[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]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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?

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

[spazzy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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...

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]

Quote:

Originally Posted by spazzy

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]

Quote:

Originally Posted by spazzy

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.