SSC Zartan 12-Inch Figure

[Chainsaw]

Got my boxed Zartan back from AFA. I was really hoping that the box would grade a 90. It scored 85/85/90, which is on the lower end of what I had expected based on others I've scrutinized online. The box has really no scuffing whatsoever, others that had scored 85 had a lot of paint missing around the edges. I did notice that it had a very tiny tear near one of the tabs that was not there when I shipped it which is rather dissapointing, you'd think that they would have taken better care when verifying the contents. I hope that is not the reason it scored less than I had speculated.

 

[thenammagazine]

And how much did that cost?

 

[Chainsaw]

And how much did that cost?

Twice as much as it should have!

 

[thenammagazine]

Twice as much as it should have!

When the AFA bubble bursts, there are going to be MANY upset collectors.

 

[Darth Cruel]

When the AFA bubble bursts, there are going to be MANY upset collectors.

That AFA bubble has been around for a damned long time. There are a lot of collectors who live by it, die-hard style. I don't see it going anywhere any time soon.


Personally, an AFA grading turns me off to an item immediately. I wouldn't take an item in an AFA container if it were being offered below retail.


But they have plenty of support without me to keep them around.

Their booths at SDCCs and Celebrations were some of the busiest at the shows as of the last time that I went (which was admittedly 2 years ago).

 

[karamazov80]

I wonder how much difference it will make for a Sideshow figure, though. Doesn't seem like there's much of a market for packaged high end figures graded by AFA. Considering that, I wonder if the guys at AFA even really know what to look for.

 

[Chainsaw]

AFA graded items have a couple of advantages. The UV cases will keep them looking good for years without needing to dust or take extra precautions when on display.
Also, I can omit a lot of the description when it comes time to sell. I state the grades, that gives the buyer all the info they need about the condition.
I had hoped that my Zartan would be one of the highest graded examples which would have had an extra benifit, one of essentially naming my own rediculous price in the markets. I had read that there were only 14 graded examples of the '84 Zartan (an older listing) and thought, WTH.
It's the first item I've had graded and will likely be the last, unless I find an '82 sealed Vamp that looks like it has not seen the light of day either. (Fingers Crossed)

 

[karamazov80]

Yeah, that Zartan is probably tough to get graded because the tape decayed off of many (most?) of them, making it impossible to tell if they were opened or not.

 

[Darth Cruel]

Yeah, that Zartan is probably tough to get graded because the tape decayed off of many (most?) of them, making it impossible to tell if they were opened or not.

You can not hide whether or not one of the Sideshow figures has been opened. I don't care how "collector friendly" the boxes are.

 

[Chainsaw]

I can't see SS figures beeing graded either. But who knows, in 30 years when GI Joe has it's own channel, theme park and sponsors the NFL, the Olympics, and has it's own chain of restaurants, maybe there will be a huge run on our collections.

 

[karamazov80]

Someone should get the Hot Toys Tumbler AFA graded.

 

[thenammagazine]

You can not hide whether or not one of the Sideshow figures has been opened. I don't care how "collector friendly" the boxes are.

I believe he's talking about the vintage Zartan who came in the box with the Swam Skier.

 

[karamazov80]

Yeah, the old '84 Zartan had little pieces of tape holding the box shut, and they didn't fare so well against father time apparently.

 

[Darth Cruel]

I believe he's talking about the vintage Zartan who came in the box with the Swam Skier.

Oh. Imagine my embarassment.

 

[karamazov80]

^^ LOL . . .

 

[Chainsaw]

 

[karamazov80]

Is that yours chainsaw? That's one of the few "unopened" Joes I would like to have in my display.

 

[Chainsaw]

Is that yours chainsaw? That's one of the few "unopened" Joes I would like to have in my display.

Me too! It is one and the same. My only unopened vintage item at the moment.

 

[karamazov80]

Nice. I've only got Flint at the moment, but want to pick up a handful of the other figures that were my favorite as a kid.

 

[Chainsaw]

I've had a few figures, but resold them as quickly as I obtained them. I'm going to stick to the vehicles, as there are so few of them compared to the figures that they should remain valuable for a very long time. Just so hard to find now days, no one wants to let them go if they are in great shape. That's why I am holding out for a good Vamp, my first Joe purchase as a kid. If that happens, I'll probably look for a rattler and a skystriker, that would round out my collection.