Is AFA 80 or 85 the same as UKG 80 or 85 in terms of value, rarity, collectibility and desirability?

[Green Crossbow]

Hi

Could you tell me if an AFA 80 or 85 is the same as a UKG 80 or 85 in terms of value, rarity, collectibility and desirability?

Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[Lindo]

HI mate, they generally seem to grade the same, personally I prefer the AFA to UKG and the AFA figures seem to command a higher price than the same figure graded from UKG

 

[xaar]

I prefer afa too preferably graded recently

 

[palitoyjunky]

I don't think there is much in it anymore as UKG has come on leaps and bounds over the recent years and at the same time AFA have somewhat dropped the ball in that they have made some right notable cock ups that has affected their rep :!:
Me personally where as once upon a time I wouldn't touch UKG, I now choose them over AFA :!:

 

[Mr-shifter]

I treat them with the same contempt and dislike them both equally.

That probably doesn't help but hey, it's an opinion (which is all grading is)

 

[robpmarsh]

I treat them with the same contempt and dislike them both equally.

That probably doesn't help but hey, it's an opinion (which is all grading is)

I concur!

 

[Lindo]

sure it wasn't a question about disliking grading

 

[itfciain]

Talk to Americans and they generally think AFA is better (and stricter) - talk to Europeans and you will find quite a few that think the opposite. There is a much bigger market for AFA though because of this- a lot of American's do not consider UKG on a par and therefore will not pay the grading premium.

A lot will depend on the piece, the grade and also whether it is a 'true grade' - I have seen plenty of 80s and 85 that do not look the same - for examples Trilogo's seem to get a far more lenient grade than other carded figures

 

[Mr-shifter]

sure it wasn't a question about disliking grading

Your right. It was about wether it is afa 80/85 is considered the same as ukg 80/85, which in my eyes it is. I value each equally. I consider them both worthless. I think I was exactly answering the initial question.

It is also a relevant point, as grading is entirely subjective.

Let's reword the question slightly.

Is bobs opinion about how spurs played last weekend more or less valid then bills?

I like to watch the match myself.

 

[Lindo]

Very helpful

 

[Mr-shifter]

Very helpful

Ok. Let's try something else.

They are both opinions.

Opinions are subjective

Some people like Paul's opinion

Some people like peters opinion

Unless of course you can give a definate answer to the original enquiry? Perhaps you have an understanding of this process that I don't?

 

[Lindo]

he is obviously a new collector who is trying to decide whether to collect afa or ukg, reading between the lines he has asked which is better, in your initial post you stated yourself that you were not very helpful and I simply stated that it wasn't a question of disliking, if you could not help the guy why comment.

 

[Mr-shifter]

The point I was trying to make is that they are OPINIONS.

OPINIONS differ. Therefore the initial question "which is better, afa or ukg" cannot be answered as OPINIONS are subjective.

Without sarcasm, if you can, explain to me how that point is not relevant to the initial question.

Is red a better colour than blue?

Is Tuesday a better day than Thursday?

Should I have beef or chicken for dinner tomorrow?

 

[Mr-shifter]

To the origional poster, if you really want to buy something graded it makes **** all difference who you use as neither are consistent and both are just opinions.

Go with ukg. The simple reason is they have stopped u grading and afa haven't. Since supporting a company that practices u grading is damaging and destructive to the hobby it would be in everyone's best interests if you stayed away from them.

 

[Lindo]

Pfft

 

[Palifan]

I've had two AFA 85 Vinyl Caped Jawa's that both looked the same and two UKG 85 Vinyl Caped Jawa's the also looked the same . I would say though that both the UKG ones were a higher quality than the AFA ones but maybe the AFA ones just scraped by with their grading and the UKG ones were just under 90's (one of the UKG Jawa's did have two 90 subs).

Hard to say for sure as I'm sure it even depends on which employee is grading the item (not sure though if UKG have employees though). I would say for the most part the two companies are roughly in the same area as UKG probably looked at a lot of AFA items to get a feel of the grading system before setting up their company. If I was given the choice though I probably probably would have kept the AFA ones over the UKG ones I have, I know it makes no sense, especially with the UKG figures looking sharper and the value being fairly similar now but for some reason I just prefer the sticker :lol:

As a side note, after first getting this figure in an AFA tomb I really wanted to handle it and ended up getting a loose one. Maybe it was because I had one growing up so I needed it in hand again or possibly I struggled paying 250 GBP for the AFA 85 one and so wanted to find a cheaper loose one (85 GBP). That was about 10 years ago now :roll:

Ian

 

[steve obi wan]

TBH , over the last few months the difference in value between them AFA and UKG has dropped . It's a mixture of AFA being swamped and not being able to keep up with demand and the improvements UKG have made to improve their offering , also with the drop in the £ there has been more than ever exporting of moc from the UK .


Personally I have both and I have allot of non graded , it's a personal choice , it's your collection , it's your money

 

[Green Crossbow]

Thanks for the responses. All of my questions relate to carded figures and not loose.

How have AFA dropped the ball recently?

What is U grading?

Which has the stricter grading criteria UKG or AFA?

If selling Palitoy carded figures are UKG Difficult to sell?

If a figure is graded does that automatically mean it is genuine? Will the Grader always pick up reseals or copies?

What is meant by a Toy Toni figure or piece?

Sorry about all the questions, thank you for your time in answering them.

 

[SAVORY100]

Thanks for the responses. All of my questions relate to carded figures and not loose.

How have AFA dropped the ball recently?
You should read up on Toy Toni and a host of easy to find threads and articles on repro weapons graded with loose figures, damage caused to loose figures & MOCs by grading and incorrectly described matrix codes for MOCs by graders etc.

What is U grading?
Terrible and destructive process of cutting open baggies or ripping figures off cards to give them an 'Uncirculated" grade, this practice is effectively supported by AFA, who unlike UKG who have publicly come out in support of stopping the practice and no longer provide U grades.

Which has the stricter grading criteria UKG or AFA?
Neither are in anyway strict, both are just someones (often ill informed) opinion (see ball dropping question)

If selling Palitoy carded figures are UKG Difficult to sell?
To folk that don't care to pay a premium for another persons opinion... maybe, otherwise no not at all

If a figure is graded does that automatically mean it is genuine? Will the Grader always pick up reseals or copies?
Nope, not at all, see the ball dropping question.

What is meant by a Toy Toni figure or piece?
Approx 11 pages of very useful and important knowledge that you should read right here:
http://www.starwarsforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=18756

Sorry about all the questions, thank you for your time in answering them.

Hope the answers help... maybe understand that grading generally is a pointless opinion based waste of money that doesn't even protect your toys. Buy an acrylic case from GW Acrylic (Iain in the US or Jamie in the UK will help you out) and write your own opinion (you can call it a grade if you like) on a spreadsheet... just as valuable (more valuable actually) and looks better than a ridiculous sticker.

 

[Green Crossbow]

Thank you for all your answers, knowledge and useful links. I still have a few more questions that I need help with:

If I am purchasing a graded carded figure could it be a Toy Toni figure and if yes how do I tell?

Does a yellow bubble effect the Grade of a figure?

Are yellow bubbles more likely to crack, lift from card or have anything else bad happen to them?

Are yellow bubbles undesirable or difficult to sell?

When buying a graded vintage carded figure what should I avoid?

If you want to buy 12, 20 or 30 Back Graded Palitoy figures where is the best place to look?

Thanks for your help and once again sorry for all the questions.