Most appropriate way to sell unverified autographs?

[GrayGhost]

Trav, that is PATHETIC that someone would pass that. Even Moorales might have got that one right.

To not open up this same can of worms, to the original poster, I think Dan's idea is the best one, and as Travis said, don't count on the Alphabet boys either.

[jbsports33]

I would do your own research first!!!


Jimmy

[drc]

I wouldn't put it up for auction if you don't have an idea if it's real-- even with disclaimer. However, when you do put it up for sale, include a big clear image so bidders can make judgments for themselves.

I agree that posting an image here and asking for opinions is a good idea.

The source of your hypothetical lot is relevant. There's a difference between the lot coming from an anonyous garage sale and an experienced/reputable dealer. Authentic autographs can come from both, but you and others will have more confidence in the opinion and reliability of said dealer.

[thecatspajamas]

Originally Posted by drc

when you do put it up for sale, include a big clear image so bidders can make judgments for themselves.

+1

Regardless of your certainty of its authenticity or who has examined it for you, the #1 most important thing is to show the signature clearly. You won't get good bids based on yours or anyone else's promises that it's good coupled with a lousy pic (and you shouldn't). Moreso, if the photo/scan is lousy, legitimate collectors who know the player's signature will shy away, and you will wind up dealing with bidders who either don't have a clue about autographs or those who don't bother to look at pics and just buy based on the title. Either way, if you're selling on eBay and the sig turns out bad, the buyer will wind up getting their money back via an ebay/paypal claim regardless of what guarantee you state.

[slidekellyslide]

The reason I give the guaranteed to pass JSA or PSA is because those are the two authentication companies that ebay allows...not that I think they're the cat's meow. I've never had an autograph returned.

[travrosty]

eventually you will get one returned, and then the guarantee to pass jsa or psa won't look as good as an option.

that boxing piece had three big time signatures on it that go for 300-500 apiece, (Sharkey, Corbett, Jeffries) making it a 1000 dollar + item if the signatures were legit. they arent, but got two certs from the two big companies anyway.

I used to guarantee to pass psa or jsa also, but then jsa knocked down an obviously good sonny liston i had that held up a 1300 dollar sale. a few weeks later jsa certed that same piece as good.

my friend sold a bob fitzsimmons signed photo that is good, and psa knocked it down and the buyer sued my friend. The buyer lost as my friend showed up in court and showed that psa opinion is just that, an opinion and in many cases they are dead wrong.

I should know about these things as not too long ago PSA asked me to be their boxing autograph consultant expert because they didn't have one and said they needed help in boxing. I didn't want to do it because of their organizational setup in how they authenticate and their unwillingness to reform their policies and procedures. That's how this "James Jeffers" nonsense like this gets passed.

They still need help and still don't have anyone who knows boxing.

The authentication route is fraught with pitfalls when they don't know what they are doing. There is no shame in putting up something "as is". People can make there own informed decision and get opinions from people they trust before they buy.

There is a dichotomy in autograph collecting right now. On one hand some people are interested in finding out if somethins is real. On the other hand some people want resale value and optimized marketability, but these two thibgs are not necessarily inclusive and the same thing, and many times are not. It's two different kinds of people collecting for two different reasons, neither reason is wrong by itself but the trick is to get resale value AS WELL as a great opinion on to the authenticity of the piece and psa and jsa only have one of these bases covered unfortunately.

Travis Roste


I agree that the Psa-Jsa boxing piece I showed is totally pathetic and it is as bad as other Forensics opinions, but the people who bash the Forensics opinion never have anything to say about Psa or Jsa when they do similar things.

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by travrosty

my friend sold a bob fitzsimmons signed photo that is good, and psa knocked it down and the buyer sued my friend. The buyer lost as my friend showed up in court and showed that psa opinion is just that, an opinion and in many cases they are dead wrong.

I should know about these things as not too long ago PSA asked me to be their boxing autograph consultant expert because they didn't have one and said they needed help in boxing. I didn't want to do it because of their organizational setup in how they authenticate and their unwillingness to reform their policies and procedures. That's how this "James Jeffers" nonsense like this gets passed.

They still need help and still don't have anyone who knows boxing.

I have no idea whether it was good or not, but that Fitzsimmons piece you mentioned caused a lot friction in the hobby between a lot of good people who were just trying to do the right thing on both sides.

It's a tight knit community and it's amazing the ripples that one piece caused.

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by travrosty

eventually you will get one returned, and then the guarantee to pass jsa or psa won't look as good as an option.

If it happens, it happens...I'll still guarantee anything I sell. I'm not in the business of selling Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth or any other highly forged autograph...I usually have a pretty good idea if something is real or not before I sell it.