Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Joe W. on January 4, 2019 at 12:25pm

I've been asking a lot of questions about TPA services recently. There is a method to my madness. Hopefully, we can draw out some direct experiences in this discussion. I will say, I'm doing some personal research myself.

Honestly, I am not trying to discredit these services. But, I do want to know as much as possible about them and their business principles. If they are going to charge a fee to render a service, they need to do it properly or not do it at all.

The discouraging part of this may be that it won't matter because those who need this service the most will not even be aware of what is going on. And good sellers may be unjustly hindered from competing on a level playing field.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on January 4, 2019 at 12:34pm

"...There is a method to my madness...."

Don't worry Joe, I've been saying that for years, absolutely ;)

Have a good weekend.

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Permalink Reply by Joe W. on January 4, 2019 at 12:38pm

Always! You as well my friend.

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Permalink Reply by Fred.D on January 5, 2019 at 11:50am

PSA's QO is for me an additional opinion to  reassure his own opinion after doing his own research. It's not essential but it's always good to have an additional opinion, especially if the autograph is expensive because as everyone knows, the world of autograph is exciting but especially dangerous.

However, the PSA's QO is not to be considered as the truth ...the problem with PSA's QO is that we don't know who's the person who gives this opinion, his experience in the world of the autograph ... Is it the same person who gives a quick opinion on music, history, cinema or sport? ... For these reasons, for music, I favor the Roger Epperson' QO, because I know he really has the experience and the skills to give me an opinion.

I collect only the autographs of Michael Jackson. Once,I having already bid on an autograph because I was sure it was genuine, and I still have it today, I still asked a Quick Opinion to PSA and Roger Epperson.
PSA said "Likely not Genuine" and Epperson said "looks Fine".

I was very surprised by PSA's response. I still don't understand it. I kept bidding until I won the autograph

For me, PSA's opinion is always good to take, although we must not forget that there may be errors in the responses and we must never neglect his own research and not just leave the PSA's QO decide for us.

(P.S : Sorry for my english)

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Permalink Reply by James on January 6, 2019 at 6:43pm

This is just par for the course.  PSA’s QO says “Likely Not Genuine” on lots and lots of genuine items.  To me, I view PSA QO as almost a pointless endeavor.

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Permalink Reply by Joe W. on January 6, 2019 at 6:50pm

I agree with you James. They probably are better with in person authentications. Although, I feel if you can't trust them to get a QO correct, why would you trust them at all?

I was once told that an autograph will not look better in person, but it sure could look worse. They should not offer a quick opinion service if they are not going to take it seriously.

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Permalink Reply by James on January 6, 2019 at 10:38pm

My feelings exactly about their QO service.  I do feel like their full service is better because they are probably taking it more seriously.  But I agree wholeheartedly that if they aren’t taking the quick opinion service seriously enough, it should not be offered.  Too much is at risk for both buyer and seller.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on January 6, 2019 at 11:10pm

I think they take the QO service seriously, but from what I see they lean towards conservative pretty consistently. That may be a policy, but I don't know.

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Permalink Reply by Phil Dilling on January 18, 2019 at 1:54am

An interesting conversation! If I could share my experience - a  few years back when I started collecting autographs and not having much experience or knowledge I did rely on the PSA QO. I received a few LNG but there was a Rolling Stones poster that I REALLY wanted on Ebay so I asked for a QO. It came back as 'Likely Genuine". Still not sure & doubtful I did my own research and it turned out that the Stones website offered these facsimile signed posters in a new members kit when joining their site. Obviously, with the opening bid on Ebay being 50.00 and to get this poster authentically signed was rare and closer to a 2000.00 price tag, it was a red flag.  

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