First off, Im doing this because its my passion (collecting toys) also. Im not looking for customers here, I could care less if you are interested. I just want your idea's and thoughts which you have given. Thanks for all who posted.


Some stuff that I feel you might need to read from some other boards:

Originally Posted by mabudon

BTW, in the case of variants and such, what kind of material analysis would be done to determine if the whole thing is the "real deal" anyways???

I'd have half a mind to craft up a fake red-cape bib fortuna or something just to see if I could do it- would there be some kind of "insurance policy", in case a really good fake somehow got past the system???
Just curious


I have some star wars experts I would ref these kinds of items to. If they were undecided on it, it would be returned to the customer without shipping refunded. I will make note of the name of the person who submits this kind of thing and have a data base with photos of all questionable items submited and then returned. I will for the most part just return the item back to the customer, I have no problem with this. I might go as far as just send a item back to a person that I think is trying to pull some shate. The good ol' we have the right to refuse service to anyone! This I will take to the extreme! Not everyone will be able to submit stuff, blacklists will be up and running also.

Also:

Ok not being mean but asking this just as a normal question but what references do you have?

I have some ref's from hobby shops, a hot wheels designer and my friend from gentle giant studios, also my ebay name is westcoastdiecast. Thats just a few, but I will have all of that on the web site once the site is up.

Are you on ebay at all?

westcoastdiecast

How should i feel safe sending my figures to you when you are a new guy?

Send your item with a delivery confirmation with insurance via usps.

What form of reference do you have?

I have a 100pt system in place for loose figures. Example a C8.0 is my 80/100.

I think another thing is what all will you be grading or how would you be grading a figure?

The figure will have the 100pt system in place to judge such things as: Paint wear, loose joints, broken parts, discoloring, etc. I will have my "figure autopsy" Diagram which is pretty cool that details every point taken from the 100. I will out line in figure diagram where the paint loss is, broken pieces etc. I dont want to get into to much detail on this yet.

Thanks for all your questions.

We will see if I could pull this off. As for the C8.0+ Grade, that would equal a Condition 80/100 for my grading scale which would be below mint. I dont see my service ruining the hobby, im just one man with a passion for mint figures. My goal will be for a equal grading system all away around! I see that 99% of the people hate this idea and I dont blame them, I want to do this for the savvy collector who wants something different in there collection. Also maby add some extra value to there investment (I know most collectors are tearing there eyeballs out reading this). Im working out all the kinks to make this work, I sure hope it does!

I want to thank everyone for there thoughts on this subject. Thanks.

Glad to meet you Angry Ewok! By the way your avatar is a shirt waiting to happen!

As for what you posted. My prices will be better then AFA! As for grading, it will have the same standard for every person and every figure. There will be 3 Tiers of grading, I dont want to give it all away yet but the lowest Tier will be like $5.99 or so for your figure sealed in a baggy with weapons if complete, label & hologram security sticker for fraud protection. You will also get a certificate with figure diagram outlining your figures grade, its almost like a figure otopsy! The cert will be signed by grader(s) and a hologram sticker will be placed on that as well, thats just the basic service...I will have it all laid out some time early 2005.

Thanks.

Do any companies grade loose figures? Does AFA? What are you thoughts on grading loose figures?

Please let me know your thoughts on this matter, any info you have will be great! Im thinking about adding this service to my new site and wanted to know the pros and cons! Please no bashing! I just want info positive or negitive. Any info you have will determine how I will go about setting this service up.

Thanks.

ps. Im not going into any details so please dont ask any questions about the new site, in time everyone will see. Im just looking for thoughts on grading loose figures and how as a collector would view this service IF it were provided.