Out or Safe Facebook Autograph Group

[bobbyw8469]

I just had an "interesting" experience in the Facebook Autograph group out or safe. What is everyone's opinions on that group?? Are they reliable?? Or do you basically get what you pay for?

[Belfast1933]

Great question… they certainly are considered reliable by the FB hobby crowd. I do very, very few autographs but do find the page to be interesting. They do seem to operate behind a secretive curtain.

I appreciate you asking the question here - I look forward to following this thread.

[tazdmb]

While I don't like that they won't accept alternative opinions in their threads, I think they provide an amazing service to collectors and they are correct over 95% of the time.

PS-I would have admin move this to the regular Autograph thread instead of the B/S/T.

[bobbyw8469]

They act like Nazi's to me.. That's the part I don't like.

[Topnotchsy]

From what I have seen, they are very good at what they do.

The structure of the group (not allowing other opinions) is to make sure that the masses who are clueless don't drown out the opinions of those who are experts. (Of course if there was way to allow outsiders who are actually experts to comment and prevent the clueless people from posting that would be great, but I don't see how that is possible.)

They offer the service for free, unless you are looking to resell the item. In that case it is $6.

In general, from the posts I've seen, they are quite patient and understanding with people not following the rules.

I don't think they get it right 100% of the time, but I think they are excellent on 99% of autographs. I think it is a pretty generous service.

I don't know whether they have an eventual goal to open their own authentication service or if there is a different end goal, but I think they are providing much more of a service than 99% of people posting on Facebook.

[bjerome]

I do follow that page. They are very accurate. They also have some ground rules. They do not do cards. They do charge a fee if you plan on reselling an item posted. They charge nothing for an opinion on a personal collection piece. There are 2 or 3 people. Nik Key is the one who stands out to me. Good knowledgeable viewer. I would also say with the amount of people who use the service they are making money with that $6 fee. The biggest complaint I see is from people who are impatient as it can take up to a few days to have your item looked at. The site users also do not follow their protocols which also leads to confusion. The admins are good about trying to rectify that. All in all, they are very accurate. I can honestly say with the amount of Mantle's they look at had made me so much better at shooting a good one.

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by bjerome

I do follow that page. They are very accurate. They also have some ground rules. They do not do cards. They do charge a fee if you plan on reselling an item posted. They charge nothing for an opinion on a personal collection piece. There are 2 or 3 people. Nik Key is the one who stands out to me. Good knowledgeable viewer. I would also say with the amount of people who use the service they are making money with that $6 fee. The biggest complaint I see is from people who are impatient as it can take up to a few days to have your item looked at. The site users also do not follow their protocols which also leads to confusion. The admins are good about trying to rectify that. All in all, they are very accurate. I can honestly say with the amount of Mantle's they look at had made me so much better at shooting a good one.

There was a guy who called out one of the Mantles that they had blown though.

https://live.autographmagazine.com/p...ource=activity

[theshleps]

I've seen them make a few mistakes (saying obvious fakes were good) and stopped following at that point. It was awhile ago and probably was players from the 60's tho I forget

[chalupacollects]

I've followed the group also and see what I can learn and have noticed bad approvals and then obvious approvals. So, I take it for what it is worth. Just someone else's opinion. I would actually use them as a first line of opinion before I would send something to JSA or PSA. I also have more faith in the members here. I use the theory that if it's ok here on 54 than the TPG's would likely pass it...

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by chalupacollects

I've followed the group also and see what I can learn and have noticed bad approvals and then obvious approvals. So, I take it for what it is worth. Just someone else's opinion. I would actually use them as a first line of opinion before I would send something to JSA or PSA. I also have more faith in the members here. I use the theory that if it's ok here on 54 than the TPG's would likely pass it...

I have seen people submit items that were already graded by PSA/DNA to them. That is the part I never understood. The item was already graded by the premiere grading company. But you don't trust them and rather go with what a dinky FB group says. You get what you pay for.....

[Topnotchsy]

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

I have seen people submit items that were already graded by PSA/DNA to them. That is the part I never understood. The item was already graded by the premiere grading company. But you don't trust them and rather go with what a dinky FB group says. You get what you pay for.....

I've heard people mention fake auth's and PSA and JSA passing some versions of certain players that were later determined to be fakes, so I assume that it the rationale.

[tazdmb]

Originally Posted by Topnotchsy

I've heard people mention fake auth's and PSA and JSA passing some versions of certain players that were later determined to be fakes, so I assume that it the rationale.

Certain players are usually only Mays and Bonds Holograms that came from the same forger.

[keithsky]

They always reject a mays or bonds ball with the mays and bond's hologram right off the bat even if it's got
a PSA sticker or JSA sticker on it.

[Bigdaddy]

Just joined the group, seems interesting so far. Trying to guess along with their opinion, probably agree 80% of the time.

We'll see how it goes.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Self-authentication is such a wonderful thing. Sometimes, it feels like there aren't any people left who remember what it was like when you had to fend for yourself. It made those with a natural aptitude for the subject a lot stronger, that's for sure.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

I have seen people submit items that were already graded by PSA/DNA to them. That is the part I never understood. The item was already graded by the premiere grading company. But you don't trust them and rather go with what a dinky FB group says. You get what you pay for.....

With this and the other problems you have had on Facebook I would highly recommend sticking to here and eBay.

[todeen]

I'm not a member of the FB group. But what I've seen in many FB groups is that the admin's patience has grown short by individuals who don't care to read or follow the groups rules that are clearly outlined. One sports card group I frequent is run by a man who has little patience when he is sober, and is downright off his wheels when he drinks a wee bit too much. The next morning he is making halfhearted apologies.