PSA Grading of Pops

[brooklyn_geek]

I attended NYCC and I saw the first wave of Pops being submitted to PSA for grading...I'm on the fence about it...I don't like the asking prices I'm seeing so far on the market...how do you all feel about graded Pops and the effect it will have or has had on the hobby???

[newhousebailey]

This is a great topic. I personally like it from the perspective of authentication, but don't like it from a collector's perspective. This is my opinion, but I feel that it has driven down the values of non-graded collectibles in terms of comic books and other current PSA graded items. I also wonder how thorough they can be assuming they don't open the box and take the actual Pop out of the box. I am not sure if they do, but I worry about the overall impact.

[Tusken]

I've not had any graded but I know a few funatics who have had it done. They like them graded. I'm not a huge fan but I can understand their perspective.

[Davunko]

Have never sent any to get graded and don't think I would, but I do enjoy seeing ones that are

[rontonsoup]

I’m not a fan of it, but once the majority of the collectors move that route, then I’ll have to cave in. I like the process for authenticating autographs though.

[lavery01]

We haven’t had any graded in our collection, to be honest I’ve never even thought about.

[Squird]

Not a fan. I feel like all they'll be doing is grading the packaging, the front, and the left side of the figure. I am okay with autograph authenticators. I was at Planet Comicon in KC this weekend and saw a lot of people getting things signed and saw a lot of Signature Series pops in booths. Lots of opportunity for shenanigans.

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[WayneNC704]

The thought of never opening a pop also sun damage etc - I don't agree with pop grading how can the inspect the actual pop more like box grading

[WayneNC704]

Do they grade the pop box or the physical pop - ????????

[mongoose12]

What came first, the chicken or the egg?

[DrunkoPop]

The thought of never opening a pop also sun damage etc - I don't agree with pop grading how can the inspect the actual pop more like box grading

I’m pretty sure they open the box with out bending the flap and/or you can tell if it’s a fake or not by just looking at the pop.
It’s a weird concept at the beginning. I’m sure this is how card & comic started.

[Niteowl_1]

Everyone has a critique for a pop box as to what is mint and what is not. That being said I think I saw them grading at Star Wars celebration last year. I didn’t agree with the high score they had given that particular box

[bitmap]

Everyone has a critique for a pop box as to what is mint and what is not. That being said I think I saw them grading at Star Wars celebration last year. I didn’t agree with the high score they had given that particular box

i believe PSA is the standard when it comes to this grading system, so having their authority and grading helps with some level of consistency when comparing quality

[scullysdad]

I am not a fan of grading most things - trading cards I am ok with, but graded comics, Pops, VHS tapes, etc just aren’t for me. At the same time, I put everything in a protector and my limited Freddy Pops in armor so what’s really the difference?

[willy wonka]

I like the idea but I can't see myself getting all my pops graded.

[emoagogo]

I think the idea is dumb. The box is the only thing being graded and the figure is definitely being ignored. It this point Funko should just sell boxes cuz that’s all people care about.

[CaseyJones14]

I think the idea is dumb. The box is the only thing being graded and the figure is definitely being ignored. It this point Funko should just sell boxes cuz that’s all people care about.

Kinda want to send in the most damaged box possible to get a PR 1 grade

[ascaryman]

I'm not a fan of it since it separates the casing of my collection.

[MarkyMark]

I'm on the fence about grading, but I might cave in a do a couple

[c00kiem0nster]

Im against grading. Most of them have been coming up as ways for people who grade themselves to earn more money. Look at the video game bubble currently going on for example.

[questkid32]

I'm a big fan of grading toys, comics and cards, so I'm excited that this is starting to take hold. I always keep mine in the box (and in a hard outer shell) anyway, so this is just adding verified authenticity and eye appeal!

[NoobMaster69]

Just like how grading for cards had to start somewhere, grading pops in boxes will have to start somewhere. Once an accepted criteria becomes standard, then it’ll be easier for others to follow suit. I’d say it’s like how some collectors go and get sealed packs graded - it’s a bit weird IMO but to each their own. In the case of in-box POPs, it just needs to be clearly stated that the grading is effectively for the box and not what’s in the box.

[Alanamaslama]

I’m ok with the idea of if, but I don’t see myself sending my pops off to get graded. I don’t want to get caught in the obsession of trying to find everything mint. That said, if it really takes off I’m fully expecting people to request dozens of photos whenever I sell pops online.

[brooklyn_geek]

Not a fan. I feel like all they'll be doing is grading the packaging, the front, and the left side of the figure. I am okay with autograph authenticators. I was at Planet Comicon in KC this weekend and saw a lot of people getting things signed and saw a lot of Signature Series pops in booths. Lots of opportunity for shenanigans.

I have an issue with the autograph thing...sooooo PSA will ONLY authenticate stuff they WITNESSED being signed & I always felt this obviously puts them in cahoots with the organizers of the con, the booths etc. and a cash grab for all involved which is fine on the face of it but it leads the hobby down a familiar path that somehow no one sees coming of PSA slabbed stuff that NO ONE WANTS...

Currently in sports card collecting we're living in what's being referred to as the "Junk Slab Era"...many thousands of cards that were sent to PSA and then COVID happened, backlogged to all hell & now the majority of them aren't worth a damn for various reasons but yes graded Funko Pops look cute in the packaging and obviously people will TRY to resell em for insane amounts but the bottom usually falls out after a while...

[Fugly16]

I attended NYCC and I saw the first wave of Pops being submitted to PSA for grading...I'm on the fence about it...I don't like the asking prices I'm seeing so far on the market...how do you all feel about graded Pops and the effect it will have or has had on the hobby???

Hard pass for me

[mongoose12]

I think the idea is dumb. The box is the only thing being graded and the figure is definitely being ignored. It this point Funko should just sell boxes cuz that’s all people care about.

Kinda want to send in the most damaged box possible to get a PR 1 grade

[wolfy233]

I'm on the fence about grading, but I might cave in a do a couple

Same. I'm really thinking about a couple of mine too.

[brooklyn_geek]

Lest we all forget PSA was under investigation by the FBI a few years ago for possible involvement in corrupt practices in the sports card industry...I have nothing against grading as a practice but PSA runs their business in a way that resembles what we old schoolers like to call a "racket"

And obviously they're literally just grading BOXES...not the hand painted aspects of the actual figure as NO ONE would be perfect

[darqa]

I attended NYCC and I saw the first wave of Pops being submitted to PSA for grading...I'm on the fence about it...I don't like the asking prices I'm seeing so far on the market...how do you all feel about graded Pops and the effect it will have or has had on the hobby???

Hard pass for me

Likewise, I am not interested in having it done. Certainly hoping it does not become the norm.

[DFWFunkoHunter]

To each their own but for me it’s a pass. I feel they may put so much emphasis on the box. I like both the box and the figure to be in decent shape because who wants a 10 box with a figure that has issues on the face. It’s like anything though may just take time for me to get used to the idea of getting stuff graded

[DougieFresh_83]

I think it's neat. I don't have anything graded myself, nor do I have an interest in grading my POPs, but I understand why people do it.

[Panda]

if more and more collectors are starting to grade their pops eventually it'll be the standard norm

[PopPChulo]

My feedback is I’m genuinely suprised it took this long before it got to that to be honest. Considering how many collectors are constantly looking for mint boxes & that in box collectors dominate the hobby, I feel like it was only a matter of time before we moved in the direction of certification. Tbh I’m genuinely interested to see how they are going to push mass adoption. Me personally though, I’ve been staying away from it however if it becomes something that’s mass adopted in the hobby I guess I’ll have no choice but to conform

[Ronnie18]

Getting pops graded is not for me. I don’t care about buying graded pops either.

[Jmagic]

I attended NYCC and I saw the first wave of Pops being submitted to PSA for grading...I'm on the fence about it...I don't like the asking prices I'm seeing so far on the market...how do you all feel about graded Pops and the effect it will have or has had on the hobby???

Hard pass for me

Likewise, I am not interested in having it done. Certainly hoping it does not become the norm.

Hardpass all around for me as well. I'm just having fun collecting.

[Chingy]

It's not for me or my collection, but I totally get it. They're collectibles and people who purchase collectibles from other people want assurance that what they're purchasing is authentic and high quality.

[Trujitsu Ninja]

I think I’m fine with my pop shields to keep my pop minty. Just another way to spend money on a pop. I’m good without the grading.

[Ginzo1622]

I think I’m fine with my pop shields to keep my pop minty. Just another way to spend money on a pop. I’m good without the grading.

Yeah that's good enough, I wonder what will happen long term though will it really be more valuable

[Joker3346]

I think grading for certain things is fine but definitely not pops. Doesnt matter bout just the box should be the pop as well

[Davunko]

usually just try to get a hard stack, but might eventually want to try to grade one, just to have one