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Thread: Authentication, Who to trust?
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01-06-2009, 12:53 PM #1
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Re: Authentication, Who to trust?
I think a lot of this depends on the tyupe of item and athlete you're persuing. The best thing you can do is research through the forums and any other online resoucres and do your homework. You can never be 100% sure of anything except taxes and death, or getting something signed in person.
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01-06-2009, 01:50 PM #2
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Re: Authentication, Who to trust?
I have little faith in GAI, and would place far greater trust in PSA/DNA or JSA.
It has been my experience GAI has become VERY liberal in authenticating. Of course, they charge you more if they authenticate an item than if they reject it under their policies, so they have a built-in incentive to rubber stamp anything close.
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01-06-2009, 02:17 PM #3
Re: Authentication, Who to trust?
GAI declared bankruptcy.
http://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com...hapter-11.html
rudy.
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01-06-2009, 02:24 PM #4
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Re: Authentication, Who to trust?
For autographs (not commenting on game used), in person signing companies are very reliable, as the signings were done with witness and the players are generally under contract to sign. These companies include Steiner, TriStar, Mounted Memories, UDA (and others). The player's hologram next to the signature is a good sign of authenticity. The MLB hologram is also a strong indication of authenticity, as these signings are also done with witness. PSA/DNA and JSA are generally reliable 'after the fact' judgers, though aren't perfect. They don't witness the signing, but are judging later. GAI letters where Mike Gutierrez is listed as expert are reliable, as he's top notch. He left the company early on, so later LOAs won't have his name.
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01-06-2009, 03:08 PM #5
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Re: Authentication, Who to trust?
Well actually that is not necessarily true. Guittierz name may be on the LOA does not mean he was present at ever or examining every item that walks in the door. So the person who is actually doing the authenticating can still be wrong.
As far as GAI they have passed many bad items in my opinion, and it has been noted here in past threads that items that come form the have been questionable.
I have seen them at card shows and hand out LOAS like they were toilet paper anybody and everyone seemed to be getting an LOA didn't not a one fail.
One of there reps once was or still is a member of this forum and every time one of there items was in question and he was called upon he never answered.
I personally believe PSA/DNA & JSA are more trustworthy sources.
Also JSA was once apart of PSA/DNA
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01-06-2009, 08:06 PM #6
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Re: Authentication, Who to trust?
The early version of GAI was very conservatives with autographs. During this this time it was tougher to get an LOA for an item than PSA or JSA. It was in recent times that they became lax. Whether or not Gutierrez was the personal authenticator, the Gutierrez name indicates the LOA is from the early, extra-careful version of GAI.
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01-06-2009, 08:20 PM #7
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Re: Authentication, Who to trust?
Autograph authenticators aren't particularly reliable...or scrupulous. Both PSA/DNA and JSA have made some really stupid mistakes. At one point a TV station caught JSA authenticating bogus autographs through a sting they did at an autograph show.
http://www.autographalert.com/news.html chronicles some of the exploits of autograph authenticators. It's a good, eye opening read.
As an autograph collector, I believe that you have to become your own expert if you don't want to get ripped off. Get your items signed in person, or pay a little more and get them through sources such as UDA, GTSM, TriStar, Mounted Memories, Steiner, etc. if you want to be sure that they're authentic. If you have to go through some other source, do your homework.
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02-07-2010, 06:15 PM #8
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Re: Authentication, Who to trust?
From my experiences, I trust no one except when I get the autograph myself. Old school authentication is having a picture with the person who signed the stuff AND a picture or two of that person holding onto the item he signed.
You need this just in case you want to SELL your item with hope that you will make some extra bucks for your time and effort.
Now moving to the present, I can rank the following authenticated company as follow:
1. PSADNA - top of the line but take too long to get your items back. Sometimes I sent them stuff to be graded and I completely forgot about them until I get a package three months later. If PSADNA can have a quicker turn around without costing an arm and a leg, I know more collectors will send in their stuff.
2. Steiner - I like their stuff but the pricing can be a little better. Because of Steiner, you will NEVER ever see a YANKEES FANFEST so this forum members can fight over the stuff they get. I like Steiner better also when they have shows when you can meet your favorite athletes in person and have your items authenticated on the spot - which is every collector dream!
3. Beckett - same as PSADNA but a little less expensive.
4. JSA - I like them since it run by a former member of PSA but I really really dont like the GENERIC certificate. It's just too simple in my eyes. Full certificates are very nice to look at and it's do-able but again, if you are going to spend a decent amount of money to have your item verified - you might as well go with the best out there.
5. Dont trust GAI because some of the stuff they authenticated - I was like are you serious? Maybe Jeter signature looked like that when he was drunk and just got out of accident .... come on!
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01-07-2009, 12:58 AM #9
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Re: Authentication, Who to trust?
I agree that the odds just can't be there for 90% of anything they do to be fake. Maybe it was miquoted as 90% of fake items will get a passing grade. Still seems like a bold statement and a stretch, but not near as blanket like.
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01-07-2009, 03:49 PM #10
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Re: Authentication, Who to trust?
Trust no-one.
I can't understand why people collect autographs when there are safer items to collect in the hobby like Super-Star football and baseball jerseys. And let's not forget vintage football helmets.
Just my opinion.
Jim