Is Action Figure Grading A SCAM? Collectors Speak Out! 

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I covered this a few years back on my channel and my views have not changed. It’s a scam. And the grades are random. The figures continue to degrade once graded, so without a date on he grading label what you have may have changed since it was encased. Keep them loose and enjoy them.

I would like to know why the boba only got an 80? Also who is giving these grades, what makes them an expert on a figures condition. Why is their opinion more valued than mine. From what I could see, that boba looked pretty nice.

I don't think grading's a scam, but I'm not into it. I don't want to send my stuff off, I don't want anybody touching my stuff, as goofy as that may sound, I don't want anybody moving the limbs on the figures .. Sounds expensive, and you'd have to wait a long time for it to come back, so it really doesn't appeal to me that much. There are few figures that I'd like to see what they're worth through that grading process, but I'd like to be there, I think I'd learn more that way.

Hera will be VC300 - another amazing episode.

I’m not understanding how a 75 80 85 is a 75 master and a 80 75 85 is an 80 master when they add up the same. This is on carded.

Great video Joey! As long as the figure grading is being done by a one of the major respected grading companies (basically AFA, CAS, or UKG) it is not a scam. It is a way to help authenticate an item, validate its condition, and preserve the item. For collectors who prioritize condition for their figures, getting an item graded is a great way to assure the collector what they have with an unbiased evaluation by an expert. It's also a great way to have more confidence in the condition of a figure you are trying to buy from someone over the internet since people can be dishonest or leave key things out and use photo shop to hide defects. P.S., love the random cameo from my favorite monkey-lizard Salacious Rum, lol!

Enjoyed watching. Thanks for sharing your collection with us and taking the time to put this video together. -Tom (F4collector)

Thank you for another great episode. My reason for grading might be viewed as a bit morbid (or forward thinking). I see it as a method for my kids to know what prices are fair for my collection when the inevitable happens.

It's not that grading is a scam, it's that it is ruining the hobby. For a collector to hunt down a good looking figure for a decent price is becoming next to impossible. Anything in the market that is in decent shape is being graded and the price has sky rocketed. And the biggest issue when it comes to grading is reliability of the grading process. Send that Leia in for grading 3 seperate times and I guarantee you'll get 3 different scores. It is completely subjective to the individual grader. And ultimately what is driving the grading industry? It's not the love of the hobby and the hunt, it is dealers wanting to drive up pricing. The saddest thing I see is the small time dealers at shows giving up on the vintage Star Wars stuff because they've been priced out of the market by the bigger dealers. It feels similar to the way Walmart drove so many mom and pop stores out of business. My biggest hope is that when the market prices eventually crash...and they will (ie Beanie Babies)...there will be a bunch of sellers on ICCC dumping the vintage stuff at a loss. And I bet they won't be screaming "No repro" at that time.

What an excellent episode Joey. I haven't graded anything yet, but am a fan of the process. You had an excellent batch of items this time & I'm sure you're thrilled with the results (I know I would be). Looking forward to your graded, signed Emperor Giveaway! 🤞

Brilliant Video, Joey! Informative and fun! Shout out to Salacious Rum and his fantastic cameo. 🤩

Toy Toni sure fooled a lot of these "experts."

Grading is not a scam per se but some of these grading companies need to tighten up on their quality control and service. I've had figures jammed into cases they don't fit in, or is bent over in the case, or graded with the wrong weapon, or I've had orders that are out over 13-14 months and counting. Great topic though!

Those are some really great scores on the loose grading 👍 idk if that's the same Imperial Snowtrooper I said looks really nice condition in one of your prior videos, but i knew it looked high grade. That is sweet looking my friend 👌 congrats 👏👏. That white Leia score CAS 85+, $500 minimum 🙌if it was an AFA archival case, $700 minimum 😉I only wish AFA and CAS would laser cut key all the weapons like UKG does, looks so much better. Hate the hook clips. Great items my Padawan ✊

Good video Joey and an interesting discussion that's relevant to people that collect. As for me, I'm working on run two now and almost have doubles for each of my figures, at least through the initial 77. I've done a run of the last 17, but with little in the way of variants there unless you go looking far and wide, it's not really relevant to my goals, that being I'm interested in varying COOs and different factories that produced these figures. To that end, in all seriousness, I've not thought much about grading my collection. I do use grading criteria to select figures for my run that are targeted for that purpose, but I believe ultimately that I need to be the first judge of condition and suitability for the pieces I add to my group first and foremost. I believe that leads me to selecting pieces that long term could be submitted and archived. The goal however isn't to get the acrylic, but to find decent examples that fit my interest and apply that to my purchases. Do I think grading is a scam? No, it's a choice. In getting pieces slabbed, you are sealing them in a protective case, but you're also asking for a second opinion on the figure. I tend to get that feedback from many as a part of the Facebook groups like Imperial Commissary and Death Star Gift Shop and believe the experience there among collectors to be amazing. My best to your continued championing of our hobby my friend! Thanks for all you do for new collectors!

can you take the figure out of that acryllic box? or is it stuck in there forever, if so, then i don't see a benefit to it, i would like to be able to take a figure out if i wanted to

As always, extremely interesting. Thanks for sharing

Thanks for this video, great to get more knowledge about grading, because i feel like a youngling on that arena😅 I would liked to have some of my figures graded, but since I live in Norway, the nearest grading company is in UK. Which i think will make it a lot more expensive to send🤔

Hi from New Zealand! While I can see how much pleasure you get out of this- that's great!- I've never been inclined to grade any of my 300+ figures (yes, only 300;). Unless you plan to sell them one day (I don't), I'd rather be able to display them in dioramas etc. I do have some figures MOC in clamshell cases on my wall- but I call those "art." Anyway, great video!

great giveaway prize, brother. plus, glad you got some decent grades on your figures you sent in.

Would love to grade some of my original collection from when I was kid. Have few, what I think are, nice figures but bit worried about ripping Vaders cloak when I clean him. Appreciate the advice, give me more 😂

Awesome video.Your Boba looked like it had a dent in the rocket pack on, hence the 80 grade

This is an excellent subject to discuss. Grading toys is no different than other collections, including antique furniture and art. As to the actual grading, it depends on the expert and where it's being graded. I am pretty sure there are scammers out there (as in any field). However, Joey as you mentioned "research, research, research." As someone who is a researcher of music with a PhD I totally agree with you on this when it comes to toys. It's important, but not required. It is the choice of the collector, either if they are looking to see the value of their collection or if they are planning to sell. CAS is an authentic toy grading company, and looking for one of those is important. Usually, if a collector is looking for a grading company, I would think they would ask another collector. Like I find your videos and knowledge very valuable for me as a collector. As a matter of fact I am planning on taking a few of my figures to CAS for grading. I think those who think it's a scam to grade toys are not looking at the bigger picture. Such as currently, me and my family are working on getting my Mom's paintings appraised (the ones we don't know the value). Many people think that appraising art is authentic, but not toys. This is because collecting toys is a relatively new hobby. We never thought of collecting toys in the 70s, but here we are 40 years later and there are millions of collectors. It has become a true and authentic collection. So if it has become a true and authentic collection, then the natural result and progression is the grading of toys. But as other types of collection, it is important to find the proper person for grading. And as you mentioned in the video, it is the opinion of the individual, so perhaps and I know this is going a bit far, but what about getting a figure graded by two or three experts? That sure would be an interesting result and see if they come up with the same results or different. But I do suspect that most experts will come up with the same results.

Just watched a older video. But very good joe!! Congratulations on some good grading!!

Amazing items Joey! Congrats on those stunners.

Great video.i went on to the UKG website here in the UK as was toying with the idea of gettinga couple of figures graded, could not believe the prices or lead times they were quoting so did not bother, just could not justify it. Last time I had a figure graded was a vinyl caped jawa approx 12 years ago and it only took 2-3 weeks and price quoted at the time was very reasonable (it was graded as a 90 BTW andi was extemely happy).

The problems with grading is it is gambling combined with credentialism worship(fallacy.) The gambling element is what grade you will receive with the additional expectation of a higher overall value depending on the grade. The credentialism is do those scores even mean anything we didn't already know? Could we of decided it's an "85", 8 out of 10, or just in great condition? If you took the case off of ten graded 75s to 95s could someone even tell the difference and sort them all properly without the grades on the cases? Is an 85 that meaningfully different than a 90? Doesn't being able to send the same exact item in over and over to get different grades just show how subjective and arbitrary it all is? Not to mention a lot of grading companies have perverse conflict of interest relationships with certain auction houses, etc. Also the ultimate thing to consider is condition is subjective person to person so a specific grader saying this is X grade as soon as it's presented to anyone else they could just disagree with the grade, but it the slab _prevents_ it from being re-evaluated. A feature... not a bug!

Didn't know there was an action figure grading service...how cool! Great content, thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience!

How much dd they charge you for these?

I don't grade my figures because I like to handle and pose my figures in a playset or in a full display case with my entire collection. 💪🤓

I would not go so far as to call figure grading a scam, but there is a subjectivity to it. Hell, years ago AFA was the standard for grading and they took a big credibility when they graded a bunch of re-carded figures as authentic. I wouldn't tell anyone to get their figures graded or not to get them graded. That's a personal choice and we all collect differently. For me, all the vintage figures, vehicles and playsets are all things I had when I was a kid. I wouldn't get them graded just for the reason that they would be in acrylic cases and I would not be able to hold them anymore.

Super cool that you got an Emperor signed by Ian! That's special. How does the figure itself sealed on card get a score under 100? Is it damaged somehow from wiggling around inside the bubble? That's a sweet looking Snowtrooper! Hard to find one now in this shape that isn't mint on card. Most are yellowed or gone pink a little bit. Great Chewie there! His paint and limbs are very good. So many have discolored and have paint rubs now. Great Darth Vader! That the lightsaber tip is bent is normal for those lightsabers. Bends in the cape are normal too. Tears in the arm holes are the biggest problem with vinyl capes. Vaders paint is amazing! Its almost always rubbed somewhere on those. Boba Fett is notorious for having paint issues, even on mint on card, especially loose. Tends to get friction rubs and scuffs a lot too. So many hard angles and painted parts. Leia is even harder to find pristine than Snowtrooper, so you did well finding her. Lando in Skiff Guard Disguise is a cool figure especially with the helmet that comes off. Yellow bubbles are a huge problem on the run of figures that he was in. I think a figure would have to be still in the factory and examined by CAS before it got mounted on card to get a 100. I agree with Wampa's concerns about grading collectables in general. I call posts on Twitter/X 'tweets' still now that it has a new name. I have thought about it and other names I thought of didn't sound any better. 'X-Thought'? 'X-Post'? This Salacious Rum video is hilarious! I love it. I wouldn't call it a scam personally, but from my point of view, it is a waste of money. I am confident in my ability to examine a collectable and decide what condition it is in. I don't need a company to grade the item for me. I skip over graded collectables in general because I can find ungraded items in conditions that I am satisfied with for significantly less money. I also don't like items to be sealed up in hard plastic cases because then you can only look at it through the case. You can't interact with it anymore. For me, a big part of collecting is handling the items: re-posing action figures, reading comics, playing videogame cartridges in my console, etc. If all I can do is look at it, I feel like I may as well just look a photographs of it and not actually have the item. I love museums and art galleries, but I have no desire to pay large sums of money to buy items that might as well be in a glass case or in a security frame in one of those places. Studying for yourself and listening to others who have studied a hobby is a great idea and can be fun. I enjoy reading about and listening to other collectors about grading, even though I will never pay to have an item graded, nor will I ever buy a graded item. I enjoy researching and examining things very closely. Always have as long as I can remember. With a little training, I could probably be hired as a grader. If people want to offer grading services, others want to have things graded and still others want to pay extra for graded items, that's up to them. It's not for me though. Great video! One of the best I have watched on the subject.

If it's not Twitter anymore and is now X, wouldn't it be a Twix? :) I'd love to get a hold of that carded skiff Lando. That's a beautiful specimen and one of my top favorite figures. Question: I have a Chewbacca that I got from a Vader case and it's in GREAT condition. Only flaw is a small spot on the nose (paint wear), all the limbs are 99-100% (stiffness), no dings on the plastic. The only thing is there's some yellow paint marker on the feet from the previous owner. Do you think it would be harmful to the figure if I don't get that cleaned off? As of right now, it doesn't bother me, but if is harmful to the figure, then that IS a problem. Thanks for the video

I have never graded any figures but I do have several that were graded by other people and I just bought them as part of their collection. I would rather buy a few extra figures vs spending money on grading. The more figures that get graded less affordable figures exist for other collectors to buy. If I am looking for a figure I do not even consider buying a graded figure unless it is the exact price of other ungraded examples. The cases look nice

I don’t get things graded because the way the figures look graded doesn’t appeal to me that much. I wouldn’t mind getting something that’s already graded though if it was the right item and price. I do however love ungraded acrylic cases for figures and playsets. I think they look fantastic and clean.

Ukg give individual scores too for figure, paint , cape and overall score

Someday, maybe soon, repros will become near impossible to differentiate from original. On that level I can see grading being valuable. Especially now as opposed to when certain accessories or figures do become impossible to distinguish from OG.

Been having more fun tracking down a second set of figs for grading. Only have 13 done so far with three more at CAS. Sometimes I walk into a toy show with $500 and leave with nothing. Other times I leave broke lol. Take a jewelers loupe with you and ask if you can look at the fig out of the packaging. Going to a show vendors always want high ebay prices obviously. But, if your asking for a mint price I expect a mint figure. Star Wars Tracker app helps with pricing. Made some good friends this way but don't want to insult anyone with their pricing.

I don’t think it’s a scam. However, it’s great to get an idea of what’s authentic and the condition of the toy. It’s important to keep in mind that conditions change over time and the grade should not be considered static when looking to buy them.

I respect that you grade Joey, but I won’t. I don’t want to spend extra money on it. I also like to touch and feel my figs, once in a case that is no longer something I can do. I think they look cool, but that is about it.

Is grading is a scam? Perhaps… “From a certain point of view.” Personally, I like the way special, rare, verified and graded toys look when boxed in acrylic. I can’t afford those prices, so I’ve experimented with making my own acrylic cases to display certain prized parts of my archive. I love watching the quest for the best possible version of these toys, it’s taught me a great deal about restoring, representing and displaying my own collection!

Karl Jobst video on exposing the Fraud in Retro Video Games Grading and what I know of card grading really showed me how much of a scam the entire grading world is. I also know how much price manipulation goes in high end collecting. Dealers selling the same collectible back and forth to one another to raise the price on the market and boost the price of the rest of their portfolio (it happens more than you would think.) I do have to say though. I like the way those figures look in those acrylic cases with the custom made slots for their accessories. They look really sharp. If it wasn't so expensive I would consider getting my TMNT toys slabbed.

Great video, I just sent a bunch of MOC star wars figures to CAS for grading I'm really hoping that my 21 back unpunched Boba Fett gets at least an 80 Thanks again.

I wouldn’t necessarily call grading a scam, but more of a lottery. Unless the same person is grading every figure, all the time…it’s going to be super subjective from individual grader, to individual grader. Then there’s the human element to consider. No one is perfect, therefore, no one is 100% on their game every single time they grade. Throw in the time element of an 8 hour + day of grading, and perhaps as the day wears on, the grader is more inclined to be lax, or grade harsher as they get more and more tired/strained as the day wears on. Quite honestly, A.i. might be the best source for grading, whether it’s sports cards, or vintage toys/collectibles, since it would never deviate from protocol, or grading guidelines. Taking the human element out of grading would yield the least subjective, and most consistent results possible. Just my 2 cents✌🏼

How does their signature series work, do they have to have witnesses in order to verify it’s a legit signature?

By definition, I don’t think grading is a scam. But as a collector of many things, I do think it overinflates prices in the market artificially by encasing the item, figure, comic, VHS tape, video game, etc. in a sealed acrylic box where it will never be touched again. This is absurd to me. To each their own, but I will NEVER understand it. Toys are made to be played with. Video games were made to be played. Comics were made to be read. VHS tapes were made to be watched. Enjoy your stuff. If you are buying just to invest, buy some stocks or gold / precious metals. It will serve you better in the long run and much less hassle.

I don't think it is a scam. I actually don't mind light play wear or minor imperfections, as I find it gives the figures a bit of character. Likewise for the boxed and carded figures, I actually prefer if they have a sales tag on them, as it adds a bit to the story of that particular item. You made a good point, that the figures that get graded were already pristine versions, so they would have been expensive prior to the grading. I do have a graded Bespin Han, though it has a pretty low grade, but mostly I know that it was an original carded figure. So maybe the odd graded figure here or there if it is a key figure for me, otherwise I am content without graded figures.

Awesome channel. Just when I think I’m getting burnt out of Star Wars Action Figures, I just sucked back in

What you should do Joey is contact Ken Black or Chris Whitlock from CAS and ask them if you could come down to Florida and document the process of grading a loose and carded figure and how they come up with their grades. When sports card grading first came out in the 90s people thought the same thing about that. But I remember an article written about the actual process which changed a lot of minds. I think thats why so many people think its a scam since nobody beyond the company really knows how the scores are determined which currently is specualtion but not definitive.

All I know is I ain’t paying the insane prices they want to get something graded.

Great graded figures add Joey !

I've never seen a dianoga with a single rub. Is it because they were molded in the green colour, so any chips wouldn't show up in a different colour? I have a few graded figures. I don't think it's a scam PER SE, but there are issues it creates with the market. It can really inflate the market artificially, and then it depends on the company. The whole WATA games legal situation comes to mind.

It’s not a “scam”. But unless you have a rare figure, it’s probably not worth it. Take a look at your grades. What’s really the difference between an 80, 85, and an 85+? You’re mostly paying someone to say “Yeah, it’s a nice figure”. Also, I know someone with an AFA graded VC Jawa with a counterfeit cape, so they’re not fool proof, and infallible. Personally, I sent in a Canadian Endor Leia on a flawless card with a clear bubble, and a jedi Luke that had a hole punched clear through the card. Luke came back as an 80, and Leia, a 75.The grades are pretty much arbitrary, based on whomever is looking at them. I stopped grading, but back when I was doing it, there was a 9-12 month backup. Somehow I don’t think there was a panel of experts meeting, and concurring on every submission.

To me it’s up to the collector. For me it’s slowing the time of degradation since time is a killer of things. For me it keeps all the dust off the figure, plus gives me a window to view my love for the line and my childhood. We all buy what we want so I don’t influence people otherwise.

I loved the video. My issue with grading, it's all opinion based. it's hard to convince me that it's really more than this. I also believe that there's favoritism happening. There's known collectors that send in whole collections and it's hard to think they're not getting a deal, or even higher scores. Also, with the amount of social media groups, I would think that people aren't liked by someone who works at these grading companies are going to get a different score. CAS even graded multiple Mexican bootlegs that were fakes. Sure mistakes, but the experts shouldn't make it on multiple of the same figure. I wouldn't think that grading was scam if AFA, CAS, and UGK would all be the same with the final grades. As cool as they look graded, I'm not one to go for it. Unless it's ultra cool.

I collect UKG 80% and 85%. Though I bought a Lilly Ledy Gamourion Guard UKG 75% because it was a Ledy and tbh it deserved an 80% as it looks really great. I agree your Boba Fett should have been an 85% mines a UKG 80% and I bought it already graded. Your Lando has a yellow bubble, if it was clear bubble it would have gotten top score Finally grading isn't a scam, I have bought 36 already graded figures I've plenty of my loose ones that I'll send in for grading. You should see what graded figures are cheap.

First time seeing graded action figures. But just like graded cards the graders are inconsistent. That would make grading in general better if it was

Greetings from Germany you are a great Guy Very nice content

I don't grade for the price and because i m in france ...

I’ll only grade the rarest items, for protection and authentication. That’s it. Even if it’s not in the best shape.

great video. i do not think its a scam. everyone collects differently. and not everyone who collects or gets items graded do it to increase value. many like the preservation and display.

I don’t grade due to how much it costs. I’m not in this hobby for the resell value. I do it because I love it and it brings me back in time to my childhood. Those memories are priceless. Thanks for the video.

It’s not a scam. If anything it makes you more money selling a graded figure. It is not for me though i am a loose collector. Even modern stuff I collect gets taken out of the packaging and the packaging gets binned. I have no interest in putting something back into a box. The clear plastic case doesn’t look appealing at all. I am a diorama kinda guy i like to build scenes from a movie and switch and swap figures around. Each person is different in all fairness. But I wouldn’t compare it to cards and comics they are 2D objects and not toys. I don’t grade them also.

I wouldn't get my carded figures graded, even if I could afford it and to/from New Zealand. If I was a vintage toy collector looking for pristine/excellent examples I think I would get them graded for the increase in value and peace of mind in regards to authenticity.

For me its the cost of getting things graded and also its my collection, I know what I paid for it and what it means to me . I have tons of memories going out and getting every figure, every ship , the wicket cowl I found for $10 , I dont want a company giving my collection its value .

I love grading. Why? Coz it makes me buy loose ones for a cheaper price.

ya it's a scam i sent 5 figures off 1 figure had a visible crease on the card and it got a 85 the others were perfect and they all had 85, When super collectors like brians toys who give them tons of business send their figures in there all 90 or higher. 1 figure they graded another 85 the bubble fell off 6 months later, if you want to get ripped off for a 85 send in your figures. another time i sent off a seled case and got them graded and they sent them back without the Uncirculated grade, i called them for a refund and they lied and said the box was opened , never again

Grading is definitely no scam imo. Your figure condition basically frozen in time. And so much easier to insurance and to sell too. The buyer gets a 100% original.

85+ Princess Leia Organa is Awesome!

Before companies started grading loose figures. They were worthless in the collecting community once out of the packaging. The only reason loose figures became sort after. Is carded figures became unattainable or to expensive because so many were opened. Hence the beginning of loose graded figure's becoming a thing.

I think things like Vader should be given a bit more lenancy because let's face it, 70% of them came out of the box with a bent sabre tip and creased up cape due to rattling around inside it :/

I don't grade and I don't buy graded. Thats another field of collecting that I will never do.

Why don't I grade? Because I would feel detached from my precious figures. I like being able to handle them.

Not a scam per definition but it does inflate prices. I hate grading and respect my collection more than putting someone else’s numbers on them. Special thanks to CAS for the one graded figure I do have because the glue came unstuck. BS

yes.

The boba fett is missing a lot of paint.

Hi, you have the wrong laser rifle for Boba Fett

Well, us po folk can't afford this.

so they charge you to put it in a plastic box, i think it's a service, but they should call it, we put it in a box for you

Absolutely destroyed collecting.

Any kind of collectable grading is a scam ....the only reason to even get something graded is to get more money for it real collectors don't want graded stuff

Good video to you though!

CAS knows u got a good RU-vid presence i highly doubt you'll get many low scores. I bet if someone not known be lucky to get over 70+. I need u to send my figures in for me guaranteed 85+ everytime.

Not only it’s a Scam but a joke never will ever buy one don’t need to 👎

💪🤓

Yes it is a scam for giving you a pretty acrillic box and grading the same figure in same conditions with two different grades, but hey, It is your money anyway

Grading is a complete scam, I'll nnever v r waste money on a graded figure, they are toys meant to be touched and played with not locked up in a plastic coffin.

You are the most handsome man on youtube❤❤❤

we know 300

What the hell is a 'padawan'? That must be from those terrible prequels.

Title of video: Is Grading A Scam? Starts video with, "....when I was grading toys over covid..." Gee, I wonder how this will turn out? All grading does is artificially inflate prices. I've lost count of how many times I've heard people saying how they sent in a figure they got cheap for grading, got a good grade, and now its suddenly worth hundreds!! Its not the grading companies who are the scammers, its the collectors. Let me give an example from my world; I'm a Transformers collector, toys, comics, games, etc. Marvel TF #1 has ALWAYS been practically worthless. It was so common and plentiful that you couldn't give it away! The end of series issues have always been the valuable ones. But along comes grading, and "collectors" start getting this worthless book graded, and it comes back with a high grade, and now its worth over $1000! When grading started, it was just a way to quantify and guarantee the condition of an item. It was greedy collectors who decided that it meant they could ask astronomical prices for said item, be it a toy, card, comic, whatever, just because it now had a fancy plastic box and some arbitrary number stamped on it.

You obviously know it’s a scam based on your reactions - do you really care the Boba is an 80? Think about it, you really are devaluing that figure because of a little scuff you can’t even find?