A question to Dealers...

[Guest anniekins]

Hello.

 

I heard about this convention from some of my friends and I asked them a question that none of my friends could answer, so I am asking directly to the people concerned.

 

 

I am a collector of AFA graded items and was wondering if any of the dealers that will be attending this convention will have any for sale?

 

 

My primary purpose in visiting this convention will be to solely buy such said items and am wondering if the quality of items on sale will comprise such said items.

 

 

Dealers only please, or there equivalent obviously.

 

thanking you for your time.

 

Ann xx

[SciFiMAD]

Can I ask what are "AFA graded items"? I have no clue.

[gebes]

AFA = Action Figure Authority . I understand they can supply valuations for any figures etc you own, they also supply acrylic cases to store any figures you have that are still in their original packaging.

 

I only found this out recently, when looking for a decent case for a figure I got signed at LFCC .

 

This is where I went http://www.toygrader.com/index.aspx

 

In answer to the original post, I'm not a dealer or anything, but based on looking round the stalls at various events, there are some dealers that do sell the rarer figures from say Star Wars etc , There is a wide range of merchandise on sale, for example at the last Glasgow event, one dealer had original posters from James Bond films ranging in price from £30-150 .

 

So all I can really suggest is that you come along , as you never know what you might find. Even in this day and age, there were some dealers at the last Glasgow event, who did not for whatever reason, have an online presence.

 

Hope what little I've said , may be of some help to you.

[Guest anniekins]

Thank you for your reply.

 

 

Your reply answers at least why there hasn't been a reply from any Dealer yet. Maybe it's too soon to make a judgement as I am unaware of the turnaround time on this forum, so forgive me if my statement is a little premature.

 

On your clarification of AFA graded items, you are correct although it's more to do with the high end market and a guarantee of quality, resisting any abuse of integrity regarding the item.

 

I am surprised that there is not more of an input from Dealers on this forum, as I was under the impression that, as quite a lot of the Dealers support this convention they would have a commanding say. If I'm wrong again please put this statement down to naviety on my part of your working relationship regarding the mechanics of this convention. Although your reasoning behind the non reply is very credible.

 

Thank you once again for the reply.

 

Ann xx

[Maxieffect]

Thank you for your reply.

 

 

Your reply answers at least why there hasn't been a reply from any Dealer yet. Maybe it's too soon to make a judgement as I am unaware of the turnaround time on this forum, so forgive me if my statement is a little premature.

 

On your clarification of AFA graded items, you are correct although it's more to do with the high end market and a guarantee of quality, resisting any abuse of integrity regarding the item.

 

I am surprised that there is not more of an input from Dealers on this forum, as I was under the impression that, as quite a lot of the Dealers support this convention they would have a commanding say. If I'm wrong again please put this statement down to naviety on my part of your working relationship regarding the mechanics of this convention. Although your reasoning behind the non reply is very credible.

 

Thank you once again for the reply.

 

Ann xx

 

If I understand it right the only dealers which can openly sell products on the forum are the show sponsers so maybe people are being quiet as they are not so sure of the rules..

 

Good luck in your search.

[Guest anniekins]

Hello.

 

 

You misunderstand me. I'm certainly not condoning selling their products on this forum. I'm merely asking if they sell such items within their stall/ allocated space at the actual convention. That is all.

 

I completely understand your viewpoint but I have obviously explained myself very ambiguously. I apologise.

 

I am merely after information as to the quality of products that will be at the actual convention and certainly not suggesting an actual sale or transaction to occur on this forum.

 

My point was I am surprised that Dealers dont have a sub category within this forum where they could express there wares, tell what items they sell, and generally promote thereselves with a regard to letting people know what will be on offer when they come to the convention.

 

See it similar as to what the actual convention organisers are doing now with regards to the guests they are promoting.

 

Again I apologise to my inexperience as regards the Dealer/ Organiser/Sponsorship relationship and the mechanics.

 

It was merely an assumption on my part and certainly not a condoning of any rule breaking if that is what would occur. It certainly is worth debating in my opinion even though this is not what I originally intended for this thread.

 

A Dealers input and response to this point that has been raised would be very much welcome.

 

Any suggestions or opinions as to the Dealer inactivity on here would be very much welcome.

 

Thanking you for the most interesting reply you provided. It is a very intruiging point that you have raised.

 

Ann xx

[Queen_Sindel]

maxieffect explained things "half correct" if I may use that term.

 

Only show sponsors are allowed to openly advertise on the forum, that encloses posts like "we will have those certain items on sale."

 

There's a couple of show sponsors, but unfortunately no one specialises in the items you are looking for. I remember Incognito Comics does sell Lost figures, but no graded stuff that I am aware off.

 

But I don't even think this is the reason why no dealers have replied here. You are looking for very specific objects here. I honestly can not remember any dealer offering what you are looking for. There was a couple of stalls offering more new Star Wars figures, or Pirates of the Caribbean, Lost, Stargate, Stargate Atlantis, Wrestling, Dr. Who. There was also the odd stall offering older figures as it's been mentioned before.

 

To me it sounds like you are looking for the older, vintage collectors stuff.

(Forgive me i I got you wrong here, but I am not very familiar with the whole subject of action figures. I used to collect wrestling stuff, but gave that up years ago. At the moment I am the proud owner of a stunning number of seven new action figures that are nowhere near graded. )

 

You may very well find items at the stalls. But I very much doubt there will be any dealers around that are that specialised - hence the lack of posts here.

[Marky242]

At last years event there were a few stalls selling vintage Star Wars figures - MOC or loose - don't recall seeing any AFA ones though. Wouldn't be better (and cheaper) to buy and send to AFA. Surely if you participate in the hobby you should be able to notice any touch-ups etc by eye. Also, AFA is no guarantee of originality as there have been figures AFA'd with repro weapons before.

 

There is also a company based in UK who grade figures and offer the same type of cases that AFA supply.

 

 

Lastly, can't wait for Collectormania Glasgow - more Star Wars guests please!

[that star wars guy]

Hello.

 

I heard about this convention from some of my friends and I asked them a question that none of my friends could answer, so I am asking directly to the people concerned.

 

 

I am a collector of AFA graded items and was wondering if any of the dealers that will be attending this convention will have any for sale?

 

 

My primary purpose in visiting this convention will be to solely buy such said items and am wondering if the quality of items on sale will comprise such said items.

 

 

Dealers only please, or there equivalent obviously.

 

thanking you for your time.

 

Ann xx

 

Hi Ann,

 

I will be at Collectormania selling my own personal collection of Star Wars items both vintage and modern. This is the first time I have taken tables at a Collectormania event but as an attendee at many such events I have spotted a few AFA figures dotted around. AFA items are usually pretty thin on the ground but I'm sure you will find something.

 

I do have a few AFA graded items. I'm not a show sponsor and I don't want to break any Showmaster rules concerning advertising so I wont list any items here but I look forward to meeting you sometime during Collectormania.

 

Regards,

 

that star wars guy

[Guest anniekins]

Thank you Queen Sindel for your reply.

 

It clarifys things very clearly for me and I now have a fuller understanding of the situation. Once again I thank you for your time in replying and making things evident.

 

 

I am not quite sure where you are going with your reply Marky242, as it seems quite contradictory to me to suggest on the one hand a dismissal of graded items with your 'visual' inspection of analysing by yourself such items, and then suggesting that a graded item can have fake accessories. Are you suggesting that the common collector is as well informed as that of a professional grader? I need more clarification of your opinion to actually agree or disagree.

 

I think you are talking about loose graded items but then if you were an informed, seasoned and experienced collector of such said things then Im sure you are aware of the three tests that are done to 'test' such accessories. The 'drop' test, the 'break' test and of course the visual comparison test. The materials used in such items is usually of a poorer quality and thereinitself is a relatively easy opinion to make on the said accessory.

 

I have never heard of a Grader allowing such things to pass through and if this were to happen then I know that for certainty it can be asked to be regraded. This is the reason why I myself buy only graded goods and do not submit. I leave that to the Dealers or Collectors that are willing to sell.

 

I know of the UK Grader having purchased a few items with this classification. It is a Company in its infancy relatively speaking and suggest that maybe this is where you are getting confused. Could you maybe have got things mixed up and this is the Grader who you are talking of that has let 'fake' accesssories pass in their classification?

 

To be honest as I have stated above I would like to know of an example of when and where such a thing has happened, as we debate such things on a graded collectors community and it would be interesting to find out the facts.

 

 

Hello Starwarsguy

 

Thank you for your reply. This is the kind of response that I was looking for. Thank you for taking the time to post your reply and I look forward to perusing and appreciating your collection.

 

This reply has confirmed my attendance and I thank you very much for responding. I also look forward to meeting you.

 

Thank you once again

 

Ann xx

[Big Phil]

Hello,

 

I'm a dealer "Star War Crazy" and I will only be bringing my cheap figures to sell.

 

Stack 'em high, sell 'em cheap :-)

 

With the credit crunch and all, it's quite difficult to move expensive merchandise.

Edited August 12, 2008 by Big Phil

[Guest anniekins]

Hello.

 

You may have a fair point concerning the credit crunch, to be honest I really dont know. I can only speak for myself, my friends and associates as regards that subject and I find that I have felt no difference as regards my disposable income.

 

It does all sound rather bleak if we watch the media etc. I suppose the glory and fruitful years of extravagance will naturally and progressively come to an end but when that time comes I suppose we will have a contingency plan in effect. I really only fear of entertainment and conventions such as this one will be able to survive through the famine years and hopefully still emerge as strong as they are now. But that is for another time! lets be positive! Onwards and upwards whilst the fat lady sings!!

 

Its a very good point that you have raised, although I have found no evidence from the property papers that Scotland is feeling the crunch as heavily as the rest of the United Kingdom. Our Housing is stable albeit there is a slight downturn, the disposable income is still affluent, and the jobs are quite viable. I suppose we may very well be just lagging behind the rest of the United Kingdom and we have yet to feel the crunch in a more influential way I dont know.

 

The only evidence I have seen so far is the downsizing in the construction market and the manufacturing institutions that did not forecast and evolve from precedent years of abundance, but in my opinion we are far far away from the bleak recessional years, and if we are frugal collectively speaking of amassing and saving in the abundant times there really should not be as quite an impact.

 

It does make you think what and why you are into collecting, and whether you are just collecting for an investment or monetary gain, or whether you are just passionate about the collecting and to be hanged whether it cost a lot! - It makes me happy and I want to rekindle some of my life at a happier and simpler time when the trials and tribulations of life was not thought of!

 

 

Long may the Conventions and Dealers of such items reign!

 

 

It is a very interesting subject and I thank you for your reply. Very interesting indeed and actually brings on a very debatable subject- what indead is the future for the collecting community as a whole with the inpact of a global crunch?

 

Personally I say stand fast, do not run and quickly dissolve your collections for fear of recession. As I think this would actually undermine the whole market and flood to such a degree that prices would drop very dramatically. This is the only fear and would certainly be the end. I hope not.

[Marky242]

Anniekins

 

I can assure you I am not getting confused - there have been well published reports of AFA (not the UK company) grading figures with reproduction weapons - if you checked other forums these would be easily found.

 

All I was saying is that if you are a serious collector you should know what to look out for - a graded item is not a 100% guarantee - these so called 'professional graders' do not have to sit some sort of professional exam - it is all subjective. My point I was making is that you are paying a premium for something that has been proven to not be 100% accurate. If you are serious about the hobby then putting the work in yourself is a lot more rewarding.

 

I have friends who like AFA items but they buy the items themselves first before submitting - which is where my point of knowing what to look out for comes in. If you can spot recards, touch-ups etc then you will save yourself a lot of money in the long run.

 

I'm not trying to put you down or anything - just pointing out that grading is not the 100% guarantee of quality that you seem to think. but then again maybe its just me as I think its a sin to encase these figures (carded or loose) in their plastic coffins!!!

[Guest anniekins]

Hello Marky242

 

Thank you very much for your reply and clarifying your view. It is a very valid view and I actually agree with you to a point.

 

However, where I differ from your view is that if we can generalise there are varying degrees of collectors and what you consider a 'serious collector' may be different as regards other peoples, mine included. What is a 'serious collector'? One who collects with a passion and is informed to a level where they are competent in their abilities to know without doubt any possibility of compromise with a said item? I have never had that confidence. Hence I do favour the unbiased 'third party view'.

 

I completely agree that it is indeed subjective but then that is what most if not all collections are based, dare I say built, on? The whole concept of classification is I suppose an assurance of scrutiny and above all resistance against abuse via misrepresentation. Im sure you have heard of the horror stories, that I myself have heard of, regarding some of the compromises that can occur.

 

I am of the view that its better to have, if one can say without fear of being colloquial, a second opinion.

 

I thank you for showing the direction upon which I shall research these published reports. I cannot give an opinion just now as regards this, until I know more. Please excuse me until I do. Thank you.

 

 

I also agree with you, Marky242, that nothing is indeed 100% guaranteed. Such is life. If I can be so bold as to suggest that most things we take as assured and guaranteed is simply not the case and there will always be exceptions. Contraception is neither. I apologise for using this as an example, but I cant think more imaginatively just now after a long day at work.

 

The point Im suggesting is that with these classifications, we are at least confident, dare I use the word 'guaranteed', that the odds that originality is what we are getting is so much higher and I personally think of that as my guarantee.

 

I also like to think that without classifications like these, there would be an abundance of compromise and the hobby itself might end up to the point of being a chore rather than a joy.

 

I think in any hobby, there must be a classification and a place where one can be informed and made aware of such compromises and if that is basically asking someone with more knowledge to give an opinion of which you value then I find nothing wrong with that, even if ultimately it commands a greater price because of that opinion. Take for example the autograph collectors, Im sure the opinion when one of the professionals is asked of his view regarding originality of a autograph, will have a great influence.

 

To be honest, the only MOC's that I have discovered are on 'beater' cards and as such I find that only AFA graded ones are at least of acceptable appearance for me. However I may just be unlucky and your friends are fortunate, but if I could find ones such as the standard as to be submitted maybe I would just for the experience of it!

 

Again I completely agree with you about it all being subjective.

 

 

I liked your humour about the 'coffins'. Never a truer word said, but I imagine that my collection likes being in 'coffins' *cough* because if they dont, I cant bring myself to crack open their tombs! lol!

 

Once again I thank you very much for taking the time to clarify.

 

Ann xx

[Marky242]

Hi Ann

 

Thanks for your reply - I understand your fact about wanting a second opinion. I also understand your point about autographs (being a OT Star wars auto collector myself too!) I was in no way trying to put you off - another collector is always welcome (and since you're buying AFA then you're not in competition with me!!!)

 

The place to buy ungraded cards is not on sites like ebay etc unless you get lots of pics of the item beforehand - the best place I find is on the forums - I buy lots on there and you can tell who are trusted sellers with their history (although, again you can never be 100% sure!) - also being able to handle then at a fair helps if you know what to look out for.

 

The best thing I ever did was join one of these forums and get opinions from other collectors - especially when you plan on spending serious cash!!

 

Have fun at Collectormania - I'll look out for the person with the AFA case in their hand!!!

[Guest anniekins]

Hi Marky242

 

Thank You for the information and the debate. It was very interesting and enlightening. I thank you for your time and wish you every success in your collecting.

 

If you do see me please do not hesitate to say hello, as I think it would be most interesting and knowlegeable talking with you.

 

Once again I thank you very much for your participation and I hope you too have fun at Glasgow!

 

Best wishes

 

Ann xx