DrPittenstein
Padawan
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2012
- Messages
- 110
I'm off to take some pictures now so will post later.
But after what seems like ages I've finally completed my run of large-size DF figures.
Anyway here's the story:
As some of you may remember I was lucky to inherit Luke, Leia, Darth, Chewie, Han, R2 and 3PO from my Gran.
That left the elusive DF Stormtrooper, a figure it's taken me over 2 years to track down. Since then of course there's one on ebay, and another 2 have surfaced. None are in great condition but even so, rare as hen's teeth. It was only right that I completed the set with the Kenners and they were much easier to find even if I had to pay handsomely for a graded IG88, I was expecting that so had to bite the bullet. The way I see it, it's an investment so bought one off ebay and had it graded by AFA before being shipped over here. It's a belter and made AFA 80.
Boba Fett was a sorry tale. I bought a MISB figure from ebay. Actually I offered the seller (who had a BIN of £999!) 3 really good offers and he turned them all down. Stupidly I contacted him and offered more off ebay and he accepted. I paid no-where near that BIN price but it was still hefty. The figure arrived but the elastic holding him inside had perished. The seller did mention he had come loose but I thought that was 'a bit loose' when it turned out to be 'a lot loose'! Still an MISB fett, so not all is lost. I took the figure up to Steve at UKG for grading and he threw it out for being touched up with a black marker pen. Such a stupid thing to do. I'd have paid more for white creases than a touched up box. If anyone out there is thinking of doing the same - don't. So that was the most disappointing part. I also bought another MISB fett off the guy who sold me the IG88. I paid less than the other one and the figure is now AFA 80. But it's a word of warning for buyers on ebay, you just can't see touched-up marks. I'm just going to keep it for another 20 years and hopefully get my money back. But I'll always be straight about the touched up marks.
I bought a graded Kenner Jawa (AFA80) off here along with a mint Kenner Obi Wan Kenobi. Unfortunately the Kenobi didn't grade because the window had been stuck back with double sided tape. Another shame but the deal was good, the condition excellent and unlike with the Fett I still don't feel I was ripped off. But again, I'd have paid more for an honest figure with a flappy window, it would have graded too. If collectors aren't encouraging honest figures then we all lose out. I think many have unrealistic expectations about the condition of 35 year old toys and it's encouraging the morally bankrupt to try and cheat and it's a real shame. I think we really all need to work together to stamp this out. Honest figures should be worth more even with visible defects. It's considered a proof of authenticity among classic car collectors I think we need to encourage that mentality with these toys.
Anyway some of my own toys didn't grade either and I know the history of those since new. But my Chewie's box was the most damaged of mine but because it's honest and authentic, it graded open unused and I'm happy with that. I don't want a 'better' chewie as this is the one my Gran left me but now its preserved in an acrylic case along with the others.
I tell you what though, nothing gets past Steve at UKG. I'd like to give him a special mention as he's been brilliant to deal with, totally straight down the line and is incredibly knowledgable and passionate about the subject. He works his arse off at UKG and deserves all the success he gets. Having used both AFA and UKG now it's UKG all the way for me. Steve's a huge asset to toy collectors and the work he's doing is outstanding. I think he's worth every penny and I would trust anything he grades 100% now and would be happy to pay over the odds for UKG graded toys. I actually think UKG is tougher than AFA too. Now I know how tough it is to make the grade at all, anything with a UKG grade is not to be sniffed at! A UKG 80 is something very special, 85 is off the charts! My Luke made 90 for the figure, 85 for the window 80 for the box and still made 80 overall. Pretty sure he'd have made AFA 85. I really don't want it to come across as anti AFA - I have 3 in my collection! - they did a great job too and I'm delighted they all scored so high but I just want to give Steve the credit he deserves.
He also helped me find that DF Stormtrooper which is in stunning condition even if it didn't make the grade due to a repro insert. But that's back to my point. Steve was honest about it from the start. It's an honest figure. Will never be graded but it's stunning and I'm happy to have it. Thanks also to Jim who sold it to me, if you're reading this!
Now I really must take some pics.
cheers!
Jonny
But after what seems like ages I've finally completed my run of large-size DF figures.
Anyway here's the story:
As some of you may remember I was lucky to inherit Luke, Leia, Darth, Chewie, Han, R2 and 3PO from my Gran.
That left the elusive DF Stormtrooper, a figure it's taken me over 2 years to track down. Since then of course there's one on ebay, and another 2 have surfaced. None are in great condition but even so, rare as hen's teeth. It was only right that I completed the set with the Kenners and they were much easier to find even if I had to pay handsomely for a graded IG88, I was expecting that so had to bite the bullet. The way I see it, it's an investment so bought one off ebay and had it graded by AFA before being shipped over here. It's a belter and made AFA 80.
Boba Fett was a sorry tale. I bought a MISB figure from ebay. Actually I offered the seller (who had a BIN of £999!) 3 really good offers and he turned them all down. Stupidly I contacted him and offered more off ebay and he accepted. I paid no-where near that BIN price but it was still hefty. The figure arrived but the elastic holding him inside had perished. The seller did mention he had come loose but I thought that was 'a bit loose' when it turned out to be 'a lot loose'! Still an MISB fett, so not all is lost. I took the figure up to Steve at UKG for grading and he threw it out for being touched up with a black marker pen. Such a stupid thing to do. I'd have paid more for white creases than a touched up box. If anyone out there is thinking of doing the same - don't. So that was the most disappointing part. I also bought another MISB fett off the guy who sold me the IG88. I paid less than the other one and the figure is now AFA 80. But it's a word of warning for buyers on ebay, you just can't see touched-up marks. I'm just going to keep it for another 20 years and hopefully get my money back. But I'll always be straight about the touched up marks.
I bought a graded Kenner Jawa (AFA80) off here along with a mint Kenner Obi Wan Kenobi. Unfortunately the Kenobi didn't grade because the window had been stuck back with double sided tape. Another shame but the deal was good, the condition excellent and unlike with the Fett I still don't feel I was ripped off. But again, I'd have paid more for an honest figure with a flappy window, it would have graded too. If collectors aren't encouraging honest figures then we all lose out. I think many have unrealistic expectations about the condition of 35 year old toys and it's encouraging the morally bankrupt to try and cheat and it's a real shame. I think we really all need to work together to stamp this out. Honest figures should be worth more even with visible defects. It's considered a proof of authenticity among classic car collectors I think we need to encourage that mentality with these toys.
Anyway some of my own toys didn't grade either and I know the history of those since new. But my Chewie's box was the most damaged of mine but because it's honest and authentic, it graded open unused and I'm happy with that. I don't want a 'better' chewie as this is the one my Gran left me but now its preserved in an acrylic case along with the others.
I tell you what though, nothing gets past Steve at UKG. I'd like to give him a special mention as he's been brilliant to deal with, totally straight down the line and is incredibly knowledgable and passionate about the subject. He works his arse off at UKG and deserves all the success he gets. Having used both AFA and UKG now it's UKG all the way for me. Steve's a huge asset to toy collectors and the work he's doing is outstanding. I think he's worth every penny and I would trust anything he grades 100% now and would be happy to pay over the odds for UKG graded toys. I actually think UKG is tougher than AFA too. Now I know how tough it is to make the grade at all, anything with a UKG grade is not to be sniffed at! A UKG 80 is something very special, 85 is off the charts! My Luke made 90 for the figure, 85 for the window 80 for the box and still made 80 overall. Pretty sure he'd have made AFA 85. I really don't want it to come across as anti AFA - I have 3 in my collection! - they did a great job too and I'm delighted they all scored so high but I just want to give Steve the credit he deserves.
He also helped me find that DF Stormtrooper which is in stunning condition even if it didn't make the grade due to a repro insert. But that's back to my point. Steve was honest about it from the start. It's an honest figure. Will never be graded but it's stunning and I'm happy to have it. Thanks also to Jim who sold it to me, if you're reading this!
Now I really must take some pics.
cheers!
Jonny
