AFA & UKG Questions

[olisuds]

There is a thread about this on Rebelscum that I posted some questions on but the AFA section doesn't appear to get much of a response so thought I would ask your opinions.

My collection is mainly loose figures, prototypes and more recently a small ammount of MOCs. My preference has always been to keep them loose. However with me being a contractor and my wife being from Australia we do tend to move about a bit and I'm really starting to think about getting my figures encased for protection. In fact the idea is growing on me quite a bit as I get really nervous having to pack things up, accessories going missing, capes getting bent out of position etc etc. Actually I think the acrylic cases made by AFA and UKG look pretty smart.

So when deciding on whether to go down AFA or UKG I've given it quite some thought as to which would be best.

The argument for AFA would probably be better recognition and value. The argument for UKG would be cheaper alternative due to reduced shipping/insurance costs. Better ethics on U Grading and destruction of carded figures and more flexibility to customise (or so I believe). IMO they would probably be equal on quality or look of the cases and very close on accuracy of grading. If anything I would say sometimes UKG can be harsher with their grading which is a negative.

So I'm considering getting some figures graded and I'm probably more concerned with how they look and display rather than grade or value. So I've got some questions on this and would really appreciate your opinions.

1) I believe UKG would grade a figure with saber still in the arm slot but AFA would not. (I think if it was just a single telescoping saber it would look good extended. If it was a DT saber probably better to have it retracted). I just figure that if they look better displayed in the same way they are found on the card and if the figure is firmly held in place I dont see risk or damage (well no more than they would sustain in the bubble when MOC) and I think there is probably a greater risk of removing/inserting DT sabers than leaving them in the arm slot but retracted. What do you guys think? Does anyone else share the same opinion about keeping the sabers in the arm slot?

2) What about helmets? I like the way Leia Boushh and Lando Skiff for example display with their helmets on just like when MOC (the special bubble's are the exception). In fact I like all figures to display as they do when carded so I really don't see the need to remove sabers or helmets. I dont have an issue with blasters and other weapons as they were mostly taped to the sides or loose. Would UKG (or AFA for that matter) grade with helmets on? Whats are other peoples opinions on keeping helmets on?

3) Also I'm not sure I'm keen on weapons being taped to the wall of a separate compartment. UKG do custom cases with non taped weapons in their own compartment rather than a side bracket next to the figure. What do you think of these? They are a little more expensive. Do they look better?

Custom case with side compartment and non taped weapon:
STAR WARS VINTAGE LOOSE CUSTOM CASE NON TAPED WEAPON GRADING - UK Graders
http://ukgraders.co.uk/star-wars-vi...ntage-loose-custom-case-non-taped-weapon.html

Normal case with side bracket and taped weapon:
STAR WARS VINTAGE STANDARD LOOSE GRADING - UK Graders
http://ukgraders.co.uk/star-wars-vintage-1977-1985/1057-star-wars-vintage-standard-loose-3-3-4.html

4) I'm not really to bothered about authentication but if I ever went down the route of getting my prototypes graded as well and I chose to go with UKG, would a signed COA from Jim Stevenson be of any benefit? I dont know anything about the guy so is anyone aware of his background and knowledge in vintage star wars prototype collecting?

OK I know I'm a fussy so and so, but as I said, for me its all about how they look rather than grade or value. And if i do go doen the route of getting my collecting graded I don't want to regret how they are displayed.

 

[jimbody1]

my opinions to your questions are as follows:-
1, i think sabers look better in the slots rather than taped or in their own little cases as for blasters id have them in little cases of their own as i can see the afa having problems in years to come with dried tape in loose figure cases and weapons coming free ( this should also answer question 3 )

2, i dont know about the afa but ukg will grade the figures with helmets on if thats what you want, just ask them.

3, already answered

4, jim stevenson is one of this countrys foremost traders having been in the buisness nearly forty years, there isnt a lot that he hasnt seen or had for sale over the years. i personaly would put him on a par with steve sansweet and tom derby when it comes to authentication of an item.

my final bit of advice is to have a figure done in each format if your using ukg then decide when you get them back, whichever one you dont like just send back for casing the way you do like.

 

[2stripes]

I've used UKG and was very happy, I agree they seem more willing to cater to a customers own requirements. It's your item so you should be able to display it as you wish in my opinion and yeah I think weapons and accessories look far better worn on the figure and not kept separate!

I see very little UKG on eBay compared to AFA obviously due to the time in business so I do have some concerns around the relative value each holds but time will tell and what I'd gain in value I'd loose in the additional shopping cost to the states.

My view is the UKG is a great resource that British collectors have been looking for for years and we should back it to the full. If everyone does it will survive and become as established as AFA. The quality if the product is as good as AFA and I don't want my choices to be dictated by market forces in the states... Buy British!

 

[olisuds]

Great thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. I'm inclined to agree with your preferences but prehaps I should get one of each first just to check that I'm happy with it first.

And good to know that Jim Stevenson has a solid reputation for providing COAs. I guess I'm just more use to hearing Tob Derby's name with regards to prototype COAs. I haven't heard of many prototypes beeing graded or authenticated by UKG though.

 

[olisuds]

I've used UKG and was very happy, I agree they seem more willing to cater to a customers own requirements. It's your item so you should be able to display it as you wish in my opinion and yeah I think weapons and accessories look far better worn on the figure and not kept separate!

I see very little UKG on eBay compared to AFA obviously due to the time in business so I do have some concerns around the relative value each holds but time will tell and what I'd gain in value I'd loose in the additional shopping cost to the states.

My view is the UKG is a great resource that British collectors have been looking for for years and we should back it to the full. If everyone does it will survive and become as established as AFA. The quality if the product is as good as AFA and I don't want my choices to be dictated by market forces in the states... Buy British!

Yes very good point. I agree that they deserve to get collectors backing and support in the UK. I especially like their flexibility to customise and their better ethics on U-Grading. It would cost me a couple of thousand to get them all graded though so its not something i want to jump into without weighing it all up.

 

[aussiejames]

"getting my figures encased for protection" I still think figures get damaged in cases when moved around.
IMO taped accessories are total ****. The flexibility of UKG for 'special' cases is a big plus.

 

[edd_jedi]

I agree with the above, IMO the only things that look good graded are MOCs and boxed vehicles. Loose figures, multi packs, baggies, mail aways etc all look utter ****, mainly due to the accessories being sellotaped/glued in place. Here's a good example:

Sorry but that looks ridiculous.

 

[jedisearcher]

If you'll sell sometime in the future I think you'd get more interest in AFA's. Us Brits will buy UKG or AFA, but americans only seem to go for AFA, so UKG would cut out a big chunk of your market. I'd have thought this especially important for your proto's.

 

[jimbody1]

If you'll sell sometime in the future I think you'd get more interest in AFA's. Us Brits will buy UKG or AFA, but americans only seem to go for AFA, so UKG would cut out a big chunk of your market. I'd have thought this especially important for your proto's.

i dont think it really makes any difference anymore tbh most collectors know that ukg are just as good as the afa, ive just sold almost all of my moc stormie collection just about all was ukg graded and i think i sold three over here out of forty odd and the rest went to the states and the far east, the world seems to be far more accepting of ukg than people realise.

 

[lee gray]

I actually think that boushh looks good like that.

I had a loose figure graded and the gun was taped, when i sent it back i asked them to custom it so the gun was sealed via acrylic which looked much better.

 

[browny]

I have to be honest here and say that I dislike UKG ,really dont see how the guy/company can claim to know anymore about 80's toys than anyone else...

Does the company know more about Palitoys than "mr palitoy" or "sith smith"? just a simple example but still worth pointing out...

At least with AFA they have some ****ing hardcore muscle behind their grading and can call upon some "proper" experts...

Honestly it aint nothing personal, but there are several guys on here who I would rather tell me I had a good item than UKG :|

If you want to make any money later on then always go AFA,UKG has almost no selling point in the USA,if you dont care about that and just want it to look good then go get some acrylic cases from Christian

 

[Grant_C]

I have has great experiences with UKG.

 

[2stripes]

If you'll sell sometime in the future I think you'd get more interest in AFA's. Us Brits will buy UKG or AFA, but americans only seem to go for AFA, so UKG would cut out a big chunk of your market. I'd have thought this especially important for your proto's.

i dont think it really makes any difference anymore tbh most collectors know that ukg are just as good as the afa, ive just sold almost all of my moc stormie collection just about all was ukg graded and i think i sold three over here out of forty odd and the rest went to the states and the far east, the world seems to be far more accepting of ukg than people realise.

You must have graded them just before a batch of my moc's ...I remember a **** load on the ukg database when searching for my items

 

[2stripes]

I have to be honest here and say that I dislike UKG ,really dont see how the guy/company can claim to know anymore about 80's toys than anyone else...

Does the company know more about Palitoys than "mr palitoy" or "sith smith"? just a simple example but still worth pointing out...

At least with AFA they have some ****ing hardcore muscle behind their grading and can call upon some "proper" experts...

Honestly it aint nothing personal, but there are several guys on here who I would rather tell me I had a good item than UKG :|

If you want to make any money later on then always go AFA,UKG has almost no selling point in the USA,if you dont care about that and just want it to look good then go get some acrylic cases from Christian

You could say that about anyone though, you have to build your reputation. Any high profile **** ups being hilighted on here, TIG or rebel scum etc and it could ruin the business before its started. It's a big task to take on, I applaud them for having the balls to give it a go to be honest.

 

[browny]

Oh yeah Steve should be applauded for sure,like I said it is nothing personal..

I have even had a good item graded from them but selling the **** on proved a real bastard!

I just dislike the label and the website...more than anything else

 

[Dark Sith Lord]

"OK I know I'm a fussy so and so, but as I said, for me its all about how they look rather than grade or value"

If this is the case then I would advise you to go with UKG. As the guys have said they have the better stance on U Grading much more flexible cases and they work to the customers needs unlike AFA and you also save a heap on shipping costs mate

 

[Grant_C]

I dont like UKG website either. Go directly to Steve. Its much better.

 

[lee gray]

I heard UKG grade video games too now, this type of thing miffs me as surely their knowledge on video games and variants and fakes would be alot more limited than it is with star wars.

 

[edd_jedi]

I heard UKG grade video games too now, this type of thing miffs me as surely their knowledge on video games and variants and fakes would be alot more limited than it is with star wars.

I actually asked Steve about grading a game for me just yesterday, and apparently he uses a video game collector to do the game grading.

 

[Grant_C]

I heard UKG grade video games too now, this type of thing miffs me as surely their knowledge on video games and variants and fakes would be alot more limited than it is with star wars.

Yeah- I spoke to Steve last week and he told me that they checked my PBP/Kenner/Palitoy Luke with other collectors to certify its authenticity. So they do reach out. :wink: