Authentication, Who to trust?

[both-teams-played-hard]

There is only one sure way to know if your autograph is real.

[earlywynnfan]

I have personally submitted just one item to an authenticator in my life, so I'm far from an expert. However, many people have told me that if an item fails from PSA and/or JSA, send it to Global. That scares me.

Ken
earlywynnfan5@hotmail.com

[sammy]

"JSA told me that 90% of Global items are fake..."

Personally, I believe whom ever states this, or believes this, does not know anything about the business of autograph authentication.

I also personally believe no one at JSA would make the statement the OP stated, because it would be ridiculously false and stupid.

[trsent]

"JSA told me that 90% of Global items are fake..."

Personally, I believe whom ever states this, or believes this, does not know anything about the business of autograph authentication.

I also personally believe no one at JSA would make the statement the OP stated, because it would be ridiculously false and stupid.

Sammy, I agree with your statement 100% and after discussions today with authenticators about this statement - There is no chance it is true and I would doubt Jimmy Spence would make such a statement.

As GAI, now in Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, may have given opinions on questionable items, they have also certified many, many genuine items. I know a dealer who had thousands of items certified by GAI that were all autographed in person at autograph sessions with the players. If all his items are genuine, that would mean every other item authenticated is not genuine based on the statement given to start this thread.

We all know this is not true, as GAI has certified plenty of genuine items as their prices are often more competitive than PSA/DNA and JSA so a lot of people used their services.

[sammy]

Joel,

I don't know the last time we agreed on anything, but I thank you for your comments, and I must state that I also agree with you 100 percent in regard to your statement.

"We all know this is not true, as GAI has certified plenty of genuine items as their prices are often more competitive than PSA/DNA and JSA so a lot of people used their services."

I have many items certified by GAI that I personally sent to them for authentication. It was not that I needed to know, but that others may feel more comfortable with nationally known third party authentication.

They have also turned down items I have sent in, which we have tended to disagree on.

A major contributing factor in my decision to use GAI instead of JSA or PSA/DNA is the cost factor.

Being as PSA/DNA charges 100 just to look at a Mantle autograph, and JSA charges 75, with shipping and insurance both ways added on top of that, a seller's profit margin has been reduced considerably.

It has actually, on a number of times, been more profitable for the authentication company then it was for me, as the owner and seller. That is right, they made more money off of an item then I did.

Another favorable factor in using GAI is if an item does not pass, they don't charge you the full amount as PSA/DNA and JSA does.

To some, they see this as an incentive to just past things regardless of the items probability for authenticity. But I believe they are missing the main point, which is to help collectors and dealers save some money.

As I stated, I have had a number of items turned down over the years which I believe to be real, as well as some that were questionable. I know first hand GAI does not just past anything to increase their bottom line.

It is called integrity. They are constantly trying to improve their abilities and services, and I for one will continue to use them, as well as the other companies.

[heckler]

In my opinion the authentication process is a big joke. The big 3 will never say that the others items are authentic. I have had dealings with all 3 and PSA/DNA is absolutly horrible when it comes to authentication. I once went to them with 50 items that were all 100% real and obtained by me in person and none of them were bought or traded for and they rejected all of them and still charged me full price so they get paid whether they are good or bad. I have dealt with JSA where I was asked "where did you obtain these" as if that has anything to do with them being good or bad. If I told them I had dinner with the player and they signed for me would that mean they were good? or If I said I bought them would that mean they were bad? What does where I got the autograph have to do with them saying they were good or bad? I have also dealt with the old GAI and the new, in my opinion the new is def. better than the old. I remember one time about 5 years ago when Justin Priddy (now owner of ACE authentication) had a customer come to him with a stack of about 300 photos that he didnt even look at and just started to put stickers on, needless to say he was fired for a simular incident and now owns his own company where he is doing the same thing. The new GAI run under Steve Sipp is the way to go, they are honest and will provide you with an honest and reliable service that you can trust.

However in closing the opinion of authentication companies is just that, an opinion. They do not guarentee anything and on all 3 of the companies cert cards it clearly states "It is our opinion" so does one companies opinion mean more then the next???

[Mulligans]

Very interesting posts guys....Which Authenticators if any will authenticate game used items?

What is the process for authenticating a game used item?

[sportscentury]

Very interesting posts guys....Which Authenticators if any will authenticate game used items?

What is the process for authenticating a game used item?

I trust and use MeiGray (MeiGray.com). Barry Meisel, one of the founders and owners, is a GUU member and regular poster here. Their authentication is based on photomatch analysis. If you don't know what photomatch analysis is, I assure you that it is easily worth 10 minutes of your time to call or email them to learn more about their service. I do a lot of photomatching on my own, but when I need a hand with a project, MeiGray is the company I call. A couple of other companies claim to do photomatching, but I can assure you that their service is nothing like MeiGray's. How do I know? Because I have dealt with these other companies directly and have been disappointed in their guesswork.