graded stuff whenever i want to.

[lldjslim]

This AFA craze is really crazy.

Check out HTS.com. It seems like everybody wants to cash in on AFA.

And the funny thing is that these figures are new. Sense when did a $6.00 action firgure released today is worth 5times its value just because it has a AFA approved seal of quality "WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! Graded Factor of 90". Big deal, so what. Anybody can grade toys, even a dog can grade at toy.

And also sense when did AFA become the only quality standard to grade toys, is it because there the only game in town that is in this kind of business or they don't have any competitors.

AFA is ripping off the people who sends them stuff to be graded. What the fools don't even realized is that they are really paying for the case that AFA puts the figures in.

So I say AFA is garbage and people who pay AFA are morons and people who buy things that are AFA graded are retarded suckers.

Maybe I should sell my joes for $100,000 and some sucker will buy them too. Because all I need to say is that my whole collection is graded by AFA.

Boy I tell ya, GI Joe collectors these day have really changed alot from the past. When they see or hear the word AFA they will spend there whole life savings on that joe because it was graded by AFA. What an idiot.

[art2614]

This AFA craze is really crazy.

Check out HTS.com. It seems like everybody wants to cash in on AFA.

And the funny thing is that these figures are new. Sense when did a $6.00 action firgure released today is worth 5times its value just because it has a WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! Graded Factor of 90. Big deal, so what.

AFA is ripping off the people who sends them stuff to be graded. What the fools don't even realized is that they are really paying for the case that AFA puts the figures in.

So I say AFA is garbage and people who pay AFA are morons and people who buy things that are AFA graded are retarded suckers.

Maybe I should sell my joes for $100,000 and some sucker will buy them too. Because all I need to say is that my whole collection is graded by AFA.

Boy I tell ya, GI Joe collectors these day have really changed alot from the past. When they see or hear the word AFA they will spend there whole life savings on that joe because it was graded by AFA. What an idiot.

Why do you get so uppset? Is it your money bieng spent? Let people spend thier money how they want to. When they spend your money on stuff you dont like then you can complain until that happens you shouldnt insult anyone else who doesnt agree with you.

[spacemonkeymafia]

Im going to send my pubic hair to be graded........

[Mech-Viper]

I skipped ahead, so if this was posted previously, then sorry...

But I just saw on HTS that "coming soon" we can buy AFA Buzzers, hooded CCs, Serpentors, Wild Bills, Vipers and PP Officers for AFA prices...

I'm sorry, but if they didn't sell on the shelves, did you expect to take all the overstock and sell it at absurd prices? Sorry Hasbro, but those guys don't sell at retail, I doubt any moron's going to shell out AFA prices for those guys.

I laughed at the selection. Seriously, that's just sad.
what i thought was funny was the AFA graded figure that were in stock but yet all of their non-afa graded figure were out of stock of said figures

[Derek2783]

Why do you get so upset? Is it your money bieng spent? Let people spend their money how they want to. When they spend your money on stuff you don't like then you can complain. Until that happens you shouldn't insult anyone else who doesn't agree with you.


Couldn't have said it better.

[Tanksmasher]

AFA appeals to the ridiculous notion that your toys, unlike those of yesteryear, are going to be worth something. However, if someone is willing to pay $80 now for an AFA Airborne that should only cost $6.99, maybe they WILL be worth something down the road. Or if suddenly future generations lose interest in GI Joe it won't be worth 2 cents.

Marketing is a funny thing. It reminds me of the psychology of sales and discounts. Say a gidget is $5.00 and you might sell it for $6.00, but instead you list it as $20 but put a %50 discount on it, making it $10 and people are like wow I'm getting a deal, it used to be $20!

But if people are willing to pay a certain amount...Oh well... Personally I'd rather invest in real estate and just buy toys for fun.

[BadWolf]

whats to stop me from getting something graded and then when I get it back I stomp it all to hell with my boot and then sell it as an AFA graded item????????????????

I agree with you all there are more rediculose reasons not to grade but I just had to add that!

[lldjslim]

So basically AFA suckers look at AFA as a means of an investment.


Like if I drop $$$$ on a AFA figure now, it will be worth $$$$$ in the future.

But that still dosen't mean that just because it was graded by AFA that action figure is worth that amount of $$$$$$$$.

Sense when did the 25th annniversary have any means of value.

Alot of the prices are over exaggerating because we all know that these figs are not worth more than what they retail for and just because it has a AFA stamp on it it triples the value. How when the same figure is still warming the shelves in the stores. So thats why I say AFA is crap.

I also bet you that AFA are not even proffessionals. There just some 3rd party company w/ a group of thugs that run it and was probably founded and put together in someones car garage. All they care about is profits and they get those profits from the suckers who send in there toys to be graded.

Sense when did AFA has the right to control the prices on how much a toyline is worth.

[alcoholic ewok]

They aren't an Authority of anything, merely a good business idea dreamt up by Cloud City Collectibles in Norcross, Ga.

If anyone else remembers how AFA got its start, it had a lot to do with that "shop"... Cloud City Collectibles - World's largest selection of Star Wars toys! (http://www.cloudcity.com/store/default.aspx) that's a lot of AFA goodness there.

Anyway, I can see the point people make of wanting "the best" quality possible as far as figures, etc. go, since some people do like to display them basically as works of art. However, I don't see these guys as being a reputable business and to me have worked their way up taking advantage of the gullibility of collectors.

[Gung.Heaux]

me want snoo snoo

[Shin-Gouki]

It's a license to scalp.

[cyberjoe]

The mother of all AFA has to be the 1985 Snake Eyes, 95-graded figure selling for $23,549 on ebay. this must be in the guiness book as the most expensive action figure.

[GI Jay]

AFA isn't getting any of my money!

[dgnr82]

I think the whole grading things is dumb. I remember back in 1999 or 2000, I had some sports cards graded. Some came back 10's, others 9 or 9.5, and some were 7. They all looked Minty fresh. Anyways, i sold the four 10's I had at a show in New York 2 weeks later for $3600, and the 9.5 cards for another $2800. The total book value for all 6 cards was only $75 bucks at the time in ungraded condition.
At the same time, I had a Mark McGuire RC that I pulled straight out of a pack that went in to the same company for grading, and they sent it back to me ungraded. They said they couldn't tell if it was real or not. When I took the cards to NY, I had them double check the card, and the guy there had everyone look at the card and although some thought it was real, others still thought it was fake. I still have the card, and trust me its real. The sad part is I lost out on potentially $25,000 by them not grading it.
Moral of these stories....... these companies don't know crap. I always picture them sitting around a dart board. They throw darts to determine your grade.

[shockblast]

The mother of all AFA has to be the 1985 Snake Eyes, 95-graded figure selling for $23,549 on ebay. this must be in the guiness book as the most expensive action figure.

not even close

[shockblast]

The AFA is a great idea in theory. My issues with AFA are.

Your item will still degrade in the case, it may slow some things down but not others. (the cases are nice though)

There really not an authority and do not really offer anything concrete showing they are

Many graders over the years have been dealers or scalpers (other peoples words not mine) I know of 2 people who graded for them that are very questionable at best (I will not mention there names so don't ask) Do the research yourself

If they choose to call themselves an authority then why are there many instances where they have graded good re-cards and fake items

They have a right to make a living and if people want to spend insane amounts for graded figures it's there right.

A yellow bubble can NOT grade as a 9 because you can't clearly see if the figure is mint

[Shogi]

If they choose to call themselves an authority then why are there many instances where they have graded good re-cards and fake items


Not to mention loose figures with the wrong accessories labeled as "Complete"

Anyway, looks like someone got on the bandwagon and is finally giving AFA a little competition: Toy Graders Association | TGA (http://www.gradeyourtoy.com/index.html)

I've seen at least one toy graded by them on ebay already

[CodenameLawman]

from what I have read, AFA does not seal the case. So in fact I can take a figure graded, lets say 9.5, take it out the case and replace it with the same figure all mest up. Wonder if I return the real 9.5 graded one and if it got the same grade of slightly lower i can keep swapping them out??????

[ROC Solid Snake]

I suspect that alot of the AFA haters can't afford the service, nor the price of mint on card/mint in sealed box items. I've seen the loose collections of alot of you guys in this thread and it leaves MUCH to be desired. See Fire Fly and Cornbot's collection for true greatness.

[Mazinger]

It's worthless to me if I keep the figure.

If I'm selling it and will get a bigger profit if it's AFA graded then it's not really worthless.

[NSP]

Open your toys! :D

[Mazinger]

I've seen the loose collections of alot of you guys in this thread and it leaves MUCH to be desired.

Thanks!

[Mazinger]

I've seen the loose collections of alot of you guys in this thread and it leaves MUCH to be desired.

Thanks!

[CVdelgado]

iwill never buy or want anything that has been handled by these folks. i think its pathetic.

[spot138]

MOC collectors in general dont have souls, let alone the afa ones...






Just kinding

[ROC Solid Snake]

I don't down a persons preference on how they collect. I do both! I love loose for my Dios; I prefer MOC/AFA for my collection. I've read here that AFA destroys the hobby and is worthless; THAT comment is "worthless". If a national news show was doing a story on action figure collecting, a well kept AFA collection would represent the hobby well. There is a difference between a G.I. Joe collection and a toy assortment. Alot of you haters only have mediocre assortments.

[M_renegade]

I'd totally collect AFA graded figs.
I love to open my toys :D

[Zefram]

I don't down a persons preference on how they collect. I do both! I love loose for my Dios; I prefer MOC/AFA for my collection. I've read here that AFA destroys the hobby and is worthless; THAT comment is "worthless". If a national news show was doing a story on action figure collecting, a well kept AFA collection would represent the hobby well. There is a difference between a G.I. Joe collection and a toy assortment. Alot of you haters only have mediocre assortments.

http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy302/zeframmann/Reactions/1272430219810.jpg

[Mercenary696]

there are so many bad graders out there that it can really ruin your day when "you" think something is mint and the item you receive is in good condition because the seller thought it was mint.

AFA is a peace of mind for alot of people, knowing exactly what grade they are getting.

I personally try to avoid buying afa items because the cost is too much, but if I ever see something that I want at a reasonable price I would get it.

I only have a few items I would consider getting afa, but many items I want to get custom cases for (boxed items) I don't need those graded.

I agree completely. I have dealt with many unscrupulous store dealers and sellers over the years. Getting something that is sealed and graded gets past the rose tinted glasses for sellers and the xray vision for buyers. It helps out a lot too when you are selling. Nothing is worse than getting a buyer on eBay who thinks the mint in near mint box is supposed to be a perfect 10 and emails you about it complaining. If it's an 85, then it's an 85.

I dealt with this all the time when I collected vintage 60's GI JOE's. Back then, it was a c-1 to c-10 grading scale. I got people selling crap that was at best c-6 and they tried to pass it off as c-8 or c-9. I would of loved to of had some mediator type grading service back then.

On the negative side of AFA, I would have to agree that the end result is way over priced. Not only is the grading expensive, but carded figures should never cost that much graded. I only like AFA because they are graded and sealed in a nice protective case.

You know it's over when we all saw Hasbro Toy Store selling 25th anniversary figures AFA graded. It was funny watching Hasbro trying to get in on the action. Notice how they didn't even bother with ROC AFA graded figures?

A great example of overprices AFA items is the new Sideshow GI JOE figures. I spotted 2 AFA graded Cobra Commanders on eBay going for about $400.00 each. It's crazy to have something that is less than a couple of years old that sold for about $100.00 new worth that much because it is in a plastic case.

sideshow afa, Toys Hobbies. Great deals on eBay! (http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m570.l1313&_nkw=sideshow+afa&_sacat=See-All-Categories)

[CG76]

If you've got something worth a lot money or of great sentimental value, say unopened mint vintage item, it's worth paying a $50 to a hundred or two to get it graded and encased in a nice display case, that will also protect it. It'll last longer than otherwise.

It's like buying a ring for your girl. If you are going to spend over a certain amount, you should get it verified and appraised for peace of mind. That's just my opinion.

[CVdelgado]

Alot of you haters only have mediocre assortments.

wow, did you just insult my toy collection? lol.

[CVdelgado]

http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy302/zeframmann/Reactions/1272430219810.jpg

im stealing this. where do you get all of these anyway?

[ROC Solid Snake]

If you've got something worth a lot money or of great sentimental value, say unopened mint vintage item, it's worth paying a $50 to a hundred or two to get it graded and encased in a nice display case, that will also protect it. It'll last longer than otherwise.

It's like buying a ring for your girl. If you are going to spend over a certain amount, you should get it verified and appraised for peace of mind. That's just my opinion.

I like the way this man thinks!

[Zefram]

I agree completely. I have dealt with many unscrupulous store dealers and sellers over the years. Getting something that is sealed and graded gets past the rose tinted glasses for sellers and the xray vision for buyers. It helps out a lot too when you are selling. Nothing is worse than getting a buyer on eBay who thinks the mint in near mint box is supposed to be a perfect 10 and emails you about it complaining. If it's an 85, then it's an 85.

The problem is, as have been discussed (see CIAD's post) that a lot of times the AFA has their collective heads up their asses and aren't anywhere near as reliable as people would like to think.

I'm ideologically opposed to the idea of the AFA, but it's a moot point if they can't even be consistent with their grading or even identifying of toys.

EDIT:
im stealing this. where do you get all of these anyway?

I could tell you but I'd have to kill you. >_>;;;

[CG76]

Well that's your own opinion. And their (AFA's) judgement are far more unbiased and fair than a lot of sellers out there. No one's claiming to be perfect, but they're certainly more knowledgeable than most collectors and other folks, having hundreds of items pass through their eyes each week.

I can't tell you enough how many times I got screwed buying an ungraded item over eBay. Sellers have an incentive to over-grade their items. Not everyone does, but a lot do. So some collectors like me, are a bit finicky about that.

The problem is, as have been discussed (see CIAD's post) that a lot of times the AFA has their collective heads up their asses and aren't anywhere near as reliable as people would like to think.

I'm ideologically opposed to the idea of the AFA, but it's a moot point if they can't even be consistent with their grading or even identifying of toys.

[Derek2783]

The problem is, as have been discussed (see CIAD's post) that a lot of times the AFA has their collective heads up their asses and aren't anywhere near as reliable as people would like to think.

I'm ideologically opposed to the idea of the AFA, but it's a moot point if they can't even be consistent with their grading or even identifying of toys.

It's funny, I feel the exact opposite, ideologically. I love the idea of having an expert who knows more than most people appraising an item's condition and value. Ideally, having a consistent grading scale should help regulate the market, and ensure people are getting what they expect when purchasing an item over eBay or whatever.

Not to mention, its a beautiful way to display your items.

That being said, unfortunately, I completely agree with you that they're not as consistent as I would wish, by any means. Which sucks.

Even so, as said above, it's still better than anything else out there in determining whether an item is worth what you're paying for it if you can't hold it in your hands before purchasing.

[M_renegade]

If a national news show was doing a story on action figure collecting, a well kept AFA collection would represent the hobby well. There is a difference between a G.I. Joe collection and a toy assortment. Alot of you haters only have mediocre assortments.

So, if you have every figure of the line -and i mean every single one, even the international and all- but they're not AFA graded, is not really a collection?
C'mon.

You're just looking for an excuse to justify the money you spent* on your precioussss.
It is okay to have them encased. They're your toys.

personally, i prefer to open them. I buy some of them for the memories, and my memories as a child don't include a toy i can't even touch. If they were intended to be like that, they won't have detachable gear, articulations or even sculpted details.
But again, to each his own.



*(note: i said spent, not wasted. I'm not against people wanting their toys AFAd, it's their business after all)

[Glumby]

If you've got something worth a lot money or of great sentimental value, say unopened mint vintage item, it's worth paying a $50 to a hundred or two to get it graded and encased in a nice display case, that will also protect it. It'll last longer than otherwise.

It's like buying a ring for your girl. If you are going to spend over a certain amount, you should get it verified and appraised for peace of mind. That's just my opinion.


Right on the money, CG76.

[Zefram]

I can't tell you enough how many times I got screwed buying an ungraded item over eBay. Sellers have an incentive to over-grade their items. Not everyone does, but a lot do. So some collectors like me, are a bit finicky about that.

Wouldn't just demanding high-res pics solve a lot of those problems?

[zedhatch]

THe major problem with these "experts" is they have no more qualifications than anyone else on this board, or any other toy collector board, or anyone in existance. There is no qualifications to be an "expert" at AFA, nor with its comic grading counterpart.

They just say they are experts and people follow suit thinking "well they must be if they say so, there is no way they could exist."

But there is nothing that makes them any better than anyone else who collects toys to ID anything about the quality of the toys.

[CG76]

That would help which I would love to see -- high resolution pics of every side of the box or carded figure on eBay. But most sellers won't post high resolution pics of all sides. And sometimes, pics won't even do the item justice. You need to see the item in person. But that's the limitation of online buying, especially if there's no return policy for a lot of these items that gets sold.

And unless you know the seller has a good reputation (e.g. bought a lot from them), it's difficult for the casual collector (not die-hard collector who buys a lot) to tell what's good or not so good.

Wouldn't just demanding high-res pics solve a lot of those problems?

[CobraElite]

For most of us AFA collectors, its not about making money off of the toys or trying to buy something to flip it to make a quick buck. It's about what CG76's says...its about peace of mind, its about preservation.
I am very surprised to see all the haters on this. Who cares how someone collects? Loose, Moc, MISB, or AFA...it really shouldn't matter. This is America and the last time I checked I thought that if you had the money and wanted to spend it...then you had the right to do so. What is this world coming to!?

[Mazinger]

Can you tell when an item was graded?

A 90 today won't necessarily be a 90 in several years.

[CVdelgado]

i think its a symptom of something larger...

[700block]

so who made them the authority to grade?

[GI abe444]

I personally dont own any AFA graded stuff. I think its way to much money to send your stuff to them anyway and i just wouldn't do it.

[Mandingo Rex]

The silly thing is, it's all silly when it boils down to it. I love toys as much as anyone on this board, but let's face it. We're grown men spending money on toys that (for the most part) aren't going to be played with by actual children, unless you have children of your own. And even then, it's an excuse; you love toys because you love toys.

Yes, there are degrees to how silly it may be for grown men to buy toys, but we are splitting hairs if we're saying buying toys to play with or buying toys to keep in a box is any sillier than the other. It's all silly, no matter how much we love our hobby or defend it. Everyone has their right to buy whatever, but if you're a grown ass man on this board talking about other men buying toys and how their toy buying method is dumber than yours, stop and think about it for a minute.

[Mazinger]

so who made them the authority to grade?

It's just like any other organization or company.

They get together and creating a rating or certification process and hope other people adopt their ways and it eventually becomes a standard. Throw enough weight around and constantly mention your name in the business and it'll be a household name.

I'm in the construction business. There are standards, ways to do things, codes, etc... A lot of these were created by individual companies and were eventually adopted to be "standard".

The newest scam in the field is LEEDS certification.

[Zefram]

This is America and the last time I checked ...

Wrong!

This is the internet.

And it's serious business, yo.

http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy302/zeframmann/The%20Internet/633548450121624483-InternetSeriousB.jpg

[700block]

i see the AFA clowns every year at SDCC i take it they grade stuff on the spot. maybe this year i will burn down that booth. will i be a hero?

[cobralalalala!]

I don't hate them but I do think its silly. If your a collector and you can't tell that something is in Mint Condition then ask a friend. I would never pay for this service, I can tell with my own eyes whats mint and what is not.

Exactly how I feel. Any one of us is qualified to grade a toy's condition.



See, what kills me is that their name includes "Authority". With all due respect, who made them the Authority? I didn't get the memo....

This^^^^^

[sharky]

i see the AFA clowns every year at SDCC i take it they grade stuff on the spot. maybe this year i will burn down that booth. will i be a hero?

I don't know about all that, but I would buy you a Coke.

[skekSil]

so who made them the authority to grade?

Every person who has dropped the extra cash for an AFA item. Collectors can complain all they like, but every one of us that has broken down and bought an item they've graded, validate the practice. It's finding $80 graded items on Hasbro's website that confuses me.

[NAJA EMPIRE]

i just like the display cases they put the item in. that alone is pretty cool.

[whiteknight]

I buy toys, I open them, I pose them, I play with them. If I enjoy them, they're of the highest grade for me. :D

[flash70]

well said everyone they are worthless...AFA means nothing and to tell you the truth people should should break all AFA plastic bins in big slam fest...we never needed AFA before and we should never need from now on.

[generic trooper]

I buy toys, I open them, I pose them, I play with them. If I enjoy them, they're of the highest grade for me. :D

I agree. I open and display everything.

[JoeMama]

See, what kills me is that their name includes "Authority". With all due respect, who made them the Authority? I didn't get the memo....

Now listen to this nonsense. Let's just say "a buddy" of mine mailed something in to AFA to be graded. The figure, MINTY MINT and CASE FRESH came back with a grade of 75. He took it out of the case, sent it BACK to them under his girlfriends name...and it came back with a grade of 90! Whaaaaaa? How is that even possible?

Anyways, I wouldn't spend my money on any AFA graded product. People seem to think that AFA = three times the going price.

C'mon...look on eBay. There's CRYSTAL BALL figures that are AFA graded going for $250. Riiiiiiiiiiiiight. Let me grab my check book. :|


As always, you are the voice of reason.
I sh#t on AFA.
AFA my ass.

[BigD350Z]

It's simply a verification of condition for someone who can't buy the item seeing it up close (via eBay for example which is where the majority of the vintage MOC transactions take place). So, when you say you can look at an item yourself and tell it's condition, that's not always the case (bad picture in the listing). I'm speaking solely from a vintage standpoint. Like a previous poster, I like the cases they come in. But, like it or not, a high grade jacks up the price on the secondary market. If you're a dealer and can purchase a mint 1985 Snake Eyes from someone for $500, get it graded for $60-$80, and make $1,300, you're gonna do it! As long as people pay the insane prices for the high grades, AFA will stay in business.

[JoeMama]

if you're a grown ass man on this board talking about other men buying toys and how their toy buying method is dumber than yours, stop and think about it for a minute.

damn you Rex... damn you and your logic + reason.
I did stop and think about it. And it made me want to re-evaluate my life.
Damn you.

[Mazinger]

Not sure why there's such hatred for AFA.

I personally don't like it, but at the same time it has not disrupted my enjoyment of GI Joe.

I guess if you looking for vintage stuff and all you can find are overpriced AFAs then it is a bit of a bummer.

[Jeffrozup]

I don't know if I would say AFA is "worthless" ...

MOTU Classics Wun-Dar AFA U9.0 = $300

2010 MOTU Classics Club Eternia WUN-DAR AFA U9.0 - eBay (item 300422370654 end time Apr-28-10 11:36:55 PDT) (http://cgi.ebay.com/2010-MOTU-Classics-Club-Eternia-WUN-DAR-AFA-U9-0-/300422370654?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45f291955e#ht_887wt_987)

MOTU Classics Wun-Dar AFA U9.5 = $600

2010 MOTU Classics Club Eternia WUN-DAR AFA U9.5 - eBay (item 380228807301 end time Apr-29-10 12:26:58 PDT) (http://cgi.ebay.com/2010-MOTU-Classics-Club-Eternia-WUN-DAR-AFA-U9-5-/380228807301?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5887672a85#ht_887wt_987)

I dunno about you people, but if you can turn a $20 figure into $300 and $600, I don't call that worthless. That's better than that the stock market.

[Derek2783]

Not sure why there's such hatred for AFA.
... it has not disrupted my enjoyment of GI Joe.

Exactly.

I guess if you looking for vintage stuff and all you can find are overpriced AFAs then it is a bit of a bummer.

...and that is the crux of the issue. The only person someone else's graded figure affects is that guy who feels he's entitled to something at a lower price than what it's priced at, and needs someone to blame instead of just accepting that it's more than he can afford/wants to pay and moving on.

[Jeffrozup]

AFA is NOT for everybody just like collecting MOC isn't for everybody nor is loose collecting. We all have our preferences and nobody is right for criticizing how people choose to collect their toys.

There is a market for AFA (as several people have pointed out) and it can be a good investment because the value does seem to hold its weight and the buyer knows exactly what they are getting whether its a vintage or modern toy and to some people, that means a lot.

[Mandingo Rex]

damn you Rex... damn you and your logic + reason.
I did stop and think about it. And it made me want to re-evaluate my life.
Damn you.

Haha. Not sure if that was sarcasm or honesty... You never can tell on here. :)

I mean I agree with the folks that think that AFA grading is over-rated, but to each his own. I think if someone wants to pay that, then it better damn well be a top-quality figure without a scratch. Otherwise, what's the point?

The issue that folks brought up about Hasbro having AFA-graded 25th figures on their site... The shitty thing about that, is they took their overstock of crap that didn't sell—which hasn't been shipped anywhere probably—and decided to multiply the price ten-fold. Of course it's going to be fucking flawless... Or at least it better be. The thing is, coming directly from Hasbro, it's GOING to be the same $7 figure whether it was graded or not... You're just buying a $83 case from them.

I think that AFA-grading, direct from Hasbro, is rather worthless—especially considering the circumstances. They're case-fresh figures to begin with! If anything, people getting vintage stuff AFA-graded makes more sense, because at least then there's a chance the figure could be messed up. AFA-grading at least should give more of a guarantee that a 20+ year old item is still in mint condition, versus something that came out of the factory-fresh case last month.

[Mazinger]

Can someone familiar with AFA let me know if the grading also says when the item was graded? Because if it's not, then the grade is worthless several years down the road when the item starts to show it's age (yellowing, o-ring breaking, etc...)

[Darth Cantu]

Can someone familiar with AFA let me know if the grading also says when the item was graded? Because if it's not, then the grade is worthless several years down the road when the item starts to show it's age (yellowing, o-ring breaking, etc...)

If you are registered with them you can check the figure with it's serial # and it will tell you the day it was graded.

[vermillion21]

AFA grading does not impress me in the slightest. Meh.

[CobraElite]

Exactly.



...and that is the crux of the issue. The only person someone else's graded figure affects is that guy who feels he's entitled to something at a lower price than what it's priced at, and needs someone to blame instead of just accepting that it's more than he can afford/wants to pay and moving on.

^^^
Couldn't have said it better.

[Buzzetta]

Now how do you feel about CGC? I would like to read your thoughts on pro grading in a field like comic books.

[belfour]

I recently sent in something under the top (fastest) turnaround time. It states the service you pay $60 for is 2-4 business days and it is usually done within 1-3 days. Well it's the 7th business day and it just got completed today. I could have paid for a service that is half and got it back the same time or all of the times listed lies. They could care less about how they do business. This company needs rethink it's service and agreed is worthless, don't know why I gave them a chance. I will continue to buy Joe's or any toys ungraded!

[Kentuckyman]

I only collect AFA as a mainline priority. I had a near mint entire run of loose complete Joes and Cobras from 1982-2006 and had to sell if due to the construction industries slowing down and making me have to lay myself off and reformed a businesss here in the state im in now. I just recently came back thankfully I can again and the link below shows my main display case it spans from vintage thru 25th ann figures has a TRU exclusive, Convention piece, vintage item JvsC, VvsV, and 25th theres no wayyyyy a person would see this in person and say it isnt cool LoL the comments Ive saw here were very entertaining and its a great topic I dont usually post on this subject but Im an AFAer for life now. Is it overpriced ? Probably but to me its the thrill of putting together a collection that few will ever have :)



Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.102695563158647.4338.100002546107705#!/photo.php?fbid=102696013158602&set=a.102695563158647.4338.100002546107705&type=1&theater)

[mr pawn]

since i am on the very low end of opinion on here latley, i must protest, afa and cgc do make mistakes, if you talk to one of the guys in charge at a con, he will tell you the same thing. I buy alot of stuff i can't find in near mint condition afa, because its the only way to get it. also, no one is considering the color touch ups and box or card resoration that is done by professtionals out there, most people can not tell if this has been done, it is really hard to tell for certain if its been done to high end comic books. A AMAZING FANTASY 15 at cgc 6.5 sells for $15,000.00, a 7.5 sells for $30,000.00, thats a huge differance over 1 point, the afa label is the standerd now, and is what everyone goes by, buy the item loose mint, get it graded, it stays in a really nice hard case protecting it from damage, you never know when that rainy day comes you may need that extra money, just my 2 cents on this matter.

[mr pawn]

how would you know, for a certain, that the boxed joe item you have is not a repro box? they are makeing these things so well right now its very hard to tell, at least with afa you know its real to to that level, its sealed in the box, can not be removed or replaced, unlike a comic book, theres no downside, like, i have lots of cgc comics, but i can never open them up and read them, smell them, just enjoy them as comics, but thats what you have to do now and days because of all the scammers restoring these items so well.

[Lt. Faceless]

http://www.hisstank.com/forum/general-discussion/10419-i-need-some-help-understanding-something.html

I started a thread about the AFA too. AFA is one of those companies that likes to screw the fandam and not even nice enough to give us a reach around. Their grading system is a joke and is deteremined by the guy grading that day.

[Kentuckyman]

It's just like any other organization or company.

They get together and creating a rating or certification process and hope other people adopt their ways and it eventually becomes a standard. Throw enough weight around and constantly mention your name in the business and it'll be a household name.

I'm in the construction business. There are standards, ways to do things, codes, etc... A lot of these were created by individual companies and were eventually adopted to be "standard".

The newest scam in the field is LEEDS certification.

I am a painting contractor and this post stands out at me I know I am an authority on everything involved with it specs/products/sprayers/tips/lines/VOC/Inc./ etc. etc. I started collecting an as adult in late 1998 I actually found some TRU exclusives in Lakeland, FL and bought some of these and a few eBay vintage items and went on and amassed a large loose collection man it was fun but over the course of the years 7-8 into 2006 I saw a varying amount of differences in grading scales on eBay and different forums. Example a cracked elbow to me is a C-5 no higher its a major flaw but I had several sold to me as C-9 with beautiful paint so I adopted it as a standard although my opinion varied. I do see the points from both sides guys I really do and my situation on the loose is "been there done that". I had a mint loose USA version mastercollection and I did want to do something new this time around so I may be the one of the FEW people that had a loose complete mastercollection and am now attempting an AFA MOC/MISB mastercollection. There are a few items where they could and should change a few policies like they did with qualified ratings. I want my loose blue Conv hydrofoil graded man!!!!!!!

[Kentuckyman]

well said everyone they are worthless...AFA means nothing and to tell you the truth people should should break all AFA plastic bins in big slam fest...we never needed AFA before and we should never need from now on.

Dont make me send The Baroness after ya man LoL :)

<--------------------------

[Joseph]

Their grading system is a joke and is deteremined by the guy grading that day.

But, don't you see how that is the beauty of it? It's completely arbitrary, but so would be your opinion if you walked up to a counter in a comic shop and asked to see the vintage toy behind the counter. You might call it an 8, but the super picky guy that looked at it last week called it a 6. We hear the stories of a guy who gets totally mint cases from Hasbro, breaks them open and sends off the rare figure and it comes back an 8, and another guy who found a figure in an open case at Wal-Mart and sent it to be graded and it came back a 9.8. This is why you should not be confused. It is basically charging for an outside, independant opinion. You're confused because you can't figure out why anyone places any stock in what they hell they say, because not only is their opinion arbitrary, but the price and value we -the collectors- place on it is as well. Our value of the figure we send to be graded remains inflated because we paid for it to be graded and goddamn it, it's gonna be worth as much as I say! Like the guy who sends perfectly mint figures to be graded and they come back an 8. He still thinks it's a 10.0, so he charges that way for it when he sells it. Even Hasbro is getting in on the scam and selling 90 dollar figures on their website that have been AFA graded. It's bullshit and it's completely a response to the clout we, as a community, have given this scam. There is just something really bullshit about the manufacturer selling AFA 10s.