I'm in two minds - for loose stuff, I do think it's nonsense. Loose figures look stupid contained in a plastic container with their gun etc not held. For me, once the figures are removed from the packaging they become loose, and should stay that way.
For carded stuff, I'd never pay loads more for something because it's AFA graded. HOWEVER I do like my MOC's in nice cases - it protects them from my oaf-ish ways and makes them stack nicely on a bookshelf once I get a decent display room (OCD, I know).
With my Action Force I'm just getting cases from Oscars - to get the whole lot graded would cost a fortune and I do not feel it necessary, especially when I can pick up "off the peg" cases from Oscar that are very good quality anyway.
With some of my other collectibles I've got a few that I bought already AFA graded (only way I could get them at the time) from much smaller ranges, so I am going to be getting the rest of the figures I have from that range graded. I have to admit, when i bought them I did find it re-assuring that they were AFA graded, as it was independent, and not just a subjective view from the Seller, and thus took the idea of the Seller over rating their merchandise out of the equation. Also meant they were safe in transit, so did not show up with battered bubbles but otherwise well packaged, only to get en email from the seller saying "it was perfect when it left me" (that's happened to me a few times a few years back - and even though you know they are lying you really can't prove it. Even with pictures you can be very selective about your angles etc, just as Jaye says).
Also these other figures would require custom cases, due to their non-standard sized cardbacks, that will cost me approx $20 plus shipping each. To get them AFA graded will cost me $31 each and get them a grade which will hike the future price if I ever choose to sell them on (as they are of very good quality), AND (most importantly) make them match those I already have of that range. So for those I consider it worth the extra $10 rather than just buying a case.
I know the idea of the AFA is not popular, here or in other forums, and I certainly agree with Jaye that I don't feel I need anyone else telling me what quality my figures are, but in some circumstances for me it is worth it. If that gets me mocked then so be it!
It's horses for courses isn't it - matter of personal preference. Whilst I wouldn't bother with the idea of buying a £5 MOC Muton, paying $31 and getting it graded and trying to sell it on for £100, I have no beef with the guy who is trying to do it. I know we've been taking the piss a bit on here, but good luck to him if it works, i.e someone is willing to buy it, then he's made a good commercial decision, and made himself some money, which I have no problem with at all (being a lawyer you come to reluctantly accept that money does, indeed, make the world go around to a certain extent).
I am considering sticking my duplicate MOC Firefly in with these other few items when they go off to the AFA to see what sort of rating that would get, as I plan on offering it for sale in America when I get round to it, and those crazy Yanks tend to go mad for a bit of AFA action. We shall see. If I do it would hopefully make a good bit more than it would just sold on as it is, and would not only cover the $31 cost, but go some of the way towards the costs of getting the other items I am getting done. If nothing else I'll find it interesting to see if it does go for lots more than if not graded. If not, then I've wasted $30 or so.
Anyway, sorry if I've resurrected old arguments and chuntered on a bit, but just my 10p's worth! In some circumstances, to some collectors, the AFA has it's place.
