AFA grading question

[2stripes]

Is this Vader worth getting afa graded? The bubble is excellent, the card is also in great condition, the only issue is the small tear above the pop. Obviously I'm not expecting an afa 80 or above because of the tear but will this mean it will get a very low mark if everything else about the card is spot on? If I can get a 70/75 I would be tempted to send it off with a couple of others but if it gets a low mark as a result I probably wont bother. Obviously you can't second guess the afa but what are your thoughts, do you have any carded examples with similar sized tears?

 

[Darth Wensleydale]

Without the tear I reckon you'd be looking at an 80 with probably two 85 subs (bubble and figure) and 80 for the card as theres a little edgewear. With the tear the card may drop to 70 or 75. If it was on the front I'd say 70 but I reckon you'd get a 75 as its in great condition otherwise

 

[2stripes]

I'd be more than happy with a AFA 75 to be honest but I know they can somewhat random at times.

Just been reading through how to send a figure off, bloody complicated business. It says European customers can now take advantage of a 50% discount on UPS charges but by my calculation shipping through UPS to the states is Ã'£100+ to send one figure not even sure if that includes return postage!? Surely I'm doing something wrong!? Someone should write a step by step process it just fries my head, with the tier system, packing instructions, postal instructions, customs issues....

:?

 

[weasel]

Nit picking here, there is a small area of discolouration on the "RS" of 'wars'. It looks like it was caused by a price sticker at one time or other.
Other than that it's a nice peice. Like you say AFA can be a bit hit and miss if you send it off expect a 70 and anything more is a bonus!

Not sent anything to AFA, yet, the complicated submissions process (and bone idle laziness) being the main reasons.

 

[spencerjb22]

One thing tha's always puzzled me about the AFA is that how is it possible to give a figure on the card a grade?
You can't see half of the figure as it's backs against the card. They might give the figure 90 for example, but how do they know that it's not got paint damage on the back of the figure? ( not this particular figure, but in general )

 

[2stripes]

Yeah its sticker residue which is a fair point. I see the point about rating the figure but I suppose its taken that it would be farmore accurate if the figure was off the card. I have a leia with discoloured legs and arms and I suppose if I bought an AFA 85 one for a fortune with mint card and bubble and then got it and saw the figure was discoloured I'd be a bit pissed - so I guess its better to have a figure rating on the whole.

 

[Darth Wensleydale]

If you are sending figs to AFA its cheaper to send a couple at a time in a wine box (or two wine boxes one inside the other for strength). This is less than 900mm W x L x D and will go Royal Mail International Signed For for about Ã'£12-15 insured to Ã'£500.

Their UPS system is a world of pain, I've been there :x

 

[2stripes]

Sound I'll give UPS a miss then.

Your my afa guru now DW you'll regret being helpfull after my 100th question

 

[craignwo4life]

I didn't notice the tear at first and it looks perfect from the front and on display so I wouldn't bother grading it incase it affects the future sell on value.

 

[Ron]

I reckon it would receive a 75 but afa sometime they can fairly downgrade some things