Mastro conflict of interest policy

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Posted By: Aaron

So, buried in the biographies section of Mastro's rules, I found what I guess amounts to their conflict of interest policy concerning SCDA and their self-authentiaction of game used material they (or their individual graders) also happen to own:

"Conflict of Interest - For instances where one or more members of SCD Authentic has either a personal or financial interest in an auction item, buyers are afforded 30 days from the time of the receipt of said item to have it examined by a recognized third party expert and returned, if necessary, with verifiable information that the item was not represented properly or accurately."

How to count the flaws of this policy?

1. Well, again, it's buried in the biographies section and not even listed in their authentication section. Not to mention it doesn't actually come out and say: "For instances where one or more members of SCD Authentic has either a personal or financial interest in an auction item THAT THEY HAVE AUTHNETICATED..."

2. The buyer/bidder is not informed of the conflict of interest until AFTER he has won and received the item.

3. Inexplicably the burden (and expense!) is on the buyer/bidder to disprove authenticity rather than on Mastro to prove authenticity.

4. What if Mastro doesn't accept the buyer's authenticator as "recognized"? The buyer is stuck with an item that's been possibly misrepresented by SCDA in order to increase the item's value?

This continues to be an incredibly disappointing display of poor judgment, lack of ethics, and disregard for their customers on the part of both Mastro and SCDA (and their individual graders).

How difficult would it be to include in the item description: "LOA by SCDA. Consigned by SCDA."

Not to mention, why is the same party who has a vested interest in the sale of that item providing the sole authentication?


Again, very disappointing.

I know this is corny, but I can't help thinking about the segment from "The Incurable Collector" where Bill Mastro himself warns collectors as a matter of common sense that "someone ought to look at that item who doesn't have a vested interest in the sale of that item."

It's really sad to know that while Mastro publicly espouses that philosophy, he's not above ignoring it when it comes to fattening his wallet.