AFA Loose graded figures

[green firefly]

Unless you remove the O-ring and replace it with a stainless steel wire, and remove the screws and replace them with stainless steel screws - the figure's O-ring will break and the screws will rust eventually. Just take that into consideration before you get them graded.

[Tim F.]

Unless you remove the O-ring and replace it with a stainless steel wire, and remove the screws and replace them with stainless steel screws - the figure's O-ring will break and the screws will rust eventually. Just take that into consideration before you get them graded.

That'll happen to MOC figures eventually too. Also, they won't grade any loose figures altered in any way shape or form (according to their site).

[uterglue]

An AFA case isn't exactly the best protection for a loose figure. Most I have seem show paint marks on the acrylic case from the figure shifting around. This is very likely to happen when AFA sends the figure back to you and the mail system throws the box around. I prefer to put my loose figures in little plastic bags and I don't expose them to light very often. If you're keeping the figure or selling you or your pictures could probably tell/show the actual grade better than AFA.

[green firefly]

That'll happen to MOC figures eventually too. Also, they won't grade any loose figures altered in any way shape or form (according to their site).

I know. I was just making a point.

[Tim F.]

An AFA case isn't exactly the best protection for a loose figure. Most I have seem show paint marks on the acrylic case from the figure shifting around. This is very likely to happen when AFA sends the figure back to you and the mail system throws the box around. I prefer to put my loose figures in little plastic bags and I don't expose them to light very often. If you're keeping the figure or selling you or your pictures could probably tell/show the actual grade better than AFA.

This is how I have my figures stored right now (in bags away from light). I just wanted a way that I could display then and not have to worry about exposing them to light. What fun is it to have them hidden away???

They do case them with out grading too. I was just curious to see if my grading is on par with the "professionals." However, I'd be really ticked if I payed $40 and they said my mint figures were the same or worse than the one's cloud city is selling.

[Urban Saboteur]

When it comes to storage, if you have a minty figure and want him to be sealed in plastic and on display, then thats the collectors decision. Again it's the same with most collectors, the thing that really is the issue here is not about storage.

It's more to do with an "association" who specialises in grading giving a c7 figure a c9.. or better grade to better their business practices.

It just depends really how you look at this I guess, maybe some will look at my store and say my prices are too high and some will say they are too low and i'm undervaluing them.

The AFA offer a service and it's largely based on the demand of the collector, the problem I feel "if it is one" is that this company should be setting a better standard than they currently are.
Just my thoughts on it.