How does this Heritage/Mantle look to you?

[Joe Hunter]

If I saw the term "pre-certified" I would come away with the impression that the item had at least been viewed by a knowledgeable person. For example, if an item was submitted to PSA for a Quick Opinion and it came back as "likely genuine", I would consider the item as having been pre-certified. It hasn't been positively authenticated yet, but there is a reasonable chance that it will. I do understand the prefix "pre" means prior to; however, in the context of an auction item I believe it implies there is a reasonable chance the item is authentic and has been deemed so by someone "in the know" prior to receiving a letter of authentication from a reputable TPC.

[Deertick]

Would an auction house list a ring as "Pre-certified 14k gold" until they got around to actually testing it?

[frankbmd]

Once again the definition follows:

pre-
a prefix occurring originally in loanwords from Latin, where it meant “before” ( preclude; prevent ); applied freely as a prefix, with the meanings “prior to,” “in advance of,” “early,” “beforehand,” “before,” “in front of,” and with other figurative meanings ( preschool; prewar; prepay; preoral; prefrontal ).

In the context of the current discussion I see no indication that what follows pre- should be interpreted as a fait accompli. I do not think the prefix should be interpreted as a guarantee that what follows is at all certain. It just hasn't happened yet (and may not).

However I feel strongly that all Auction Houses should have a mechanism in place, "prelisting", to "prevent" the "premature" placement in an auction of a bogus item that later requires withdrawl. I think there should be agreement here. My point about the language is secondary, but arguably correct.

Maturity is not a fait accompli of prematurity. Look around.

[shelly]

There is also slang. Words that are used incorrectly but are well understood when placed in a certain arena. The autograph hobby is one of those places. Pre certified means in this arena to mean that it has been looked at a found to be authentic. Why else would you accept bids or even show it. You look like a fool if where not to be what people thought to be fact.
Wow I have watched to much of Down Town Abbey

[Leon]

For the record I do think the wording could be changed to be more clear. When I see the term pre-certified, I have to agree that in my mind it has been looked at already, not that it will be looked at before auction end. If I were them I would take that term out....then if a piece is found to be bad it can be pulled. That's just me though..... Just trying to keep it real...and I still think they are a good, honest auction house too.

[chaddurbin]

how easy is it in the auction software to change the pre-certified to pending certification*? it would eliminate alot of these problems as well as the perception of misleading their potential bidders.


*really easy.