REA catalog intro

[GrayGhost]

The largest, best auction catalog in a long time, and its pick apart time again. I don't see how any of you can collect/deal in high ticket signatures, all you ever do is look for forgeries and complain, no matter what someone writes/explains in a listing. It is just crazy.

[Leon]

I won't speak for REA because Rob runs circles around me. That being said, I took what they wrote to mean they are relying on their chosen TPG. If you want to get others to look at it, that is fine, but their only decision is based on what JSA says. If you don't like it, don't bid. They aren't going to play the dueling TPG game. I can't say I blame them. IF you don't like it or the item, don't bid. I suggest folks either be comfortable with what they are buying, buy only on legal documents, which are less prone to issues, collect only in person signings, or find something else to collect. Really, what else is there to say? I am with Scott. How could you possibly be happy with having issues almost every single day. I can't imagine it is fun but who am I to say what masochists like .

[JimStinson]

Any seller has the right to institute whatever policies and parameters they see fit with regards to their enterprize and business model.

The buyer can then choose to abide by them or change the channel and walk away.
The forum provides for open discussion, exchange of information , friendly debate and occasional levity. Lacking any of the four there would be no need for a forum
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jim@stinsonsports.com

[GrayGhost]

Leon and Jim are both right. It really is simple. If you aren't happy with their policy, or JSA looking at all things, bid somewhere else.

I love honest discussion/debate on stuff, especially sports collectibles, but there are plenty of other major auctions to bid in too. I commend REA for at least expressing their policies, especially in light of the fact that this is right now the most controversial area of the hobby.

[shelly]

After reading what has been said then I agree with the third part. Let the buyer beware.

[Exhibitman]

Scott and Leon hit the nail on the head. I applaud Rob for stating the policy clearly and for delineating the parameters of how they authenticate and who they choose to use for it. It is out there and clear as a bell so if it isn't your cup o tea, no need to fulminate, just take your business elsewhere.

BTW Jim, nice Butterbean reference!

[Big Dave]

This has been pretty much standard policy at all auction houses forever.....REA just articulated this to the Nth degree.

Thus the reason most do not take credit cards.

[Wymers Auction]

Originally Posted by shelly

After reading what has been said then I agree with the third part. Let the buyer beware.

Shelly I normally do not take issue with what you say, but what can they do better? They offer JSA on all items and offer to arrange mailing the items to your choice TPA before the auction. What else can they do? It is not financially feasable for them to have every item certified through JSA, PSA, SGC, Richard Simon, Jim Stinson, ETC.

[shelly]

Originally Posted by Wymers Auction

Shelly I normally do not take issue with what you say, but what can they do better? They offer JSA on all items and offer to arrange mailing the items to your choice TPA before the auction. What else can they do? It is not financially feasable for them to have every item certified through JSA, PSA, SGC, Richard Simon, Jim Stinson, ETC.

James, I agree. I am only saying let the buyer beware. It is the safest and best way to buy anything that you have to trust someone else's opinion.

[JimStinson]

Originally Posted by Wymers Auction

It is not financially feasable for them to have every item certified through JSA, PSA, SGC, Richard Simon, Jim Stinson, ETC.

What the autograph collecting community in general may or may not know is that most autograph dealers (at least ALL of the ones that I know) will often times request a 2nd , 3rd, 4th etc. opinion from not only other dealers but from collectors who's specialty is that particular field of collecting.

The favor is then reciprocated as a professional courtesy , this has been going on for as long as I can remember. And not just "high dollar" autographs either.
So while after 30 plus years doing this day in and day out I can most of the time render an independant opinion on my own but If there is a shred of doubt no matter how slim. I request an opinion from my colleagues.

So unknown to the person who eventually buys the autograph or autographs , they may have already been presented to multiple sets of eyes for evaluation. In addition to the research I've already done myself with most of these "eyes" belonging to what anyone with any collecting experience would consider "household names" in the hobby.
_______________________
jim@stinsonsports.com

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by GrayGhost

Leon and Jim are both right. It really is simple. If you aren't happy with their policy, or JSA looking at all things, bid somewhere else.

I love honest discussion/debate on stuff, especially sports collectibles, but there are plenty of other major auctions to bid in too. I commend REA for at least expressing their policies, especially in light of the fact that this is right now the most controversial area of the hobby.

Big +1 - especially Leon's comment about REA choosing JSA as their TPA and abiding by their decisions. 3 TLA's in one sentence!

[travrosty]

a lot of these auction houses trust abc or xyz for financial reasons. they believe they can get a higher bid because they believe the public will pay more for abc and xyz certs. what they don't understand is that they are perpetuating it by this belief if only abc and xyz certs can make it into any auction house listings.

but as long as they think they are getting the higher bids then they don't care.

personally a lot of these autographs would be more accurate if specialists had their own coa attached to it. but accuracy doesnt compute to $$$$$$$$$ in a lot of these peoples minds so we get stuck with abc and xyz.

a story recently of a person who had an elvis signature looked at by abc, they flunked it, but the elvis specialist, who is on staff there, liked it off of the record. they asked abc why they didnt have the elvis specialist look at it, and abc supposedly replied that they dont show the elvis guy every elvis autograph.

they why have the guy on staff? i think if we knew the % of autographs that the "specialists" on staff of these outfits actually looked at in comparison to all the submission of their specialties, it would probably be an eye opener.

If I ran an auction house i wouldnt use any authentication company who wouldn't tell the public just who exactly looked at any one autograph and i would require them to at least have exemplars given to me at least in reserve to back up their findings to show to any bidder who asked. if they can't do that, they why 'trust' them?

i would like to ask REA why they trust JSA?

[markf31]

Originally Posted by travrosty

i would like to ask REA why they trust JSA?

I think they made that pretty obvious if you read the autograph intro.

Originally Posted by REA

We think very highly of their service. This doesn’t mean that all other autograph authentication services are not good. This is what we have chosen to do because we believe that JSA offers the best authentication service in the business for the type of items that we specialize in.