Are the autograph auth. folks absolute idiots?

[T206Collector]

JSA offers three ways of having your signed baseball card authenticated:

1. LOA with a scan of the image
2. Encapsulation via BVG
3. Sticker on the back

Some people want their items tagged and don't mind the ancillary damage. This is a service for them. JSA doesn't decide -- the customer does. JSA is neutral as to the impact on the value/appearance of the item being tagged. JSA is also not alone among autograph authenticators in offering such a service. This is a pretty common means of authenticating baseball items.

I don't think JSA has anything to explain here. But I will concur that I hate it and that I peeled the sticker off my E91 autographed McBride card because I preferred the oval of paper loss to the unsightly sticker.

From Autographed E91

From Autographed E91

[slidekellyslide]

I would prefer they put the sticker on the back of the photo....really was it necessary to put the sticker on the front of this?

[Leon]

Sure, the customer can ask for what they want to but even offering a service that almost destroys the appearance of a card or photo is idiotic in my opinion. Grading companies don't offer to destroy cards as a service...why would JSA? Just my opinion on this...but when I got my photo the other day I was not too happy about the sticker on front....I guess some people could like them but I don't know how...

I should add that I still think they are probably decent authenticators and will still submit to them...but this sticker thing isn't smart at all, again...imho

[T206Collector]

...it is ridiculous to single out JSA.

From the PSA/DNA FAQ:

Q: I do not want a label on my collectible item. What are my options?
A: The application of invisible DNA laced-ink, in conjunction with our tamper-evident label and matching Certificate of Authenticity, is the PSA/DNA security matrix which will identify your collectible as certified. However, if you do not want the tamper-evident label on your item(s) you can request that the label be placed on the Letter of Authenticity (LOA). Be aware that items with fees of under $50.00 will require the label on the item unless you up-grade the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) to an LOA and check the appropriate box on the submission form.

Here's a GAI photo authenticated by GAI with a sticker on the front:

http://www.mlbfansite.com/authentic-...eling-gai.html

I could go on all day with examples throughout the industry. Blame the "game," not the "player"....

[slidekellyslide]

I don't care who is doing it...if they can't do it without ruining it they shouldn't do it at all....that's absolutely insane to me that they put a sticker on the back of your card.

[canjond]

Leon,

I believe Jodi is a former employee and knows them well.

- Jon

[Leon]

You could go on and on but it is indefensible in my opinion. Because everyone does something that is absolutely stupid doesn't make it not so.....sorry this is just my rant for the day. If someone that is smart jumps off of a cliff are you going to?

Jon- I am aware Jodi is a former employee.

This is not a personal attack on JSA it's trying to make the hobby a bit better. Who here doesn't think that putting a sticker on the front of a photo or card isn't stupid? Please explain so I can be enlightened.

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by Leon

This is not a personal attack on JSA

Uh, sure it is. Check the title of the thread. I absolutely abhor the practice and think it is totally ridiculous. But to single out JSA -- or any company -- for an industry-wide practice, is unfair.

[3-2-count]

This should be plain common sense by anyone in our hobby. Agreed.
Absolutely ridiculous to put the sticker on the item at all!!!!!!!!!!

[packs]

Sticker is definitely an eyesore but I understand why they do it. As a collector, I want to be sure that the item authenticated is the very same item I'm buying. The sticker provides that service when an item can't be slabbed. Otherwise you're just working on a scan on the LOA, and that's a leap of faith to me.

[T206Collector]

34 Goudey Gehringer PSA/DNA authenticated with sticker on reverse.

[HRBAKER]

"....really was it necessary to put the sticker on the front of this?"

It's your guarantee that someone took their best guess!

[Leon]

Then I am unfair. Can we at least agree on that?

[calvindog]

JSA, PSA, who cares who does it - it's idiotic. And if the customer wants the card shredded does that mean JSA or PSA will do it? Just put the damn thing in a slab with the grade up top. PSA and SGC don't give customers the opportunity to have a sticker with the grade of the card put on the back, so why are autographed cards treated differently?

[Potomac Yank]

Originally Posted by HRBAKER

"....really was it necessary to put the sticker on the front of this?"

It's your guarantee that someone took their best guess!

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HRB, I luv this thread ... don't you?

[Rich Klein]

But you can get a JSA sticker on an BGS Holder. It's a nicer way to show the autograph AND the card and the autograph is protected. The card looks very nice with the BGS Holder as well.

Rich