How does everyone think AFA will grade this Tygra?

Collecting LJN ThunderCats Toys
1

Hey all!

This question is for specifically for Mannyscollectibles, but all opinions are definitely welcome!

I’m considering getting my Tygra AFA graded. How does everyone think this will rank? A little bit of paint from Tygra’s nose has rubbed onto the bubble, there are a few very superficial scratches on the bubble, and on the back, there is a bit of wear on the hangtag. Other than that, it’s in great condition. I won’t post what I think it will grade yet because I do not want to bias anyone. Please see the attached pics for more detail.

Thanks!!

2

I don’t think the pics worked. Here’s a second try:

Tygra1.jpg

Tygra2.jpg

Tygra3.jpg

3

Well dan07 I’d say you got yourself there an AFA 80…I think it will grade straight 80’s (Card 80, Bubble 80, Blister 80).

4

Manny, that was my guess exactly. Do you think it would be worth grading? How much do you think grading would cost me (including the cost to ship it there and back)? Would a grade of 80 up its value?

Thanks!

5

Yeah I think an 80 at very least a 75. Thats just from a quick look though. I would love to work for the AFA I wonder how much rare sweet stuff they get there hands on?

6

Thanks Matt! Actually, if you take a look at their site, there was a Cat’s Lair MIB that graded AFA80 (it was Darren Kaplan’s of Planetforce.com). Here’s the link for anybody interested:

http://www.toygrader.com/featuredtoyarchive.aspx

There’s also an AFA80 Pumyra…Manny, I’m sure that Stinger or Bengali could easily make the featured toy archive.

7

Lets just put it this way…a Bengali MOC which is typically worth about 225-250 could fetch anywhere from 800-1000 as an AFA 80. So in a sense yes it brings the value up because it is graded. There’s lots of people against thier grading policies and yes people make money because of the grading but what can one do. Comics get graded and graded comics get more than their ungraded counterparts. Its just peace of mind for some people. Grading with a 15-20 business day turnaround could cost you proabably around $80 and thats including shipping there and back and acrylic casing. Overall I think its worth grading IMO. As far as the Bengali or Stinger Im not sure how to go about to submit it to be on their front page

8

Thanks again Manny…I didn’t realize that they were that expensive to grade!!! I think I will probably end up sucking it up and getting it graded.

9

If you get it graded you can submit pictures to us and we can feature it on the AFA Museum

10

That’d be awesome. If/when I go through with it, I will definitely send you some pictures.

I think if you email info@toygrader.com, you can find out how to get your Bengali and Stinger submitted for the featured toy archive…that being said I have a feeling that there may be a cost involved. But that’s just a shot in the dark.

11

Here is what I would say it would grade at: F70 B75 C80 Overall AFA70.

You will be lucky if the figure grade is higher then a 70. The paint defect on the face are significant.

The bubble will get marked down for the paint being on it and that is not counting dents if there are any and scuffs.

The card is nice but it has like most of MOC Thundercats do a nick here and there and what looks like hanger damage on the back.

I don’t want to be a downer but this is my experience with AFA(which includes over 90 in my collection). The problem is even if you get high grades on the card and bubble the paint problem will drop the overall score down to whatever the figure grades to.

12

Thanks Jaga…you’re not being a downer, you’re being honest haha. That is why I put the Tygra up on the boards instead of going right to AFA. Maybe I’ll reconsider getting the figure graded.

By the way…you have over 90 AFA figures?

13

Holy crap Jaga…90 figs afa’d. That’s incredible. Post some pic if you can, that would definately be a sight.

14

I have a ton of graded vintage/ new Star Wars and stuff from other toy lines.

The hard part about AFA and Thundercats are the black cards. They show even the smallest wear to the cards.

Your Tygra is a really nice piece even with the paint defect. It actually is one of the best Tygra cards I have seen in a while.

15

Thanks Jaga. Do you have an Action Figure Network account or another way to see your collection…that’s gotta be pretty amazing to see.

16

No Action Figure Network account. But I have been collecting toys for more then 20 years so I have compiled a pretty big collection.

17

That much? :frowning:

But just for curiosity, the price they charce only for grading (without shipping costs) is what? I once read in TNI it was about 35$, would that be correct?

I live overseas and If it would cost that many for grading some stuff I’ve got here, I belive I’ll drop that idea.. :frowning:

18

The faster you want it the more it will cost thats all

19

It would fall under the Vintage custom section for grading. These would be the costs:

Archival Tier 4 to 6 days $120 (includes UV Protection)
Premium Tier 7 to 10 days $80
Express Tier 15 to 20 days $60 (under $400 value)
Standard Tier 35 to 45 days $45 (under $200 value)

These prices do not include shipping to and shipping back. Your best bet is to submit when there is a special going on but I do not believe there is one going on. They used to have better turn around times where nothing took over 30 days but that time has long passed. So needless to say you can add at least $60 to the total when you are trying to figure out a figure price when buying a graded figure.