How Does Toy Grading Work? - A Guide to Grading Action Figures - EP38-Part 1 - The Padawan Collector

In this episode we explain how toy grading works, the history of grading collectibles, how to submit toys for grading, including how to send and package toys for grading via the mail. We also show you how to create an account for CAS (Collector Archive Services), which is a well known toy grading company. Whether you are for grading action figures and know a lot about it, are on the fence and want more information about grading action figures, or are completely against grading toys and action figures; this episode will give you enough information about grading to be useful to you in your action figure collecting journey.
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#vintage
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[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Please subscribe for more Star Wars collecting content!

[@highsociety7677]

Best video yet, Joey! The historical discussion and comparison to stamp and currency collecting was an excellent way to frame the issue. You've quickly become one of my favorite KZbin channels! Keep it going, excited to follow your continued journey!

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

That means a lot to me HS76! I'm honored to even read that. Thank you for watching and being a part of the journey! MTFBWY

[@deathmetalrob5563]

Wow you are really good at this as a researcher and a videographer. You're very detailed and I love watching your content. It's hard to believe you're a Padawan. Keep it up Joey.

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Thank you for the kind words DMR!!! Thank you for watching my friend!!! I hope all is well

[@GeneralKenobisBunker]

A wealth of information as always! Thank you for covering this topic

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Thanks General!!!

[@savetherancor5696]

Excellent video! This is work beyond a Padawan 😂

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Thank you Rancor! And thank you for watching my friend!

[@xdd_fishlips2333]

Awesome again Joey 👏 Love graded figures. I have quite a few in my collection. Sent a lot to UKG over the years. Love the look of them. Especially the MOCS. Looking forward to seeing what grade your stuff comes back with dude. Take care

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Hey XDD! Its a new area for me, so I might have to get your opinion on figs and MOCs before I send. Thanks for watching my friend!

[@Zepporium]

Great video!!! Very helpful!

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Thanks Zep :). And thanks for watching my friend

[@ashjp01]

Awesome video Joey !

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Thank you Ashley! And thanks for watching!!!

[@Oldvids4U]

Thanks for the knowledge….. the force is strong with you

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

The force is strong with YOU my friend. Thanks for watching this video :)

[@michaelharrington75]

Great episode! 👍

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Thank you Micheal! And thanks for watching!

[@JorgeRodriguez-ex5rr]

Another great and informative episode brother. Especially for someone who has no real knowledge or has gone through the process. I’m a true padawan. Cheers and now over to the next episode.

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Thanks Jorge! Are you going to grade any figures in the future? I may do an episode on AFA as well.

[@MartinFutter70]

A great look into the history of grading - I grade my own figures and toys with the love and memories they have given me over the years, something no company can offer.

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

That’s a great way to look at it Martin! I really admire that thinking :). Thank you for always offering great comments to us.

[@michaelmo6575]

Great intro to grading! While I admit it’s not for me due to a variety of reasons, I DO see the value in it given it’s intended use and man, some items look fantastic in acrylic! Another informative and well laid out video Joey!

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Thank you Mike! Yes I can see why it’s not for some people and the reasons are very valid.

[@MoparMcNeer]

What a well rounded part 1 on grading Joey. As you know, I have a decent sized collection of MOC SW and have been on the fence now for a number of years about having these graded. First and foremost, once these are sealed in the acrylics you no longer get to have the originals in your hands, feel the paper of the card backs, or the smell of the vintage prints and materials. Secondly, shipping out these figures is always a bit nerve-wracking, especially when they've been safely in your possession for many years. But you make some extremely valid points about locking these in, preserving their current state and condition, and they do look exceptional when they're displayed as well. This video might push me one step closer to getting some of those vintage MOCs graded. You never know. Looking forward to part 2 soon. Another fantastic and informative video Joey. And congrats on the new FX-7 Droid too! Look like an amazing condition figure especially for the low price you paid on eBay.

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Thank you Morpar! Yea it’s a pretty big decision to get a collection graded both for the tactile reason you stated plus the financial investment it takes to send in figures to get graded. It may not make sense to send every card, but I would def send in the ones that are the more exceptional ones! Thank you for watching my friend!

[@unclebugspayton]

New to the channel, was thinking about grading my motu figures. Thanks to this video I'll be sending them away....thank you!!

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Hey Dos! Thanks for watching and glad to give you some reference to grade!

[@gerardcoyle4022]

Great vid joey👊🏻 i'm a fan of grading myself as i like really clean minty figures plus the presentation in acrylic looks superb i.m.o 👍🙂

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

I couldn’t agree more! I just wish the turnaround times could be better! Thank you for watching my friend!

[@blacknwhitecookie8967]

Great video my friend! I've got right at 30+ AFA's (that took years) & I still learned a few things from your video. Looking forward to part 2. I will say this, out of all my AFA's, only one has a 90. It's tough getting those high grade scores but so rewarding when you do. And in all my years of collecting, I've never seen a 100 grade. Would love to see that one day.

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a 90 in person. To say that you have a 90 is impressive! And yes I’ve never seen a 100 in person or a photo! I would love to see one though.

[@Dandy1981]

TPC had nailed another research session!!!! 😃👏

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Thank you Dandy! I hope you found the into useful! Thank you for watching my friend, I hope all is well :)

[@paulbates3038]

Awesome video Joey! I honestly knew nothing about grading and found this very informative. I love the way graded figures are organized and maybe one day If I have something that looks decent enough to have graded, I will try that out. I still can’t believe the 6 month turn around time to grade the figures…

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Thanks Paul! Yes the turnaround times are horrendous, but I agree that it does make the figures look nice in a collection. Thank you for watching my friend!

[@paulbates3038]

@@thepadawancollectorofficial have you decided on how you will display them? Your two other cases are amazing? Do you even have room? Hahaha

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

I am looking at barrister bookcases. I feature them in episode 7. Right now I have them in a safe lol.

[@VernRants]

Very interesting! I have noting graded ( yet)

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Thanks Vern! And thank you for watching! Yes, I have spoken to some people on why they don’t grade and all their points are valid. It’s a pretty interesting discussion to see their points of view as why they do or do not.

[@VernRants]

@@thepadawancollectorofficial I have kept a few things boxed and I finally broke down on some plastic cases from figure shield. I will say seeing the carded vintage figures is cool and one day I may decide I need a few in my collection. Hope I can find one affordable.

[@Chris-pj1os]

Man, what a GREAT, informative video. Not only are you well spoken, you are concise and enthusiastic. I recently inherited several vintage MOC Kenner items from the early 80's, and would love to know more about when one should decide to go the trouble/cost of sending them in for grading. I wonder if there might be a way of finding out based on the overall condition of the item? I know that some of these are worth some bucks (83' Boba Fett MOC "Space Setting"), so I want to try like heck not to get ripped off. Any guidance would be appreciated. :-)

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

I’m doing an episode on MOC soon and can also do a follow up episode on that as to when someone should grade MOC! That would be a good one.

[@Chris-pj1os]

@@thepadawancollectorofficial That would be great. Let me know if there is a particular figure you are looking for in your own collection and I'll let you know if there is one in the boxes.

[@abyss_8174]

I like how you haven't got the figure you just bought, in the case behind you during the video. That way it's spoiler free until we see what you got at the end of the vid ;)

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Hahaha yea I really try to keep it current and fresh so its more fun for you AND ME! Thanks for watching and commenting, Abyss! Always cool to see your comments.

[@mothersmucker1]

Hey my man, I have a vintage Lili ledy Cloud Car Piolot - joints are loose, paint is fair, with its original lili ledy accessories. Is it worth having a figure like this graded? I was going to sell it as a loose figure but wondering if grading is the way to go. Any input would be appreciated.

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

If the joints are loose it will grade very low on top of the paint only being fair. Sounds like a 75-70 or below.

[@derperderp9036]

I was hoping someone can help me. I've never graded toys before. Is cga and afa the same company? Should I grade my Indiana Jones toys brand new in box?

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Hey Der! They are different companies. It’s really up to you if you want to grade anything to be honest. Just make sure the box is sealed and has never been opened before, if you want to grade it.

[@derperderp9036]

@@thepadawancollectorofficial thank you very much!

[@wampaslap4123]

where did tiu get that display case with all of the color background cards

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

I get it from a company called collector displays in the UK. There is a link to their website in the description of this video. Great company and great people :). Thanks for watching Hubert!

[@wampaslap4123]

Thanks, are you SD based? I think I saw you at tc rockets on one of the videos

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Yes I’m in San Diego :)

[@wampaslap4123]

I'll have to get one of those displays when I have the proper space. Maybe in a few months.

[@jedifyfe]

The worst problem about vintage Star Wars figures is that they are leaching. The plastics are breaking down and the figures are deteriorating, even in the package. I have opened a couple of MOC's and they were sticky. Some figures have the "hazing" and/or discoloration (Sand People Cape) that is also breaking down. Also, many grades on MOC's are no longer accurate as some figures have fallen through the bubbles or the bubbles have yellowed over time which nullifies the grade to many collectors.

[@highsociety7677]

I assume the acrylic cases don't prevent the leaching? They aren't air-tight, correct?

[@jedifyfe]

@@highsociety7677 correct. The plastic is degrading from inside out.

[@highsociety7677]

@@jedifyfe oh man. So in 50 years we will have a whole bunch of beautifully displayed and graded puddles of plastic :)

[@jedifyfe]

@@highsociety7677 well my kids will. lol

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

I have a few figures that are leaching and I’m assuming over the course of 1000 years all of our figures will be plastic sticks that once looked like action figures. Hopefully with the grade and acrylic process, the choice ones that I send in will last 5000 years before breaking down

[@user-uj7dm8jy6z]

How does grading work..... well you send a £20 figure to them and they put it in a £4 case and then it's magically worth £500 wow lol money for old rope!

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Hi! Technically they are worth nothing. Even after grading. You don’t grade for a price, you grade for condition. Only when you sell it for what a collector would pay for it does it have a value. Understand? That’s why you have to research eBay, Facebook, and auction sites to see what those figures in a similar score have gone for. It’s similar to the stock market

[@user-uj7dm8jy6z]

@@thepadawancollectorofficial yeah appreciate what your saying my friend, suppose my point is that the vast majority grade for profit rather than to preserve!