How much do you rely on TPAs for an auto u own?

[Lordstan]

The TPA's opinion of an autograph is almost useless to me when I am buying. I have never and will never rely on them as the most important thing. Is it nice to have? Sure why not, but I will never spend money on them for my own collection.

The TPAs certification is different matter when coming to selling. I agree that the way things are now, having a cert of some sort improves saleability and return. This is the unfortunate way of the world as far too many people only rely on the cert.

I have sent things in for slabbing to various TPAs, but all were things I was about to sell. I have nothing in my personal collection that I sent in for approval.

I have stated many times that I will get the approval of a TPA, whichever is considered the most likely to bring me profit, when, and only when, I am selling things. Doing it beforehand is a wasted opportunity, IMO, as you could spend all that money buying more autos that have the chance to appreciate.

[bnorth]

I have ZERO faith in TPAs. I have sold off most of my autos except for 2 people I still collect. When I did collect them even if slabbed I would contact people I trusted and ask for their opinion before I bought the autograph.

[GrayGhost]

Originally Posted by bnorth

I have ZERO faith in TPAs. I have sold off most of my autos except for 2 people I still collect. When I did collect them even if slabbed I would contact people I trusted and ask for their opinion before I bought the autograph.

+1

[PowderedH2O]

I don't rely on them, but I want them. I have probably 25000 or more signatures. I can't afford to slab them. But, I am slabbing the ones that have value. Why? Well, I am in my mid 50's. My dad collected coins and died at 65. I inherited a coin collection. It sits in my garage. I don't know how to sell it. I have instructed my wife to sell my slabbed items as authenticated to maximize her return. Maybe this won't happen for 40 years. Maybe it happens this year. Either way, I want it easier for her.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by PowderedH2O

I don't rely on them, but I want them. I have probably 25000 or more signatures. I can't afford to slab them. But, I am slabbing the ones that have value. Why? Well, I am in my mid 50's. My dad collected coins and died at 65. I inherited a coin collection. It sits in my garage. I don't know how to sell it. I have instructed my wife to sell my slabbed items as authenticated to maximize her return. Maybe this won't happen for 40 years. Maybe it happens this year. Either way, I want it easier for her.

Sell now and take your wonderful wife someplace special to her.

[Topnotchsy]

The people on these boards are a unique group of collectors. I feel like most people here have been collecting seriously for at least 25 years, with many people here collecting for 50+ years. You have some of the most knowledgeable collectors in the world here.

Most of the collecting world is not nearly that knowledgeable about the hobby and by the same token about detecting forgeries vs authentic copies of different players.

I feel like an absolute amateur here reading many of the posts here, and I've been in the hobby for 2+ decades. For people here, it's not a surprise that many don't see the need to bother with 3rd party authentication. For 99% of collectors though it's necessary.

For me, there are a few players and types of items I am comfortable picking up without authentication, but in many cases I want it as reassurance. I will pass on authenticated items that I don't like the look of.

[PowderedH2O]

Originally Posted by bnorth

Sell now and take your wonderful wife someplace special to her.

Oh, I take her all over the world. Otherwise I would have a much bigger collection. 😊

[Lordstan]

Originally Posted by PowderedH2O

I don't rely on them, but I want them. I have probably 25000 or more signatures. I can't afford to slab them. But, I am slabbing the ones that have value. Why? Well, I am in my mid 50's. My dad collected coins and died at 65. I inherited a coin collection. It sits in my garage. I don't know how to sell it. I have instructed my wife to sell my slabbed items as authenticated to maximize her return. Maybe this won't happen for 40 years. Maybe it happens this year. Either way, I want it easier for her.

I am on the same page as you being in 50yo range and being concerned for my family. My approach though is different. I am leaving instructions on which auction houses to contact and have them do all the leg work. Sure she might have fees to pay for from the proceeds, but with a large enough collections those might be waived, and she won't have worry about whether or not any authenticator we have items in are now disreputable or not. They will choose who to use to maximize return for both her and them.
There is no right way to play it as I think both work.