Heritage Auctions using AI for lot descriptions?

[BRoberts]

Last night while browsing Heritage Auctions' Sunday night auction, I saw a signed 1963 Topps card of Chicago Cubs infielder and 1962 Rookie of the Year Ken Hubbs. It caught my eye because, as many of you know, Hubbs died in a plane crash in February 1964. I can't imagine there are many autographed cards of him. Anyway, here's the Heritage description:

Signed 1963 Topps Ken Hubbs #15. Ken Hubbs was a professional baseball player who played as a second baseman for the Chicago Cubs in Major League Baseball (MLB). Hubbs was known for his exceptional defensive skills and athleticism. He won the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 1962, becoming the first rookie to win a Gold Glove Award. During that season, he set a record for the most consecutive errorless games by a second baseman, showcasing his reliability and skill on the field. Offered is a signed 2nd year card of the Cubs great. Pre-certified by PSA/DNA.

The beginning of the description reads like a Wikipedia entry, certainly not something an auction house would write. And what auction house writer wouldn't mention Hubbs' death at age 22 and the rarity of the signed card? I shared the write-up with a hobby friend, and his immediate reaction was "That reads like something generated by AI."

I have no issue with any auction house -- or business, for that matter -- using AI. And I should say in general -- not always -- I think Heritage does things the right way. Lord knows they are successful. But, gee, couldn't an employee at least read the description before making it live? It's not like AI has been around for decades and you always know what you're going to get.

Doesn't an auction house owe a little more effort to consignors to produce complete descriptions about the items they're selling?

[raulus]

It definitely reads like the AI-generated descriptions that eBay's AI generates.

Mostly a bunch of fluff and obvious statements.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Better than some of the AH (not necessarily Heritage) and ebay hype we see.

Best we've ever handled.
Amazing eye appeal.
Presents far better than the technical grade.
Blazing colors.
Near perfect centering (like we can't see that).
Just a few wrinkles that do not detract from the overall appearance.
Stunning.
Bold signature.

[BRoberts]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Better than some of the AH (not necessarily Heritage) and ebay hype we see.

Best we've ever handled.
Amazing eye appeal.
Presents far better than the technical grade.
Blazing colors.
Near perfect centering (like we can't see that).
Just a few wrinkles that do not detract from the overall appearance.
Stunning.
Bold signature.

Hey, Pete disagrees. Must be a day ending in “y.”

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by BRoberts

Hey, Pete disagrees. Must be a day ending in “y.”

What would Joe T. do?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by BRoberts

Hey, Pete disagrees. Must be a day ending in “y.”

Please cut the crap.
.

[Snapolit1]

Clearly AI. He was a professional baseball player …. No auction house would write something so obvious. Same for “played as a second baseman…”. No one would write that.

[Fuddjcal]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Better than some of the AH (not necessarily Heritage) and ebay hype we see.

Best we've ever handled.
Amazing eye appeal.
Presents far better than the technical grade.
Blazing colors.
Near perfect centering (like we can't see that).
Just a few wrinkles that do not detract from the overall appearance.
Stunning.
Bold signature.

you forgot my all time favorites that add 1K to every card...

"Fresh to the Hobby"
'Newly Discovered"

[BigfootIsReal]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Better than some of the AH (not necessarily Heritage) and ebay hype we see.

Best we've ever handled.
Amazing eye appeal.
Presents far better than the technical grade.
Blazing colors.
Near perfect centering (like we can't see that).
Just a few wrinkles that do not detract from the overall appearance.
Stunning.
Bold signature.

I always like....."looks nicer" "looks under graded"
They never say..."looks over graded"

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by BigfootIsReal

I always like....."looks nicer" "looks under graded"
They never say..."looks over graded"

https://thecollectorconnection.com/b...e?itemid=23449

https://thecollectorconnection.com/b...e?itemid=18049

https://thecollectorconnection.com/b...e?itemid=17390

https://thecollectorconnection.com/b...e?itemid=20792

Just a sample

[BigfootIsReal]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

https://thecollectorconnection.com/b...e?itemid=23449

https://thecollectorconnection.com/b...e?itemid=18049

https://thecollectorconnection.com/b...e?itemid=17390

https://thecollectorconnection.com/b...e?itemid=20792

Just a sample

Was specifically talking about EBay

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by BRoberts

Doesn't an auction house owe a little more effort to consignors to produce complete descriptions about the items they're selling?

Originally Posted by Big Boss of Heritage Auctions

Huh? Writers? Why do we need to hire writers? I never could pass spelling or grammar back in grade school myself.

Just another example/instance of the major auction houses cheaping out and dumbing down the services they offer to consignors.

[JollyElm]

You know how you can absolutely tell a human didn't compose that write-up??

Because there is no mention of WAR anywhere in the paragraph.