Sick of AFA Grading

[snakeeyes]

I have recently purchased some AFA figures and seriously disagree with some of the grading and have done many times in the past. Just who do you employ to make these decisions? In some cases thousands of pounds are added to the value of an item.
For example, archive number 12597471, this is an 85 grade with subs of straight 85s. How can it be when the card has a small tear to the front to the top of the card. Then on the other hand archive number 11486426 this is an overall 80, the card has a subgrade of 75, but is perfect apart from some small indentations which you can hardly notice. Apart from this the card is perfect, so should be at least a subgrade of 80, never a 75. The tear on the figure previous is worse but this received an 85 grade?
One other figure I purchased is a Tri Logo Royal Guard. I paid £850 for this as it was an 85 grade. I already have a very nice one ungraded which I paid £500 for, so purchased it on the sheer fact that it was an 85 grade, and paid a lot extra because of this. It should be perfect. The card has a clear vein going through the name so how can you justify the card getting an 85 grade and the figure getting an overall 85?
I am getting quite annoyed with the inconsistancies and some of these seem to be completely on purpose in my eyes. I really do think they are grading the stuff they buy themselves higher for the simple reason that they sell it on on their own websites for much more money. The items customers send in I think they downgrade to make up for the clear inconsistencies with the over grading.
This should be made illegal and is fraud in my eyes. I will certainly never buy anything AFA graded again as it sometimes is nearly double the price and is merely an opinion of another person. This is very subjective and don’t think they should be allowed to carry on the practice. I have emailed them for an explanation lets see what they say.

 

[Joe]

I will certainly never buy anything AFA graded again as it sometimes is nearly double the price and is merely an opinion of another person.

I don't want to piss on your rant but the above should be something you took into consideration before you bought AFA, yes the grade is just the opinion of another person and yes the prices are ridiculous once an item has been graded.

While not an AFA grading expert I have had various AFA figures through my hands that I couldn't quite fathom out the grades on so I do understand where you are coming from, sorry to hear you have spent some serious cash in order to find out that AFA grading is not for you.

Out of interest, was this the AFA 85 ERG? http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4340.l2557&hash=item1c25b7be33&item=120891883059&nma=true&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&rt=nc&si=SQBwyCqe7cVbl27WoPPJrEYTxeU%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc#ht_6012wt_1270

 

[lee gray]

i have had 85's that look like 90s, also had 80s that look like strong 85s and then I had an 85 that looked **** and not even 80 worthy, it really is pot luck, although most 90s i have seen do look like 90s.

What I think is funny theres a guy at the moment selling some high class afa coins, theres a couple of modern thick ones he is selling and in those auctions he does nothing but slag off AFA and their techniques but on the coins that are not disputed, theres no slagging afa off in those auctions and wants high price because of the service.its funny

 

[plantman]

Thats what grading is, one persons opinion that your paying for, there will always be discrepancies here and there, there isnt much you can do though, thats why i use UKG, at least i can ask for a second opinion lol.

 

[Lee77]

Thats what grading is, one persons opinion that your paying for, there will always be discrepancies here and there, there isnt much you can do though, thats why i use UKG, at least i can ask for a second opinion lol.

You've hit the nail on the head there Andy. If you disagree with AFA or they cock up, it's tough. They won't really entertain you. With UKG, you can always speak to them about anything you're not sure about. I think it'd be interesting to send the same moc to both and see how the grades differ!

 

[Dark Sith Lord]

I think it'd be interesting to send the same moc to both and see how the grades differ![/quote]

Second this. It would be very interesting.

 

[Lee77]

I think it'd be interesting to send the same moc to both and see how the grades differ!

Second this. It would be very interesting.[/quote]

I've got a Luke farmboy that I got from TToni and he said it was C9.5, which I think it is. It's an absolute peach. UKG graded it straight 85's and I was expecting 90's. I'm tempted to send it to afa and see what they reckon, but on the other hand I know and like Steve at UKG and respect his opinion. To do it would feel like I didn't, I think?

 

[Trioculus]

Well, this might be of interest to you.
Recently had a UKG graded 85 Pali Trooper (80 85 85 subs) which I got re-graded as my collection was AFA. - Came back from AFA 85 with straight 85 subs!

 

[_Lee_]

i have a solution.

buy 10 moc figures in person,grade them yourself and buy 10 acrylic cases from christian and voila-you have exactly the same thing for a lot less money.this is fool proof.


Grading is subjective and one mans gold is anothers turd.stop paying for someone else to do something you should be good at already.

 

[Lee Gregory]

So Andy if a nice afa graded Luke Farmboy on a Palitoy 45a card appeared you are saying that you would give it a miss??? Just curious.

We all have items like that pal,some graded higher than what they should and others graded on the low side,no point squeaking about it,just have to accept the rough with the smooth with AFA and UKG

 

[tiefighterboy]

i have a solution.

buy 10 moc figures in person,grade them yourself and buy 10 acrylic cases from christian and voila-you have exactly the same thing for a lot less money.this is fool proof.


Grading is subjective and one mans gold is anothers turd.stop paying for someone else to do something you should be good at already.

That is exactly the way I feel....................AFA are worthless..........then I again I wish I would have thought of what they do as a business idea years ago................kinda of like the person who invented bottled water.....who would have thought it could make money

 

[PGowdy]

:lol: Couldn't agree more.

 

[Grant]

So Andy if a nice afa graded Luke Farmboy on a Palitoy 45a card appeared you are saying that you would give it a miss??? Just curious.

We all have items like that pal,some graded higher than what they should and others graded on the low side,no point squeaking about it,just have to accept the rough with the smooth with AFA and UKG

Well said Lee. 8)

 

[weasel]

As some who has owned, and still owns, lots of AFA stuff, I can only confirm what the others have said, some of the 80's look better than some of the 85's and some with the same grades look markedly different.
It's subjective, there is no real black and white, only shades of grey!

 

[snakeeyes]

So Andy if a nice afa graded Luke Farmboy on a Palitoy 45a card appeared you are saying that you would give it a miss??? Just curious.

We all have items like that pal,some graded higher than what they should and others graded on the low side,no point squeaking about it,just have to accept the rough with the smooth with AFA and UKG

Well said Lee. 8)

No wouldnt turn AFA stuff away if I need it think you are getting it wrong, would never get anything AFA graded if I purchase ungraded, do not trust them and the amount of mis grades I have seen I wouldnt use them.
As for squeaking about it as you say, I am simply spreading the word that the AFA are useless in my opinion and the more people acknowledge that the less people will use them. I do take the rough with the smooth just thought I would highlight my experiences.

 

[snakeeyes]

I will certainly never buy anything AFA graded again as it sometimes is nearly double the price and is merely an opinion of another person.

I don't want to piss on your rant but the above should be something you took into consideration before you bought AFA, yes the grade is just the opinion of another person and yes the prices are ridiculous once an item has been graded.

While not an AFA grading expert I have had various AFA figures through my hands that I couldn't quite fathom out the grades on so I do understand where you are coming from, sorry to hear you have spent some serious cash in order to find out that AFA grading is not for you.

Out of interest, was this the AFA 85 ERG? http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4340.l2557&hash=item1c25b7be33&item=120891883059&nma=true&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&rt=nc&si=SQBwyCqe7cVbl27WoPPJrEYTxeU%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc#ht_6012wt_1270

Its not the AFA grade that I buy its the figure, and if it is AFA graded so be it, so the AFA grade isnt a factor if you understand but a good indication when you buy. But a lot are very wrong. And yes it was that figure

 

[snakeeyes]

Thats what grading is, one persons opinion that your paying for, there will always be discrepancies here and there, there isnt much you can do though, thats why i use UKG, at least i can ask for a second opinion lol.

Good point

 

[snakeeyes]

Thats what grading is, one persons opinion that your paying for, there will always be discrepancies here and there, there isnt much you can do though, thats why i use UKG, at least i can ask for a second opinion lol.

You've hit the nail on the head there Andy. If you disagree with AFA or they cock up, it's tough. They won't really entertain you. With UKG, you can always speak to them about anything you're not sure about. I think it'd be interesting to send the same moc to both and see how the grades differ!

I am meeting Steve next week to grab some bits from him, will take these figures with me and see what he says be interesting

 

[snakeeyes]

I think it'd be interesting to send the same moc to both and see how the grades differ!

Second this. It would be very interesting.[/quote]

Yes will let you know what Steve UKG says about these 3

 

[snakeeyes]

i have a solution.

buy 10 moc figures in person,grade them yourself and buy 10 acrylic cases from christian and voila-you have exactly the same thing for a lot less money.this is fool proof.


Grading is subjective and one mans gold is anothers turd.stop paying for someone else to do something you should be good at already.

Yes that is what I do, I sell these cases myself so always put them in them. Only buy AFA if its a piece I need and its AFA graded