graded baggies - AFA or UKG? - you decide

[Frunkstar]

Hey all

I have been working on a plan to get baggies graded/cased with Steve at UKG for a while now so that they don't look totally gash which IMO they have done to date, I wanted to get my collection of baggies graded for many reasons, protection being the foremost of the considerations, as IMO eventually ALL tape sealed baggies will open rendering them un authenticated & open to question, after getting some very very rare baggies sent over from the US that had just been re cased I was horrified at how slap-dash the figures had been cased & TBH vowed that if this is the way AFA is willing to let any baggie go out of there doors let alone a one in only 3 known $500 baggie go then I for one will be boycotting them, I also got 2 multi-pack graded & both are damages due to the acrylic IMO being far to thin for such a case & I will be (in the future) working on a better way to case these as well.

I wanted the figure & the baggie to be presented in such a manor that both can be appreciated & that the full baggie can be seen I.E not folded over or crumpled up like most I have seen, this will come in to its own when having ESB-h style baggies cased, the cases are larger than usual & will cost more but I think considering the alternatives & what the purpose is of having items grade is, there is no contest IMO.

First up some AFA example which I have & will be getting re cased when I have the spare cash -

Small head han solo in SW-d baggie (only 3 know to exist) & what a dog's dinner -

Another from the same batch & also not a cheap baggie

A better example with a much cheaper baggie :? & totally different case style :? still not up to what I would call quality though.

& a vid of the Small head super rare child's rattle, or should I say graded baggie :?: :? Click the photo to see the vid - excuse the noise



Now the new style case Steve @ UKG has come up with & I have to say a HUGE thanks to him for putting up with my numerous questions & suggestions & for going that extra mile or 5 to tailor this to my exact needs, I have done a LOT of photos of it so you can clearly see just how it has been put together & just how well it both supports & displays the figure, no worries about paint rubs/knocks or dinks IMO

This last photo is of the case free standing & how it will look on display -

Your thoughts guys?

 

[Joe]

Looks great Frank, UKG definitely trumped AFA on this one!

What difference does the extra acrylic/design make on the price of the case/grading?

Off topic but, I always wanted to see a video of how certain figures are cased, especially with those support rails that AFA do as it means more of the toy comes into contact with acrylic, this new baggy case would be the perfect video candidate because it looks so fiddly! I would feel at ease seeing how well it was put in and sealed

 

[plantman]

Great work, a good benefit of UKG is how approachable Steve is, i must admit, that looks far better, i would defo use UKG for baggies.

 

[Dark Sith Lord]

Good Work Frank! For me, I would defo use UKG for baggies too! :wink:

 

[jedi_masters]

That case form UKG looks far better than AFA's ****! Personally I think AFA have had their day and its about time for some competition on the grading market. I love the way the figure 'floats' in the UKG case. Well done Frank, i'm sure Steve doesnt mind the numerous questions and suggestions as if it works and it brings in more business it's all good.

 

[weasel]

I just don't like baggies graded. They just don't look right in a perspex box IMO

 

[maniac79]

Great achievement, Frank. They will look great on display in your man cave. 8)

 

[Lee77]

That case form UKG looks far better than AFA's ****! Personally I think AFA have had their day and its about time for some competition on the grading market. I love the way the figure 'floats' in the UKG case. Well done Frank, i'm sure Steve doesnt mind the numerous questions and suggestions as if it works and it brings in more business it's all good.

Exactly.
The UKG ones look really nice as opposed to the AFA method of just throw em in and seal it up!
I'm just waiting on some mailer baggies to come back from Steve at UKG. The communication has been first class and it's clear he actually gives a **** about the items he's grading.
AFA seem to have a better resale value but UKG will be doing all my grading now!

 

[Joe]

I just don't like baggies graded. They just don't look right in a perspex box IMO

I know what you mean, in fact I think a lot of people have a hard time really getting anything back from looking at a bagged figure in general if they aren't interested in collecting them, it's not quite the same visual treat as staring at a MOC or similar! So I can see why acrylic just looks overkill on them.

There are some seriously rare bagged figures out there however and they are so easy to damage that these cases are a good way (if done like this) to protect them, I think for the first time I am warming up to the idea of acrylic for baggies

 

[weasel]

I can understand the protection idea, and support that. I didn't mean to piss on Frank's thread. I just find baggies in perspex hard to like. But then plenty of people don't like MOC's "encased/entombed" in perspex so each to their own.


Just don't U grade them PLEASE! :lol:

 

[momike]

So that's what you were telling me about Frank looking good mate! I have been sending some variants to ukg and have to say I am really happy with there work! I have removed a thew afa 85 I picked up on the cheap to build my loose figure set and have to say they are very inconsistent with there grades IMO! Ukg are strict with there grades but that's a good thing well it is if your buying a ukg figure anyway! I can say all the grades i have had back were fair. Ukg had a thew teething problems at the beginning but IMO are going from strength to strength

I have never sent a figure to afa and never will so I can't really comment on the service they provide. Seems to me it's piss poor though and they are more about the money!

Steve at ukg is double helpful and a good guy despite his taste in footballteam!haha!

If your in Europe don't sleep on ukg because IMO there the ones to look out for in the future

 

[lee gray]

I do think the UKG ones look better but you could always send AFA a request on how you would like your figure cased for added protection and less movement like I have done before, they are very accommodating.

 

[Frunkstar]

Looks great Frank, UKG definitely trumped AFA on this one!

What difference does the extra acrylic/design make on the price of the case/grading?

Off topic but, I always wanted to see a video of how certain figures are cased, especially with those support rails that AFA do as it means more of the toy comes into contact with acrylic, this new baggy case would be the perfect video candidate because it looks so fiddly! I would feel at ease seeing how well it was put in and sealed

Firstly sorry for the delayed reply guys!

Price is not bad IMO Joe

standard baggie casing cost is £12.99, this design is only £3 more at £15.99 & I for one think its £3 very well spent, though to get all mine done is going to take time.

The vid would be interesting but I presume its like the coca cola recipe m8

Ps we NEED a multi-quote option URGENTLY! it would make life a lot easier.

 

[Frunkstar]

Great work, a good benefit of UKG is how approachable Steve is, i must admit, that looks far better, i would defo use UKG for baggies.

This is one of my big considerations - he listens & cares

 

[Frunkstar]

That case form UKG looks far better than AFA's ****! Personally I think AFA have had their day and its about time for some competition on the grading market. I love the way the figure 'floats' in the UKG case. Well done Frank, i'm sure Steve doesnt mind the numerous questions and suggestions as if it works and it brings in more business it's all good.

He has been so helpful every step of the way & tailored it to the exact way I wanted it, & better that even I had hoped for, I also feel that AFA were the leaders but now have just got a bit slap dash funds first attitude which is a bloody shame but healthy competition is always a good thing & them slacking is great news for US in the UK as it gives UKG a chance to shine & show better what they are capable of.

 

[Frunkstar]

Great achievement, Frank. They will look great on display in your man cave. 8)

I am hoping so my friend as they look pants loose & keep falling all over the place soon as I hit the bass-line on my tunes

& Weaz - each to there own eh Buddy & I don't this you are pissing on my parrade one bit m8, we all have our opinions & it would be bloody boring if they were all the same m8, but I think they look so much better like this & are so much easier to display, that coupled with the fact that I have managed to pop 2 baggies to date with my bloody fat fingers has helped to sway me toward grading them, but I will have to keep a few loose as you can't beat having them in hand.

 

[Frunkstar]

That case form UKG looks far better than AFA's ****! Personally I think AFA have had their day and its about time for some competition on the grading market. I love the way the figure 'floats' in the UKG case. Well done Frank, i'm sure Steve doesnt mind the numerous questions and suggestions as if it works and it brings in more business it's all good.

Exactly.
The UKG ones look really nice as opposed to the AFA method of just throw em in and seal it up!
I'm just waiting on some mailer baggies to come back from Steve at UKG. The communication has been first class and it's clear he actually gives a **** about the items he's grading.
AFA seem to have a better resale value but UKG will be doing all my grading now!

I can't quite get over how AFA have as you say - just thrown them in a box & sealed it :? hardly understandable with a £10 baggie, but with a £300+ baggie - WTF :evil:

& its nice to know your items are being handled & graded by someone who cares about the subject & the items they are dealing with.

 

[Frunkstar]

I just don't like baggies graded. They just don't look right in a perspex box IMO

I know what you mean, in fact I think a lot of people have a hard time really getting anything back from looking at a bagged figure in general if they aren't interested in collecting them, it's not quite the same visual treat as staring at a MOC or similar! So I can see why acrylic just looks overkill on them.

There are some seriously rare bagged figures out there however and they are so easy to damage that these cases are a good way (if done like this) to protect them, I think for the first time I am warming up to the idea of acrylic for baggies

I hear you there Joe, you either love or hate baggies, there is no middle ground & I totally get how some simply do not care for them, I feel that way about proofs as I always look at them & think - boy that would look better with a nice figure on it :lol: but each to there own as some love them proof cards.

& @ Weaz & Joe - I also did not like seeing baggies graded up till now as I always thought they look pure gash sat tilted sideways half cocked & rattling about in a plastic coffin, but this way I think they look the mutt's TBH & I can't wait to see more of my collection done like it, I did the klaatu first as if it got damaged it would not have been a costly mistake, so I am really looking forward to seeing some of the rarer ones done in this manor.

 

[Frunkstar]

So that's what you were telling me about Frank looking good mate! I have been sending some variants to ukg and have to say I am really happy with there work! I have removed a thew afa 85 I picked up on the cheap to build my loose figure set and have to say they are very inconsistent with there grades IMO! Ukg are strict with there grades but that's a good thing well it is if your buying a ukg figure anyway! I can say all the grades i have had back were fair. Ukg had a thew teething problems at the beginning but IMO are going from strength to strength

I have never sent a figure to afa and never will so I can't really comment on the service they provide. Seems to me it's piss poor though and they are more about the money!

Steve at ukg is double helpful and a good guy despite his taste in footballteam!haha!

If your in Europe don't sleep on ukg because IMO there the ones to look out for in the future

I see no reason why loose could not be done in a similar manor Mike? which is worth consideration??, I am doing the same think with my AFA graded items due to the inconsistent & somewhat haphazard manor in which they are cased, I am shitting it though as I have to break the cases open to get the baggies back out, think a few may grade at a lower score as well, as IMO as you have said - Steve is a bit more on it with the grades.

 

[Frunkstar]

I do think the UKG ones look better but you could always send AFA a request on how you would like your figure cased for added protection and less movement like I have done before, they are very accommodating.

Yes I agree that they are willing to work on making better protection for baggies within the cases, BUT! - I think that they should have some kind of minimum standard on them not like the gash the small head han solo & TR in my OP are in TBH as that kind of casing can & will OBVIOUSLY (IMO) lead to damaged baggies & or figures due to a simple case of negligence as we all know that after all the years doing this that they do know better, & just how much extra would AFA charge to have baggies cased in this manor? I would speculate a LOT more than £3 extra.

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Jee's that took a lot of doing - need a multi quote option big time guys, so please excuse the multiple posts, but thought it would be a lot clearer this way.