The perils of posting vintage MOCs

[stormcab]

I had an AFA graded ROTJ Nikto that sold recently, the buyer contacted me today to say when it arrived he could hear rattling, and once opened that it was smashed to pieces. From the wording I was assuming MyHermes has managed to break the AFA case, but when I got photos, they showed the figure had burst clear out of its bubble. I thought I'd be able to claim back for a smashed acrylic case, but the figure coming out of a 30 plus year old bubble wasn't something I had a case for. There's no way to protect AFA graded figures, as there's no way to reinforce the bubble.

Thankfully this was just a cheap ROTJ MOC so I'm not really that bothered. God forbid this was a POTF :shock: :shock: :shock:

 

[theforceuk]

It's sad to see this happen and it seems to be happening more often lately. I've had 2 crack this year, neither were graded.

Sorry for you by the way.

 

[itfciain]

Am afraid it will happen more and more - the yellow bubbles can be so brittle and are a ticking timebomb inside an graded case because you just can't protect them - I refuse to deal in yellowing AFA graded figure for this very reason

 

[spoons]

You really need two large boxes for posting AFA - a box within a box and plenty of packing

Such a grey area when they break, best is to trade in person

Real shame another has bitten the dust, but as you say lucky nothing too rare

 

[ScruffyLookingNH]

Feel for you Justin, especially having recently received a Trilogo Yoda with similar escapist aspirations.

That was the yellowest bubble I've seen and not too surprising he got out. And graded stuff is a bugger to send. That Palitoy AT-AT Driver I recently received is a bit yellow and I asked him to be broken out prior to sending to, amongst other reasons, allow for decent packing.

Sorry you lost out, mate

 

[stormcab]

Feel for you Justin, especially having recently received a Trilogo Yoda with similar escapist aspirations.

That was the yellowest bubble I've seen and not too surprising he got out. And graded stuff is a bugger to send. That Palitoy AT-AT Driver I recently received is a bit yellow and I asked him to be broken out prior to sending to, amongst other reasons, allow for decent packing.

Sorry you lost out, mate

Very good idea. I sold my POTF Gammy this year, and a guy n the US bought it. Bubble was yellow. I shudder to think of what might have happened. Thankfully that was pretty much the last of the MOCs I was selling, so unless I'm upgrading a piece, there'll be no selling for a while.

 

[Pomse2001]

:shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

 

[edd_jedi]

It's a shame because a simple elastic band around the bubble is all you need to protect these later MOCs, but because graded ones are sealed you can't do it. Here's one I sold a couple of years ago:

Yet another AFA myth busted, grading = protection.

 

[theforceuk]

Both grading company's offer bubble protection now as well. The elastic band trick is the best though. :wink:

 

[edd_jedi]

Both grading company's offer bubble protection now as well. The elastic band trick is the best though. :wink:

If you mean the massive block of acrylic around the bubble, it looks **** and adds no protection whatsoever!

 

[aussiejames]

Yeah the graders 'bubble protection' is a joke. Not so sure about the rubber band- room for error with one too small. I am a huge fan of gladwrap/clingfilm. Wrap a long strip/ a few layers around the bubble in place of the rubber band, then around the whole MOC which gives the bubble seal good protection.(& waterproofs the MOC) Bubble wrap the whole lot & double box with peanuts/packing beans. Job done. ( NO sticky tape!!)

 

[Robstyley]

That sucks. Although Nikto looks quite comical lying on his face

 

[itfciain]

Yeah the graders 'bubble protection' is a joke. Not so sure about the rubber band- room for error with one too small. I am a huge fan of gladwrap/clingfilm. Wrap a long strip/ a few layers around the bubble in place of the rubber band, then around the whole MOC which gives the bubble seal good protection.(& waterproofs the MOC) Bubble wrap the whole lot & double box with peanuts/packing beans. Job done. ( NO sticky tape!!)

Surely I can use magic tape - and then just burn it off right :lol: :lol:

 

[itfciain]

Seriously though, the bubble protection is useless from the images I have seen. It is clear that in the past this was not even attached to the case and just 'wedged' in there - so there have been instances where it has just moved and take the bubble clean off. In addition it is never tight around the bubble so there is a gap inbetween - meaning that if a figure did bounce around in the bubble then it would hit this and likely cause more damage

I know Christian has been asked to look at this but the long and short of it is that you would need one design for each type and size of bubble out there and it is unlikely to look aesthetically pleasing

We certainly advise everyone not to ship in the acrylic cases if they can help it - and if they do then add some form of protection around the bubble as James suggested above

 

[theforceuk]

I wouldn't say the graders bubble protection offers no protection at all as I have never had one in hand and don't no much about it, but I agree it looks rubbish. Just pointing out they offer a service. In my experience I've only had one graded bubble crack after grading out of 60 odd all the others have cracked before they were graded. Did bubbles crack before grading was invented? :lol:

 

[spoons]

Unlike AFA UKG protection is sealed to the outer shell so doesn't move, and though clearly more of an eyesore than none at all I think it looks fine on display and I know that my bomber wont suddenly drop out of the bubble. A real danger for heavier figs/ships when displayed upright

Saying that I don't fancy its chances in the post

 

[edd_jedi]

Yeah I would never post one of those Spoons!

 

[stormcab]

I wonder if the future for sales will be showing the graded item in pictures, then agreeing for the item to be broken out of the case before posting. Hi res photos of defects on the card being used to confirm it was the same card.

On the yellowing front, has this cracking out of the bubble happened on clear bubbles too? ie is the yellowing definite sign of weakening, and clear that it's pretty rigid.

 

[edd_jedi]

I wonder if the future for sales will be showing the graded item in pictures, then agreeing for the item to be broken out of the case before posting. Hi res photos of defects on the card being used to confirm it was the same card.

Don't give AFA ideas! :lol:

 

[itfciain]

I would seriously wonder if AFA will agree to grade yellow bubble in the future. I have seen a number of cards back from AFA that have been damaged which I guess AFA/their postage insurance would have to pay for - maybe if it gets too costly then they will stop doing it?