AFA and the Benefits of Grading Your Figure
Written by mannyscollectibles
AFA is the current leader in the world when it comes to grading action figures and other collectibles. This article is written from a collector’s point of view. It implies the writer’s opinion and in no way reflects upon AFA and www.thundercatslair.org. It is up to each collector as to what they decide when it comes to their collectibles. That being said I will attempt, in this article, to explain the benefits of getting your figure graded by The Action Figure Authority.
As a collector of 15+ years I have noticed that the interest in collecting has increased dramatically. Collectors are now more aware and careful as to what they buy and in what condition. Auction websites such as Ebay has opened many doors to the collectible market but also opened doors to people looking for a quick monetary turnaround by offering counterfeits. It is impossible to know what you are getting until it arrives. A seller might describe an item as being in C-9 condition when in actuality it might be C-7. Sure you can always request a refund but both time and money is lost. AFA eliminates this problem by giving authentication and professional grading to a figure whether it is loose or mint in package. It also gives you the peace of mind knowing that you received an authentic and accurately graded figure.There are several other benefits that come from getting your figure graded and authenticated by AFA. Improved display quality and preserving the condition of your action figures are two more benefits. AFA uses some of the best display cases in the market today and they can be custom made to fit your needs. The cases are designed to be unique and very pleasing to the eyes if you are looking for museum type displays. For these reasons, AFA cases are the right choice if you are looking to enhance the look of your collections. Even irregular sized items can be sized and placed in a custom made case unique to that specific action figure. Another benefit is the preserving of your action figure’s condition. Once a figure is graded it is placed inside their acrylic cases and completely sealed from any further human contact, unless of course an individual decides to make the conscious decision to take it out of the case. If kept in the case, the figure will be in the same condition as it was when it was graded. This in turn prevents from further damage to the figure.
I hope that that this article has answered some questions and that if you are looking at getting your figure graded and authenticated, check out the AFA website at www.toygrader.com. From personal experience, I will say that they are very good people to deal with and I, personally had no complaints. They will promptly answer any questions you may have.There are several things to look for when sending in figures to AFA. First, make sure that you thoroughly inspect the outside packaging and that all original tape is there. If the figure has blister-like packages, make sure they are free of scratches and/or dents. If it does, this will decrease the grade given to the overall packaging. Make sure the cardboard is also free of scratches, bends, or anything that would degrade the overall look of it. Last but not least, is the actual figure. Figure must be free of scratches and paint wear. The figure should technically be getting a perfect score due to the figure being in a mint and never opened package. Aging does cause paint fading and so for a vintage figure, the grade might be lowered. After a thorough inspection, make sure pictures are taken of the figure in detail including various angles. Also, make sure that your figure is double packaged to prevent damage while shipping. AFA has tips on how to package your figure prior to sending.
If you have any further questions, our toy experts at TCL.ORG would be more than happy to answer them and if we are not able to, we will make sure you get a prompt answer from the best source possible.Send all questions to toys@thundercatslair.org