Posted By:
EricThe auction houses absolutely get off light. The way things are set up now, no one is ultimately accountable. When there's a problem, the auction houses blame the authenticators for the mistakes because they are the experts.
I mentioned in a thread over on the game used forum that auction houses should post which lots have been removed because of authentication errors. That would put more pressure on the authenticators to do their homework before jotting off a letter because their name is on the line, and the auction houses would compete over which has the more legit items.
Here was the example I used.
I think the best way to identify and track the mistakes would be fairly simple.
Example- I buy an Anthony Miller Chargers helmet from American Memorabilia with a Lampson letter. When I get the helmet, i notice it has the wrong facemask- it actually is a lineman's mask or tight end's mask, not a wide receiver's mask as it was claimed. I return it to American Memorabilia and get my money back. They lose their sale- At this point they should report it to Lampson and they also should post on the website that lot x has been retroactively removed because of an inaccurate authentication letter. That would give the auction houses more credibility as well. It would show that they want to put the best products out there only and stand behind those products.
Anything there?
Eric
Game used memorabilia forum
http://www.network54.com/Index/33448