AFA / Grading Questions

[dabutcha]

Hi,

I am new to collecting and have some questions re: AFA grading please. I am collecting MOC figures.

1) Roughly how much does it cost to send a MOC figure to the States for grading?
2) What quality cards/figures are worth sending to be graded? e.g. is it only worth sending cards that are in excellent condition?
3) What value/rarity of cards are worth sending to be graded? e.g. is it worth sending fairly common ROTJ MOC cards with moderate values e.g. £45? I guess grading is the preserve of more valuable carded figures?
4) How important is it have a figure graded?
5) If a figure has been graded...... does that guarantee it is a genuine i.e. not fake figure? Are AFA able to determine if a figure /card back has been faked?
6) What premium should I buyer pay if a figure has been graded?
7) How does the 3 value grading and overall grading system work? What do C, B and F relate to? I guessed C=Card, B=Bubble and F=Figure.

I have been on the AFA web site but I found it difficult to find answers to the above quickly. I hope you guys don't mind helping me with some answers? Thanks in advance

Alex

 

[itfciain]

I have never sent a figure for grading at either AFA or UKG so can't speak from experience on that front but can certainly answer a few of your questions -

1) Roughly how much does it cost to send a MOC figure to the States for grading? - not sure, as I understand AFA charge per the value of the item
2) What quality cards/figures are worth sending to be graded? e.g. is it only worth sending cards that are in excellent condition? IMHO yes - grades of AFA70 or less can actually count against the card unless it is a very rare item
3) What value/rarity of cards are worth sending to be graded? e.g. is it worth sending fairly common ROTJ MOC cards with moderate values e.g. £45? I guess grading is the preserve of more valuable carded figures? - really unless the card is worth over £100 then I don't see the point in sending them for grading
4) How important is it have a figure graded? A lot depends on what it is - rarer cards are more valuable with AFA grading but in terms of 'importance' it really boils down to how you feel about graded figures personally
5) If a figure has been graded...... does that guarantee it is a genuine i.e. not fake figure? Are AFA able to determine if a figure /card back has been faked? 99.9% of the time it does - they are not infallible and there is the odd example of them making mistakes but no really when it comes to MOCs
6) What premium should I buyer pay if a figure has been graded? a lot depends on the grade - under AFA70 and IMHO it does nothing unless it is a rare piece - AFA75 & AFA80 do cost a bit more than ungraded and AFA85 and AFA90 get some good money above ungraded
7) How does the 3 value grading and overall grading system work? What do C, B and F relate to? I guessed C=Card, B=Bubble and F=Figure. You've got it in one - only thing to note is that the score is based predominantly on the C (card) score and not a mean or medium of the 3 scores

Hope that helps

 

[dabutcha]

That's great Iain.

Much appreciated.

Alex

 

[PGowdy]

I have never sent a figure for grading at either AFA or UKG so can't speak from experience on that front but can certainly answer a few of your questions -

1) Roughly how much does it cost to send a MOC figure to the States for grading? - not sure, as I understand AFA charge per the value of the item
[

Still can't believe they do this. It's so wrong on so many levels. But more fool the people who allow them to do it.

 

[Fishtalk]

Yeah it sucks that AFA charge more depending on rarity. Does it have to be AFA? I've had several 12 backs graded by UKG, service is excellent and 5 day turnaround if you pay an extra fiver. Plus you don't have the worry of sending an often very expensive item twice across the Atlantic.

 

[Dark Sith Lord]

I have never sent a figure for grading at either AFA or UKG so can't speak from experience on that front but can certainly answer a few of your questions -

1) Roughly how much does it cost to send a MOC figure to the States for grading? - not sure, as I understand AFA charge per the value of the item
[

Still can't believe they do this. It's so wrong on so many levels. But more fool the people who allow them to do it.

I agree. That sucks! :shock:

 

[Dublinjeff]

I never knew that about AFA, just assumed it was a standard fee. That makes no sense.

 

[slim]

money grabbing cxxxs , i will never use them !!

 

[Dublinjeff]

:lol: :lol: I love the fact that there is a number of expletives that could fit in that word....