Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mike P on January 10, 2014 at 7:21pm

I've heard stories/rumors that the person who does the quick opinion would sometimes bid on/ buy an item from an ebay auction that was sent for quick opinion.  

I myself remember requesting a quick opinion on a signed photo (really nice price) but as soon as the quick opinion was sent, the item was bought; when I saw who won the auction, the person had hundreds of psa authenticated items for sale.  Probably a little extreme, but I guess it's not out of the question since the authenticators are collectors themselves.

Regardless, I still think the quick opinion is a nice option for the price you pay.  

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Permalink Reply by Brick Hunter on January 10, 2014 at 7:45pm

I'm split on Quick Opinion. It may help the novice collector who probably shouldn't be taking a flier on random eBay auctions, and I have sympathy for that. But I couldn't care less about a QO when it comes to my area of interests. They're extremely, extremely careful with the service, since 'likely genuine' items which don't pass full authentication make headaches for everyone (perhaps a fatal flaw of the whole service). I've seen items where you just know it's authentic the second you lay eyes on it, not pass QO. So to me, QO may not be hurting the hobby in so many words, but it's practically useless to experienced collectors.

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Permalink Reply by Randy on January 10, 2014 at 8:08pm

I agree with your assessment. It is not really intended to be used by experienced collectors.

You are also correct that they have to be pretty certain to give a thumbs up for $10 when they will for example charge $200 for full authentication of Babe Ruth. The worst thing for them would be to opine "Likely Genuine" and then reject it on a full authentication costing the customer $200 in fees plus they now own a bogus autograph that may have cost a few thousand dollars that may be difficult to get a refund on.

It does help the novices looking to buy an authentic Mickey Mantle, Joe Dimaggio, Ted Williams, or similar level autograph. They are very good on these guys and I have never seen a Mantle that they missed the mark on.

I believe on the high dollar autographs, they do use their more experienced authenticators such as Steve Grad before giving an opinion. Some opinions are given immediately on lesser autographs and more expensive autographs often take a day or so.

I still think the service is useful especially for beginners.

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Permalink Reply by Tom Schwartz on January 10, 2014 at 9:21pm

I wouldn't say it's hurting the hobby per se, but it's something that I struggle to see the value in.

To me, what's the premise exactly? We'll take a look at this, but not TOO close a look at this? Hmm, okay. It seems like most here would agree that PSA will err on the side of caution with a Quick Opinion and punt or fail an item that might otherwise pass a full in-person examination. So now an item may have a "scarlet letter" even though it's legit. This helps?

So maybe the picture doesn't provide enough information to render an opinion. Well, yeah, that should be a given! This is why they want you to send in items in the first place! Think of the limitations of giving an opinion on a picture of an item vs. having the item in hand (Which we do here for fun and for free). You can't see the ink, the pressure, the picture is too small, etc. With Quick Opinion, PSA is taking the already controversial assertion that they can authenticate autographs, and now further handicapping themselves, and providing more inconsistent answers.

If I were PSA, I would find it more valuable to my reputation to put the company name behind only the most definitive, expert opinions based on the most thorough in-person examinations, not this watered-down, non-transparent (Who's looking at these again? Why did it fail?) service.

Okay, so you get what you pay for and it shouldn't be taken as a full authentication. Unless you get the answer you want to hear, then you can be darn sure it'll be treated like a full authentication! And if you don't get the answer you want to hear, then you dismiss the service as a cheap quickie that doesn't hold weight, and maybe pony up for the "real" authentication. Failed PSA QO? JSA, here I come!

Yes, it's useful for blatant forgeries, but I would speculate that the autograph novices who would benefit from it the most probably aren't even aware it exists. I think William's idea of featuring a link in every ebay listing is somewhat intriguing though and might help bridge that gap. I just don't have a lot of confidence in ebay effectively implementing such a system.

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Permalink Reply by Jay on January 11, 2014 at 4:41am

I used it once for a friend. He found a Walt Disney cut on Ebay and sent it in for a quick opinion. It came back likely genuine so he purchased it and sent it in. It ended up not passing authentication. I understand the quick opinion isn't always 100% but when the end results end like that it kinda sucks.

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Permalink Reply by James Stone on January 11, 2014 at 10:47am

I guess it is good in that regard. But I feel that even if you have the most basic idea about how to spot a fake, the quick opinion is a ripoff. Its basically some guy (not an expert) they hired to compare exemplars they have on hand to what you submitted. Meanwhile they are going to have a bias to deny stuff. Then they don't tell you why they denied it.

How is that worth $10? Its an example of PSA/DNA using their name is take advantage of people.

Do your own research, be cautions, buy from people who are reputable, and submit for opinions on this board.

There, I just you save you $10 each time you want a stupid unreliable PSA quick opinion.

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Permalink Reply by Tyler Johnson on January 25, 2014 at 3:12pm

Thats a good example

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Permalink Reply by Tyler Johnson on January 25, 2014 at 3:08pm

I do not agree with this statement, not totally that is..

See I think its a big profit tool for PSA. If someone sends it for Quick Opinion, and it comes back Likely Genuine, then they made 10 bucks and that person will almost always send it to PSA if they want it authenticated, that is a win win for PSA.

If it comes back not genuine, then they made 10 bucks they normally would not have made if someone did not send it in or sent it to JSA or another place.

Not able to render an opinion has got me a couple of times. But I get my 10 bucks back.  But I think this hurts people who are trying to sell fakes because collectors hobbyists will use that Quick Opinion on items that are on the fence.

I believe it is doing more good than not.  HOWEVER, and this is where I agree with the original post.  PSA needs to be 100% on their decision. IF they say likely they better be damned sure, if its not likely they better be damned sure for reasons already discussed.  I believe they should have a "more thorough examination required" response for the ones that they are not sure about.  This would keep people from leaving authentic items on the table.

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Permalink Reply by R T on May 4, 2014 at 8:34am

I like it! Measuring that the quick opinion cuts down on the fakes flowing around and scammers go out of business. As far as an item's value, cost of Authentication is added to the items value and an item not Authenticated should be less anyway whether its genuine or not because the new buyer will have to spend the difference of an items value on having the item Authenticated. I don't see anything wrong with someone researching an Autographed item (finding its genuine), and getting a bargain. Time is money, and if someone spends the time researching an Autograph, then they deserve it. Someone will eventually find them likely not genuine opinions and send them in for a full check. Good discussion Carlos! Thanks    

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Permalink Reply by Mike P on May 4, 2014 at 11:45am

Quick Opinion is good for the pieces that you are against the wall about so to speak.  I did a Quick Opinion for a DiMaggio that some considered to be nice and some few doubts on the forum; so for peace of mind, I did it and came back likely genuine. I got the quick opinion more for reassurance than anything else.  I wouldn't do a quick opinion for pieces that I have no idea about; ie. I rather gain some level of understanding first and if you are 50-50 unsure, then the quick opinion is a useful tool in my opinion.   

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Permalink Reply by Bradford on May 8, 2014 at 2:58pm

I sent in a Jeffrey Hunter auto the other day that came back as "unable to render opinion" and they refunded my $10. They could have taken my money with a "likely not genuine" but they chose not to. I appreciate that.

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