Yeah, I agree with the dust situation. Not only that but the least they can do is at least clean off the toy they are about to in-case. I mean some toys I bought off of Ebay have dust in a corner. I mean, what are we paying you for? You can’t access them! At least wipe off any dust you see before sealing it in a case! Another thing I don’t understand is why they need to leave a hole length of space at the bttm for dust to enter. I mean a much smaller area and location would surely suffice. Maybe even some sort of cover you can control. Anyway, so these new cases have no openings? Or…
About the opening I think i may shoot them an email or a phone call. I really dont see why there should be any sort of space in the bottom, it only allows dust. I cant agree more on cleaning the figure, its lazyness i think and a lack of attention to detail.
As far as the hole in the bottom, there could be solutions for that, maybe an accrylic lid of some sorts to give you the option of wether you want air circulation or keep air completely out…its too much to ask and would require more money. Ive even read on their website that they raised the prices because acrylic was becoming more expensive…I’ll be calling CSG tomorrow and see if the cases are in fact opened in the bottom or completely sealed
Honestly, while I do agree that it should be part of the process for them to “dust off” the cards/bubbles, I prefer to do this myself. I actually enjoy it.
I have been able to clean up a few pieces where I am sure it has helped a good amount as far as grading it goes. Not to mention removing the price stickers. Its a pain, but if done right, you can’t even tell there was one on the card. The toys r us orange stickers are the easiest to remove. Nothing a blow dryer and some goo gone can’t fix!
I also agree that the CSG sticker is not as appealing as AFA’s, but they also have to fit more info on it, so that is probably why.
Anyways I have decided to test out CSG as well. I am sending in my Moc Silverhawks Mon*Star, which should grade fairly high. The submission form was a breeze to fill out. I went with the “C” level as far as turn around time, which is still about 10 days less wait time then AFA’s equivalent.
I will be dropping it off at the post office tomorrow morning.
Keep us posted Manny on what they tell you, and I will do the same as I get my figure back.
I’d also be happy to give them my business over AFA if all goes well.
Very cool Alex let us know how yours turn out, I sent them a fairly lengthy message about how its of concern to collectors about any dust being able to creep in thru the bottom and to tell that well its about time another company steps up in the grading process, Im hoping their 11-20 day turnaround isnt business days because that means Ill get everything back in like a month…doubt it but its a possibility. I think by the time i get graded everything Ill be paying something like $150 on 2 figures…its probably over a $50 savings over AFA if it were to get a comparable service
Well, sending in my figure, which over all is 22", with the C level, shipping, and insurance, it all came out to $79.00 (If I did everything right which I am sure I did). To get the same 11-20 day turn around time from AFA, just sending in the figure alone would have been $72.00, not including shipping and insurance. So there is definitely money to be saved.
Lets hope your right about it being actual days and not business days, but I guess we can’t control everything. I also would be interested in what they tell you in regards to your email. IMHO, nothing should be able to get into the cases.
Well I shot them an e-mail upon closer examination of a bigger item I bought of Ebay. I can see why people have lost faith in AFA. Maybe I was a bit harsh but I was honest and being a serious collector, I have that right. Just as much as they claim to be “professionals” they should take responsibility or at least understand what collectors want. I mean, it is what they claim isn’t it?Here is what I e-mailed them.
Hello there
I have a bunch of toys I was thinking of sending to you however, upon buying a large graded figure off Ebay, I realized you do not clean the item before in-casing it. The item has dust within the case in a lot of places which I don’t understand given your claim of being professionals. I understand leaving a tiny gap at the bttm of the case but why the entire length? Surely air travels through the smallest of spaces so leaving an entire strip of open space will only promise the entrance of dust to collect. Collectors pay top dollar to use your methods of grading, the least you can do is promise them display cases that reflect that method and protect their investments just as you would yours.
Way to go with that email…but you know they will always come up with some excuses as to why they have that opening.Ive even heard of figures coming back damaged and with grease on the cards. I think they may have monkeys running their ops.
Anyways what did you end up getting
Unfortunately I was at only one Transformers convention in the city and luckily AFA was there. I looked at their merchandise and wasn’t really blown away. I consider myself a very anal collector and perfectionist so I take my grading over theirs any day. Anyway, the guys that were there looked more like mechanics or repair men than collectors who care. I can understand the opening. Its for the inside of the case to breath or maintain the same atmoshere as the outside. That way you don’t risk any humidity or drastic change that would affect the item. Shipping in cold weather, as an example. Still leaving an entire length at the bttm is waaaay too much. I think they do it on purpose to continue their business. I mean, if your a bit on the naive side or just ignorant as most first time collectors are. You think a display case is the sure thing to protect your investment. Once dust starts collecting as does your experience you may at one point want to send it back to get re-cased.Which equals more $ for them. My purchase was an AFA Sword of Omens from Andrew, here at the boards. I don’t like to brag so I try to keep it to myself. Its beautiful piece, just wish andrew kept the plastic baggie AFA sends their graded items back in. Anyway, this new grading source got me really interested. I’m hoping AFA will learn once they see their business being taken with the new competition.
Congrats on the sword!!! I really think though that the new grading company will come thru nicely. Their grading system is what i like the most even though it is stricter than AFA but at least you know what your figure really grades, plus their prices are great.
I think their grading system is tougher on items but at least its a fair way of knowing what the quality of the toy is
UPDATE:
Update and a sad one for me I must say. CSG received the submissions today and they promptly contacted me about a problem with my 8 back Tygra. Turns out that due to the yellowing on the card (which could make the card prone to breaking rather easily) the figure arrived with a 2 inch crack on the bubble. Learning experience for me.
A couple of things that impressed me was the prompt answer with an issue like this, they even sent me a pic of it…truthfully i dont think AFA wouldve gone out of their way to notify the customer about a bubble crack. I also asked about the cases and the space in the bottom..seems like its sort of a standard to leave the bottom area slightly open for air circulation…understandable and its not much of a problem…clear tape is a very quick fix. They also gave me the option of choosing two logos they have available so that was very cool of them…turns out they have been working at putting this company together for the past 2+ years so its not like they jumped on the grading business. So far I am very impressed with their customer service…seems like they really care about collectors. More updates in the future 8)
Thats too bad about the Tygra Manny.
I am impressed with how they handled the situation however. Another good sign!
Ahh man, that is terrible. Shipping is another fear I have with grading. Was there any way of packing him within a box and then another? I feel maybe even that might not be enough. Their response was very proffesional, I too doubt AFA would have even cared if it was cracked let alone contact you. They seem very authentic, nothing like AFA. What were the two logo options?
It was my own stupidity to not double box them, I think double boxing wouldve prevented it. They definitely surprised me when they responded so quickly and even sent me pictures of the item. Attached are the pics of he logo and my Tygra 
Oh and it seems like their cases are engraved with the CSG logo…now how cool is that. Check the pics and youll notice the engraved logo on the case
On a side note…AFA’s newsletter states the following:
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] The following are some of the new services and guarantees which will go into effect beginning February 1, 2008 [/SIZE][/FONT] [ul][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]
[li]Guaranteed turnaround times for Express level and faster submissions![/li][li]More customer service representatives standing by to answer your inquiries during regular business hours![/li][li]Launch of our new VGA (Video Game Authority) Division to grade sealed video games![/li][li]More announcements to follow later in the month regarding the final online population report, our new website, our upcoming online price guide, and several more exciting new services![/SIZE][/FONT][/ul]A Video Game grading service??? Whats next a poop grading service see who has the stinkiest turd or prettiest turd??? :?[/li]
Also…[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][B]Primarily due to the increased cost of acrylic material, price increases will take effect on January 11, 2008 on certain tiers and categories.
[/B]Its getting out of control if you ask me…
[/SIZE][/FONT]
I’m going to send in my poop, just in case.
I asked GSC about their etching logo options as well as the dusting/cleaning before placing the toy into the display. Their response was pretty fast and so far I still like em. By the way, manny which of the two logos do you like better? Just curious
Their response:
The logo designs are for our clients to choose which one they would like to have for the trademark etching on their cases. When it comes to dusting off each item, we only do so at the client’s request. If you would like us to dust off your items for you please include that in a note on the submission form. We greatly appreciate your interest and we look forward to hearing from you soon.
I actually liked the one with the big C. Its really cool how they do etching on the cases.
Update!
I just got an email from CSG saying that they recieved my package safely. (Thank god for bubble wrap!) They also wanted to know which logo I wanted. I went with the plain CSG rather then the big C logo.
I’ll let you guys know starting from today, how long it takes for them to get it back to me, and my over all experience.
I asked CSG about removing items already graded and they do that too so…just something to think about 
Yes, we will remove them form a case and grade the items, CSG has had several submissions in which we have removed items from a case and re-graded the items.
Thanks,
Thats cool and i guess you can still use the old case, I imagine that they send it back to you. I think the word will spread around quick, i know over at the he-man.org forums some people have been inclined to sending things to CSG rather than AFA simply because of the more detailed grading. I reall wish that they become as mainstream as AFA because collectors need more variety and better service than what we’ve received. Its only a matter of time and i think AFA already has a not-so-good reputation with a lot of people
heres my question What gap are you talking about for the dust to get in on the afa figs. All the ones I have owned (about 5-6) over the years have never had this and they were completely sealed including 2 Thundercats figs. Is this a new thing that they have done?
In regards to reading this somewhere else in the thread about afa shipping back broken figs. It happens Ive seen pics of figs that the legs came off during transit or were labeled wrong, or had the wrong acc with the wrong fig (loose figs) etc. They arent professional toy experts but someone doing a job is all. I dont hold them in high regard anymore. In fact I would trade my panthro for a non sealed one in the same condition
Its at the bottom of the back of the case. You can press it lighly and you’ll see it being pushed inwards. Well, if you don’t keep your case in its baggy sealed, then you’ll likely start to collect dust. I’d check under direct light. Thats the easiest way to see any dust.