Misfit Toys buys and sells AFA- and CAS-graded toys at 3511 Houston Avenue in the Houston Heights, and we have extensive experience with grading figures of every kind, from vintage Kenner Star Wars and Transformers to Mego, Battlestar Galactica, and The Black Hole. This guide covers what grading is, what it involves, and how to decide whether it’s right for your toy.
What is a graded toy?
A graded toy has been inspected by an independent grading company, given a condition score, and sealed in a clear acrylic case. The grade tells a buyer exactly what condition the toy is in without opening it or seeing it in person.
The two best-known toy graders are:
- AFA (Action Figure Authority), part of the Collectible Grading Authority (CGA)
- CAS (Collector Archive Services)
Both score toys on a scale up to 100, with higher numbers meaning better condition. For carded and boxed toys, graders look at three things: the card or box, the bubble or window, and the figure itself.
Why collectors buy graded toys
- Verified condition. A third party has inspected the piece, so buyers can trust the grade.
- Authenticity. Graders check for reproduction parts, resealed packages, and other alterations.
- Protection. The acrylic case guards against crushing, dust, and handling.
- Easier selling. Graded pieces are easier to price and sell to collectors who can’t inspect them in person.
- Top-grade premiums. For many vintage figures, high grades sell for significantly more than ungraded examples in similar condition.
What grading involves
Before you submit, it’s worth knowing what you’re signing up for:
- Cost. Every item carries a grading fee, and vintage, oversized, and high-value pieces usually cost more. You’ll also pay for insured shipping both ways. Check each company’s current price list before you submit.
- Wait times. Standard turnaround can run from weeks to months. Faster service is often available for a higher fee.
- Shipping risk. Damage in transit can lower a grade, so careful packing matters.
- The risk of a low grade. A grade is permanent and public. A lower score than you expected can make a toy harder to sell than if it had never been graded.
- A smaller pool of buyers. Some collectors prefer to open, display, or judge toys for themselves and won’t pay extra for a case.
- Not every grader accepts everything. Services and categories change. AFA, for example, paused loose toy grading in December 2022.
When is grading worth it?
Grading usually makes sense when:
- The toy is rare or valuable to begin with
- It’s sealed or in near-factory condition
- You plan to sell it, especially online or to buyers outside Houston
- Authenticity matters, such as with vintage carded figures that are often reproduced or resealed
Grading usually isn’t worth it when:
- The toy is common or inexpensive, and the fees would cost more than the value grading adds
- The card, box, or figure shows obvious wear
- It’s a modern mass-market release
- You plan to keep and enjoy it rather than sell it
Our grading experience
Our knowledge of grading comes from experience. Over the years we have submitted a large volume of figures for grading, across every kind of toy we carry, and we’ve learned what graders look for and how small details affect a score. That experience shapes how we buy, price, and sell graded and ungraded toys alike.
How we value graded toys
- Demand: how quickly the piece sells in our store
- Current stock: whether we already have it in inventory
- The grade: the overall score and the sub-grades for card, bubble, and figure
- The grader: which company graded it
- The case: cracks, scratches, or a damaged label
- Rarity: how many examples exist at that grade
Buying or selling graded toys?
We buy graded toys individually or as whole collections, and we keep a selection of graded figures in the store. Payment is by check, wire transfer, or store credit. Start with a quote on our Sell Your Collection page.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I buy graded action figures in Houston? Misfit Toys, at 3511 Houston Avenue in the Houston Heights, carries AFA- and CAS-graded vintage figures. Graded pieces in our online shop can ship internationally.
Do you buy graded figures? Yes, individually or as whole collections. See Sell Your Collection.
How long does grading take? It varies by company and service level, from a few days for paid express service to several months for standard submissions.
What does AFA 85 or CAS 85 mean? It’s the condition score out of 100. Higher numbers mean better condition, and top grades are much rarer and more valuable.
Visit or call
Misfit Toys · 3511 Houston Avenue, Houston, TX 77009 · (832) 524-8700 · Open daily, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. · misfittoystx@gmail.com