Is Action Figure grading a SCAM? - Toy Polloi

I've never been one to collect graded figures and toys as I like to be able to play and pose the figures I have. But I know a lot of people do like to collect graded toys. The problem I have is that the grades vary so much, and it just doesn't seem very consistent. So I thought I would do a test and send in some previously graded figures to be re-graded, and see if they got the same scores.
Check out the video to see the interesting results.
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[@autoneurotic]

Someone on here mentioned you sending in something you restored yourself - I wonder how some of your imperial army might fare? I think that's a GREAT idea. Or some MOTU that you replaced the rubber joint on?

[@mottrex]

That would be the real test..

[@retroforce6919]

I would like to know as well. It would be very interesting indeed.

[@michaelmorales2979]

My wife and I wholeheartedly agree with this idea!

[@gabrielaviles9610]

Toy Polloi, please send in a figure with replacement LEG BANDS. I, too, am curious about the way they are considered. Thanks!

[@michaelharrington75]

@@gabrielaviles9610 Grading companies won't grade figures that have had alterations or paint touch-ups.

[@autoneurotic]

While the results here are largely consistent, I'm convinced this whole grading premise is a racket. Expensive and in the end no intrinsic value has been added to the figures - yet graded figures go for outlandish prices on the market. But you really hit the nail on the head here - figures continue to age and degrade even after grading and sealing in acrylic, so eventually this whole venture is pointless. I'd rather take the odd $50 I'd spend to grade a figure in the US and get $50 worth of figures I don't have in my collection - but that's me.

[@ryanfoley8035]

Brian Fitzgerald my dad saying it was meant to be Played with and in the case with comic books read

[@trailersic]

A company that made plastic boxes found a way to get people to buy plastic boxes from them. "Who cares if the grading is accurate!"

[@stevenseagal4664]

They are sealede from dust and come in UV protected cases so they are preserved much safer than a figure on a shelf. Plus they look great and you know the figure your getting is authentic and not repainted or a knock off. I myself love the Kenner figures when there loose and graded.

[@trailersic]

@@stevenseagal4664 Knock offs have been found to be graded and boxed as originals

[@kungpaopizza2126]

Steven Seagal But big houses and nice cars also get repainted

[@JoeMotionVideos82]

Thank you for spending the money to test your theory. I've never really put much stock in having a toy graded. Spending money on a grading that may be + or - 5, is not worth it to me.

[@JinzoCrash]

I'm perhaps MOST offended at the idea they're using TAPE to affix the weapons in there. I HATE tape.

[@ilbftman]

You can get it non-taped if you prefer and AFA has a nice case with special head on display for weapons and staffs. UKG is ok and they have only the taped and non taped versions. The non-taped is inside a little side box next to the figure that holds the accessory.

[@nicholasdickens2801]

Doesn’t seem very sympathetic to the plastic.

[@TomatoTomato911]

@@ilbftman taped or not of they dont put something between the toy and case like a piece of cloth the acrylic case will one day fuse with the plastic toy..if there are rubber parts they will react with the acrylic.

[@GreyHulk2156]

You got much nicer presentation on the Skeletor figure the second time round. Maybe they added 5% for that! ;P

[@toypolloi]

I agree the display was better. But £30 better, not sure.

[@retroforce6919]

The way I look at it, you pay for an fancy UV rated box.

[@toypolloi]

This is not even a uv rated box. That costs more.

[@retroforce6919]

@@toypolloi wow I didn't know that. I know the one's here in the States use UV rated acrylic boxes.

[@TomatoTomato911]

@@toypolloi do they clean the figures for you before putting them in? is the box airtight?

[@GBoy2974]

I love the presentation they received the 2nd time around but that's about it. I think a figure is worth how much I like or not.

[@LauraLegends]

What a fantastic idea!... I have always wondered about this -it’s such an ambiguous number.

[@toypolloi]

Thanks. I've never liked the idea and couldn't find anyone else testing out the process. The results are interesting. And I am still not convinced in the whole process.

[@hauntedvoyager7806]

Yep. Paid toy grading is just another thing on a long list of “I wish I had thought of that racket.”

[@dougjames4972]

I agree with your assessment. Grading process is just too subjective. One thing that looks like an improvement, are Skeletor's accessories secured in new case without tape? If so, that is a definite change for the better! Thanks for making such relative, helpful videos ( and fun as well)!

[@mikesmith2718]

Grading is terrible! There are guys that make custom figures and send them into to be graded and they come back with great grades and stating they’re original when they’re clearly not also that’s a dragon blaster skeletor not even the right fig but they are supposed to be the experts

[@JamesWilliams-ge4gq]

DB for sure.. Look at those feet

[@danje748]

In comics grading there have been a very significant power creep with regards to the grading. 10 years ago extremely few comics got a near perfect grade while now a day it appears they are a dime a dussin. The graders basically want to pleas their costumers, and the customers want as high a grade as possible. So there is a huge discrepancy between what comic got what grade simply based on when it got graded. And I assume there is a similar thing going on here. Well it was nice to see that they at leased stooped using tejp on the skeletor figure. So a small win.

[@jon9550]

Well, the scores came out remarkably consistent so it's clear they're following some sort of criteria for grading of figures. Slight variances just show that some amount of judgement calls are necessary to grade a figure but they're clearly falling back on some sort of reference.l for the scores. Is it worth the price? Probably not for most people.

[@JulesBurt]

This is exactly why I don't have a single item in my collection graded. It's just one person's opinion on the day. Who appoints them as masters of grading? No one! Like Comic Books, video games and trading cards, it's a nice little earner with no actual outlay. They'll always be collectors who have nothing but graded figures as they are perceived as premium items. Not so, they probably have paid a premium to get them graded, what a waste. Touching, posing and actually displaying figures is part of the joy of the hobby,. I do not want my toys sealed in plastic boxes. The only reason this practice became popular was so there was at least some consistency when buying online, but as we've seen, it is NOT, an exact science.

[@TomatoTomato911]

it has become a norm so buyers would be willing to pay mich more for something graded so one day you might be forced to grade your toys to sell them.

[@LeeONardo]

YES - some guy looks at a figure, places it in a plastic case and apparently now the £10 toy from 1988 is worth £300+? yeah sure ...

[@ActionFigureGrader]

If he were to sell the Skeletor loose and ungraded versus selling the same item with an 80 score from UKG, the price difference will be substantially higher than the grading cost. All of the sales price statistics for graded versus ungraded confirm this. Personally, I grade items to authenticate rare bootlegs and to get an unbiased but supportable opinion of value. When I die, my wife will have a much easier time selling my collection for fair market value than if the items were not graded. Better displayability (personal opinion - not everyone agrees with that), dust protection, UV protection, authentication are also reasons. But I understand and appreciate the opposing viewpoint. The great thing is that we all can collect how we want to!

[@P3SS3SSOd]

Would never get anything graded, would never buy anything graded, personally.

[@vernonzehr]

I am not a toy collector, I just enjoy the channel. My opinion about this type of scoring is that it is probably the same as any "judgment based" rating system for anything, from antique furniture, to baseball cards. None of those qualitative evaluations are an exact science. Each expert is going to come up with a slightly different rating but still be within a similar range. The ratings are most likely determined by one or more Individuals making a personal judgement based on experience and knowledge of that toy, and likely using some sort of check list to compile a final score. There aren't computers scanning and rating these. A 5% change over a period of time seems minor to me. It's still close enough to fall within a margin of error between ratings by different people. Maybe the figures are judged by different standards based on release date, numbers produced (rarity) or popularity. Some very rare items of any type can be in horrific awful shape and still have a high rating or value simply based on the value others would put on it because of that rarity or popularity. On the other hand, it could be they simply just look at the item and make up a number... but that seems unlikely. There may be some ratings groups that are "shady". :)

[@ABaumstumpf]

Of course grading is worth it - for the people that manage to scam others into paying for it. Easy money.

[@jasoncaldwell8199]

Not as bad as comic book grading- SO MANY SCAMMERS in that!

[@crushingalldeceivers]

same with sports cards

[@BasTHoorn]

I like grading.

[@rgd963]

when comes to grading , don't believe in it, I been collecting since 1975,One mans trash is another man treasure ! I do like the cases and would send them in for that , but not for grading.

[@culturewarrior2012]

ive thought it was a scam since the first time i heard of it and i still do.

[@315am]

I don't care about grades. Some figures are stupid expensive. I'd rather have one in poor condition then not having it.

[@langlest]

This was a great idea for a video, maybe the paint score will increase over time as all the loose versions slowly deteriorate I'd imagine that in 35 years these are going to be almost impossible to find in good condition

[@KevinArcade87]

Any paintwork can be restored with enough skill I'm sure some restored figures already got into high grading.

[@zachary_attackery]

I can answer this question without even watching the video: Yes it's a scam. So is video game grading.

[@andym1134]

I have loose figures I know are as good as any cased 'graded' figure yet supposedly not worth half what they are. A complete scam.

[@Hoertalker]

Is this a DragonBlaster Skelletor with Armo from a normal Skelletor? 🤔

[@toypolloi]

It does look like it. I am finding out more at the moment and will contact the graders to see what they have to say.

[@darthwizzywizard]

I think it’s good to give your estate a basis point of reference but at the end of the day you could get an appraiser regardless. Hard to say. I recently bought a Tie Interceptor in the 2013 Vintage collection that was graded. It was really expensive 3 times what I bought of another in near mint condition. I think they need to hire you though lol. And at the very least have the date it was graded. Also the how good are they are catching fraud is a concern as well. But at the end of the day it’s asking a lot for these Toy grading companies to be 100%. As knew technology becomes available in regards to fraud as will the ability to replace better fakes too. In conclusion I thought these bodies or institutions would be more s head of the game. Possibly a tracking system of what was graded. I don’t know, the plastic last what 4000 years without UV, it will all break down at some point lol. Cheers 🥂 Mate

[@lostonwallace1396]

Grading is subjective. It comes down to a judgement of opinion. Every grading company uses several different judges, and even if they're all using the same grading system/scale, it's unlikely that they'll all reach exactly the same conclusion grading. There are many factors to consider, and when it come to judging, many are going to judge more conservatively than others will. It's just how things are going to work. How it will work. It happens with judges in court cases, referees in ball games, and even with people judging food contests. I'm an artist and I've won many art contests, but I've come in second and third before too when I thought I should have come in first, but like grading toys, art is also subjective. Judging anything is subjective. That's all there is to it. No grading system is flawless or foolproof. That said, grading is a piece of mind kind of thing. It's to give you an idea of what condition your toys, comics or stamps are in. Many want to use it like a pedigree of authenticity so that they can justify high prices. That's going to happen more often than not. People send toys in to be graded primarily because they are seeking out knowledge of the true value of their toy, books, etc. They want to know what something is worth money wise, at the end of the day. Generally speaking, most professional grading of things like comic books tends to be pretty good. CGC does a nice job. I have thousands of vintage books, and when CGC says they're in Fine or Very Fine, I tend to agree almost 100% of the time. I only buy high grade vintage books because I like original comics, and I like to have comics that don't crumble to dust in your hands. Oddly enough I don't usually keep graded comics slabbed. I usually break them out of those plastic coffins, and put them back in a mylar bag so that I can read them. I don't resale comics, ever. I don't collect comics because I'm out to invest in a future fortune. I collect them because I love them. Many comics in my collection are worth a small fortune, true, but I don't buy them for that. I collect quality stuff with art and stories and characters that I like. Stuff from my childhood, and stuff before that that intrigues me. The true value of collecting anything is the joy of collecting and enjoying your collection. Getting stuff slabbed and graded is fine as a dipstick on how decent something is condition-wise, but too many people only do the grading thing in order to sale toys back and forth. As a way to justify ridiculous prices for things. Again, I'm not a person who wheels and deals. My joy of collecting has nothing to do with buying comic books so that I can turn around and make a profit selling them later. I don't trade comics either. I just collect them for myself to read and enjoy. I always buy what I want, but before I buy anything, I find out what the item's value truly is in the condition presented. Many toy sellers' prices are far too high for me to consider them. Others are more reasonable. The same can be said with regards to comic book sellers. That's why it pays to look for bargains and to seek them out whenever possible. Sometimes you can find a few things for reasonable or below value prices. Other times, you're going to have to shell out some dough to get what you want. It's just the nature of collecting.

[@ActionFigureGrader]

I enjoyed the video! Grading certainly isn't for everyone. I will also point out that the grades are given as of the time of the item's submission. Bubble yellow, figures yellow, etc. I have re-submitted loose-graded figures before and received lower scores than before myself. Grading companies do also offer bubble protection for rare figures still on the card, but if the item is dropped there is always a risk that the bubble will crack, whether it is graded or not. But I really enjoyed the experiment and thanks for spending the money and time doing this. I am in the process of doing the same thing myself with some UKG graded items that are being submitted to a different grading company so we can see how the scores change between different grading companies.

[@toypolloi]

I'll be interested to see the results you get. This is actually turning into and interesting experiment as I posted pictures of the skeletor on a motu group and they all say the figure is wrong. And so should never have been graded as it's a mishmash. I'm looking into that at the moment to find out if it's correct or not.

[@Blackedoutewoks]

Grading certain items that are deemed rare is quite a good idea in my opinion, say those ultra rare Trilogo Miscards and French Meccano cards I have. The two Oritet Russian Bootleg Bossks you have, certainly deserve to be graded. Another thing with grading, is that you are pretty certain of what you are getting, whereas ungraded you are dependent on good photography, honesty of the seller and so on. I would say the likes of my channel and action figure grader are going to be Pro- grading, whereas Toy.Polloi you are more into every thing and doing restoration and customisation work. Just want to say that I enjoy both areas of the hobby! Action Figure Grader did bring up some issues about UKG graded PBP vintage Star Wars action figures a while back and you should check it out. I myself just purchased a rather pricey PBP vintage Star Wars Black Bespin Guard... I think that's a pretty rare figure. Certainly UKG and AFA have made mistakes- Toytoni carded vintage Star Wars figures, UKG labelled two of my vintage Star Wars figures as prototype figures when they were infact Lili ledy overstock 😭. AFA labelled a carded prototype/ sample figure as a miscard. Overall the two figures you sent in came back with virtually the same grade, I put down the difference to whoever was grading the items, the Gamorrean Guard was originally graded a long time ago- due to the old style grading label. Interesting video, I am hoping to send some stuff into UKG soonish. Goodbye 😎

[@cichlidjedi]

Repro's and restorers are what caused grading companies to thrive!

[@Cubs1719]

lol thats what im missing here...arent graders in existence because of bootlegs? Whether its action figures, comics, antiques, art, vinyl records etc.

[@cuda70gt7]

never been a fan of grading. i feel grading is for the investor /speculator hoping to cash in and not the collector.

[@afniemann]

cuda70gt exactly. All about profit for the investor.

[@ChapMeifan]

It is totally for the speculator or collector who can brag his Yoda is a 5.5 instead of a 5. But the reality is that it isn't an officially sanctioned system and there are no overseers. It's someone who takes your money and gives you a number to feel good about your item. That's all.

[@Aprilseahorse]

Great video!!! I did not think much about grading too deeply, not my thing. Because you brought it up, I see that no matter how much we want to preserve these things and want to preserve the value, we can not take out the human factor in the grading factor and most of all, we can not stop time and it's affect. Grading date is certainly relevant. I do know that if a company tends to grade on the higher side, investors will send them to those graders rather than those that tend to grade on average lower. They then want you to believe that the grading system somehow added real value to it, other then just a nice case. So I would also add greed to the list of factors. The graders that know this and sellers that just see money, greed. In the end, a buyer will be looking for the best price, the seller will always point to the grade regardless of age and in the end, the uniformed will pay the price. I think grading is a scam. Better off doing your best to protect the items, maybe put them in a case and let the item speak for its self. But as long as money is changing hands, greed will always win out.

[@kingerikthegreatest.ofall.7860]

They probably painted skeletor while they were grading it. Lol.

[@roberthosier1771]

I think a good comparison would be between the toy grading companies themselves. Would one company grade differently from another. UKG, AFA, TGA, CGA, etc. You know, it's also surprising that they grade on paint rubs when their display cases have plastic pieces that come on contact with the figure and possibly make more paint rubs? Makes no sense.

[@toypolloi]

I would have like to have got a few companies to grade figures for me, but it is very expensive to do. Out of my budget for this channel.

[@ilbftman]

UKG I prefer for vintage SW variants especially European ones. AFA is good for the regular vintage SW line. AFA is currently NOT accepting anything for loose grading except vintage SW. All other loose figure refused by AFA. The figures are pretty tigh but some yes will rattle so could be in issue? If you just store them away or in a display cabinet with no jarring then they should be ok.

[@tomgriffiths2622]

It is a scam, just like comic book and card grading

[@jasonfuller2734]

A popular comment from those who can't grade.

[@tomgriffiths2622]

Jason Fuller lame, and a venal attempt to say I dont have coin for it. I've graded comics, and its not worth it+ the constant stories of shenanigans and theft of books and fakes being graded. Thanks for showing your intelligence 👍😘

[@andrewgrant2990]

I've had the same comic book graded differently by 2 different stores (not the sealed in plastic kind). And one of the shops sent stuff off to get graded & got royally goofed over with some comics being damaged in the process. Or how about when at an auction I bought a framed mint comic, which turned out to be the cover & a few internal pages. Let's be honest it is a scam, but an arbitrary one which could potentially increase the value of said piece but will forever rob somebody of playing with it again.

[@tomgriffiths2622]

Andrew Grant absolutely so better not to play their game. I also heard about one of the newer grader outfits swipped a 1st print tmnt and put in a 2nd print and graded that one the owner got wise to it but his 1st print is still gone. Too arbitrary and shady for me

[@Richard.Sanchez]

Scores are lower in the morning and higher after lunch.

[@TheToyBoy1978]

Nice one!

[@VideoJamesNZ]

It is such a scam. It effectively renders the toy useless. They do the same thing with retro video games, and I hate it!

[@jime6688]

I would never buy graded figures myself. Even keeping things in the box is strange.

[@RustbeltCollector]

Grading is a strange thing. I personally don't see the point, people bicker over which grader to send it to and which is better. At the end of the day, I trust eye-sight and tend to buy in person. For online buying, I can see the benefit of having a somewhat uniform system in place. I appreciate you doing this test though! It's interesting to see the results! I will say, the display cases do look very nice the second time around and at the very least make a nice way to display figures.

[@tausti]

Got one item graded...don't think I'll be doing that again.

[@kenner7870]

Thanks for taking the time and spending the money on having them regraded. Interesting outcome. Personally I wouldn't pay any extra for any toy just because it's encased in a plastic cocoon wit H someone else's opinion on what condition it's in. I use my own "grading" and common sense and if it's worth it for me, then I'll buy it. Thanks again for an interesting video! 👍

[@0820pdb]

I have never been a fan of grading either, or carded figures for the most part. They look nice on the wall, but I get more joy out of loose figures that I can clean and fix up to be appreciated again.

[@glynnbrown6642]

I've started fixing figures too. I find that holding a loose figure more enjoyable than one in a plastic box.

[@0820pdb]

@@glynnbrown6642 Yes, you can only stare at something for so long. lol Then it get boring. With loose figures there are some many options of display.

[@brett8481]

Figures sealed in clear plastic boxes.....can't display in dioramas, in vehicles, in playlets.....what is the fun in that? Pass.

[@victormiller9907]

Few questions. Are they graded based off what people are sending in or what they know exists graded? Also I would love to see some of your stuff you have repaired to see how close they look.

[@juliusmaloney]

Dude, you got 80% overall for Skeletor originally and 80% the second time overall...I don’t think it mattered what they came back with you’d made up your mind...seriously. No difference. 🙄

[@toypolloi]

Watch the rest of this series and you'll find out more. They messed up.

[@razrentals8897]

I can’t believe they use tape to keep the items in place. Wouldn’t the tape residue be bad for the long term condition. I think grading is stupid. It’s like people are trying to trick themselves into thinking their figure is still moc.

[@toypolloi]

Yeah, seems a bit rubbish that. They have used it for years on the star wars figures.

[@pockydoobles1767]

Its the biggest con in collecting. You are paying money for someone's 'opinion'. Not to mention the grading of repro, wrong figure naming and so on.And U-Grading should be banned. Ripping open a moc for the hope of a 90-95 is just horrific. Its for flippers and fools.

[@ActionFigureGrader]

I totally agree about U grading. It is a shame it went on for so long, and I was certainly guilty of doing it for ONE figure before I educated myself and no long collect U-graded figures. But the process still happens (removing a near-mint figure out of a beater package) even though the grading companies got rid of the U-grade option.

[@wyldebill4178]

Might serve a purpose if wanting to authenticate a rare figure. Otherwise seems wasteful

[@ActionFigureGrader]

This is probably the best reason to get something graded, in my opinion. I have many rare bootleg Star Wars figures, and having them authenticated provides peace of mind whenever my wife decides to unload them all after I get hit by a bus.

[@raymondz7152]

What a great video with a awesome entrance 👍👍

[@mathieu4204]

Never liked graded figures and totally lost faith in the system when they started to grade loose figures. Once they're trapped in the casings, they're not even loose anymore.

[@wewyllenium]

it's all landfill material in the end. grading = greed.

[@GamerWho]

Whatever the hobby, grading is always a scam. If heat, vibrations, or ultraviolet light can get inside the box, the condition of the item can change after it's been slabbed.

[@mottrex]

I agree and that's why any collection is best kept away from any light source or heat. I have some mad monsters in blister pack from the 70s and they still look mint. I have vinyl picture discs which were displayed and have badly yellowed with age. It's the same reason museums have low lighting and curtains etc. My Starwars figures are loose but in a quality street tin, they are all fine.. With so many companies and amateur hobbiests making repro toys very well it makes you wonder if you will be able to tell the difference in the near future.

[@jboypacman]

Am so glad you did this because I never have trusted these grading companies

[@Cubs1719]

how do you feel after seeing this?

[@mr.coppersmith3492]

Thank you for the post. You have inspired me to start creating my own custom custom cases that can be reopened. I already a better idea for mounting weapons than clear tape. For a 50 spot all they used was clear tape to mount the weapons and expose them to that adhesive. That bugs me.

[@angel-369-u9v]

Just another way to get your hard earned cash from you.

[@frankschuler2867]

Thanks for this! To each their own, of course, but I'd rather save my money for other things. It often seems that the price paid for the grading service eats too far in to the premium value added to the figure after grading. My most significant gripe is how some (maybe even most or all) grading companies base the price of their service on the value of the figure. Figures of similar age/size/type/complexity should cost approximately the same to grade and encapsulate, in my opinion.

[@garym6315]

I get the feeling that the majority of your subscribers won't have much use for toy grading. We're the kind of people who like toys for what they mean to us, not what they mean to others.

[@toypolloi]

I’m sure that’s the case as well. But I hope you still found the video interesting.

[@unorthdoxcleric6953]

By using my eyes I can grade the figure and give it a score all by myself.

[@thefantasticdrill788]

It’s dumb. We should not have to pay exorbitant prices to buy a 30 year old plastic toy that is in slightly better condition, graded by some arbitrary number.

[@justinreilly6619]

£15.00 and eight weeks to me means you have to be a pretty serious collector to go through this process. But I'm a displayer, and a number of my figures are a little worse for wear, but to me personally, I collect toys and it's part of their charm.

[@TomatoTomato911]

i be honest 15pound wont get you a customized acrylic case so kinda fair price for shipping, grading and putting them in a customized case.

[@r.davidhill7639]

Thanks for doing this experiment. I've always been of the opinion that a figure is only worth what I'm willing to spend on it. Lol

[@wheelsofchaoticdoom8946]

R. David Hill I agree. Graded or not, something is only worth what someone is willing to pay up for. If you don’t ever plan on selling your figure/figures/collection then you’ve just got a bunch of toys like the rest of us collectors.

[@andrewkoines6389]

I think your experiment supports the idea that the grading sites are very consistent...at least for the two items you sent in. One was exact and the other was off by one grade. That being said, I've never liked the idea of enclosed cases for collectibles meant to be played with or read. I guess it makes more sense for sports cards.

[@dakotamike]

Yeah, the results of this video actually support grading consistency. He made a big deal about the 5% on skeletor, but the overall grade was still the same. He sent in two figures, and got basically the same scores back, sounds like they're doing a good job to me. Not that graded figs are my thing, but you really can't argue that they are all over the place with scores, at least based on this video. I think Toy Polloi was hoping for a bigger difference!

[@triple7gaming]

I used your hydrogen peroxide trick on my vintage Hoth stormtrooper and it worked pretty well for only being 3%

[@TomatoTomato911]

3% takes longer time to whiten things up..for me it took a week beside the window. i used cream for haircare though.

[@museonfilm8919]

I've seen battered toys that have charm, and would be happy to buy them as they are. The only reason for grading is purely for the uber investor, not the enthusiast.

[@ReisWorld]

You should try sending in a couple of your restored figures

[@toypolloi]

I don't want to waste my money. Better spent in other toys 👍

[@tonygriego6382]

I have the same problem with the inconsistent grading in comics. The only way I'll buy graded Comics now is if they're Signature Series.

[@MrDavisjones]

Awesome video. The intro alone got me to subscribe ..."you know there ain't no dog on that leash Murdoch."

[@mandh14]

I've got a 1% graded Action Jack if anyone is interested?

[@frankschuler2867]

I'm interested in seeing a picture...lol...

[@cyborgroxx]

The A-Team intro!!! My favorite!!! Great video. I don't own any graded figures and I don't want any either. I always figured it was done by best judgment. The problem is everyone judges something differently. And I also think that you can add the graders to the list of people who have banished you, lol. It's no longer just the Star Wars sites, lol. I love it! You're awesome! This hobby NEEDS you! You are our "scientist". You scare the Hell out of the mighty giants.

[@Eyrrll]

Pro grading is a product of the Internet age. It boomed because too many people selling stuff on the internet had WIDELY varying definitions of good, bad, mint, etc. They helped to establish some standards for the world wide market... and as long as you have faith in their consistency (not all do) then you can make purchases with a bigger degree of confidence. They have good and bad points but overall they benefit the kind of collectors that are picky about condition.

[@ActionFigureGrader]

Exactly so. Grading isn't for everyone, but the sales prices of graded versus ungraded support the fact that high-graded figures will always command a huge premium. Even going from a "near-mint" score of 80 to a "near-mint plus" score of 85 or higher means a massive difference to some collectors, myself included.

[@251cchavers]

UK graders are trash. I sent in a figure to have it graded from the States. They would not pick the package up from customs due to the post not estimating the shipping cost correctly even though they were asked to put it on my account. 2 months later I got it back from customs. IF YOU ARE FROM THE STATES DO NOT USE UK GRADERS! Oh it was a first gen Storm Shadow with the card mint in my opinion. Love the channel mate and thanks for the study.

[@renegadebiker24]

I often wonder why there is such a thing as figure grading, or even for that matter, a vehicle or even a playset grading. For example, if you look at the USS Flagg on eBay, the complete set, can run as high as now $7,499, but I have seen it be as high as $15,000 for a complete set. I have even seen a box of the G I Joe Skystriker at a Toy store in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, go for $200, when the box looked worn and had a hole in the lower right corner of the box. That is definitely a problem called "Joeflation". I really think that action figure grading is a scam, and it should be shut down.

[@ManCave1972]

Good for you Dave, challenging the logic of this process. I’m not one for graded figures but it was a worthwhile exercise

[@davidkerr4137]

Never heard of this before but I'm with you Dave - it's a bit subjective and a lot of money for what is , to be fair, a nice display case.

[@j.pocket]

"Highway robbery" would be charging 30 quid for a grade and receiving a decent score. I reckon receiving a less desirable mark for the same price should be deemed "Low-way Larceny", by virtue. I personally feel that appraisers, certifiers, inspectors, and other so called experts should be considered for what they truly are: people. However familiar, enthusiastic and industrious these graders might be, reality seems to be that these opinions which are sold are subjective and fickle guidelines by which a value can begin to be established. At the end of the day it all goes back to the sort of universal truth by which all equitable substance on Earth is governed. As my grandfather would have said it, "The actual value of anything is only what someone will pay you right here and right now in cold hard cash money, period. And, like the money, the item and the men, themselves, engaging in this commerce- make no mistake about it- it is the Agreement of the men which determines value and nothing at all inate or imbued in the substance of products and currencies by which the transaction is defined." Quite a Biblical understanding of how contract law is superior to even criminal or common law, but one that is not as simple to understand by most of the people whom are engaging in commercial endeavors across the world on a daily basis. This is why most starry-eyed dreamers are quite disheartened by their discovery upon being "scammed" that if your intent is to "get more than you bargain for" the compromised value eventually reveals the fact that the product is faked, broken or stolen. If more people valued themselves and their word than money, imagine the difference that would make across the world in this new light of looking at such trivial but integral conduct. Astounding, really. Cheers!

[@Brian_is_Not_Sus]

I had an absolutely perfect vintage POTF Yak Face graded. I mean perfect. No paint chips/ smudges. Minty fresh figure. It came back an 85. After that, I never sent in another figure. Its subjective for sure.

[@ktc629]

you can say the exact same thing about a Home Appraisal, 2 different appraisers will give the property 2 different values

[@Toerce]

I’ve always thought that grading is a scam. Putting these toys in a case only does one thing and one thing only… raise the price by an insane amount. It’s just a bragging right, or in some cases, a way for someone to make a quick buck. I also collect comics, and it is so infuriating when someone buys a collection of comics, like 100+ comics, all worth around 2 to 10 dollars a piece, just to ship them all off to be graded. Most of the comics are not even rare or really worth anything, but that case will give a 2 dollar comic a 52 dollar price tag. I understand putting something in a case like that if it is extremely rare and deteriorating, but outside of that, it seems pointless, unless you are a reseller.

[@nicholasdaly7355]

Send a figure in with your made cloths and see what grade you get

[@toypolloi]

I don't think they would grade them. Just be a waste of money.

[@KevinArcade87]

@@toypolloi propably wouldn't notice it

[@BatFan1]

To me a component missing to the grading aspect is the sample size and the year of grading. If you submit your original Bobba Fett in 1999 for grading, and the grading company at that time had only graded 100 copies of BF, and yours was #075, and was given a score of 8.0, and then submit another original BF in 2019 and the company has graded 1000 Fetts, yours being #0854 and also graded 8.0, do you think both deserve to be worth the same? No, because it's been 20 years difference, the sample size has grown but also in 20 years how has that version graded in 1999 held up to the one just graded in 2019? As time passes the figures can only continue to deteriorate in condition, so your 2019 graded figure to me is much more valuable then the one graded in 1999.

[@miragexl007]

Funny video. of course it won't be graded the same every time. it is somewhat subjective depending on who's doing it....and I believe the toys degrade (plastic discoloration/weakening etc.) to some degree even sealed...but maybe look Even Better because they see Worst ones coming in as Times goes on (Toys get older/worse for wear). Interesting video

[@netmatrix75]

I'm not supporting what these grading companies are doing. But i am interested in thinking about how they do it. How about looking it as this way. The company probably has a pictorial database of the Skeletor figures of the ones that came to them for grading and also from internet. Lets say this figure was graded in year 2010. 9 years later they took into account how many Skeletors of the same variant exists and the overall condition of the figure. And very likely there are 5% increase in the amount of skeletors but with bad paint than the one that you had. I mean its not impossible to put measurable value into everything. Like the value of a coin in its material weight. The only "measurable value" that does not make sense is art. Just because there is only 1 of it, does not mean it has to be 100 million because a famous guy drew it. They used other factors like their personal life to make measurable value. Does that make sense?

[@novax-ig9yt]

Interesting results and thank you for doing this Toy Polloi! I think for my purposes of collecting, this is not worthwhile to me. For those that find this type of collecting fun, it could be useful, but I agree that it really depends on the grader and seems subjective.

[@kjamison5951]

I wonder if there is a mark put on the figures in UV ink that the toy graders can read and call up a previous grading? Might be an idea to shine a UV torch over the figure to find out. Obviously a US graded item will not be recorded by a UK grader so they may have access to databases to provide a standardised comparison index. In any case, I would never consider collecting anything that’s graded. The most enjoyment comes from disassembling something that is broken or scuffed and then proceeding to fix it to as close to the original as possible.

[@stevenperkins-p5x]

£30 figure in a £25 case is a £55 figure NOT a £300 figure regardless of a 90 grade... fools are easily parted from their money! UKG are riding the cash cow and making a fortune.

[@JAbell1966]

While I don't believe in toy grading services I will say that I do believe that a large part of the grading service expense is that custom (to a degree) acrylic case made for each figure. The ridiculous end comes from people selling for an extreme premium.

[@damianjones7554]

It's a waste of money, the only benefit of the system is you get a nice display case for your figures (which you could probably buy alot cheaper). It's all about making money at the end of the day, so in my humble opinion condition is a subjective issue at the best of times so I say if your satisfied with the condition of your vintage figure then that's all that matters, move on, life's too short lol.

[@Obiter3]

I'm not sure if it's a scam but I don't do graded figures either. I want to be able to put on the white gloves and handle them from time to time. I even recently bought a carded figure and removed it to add it to my collection. I keep mine in glass-topped cigar boxes on a cotton bed, covered in a hanky and in the dark, and I think they'll preserve better

[@originalzev1]

I'm confused I saw an 80 for Skeletor both times.

[@tycondrius23]

the over all score was 80 on both but it is split between F for figure and P for paint . the original Skeletors one had a 80 on this for paint (P) where when it was sent back it now had a 85 . it still wasn't enough to raise the total score above the 80 though.

[@originalzev1]

@@tycondrius23 thank you for explaining that I went back and watched it a little more carefully and apparently it was my eyes LOL

[@user-er4ez4di4m]

Awesome, new subscriber here!

[@NeonKnight83]

I do have to say, at least with sports card grading, it’s generally accepted by collectors you’re going to have a +/- degree of variance, probably a half to a whole point on a 1-10 scale, just based on human error and/or bias. That same human variable is going to apply to the grading of ANYTHING in any hobby or something even like fine art. I’ve heard of people getting a card graded as an 8.5, and they opened it and sent back to the same grading company multiple times to try and get a 9. Sometimes it really backfires and the rating goes DOWN a half point.

[@batman8589]

Ive seen enough comic grading to know its for the most part a sham. On a 10 point scale the there seem to be 4 basic groups: poor, good, very good and mint/gem. Your book will fall into one of those four groups but may vary widely within the group. I can see having a mint, low number item graded. An amazing spider-man #1, action comics #1 etc thats in mint or very close. Grading will catalog the item, help boost the sale price, can be insured easier & prove ownership. Theres just too much subjectivity in the grading process to have meaningless, non valuable items graded. When something is being graded JUST to increase the value or the cost of grading is more than the value its pretty obvious that job is silly. If you’re unsure if grading is worth the trouble or isn’t inconsistent just make an honest effort to look over everything you come across thats graded: games, toys, comics & other items. You’ll quickly realize grading is basically a big scam milking $ from people who just havent looked at the industry with a critical eye. Also theres plenty of anecdotal horror-stories where graded, unopened items were eventually opened & wood or other stuff was put into the box..haha..thats extreme but it shows a lack of attention. Many of these grading outfits take less than two minutes grading an item.

[@masterofthewicked89]

The whole point of having toys/collectibles is to play with them, rather it's G.I. Joe (1963)/Action Man to Hot Toys, toys are meant to be played with.

[@darthcerebrus5074]

I never believed in it.Basically you are paying somebody you never met and who has no measurable be expertise to give you an opinion and a sticker.hogwash! The only opinion that should matter to a collector or buyer should be their own.the sad thing alot folks think just because they had something graded means they should get $75-200 more more their loose figure.😂😂

[@ProjectThunderclaw]

I think the problem lies more with the public perception. No matter how much you formalize grading, there's always going to be enough subjectivity that one grader's 80 is another's 85. That doesn't mean grading itself is inherently worthless, it just means that jacking up the price by an order of magnitude over a 5-point difference is lunacy.

[@ericyang8474]

Simply put, grading is done at a human judgement and not a computer algorithm. I don't see this system as a scam so much as it is just an inherently arbitrary and somewhat unreliable way of deciding value. It doesn't appear that they're trying to falsify your ratings, which is what a scam would do, but rather one person saw the condition as slightly better and another slightly worse. Take your toy grading with a grain of salt; toys to me are only valuable if they're scarce in numbers and/or high in demand. I'm not gonna pay $500 more for toy A simply because it got 9.9 instead of a 9.1 on a human decided ratings system. I'll buy toy A if the price is what I feel is reasonable for it being toy A.

[@Mightymorphinninjaturtles]

I'm still not convinced how much more desirable grading toys actually makes them. I mean, if a figure comes back with a 65 or a 70%, I think that would make it less desirable than if it was left as a misb figure. My personal preference is ungraded, as I like to physically hold the toy. The idea of it in an acrylic case means, unless you break it open, you're never actually going to handle the item.

[@rocopandolfo]

I wholeheartedly agree with you. I do not agree with the reason why people would pay so much money to grade a figure. I understand that a graded figure costs more, but that’s just merely an arbitrary and inflated number someone assigned to something to make it “more valuable”. And to paraphrase Steve Sansweet: “how much is something worth? It’s what the collector is willing to pay for”. So ultimately, we give an item the final value by paying whatever we believe it deserves.

[@michaelcarroll5431]

I personally think they look really nice in their acrylic boxes, I much prefer them graded, I’m going to have all my Star Wars figures graded in the future

[@dantooine4279]

Normal comics are now called 'raw books', as if they aren't good enough until slabbed! Very clever marketing.