The action toy world uses grading from AFA which is an off shoot of CGA to
determine a criteria for grading toys to establishes their value.
This past year, on MOPO, there has been talk of grading posters and lobby cards.
I'd like to put my 2 cents in about this subject.
I went through grading a lot of Star Wars collectibles at AFA. I called them
for information, and they referred me to someone who works with them, who is
also a toy seller and dealer. This AFA representative offered to personally
handle our items, "cleaning them up" so they could get their best grades, and
"giving us the best price" because my husband was a Star Wars executive. The
best price was paying in advance for grading and paying for a Silver
membership..
He promised whatever we didn't use we could get refunded at any time.
Well, guess what. We've been trying to get our money refunded. First, AFA
couldn't find our account. Then, there was a question about the totals and we
were suppose to be sent invoices. That didn't happened, we got busy and now
that I'm asking again for my hard earned cash, its been like pulling teeth out
of a screaming baby.
All of this is to say I hope the poster world does not go the direction of
grading toys.
First, I find it highly unethical that calling AFA, they would refer me to
someone who is a dealer who offer to help me get the best grade. Makes me
wonder what kind of grades he gets for the items he's selling.
Second, I do not believe AFA has an objective standard. Several of our Star
Wars action figures received a 90 -- which is the highest you can get for a
vintage SW figure -- yet others, which were seemed to be in as good a
condition, received an 80 or 85. These are still good numbers, but I really
wonder about CGA/AFA's objectivity. When I questioned them, they said it kinda
depended on who was grading that day. I have also found out that sometimes
people will send their toys in to be regraded, just to try and get a higher
point.
Last, I'm really irritated at how difficult it has been getting my money
back.If a business offers you a refund, a refund it should be.
figures are
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