Princess Leia 12 back C AFA80 that's actually a 12 back A

[Gerryj0]

Hello,

Nubi here. I have collected star wars figures intermittently through the years, starting off in 1977, but just recently started again - this time seriously. I have collected some nice items so far, but just recently have purchased something rather strange. As mentioned in the header, it's a 12 back C Princess Leia Organa AFA 80. When it was being auctioned on EBAY I realised that it wasn't what it seemed. Although AFA had graded it C back, it was quite obvious, from the pics, that it was an A back. I said nothing and grabbed it for £800 at the last moment. I quickly got onto AFA and asked them about it. Yes, they replied, from the pics it did indeed look like they had made a mistake. They wanted me to send it back to them to rectify the error, but I was a bit wary to do so, as it was graded 10 years ago - don't trust the grading process. Still, the option is there, and they would do it for nothing.

Onto the obvious question. From looking at ebay a 12 back A AFA 80 Leia might be worth over £1000 on a good day, but it would be good to know from the experts what such an item would go for ("buy it nows" can be hilarious sometimes :lol. Also, I don't know if the AFA glitch adds something to the value as well. In a weird sort of way, does this make it even more unique? Might mean nothing, and without getting AFA to put it right, it might even detract from the value. I really don't have a clue what this figure is worth, and might have paid way over the odds for it. Don't care, love it already and that's all that really matters here

I've added a link to the auction page that i bought it from below. I don't know why the seller chose to take pictures in the shade - looks much nicer in reality:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VINTAGE-STAR-WARS-PRINCESS-LEIA-12-BACK-AFA-80-STAR-WARS-12-BACK-AFA-80-/351450647491?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=jS%252Brp%252BvD9X5I24vFUkKLAY0dazo%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

If anybody could shine some light on this I would be most grateful.

Thanks in advance,
Gerryj0

 

[steve obi wan]

Hi gerryjO,

And welcome to the forum , just to answer your questions.

I am not sure a mis grading adds any value to your item , in fact it could do the opposite as someone will not trust the grading on it , basically someone at AFA cocked up , it would be different if it was a miscard !

The problem you have now is , if you send it back for regrading your 80 grade could drop as it's been 10 years since being graded and different elements could affect it , however on the plus side A cards are worth more than C cards

I would value at £1k at the minute , if it was regraded and kept its 80 , but on a A card it could be worth up to £1.5k , personally I would have it regraded

 

[Gerryj0]

Thanks, Steve.

That's what I thought. This is an iconic star wars figure. Doesn't bode well that they couldn't tell the difference between a 12 back A and a 12 back C. What else did they get wrong!! That's why I'm rather reluctant to get it regraded. Might just do it, though.

Thanks again.

 

[steve obi wan]

No problem,

That's another Toni story ,

Good luck

 

[Christian]

Congrats on the pick up - AFA 80 Leia 12A for £800 is a good price.

Regarding the error on the grading label - if you were to send it back to AFA for 're-casing' with a note re the error on the label then they would not "re-grade". Alternatively, email customer services and have them confirm that they will re-case due to the error label FOC and include a copy of the email in with your submission. There would be no harm whatsoever in including a note saying that you do not want it re-graded.

Regards,
Christian

 

[Gerryj0]

Hi Christian,

That would be a great outcome. I'll try and talk them round. After all, I'm not the one who made the mistake - and it was a big mistake. I think the least they could do is just be nice and replace the casing with the correct description. They said they would regrade it and replace the casing for nothing. I need to fork out on the shipping of a very expensive item to the States, though. I'll let you know how I get on.

Thanks for the reply,
GerryJ0

 

[steve obi wan]

Good luck

 

[Gerryj0]

Hi guys,

I thought you might like an update on where I got with AFA. I've been batting back and forth emails with them over the last couple of days. In short they refused to update the figure without question. They wanted to go through the regarding process with it again, which I wasn't happy with. I don't know if any of you have different ideas on the matter, but I find the whole notion of grading action figures to be utterly subjective. Yes they follow guidelines and rules but then again so does a Fifa referee!! I wasn't prepared to take the risk. What they did agree to do, after me suggesting it, was to update their database to say that it was in fact a 12 back A and not a 12 back C. They are also going to send me out an official letter outlining that this is indeed the case now. The only loose thread will be on the label inside the case. As long as AFA state it's a 12 back A, and I have written proof to that effect, then that's fine by me. I don't think I'll be selling her anytime soon anyway

I have to admit, dealing with their pig headed red tape was exhausting, but we came to a compromise in the end. I still can't believe that they got this wrong. If I were them I would be embarrassed. They are meant to be the leading authority on action figures, and yet they couldn't tell the difference between a 1st edition star wars carded figure and a 3rd. Oh dear.

They are updating their archives now and the letter will soon be in the post, so I suppose that's something.

Phew.
Thanks again guys for your advice. I look forward to having many more chats with you all as my collection grows.
Never thought I'd be this passionate about collecting Star Wars figures again
Thanks,

 

[steve obi wan]

Well at least you have some resolution, I thought they would want to grade it again , and probably the grade would drop , the certificate and updating on the web site should help , however it will always put a black cloud over the figure and the grading of it

 

[Gerryj0]

Hi Steve,

Yeah, I think you're right. The truth is I will probably never sell it, so it doesn't really matter. They really wanted me to send it back to them; they were going to cover all expenses, insurance etc. Still not worth the risk for me. I'm quite happy knowing it's a 12 back A and that it is registered as such with AFA. Now, onto finding my next 12 back A

Thanks again, Steve.
Gerry

 

[steve obi wan]

Good luck

 

[palitoyjunky]

Hi there, I am glad AFA semi resolved the situation! Like u I am shocked AFA made such a basic error and naturally it doesn't do their rep any good what so ever :?
Anyway the error has done u a favour as I too think £800 is a cracking price for ur 12A :wink: 12A Kenner's r pretty hot and top dealers with top graded examples r asking the earth for them :!:

Hope u enjoy ur example for many years

 

[stormcab]

I want my collection to be graded, but as mistakes can happen I won't go above certain price. Why graded? well, so my collection has uniformity, it looks good, the cards are protected, and other than my own limited knowledge their authenticity is given extra proof. I've sent 2 batches to be graded, and by the time you factor in postage there, grading, postage back costs, it doesn't work out much more than buying some acrylic cases to display them in - when you divide it by the number of figures. Although the AFA have messed up with the TT issue, and instances like this, they still carry a lot of weight when it comes to selling/trading a piece.

 

[Gerryj0]

Thanks for the input guys.

Maybe I was being a bit too cautious. The grade of the item is 75 85 85 with overall 80. There is a good chance it would have retained its grade. The item looks pretty good to me. The offer is still there should I change my mind some day, and they would do it all for free including insurance. Despite the mistake, I will still get some of my figures graded. It was just a mistake at the time. I'm sure they wouldn't make that kind of mistake again

Thanks again for all the input.
Gerry

 

[Gerryj0]

Hi there,

Thought I'd just post the letter I received from AFA regarding the update of the description for the 12 back Princess Leia. I'm quite pleased with it

Thanks,
Gerry

 

[itfciain]

I want my collection to be graded, but as mistakes can happen I won't go above certain price. Why graded? well, so my collection has uniformity, it looks good, the cards are protected, and other than my own limited knowledge their authenticity is given extra proof. I've sent 2 batches to be graded, and by the time you factor in postage there, grading, postage back costs, it doesn't work out much more than buying some acrylic cases to display them in - when you divide it by the number of figures. Although the AFA have messed up with the TT issue, and instances like this, they still carry a lot of weight when it comes to selling/trading a piece.

Hi mate - I think you'll find that is very wrong - whether you think grading is a good thing or not, there is no way that sending them from the UK to America and paying for them to be graded works out anywhere like the cost buying cases directly from the UK (as low as 8GBP per case!)

 

[Gerryj0]

Hi there,

Sorry for the confusion, but I didn't get anything graded, and I didn't part with any cash over this. I bought a figure that was already graded by AFA, but realised they had made a mistake. I simply asked them to update their records to state the correct description. Don't worry, the only body I will be paying to grade any of my figures will be UK graders. I have a box load ready to ship when I find the money

Gerry

 

[itfciain]

Sorry Gerry, wasn't aimed at you - just Justin's comments that is almost as cheap to get things AFA graded as it is to buy acrylic cases is factually wrong - I have no issue with people grading if that is their thing - and you have to commend UKGs stance (at least now!) on Ugrading so I would suggest that if anyone from the UK is planning to grade then they use UKG (but it still isn't cheaper than buying your own case)

 

[theforceuk]

Glad you have sorted it all out gerry and hope to see some pictures of your collection, AFA have made loads of mistakes but if you give them the chance they will deal with it in a professional way.

Depending on how many you send to AFA the cost for me is around £30 - £50 per MOC as long as you use correct postage and longest turn around time. :roll:

On another note I can't believe this hasn't turned into an AFA bashing thread yet, what's happened? :lol:

 

[stormcab]

I want my collection to be graded, but as mistakes can happen I won't go above certain price. Why graded? well, so my collection has uniformity, it looks good, the cards are protected, and other than my own limited knowledge their authenticity is given extra proof. I've sent 2 batches to be graded, and by the time you factor in postage there, grading, postage back costs, it doesn't work out much more than buying some acrylic cases to display them in - when you divide it by the number of figures. Although the AFA have messed up with the TT issue, and instances like this, they still carry a lot of weight when it comes to selling/trading a piece.

Hi mate - I think you'll find that is very wrong - whether you think grading is a good thing or not, there is no way that sending them from the UK to America and paying for them to be graded works out anywhere like the cost buying cases directly from the UK (as low as 8GBP per case!)

Yeah sorry about that. At the time I was working on the numbers from a batch I sent over that with postage there, grading, and postage back worked out around £32 per figure. I had just purchased one of the cases and with delivery it was about £16/17. So was looking at it costing just another £15 per figure to get graded. Obviously I have bought 5 more cases since and the bigger the batch the bigger the discount and lower the postage.