I wanted to write a quick note about the use of 3rd party authenticators. We try to make it very clear that we NEVER use 3rd party authenticators to determine authenticity. Everything we obtain is obtained in-person (on a rare occasion we buy a collection) and we know what authentic autographs look like.

We started using the 3rd party authenticators at the suggestion of eBay's Trust and Safety department to bring more trust to our items on eBay. They are fully aware of how much bad material is for sale and they do try to be very helpful to their sellers. At first we didn't like the idea at all. I was very skeptical at first. But over time I have realized the value it brings our customers and as long as it brings value to our customers we will continue to do it.

Many autograph sellers and collectors have opinions about the 3rd party authenticators. Many dislike one authenticator but like another or simply have no opinion. I have never found any two collectors/dealers with the same opinion on any 3rd party authenticator. As of late, there are a few blogs that are whining about the 3rd party authenticators and even showcasing some of their mistakes. It is a shame to see the mistakes but, nobody is perfect.

However, I have noticed that the sellers who complain the most abut the authenticators are most often the ones who sell bad autographs. Some of these sellers go into rants in their auctions (or even create blogs) trying to convince the buyers that any authenticated item is a forgery. If they would just sell authentic autographs they could simply enjoy the collecting world and have no reason to rant.

The 3rd party authenticators are not perfect but would you rather take your chances or buy from a dealer that is confident enough in their autographs to send them out to be looked at? I know my answer...

We have seen all kinds of stupidity among the main authenticators (GAI, GA, JSA & PSA, Online Authentics, ACE & PAAS). There are always rumors about them all and web sites dedicated to exposing what people think are mistakes made by each 3rd party authenticator. I think this will be the norm forever.

It is our opinion that by having many of our high-end items authenticated we provide a simple service to those shoppers and collectors who are not willing or unable to learn about what an authentic autograph looks like. It allows us to differentiate ourselves from all the bad autographs which are traded daily on many web sites including eBay.

Please remember that we already know everything we sell is authentic and the 3rd party authentication is done just for you- our customer.

We fully understand that many of our customers simply do not have the time or resources to learn about every autograph they want to collect.

We recently moved to using Global Authentics (GA) almost 100%. They are the only authenticator who actually cares about customer service, completes our orders in a timely fashion, ships the items safely back to us and is VERY picky about autograph authenticity.

ACE is to be avoided. ACE is a former employee of GAI who was let go for certifying everything sent to him for certain dealers in exchange for cash. Bad bad bad.

I do not know much about PAAS (other then they were involved with GAI back in the days of blanket approval of items (authentic or not) in exchange for cash. I am seeing a lot of bad autographs certified by them now and I know eBay is working on banning them from their site soon.

I have noticed that many items approved by Online Authentics (OE) are no good and the sellers I know that sell forgeries have started using them. Stay clear.

I can tell you that PSA takes FOREVER and cares very little about any customer. They will actually abandon their customers out of the blue. I have met some of the PSA authenticators in the street (they have no idea who I was) and I just listened to what they had to say. It was not good but I cannot repeat it. We may try them just to be able to truthfully talk about the process.

JSA has been recently exposed for blanket approving items from their best customers and is being sued for their business practices. They also destroyed a huge order of ours when they just tossed everything loosely in a box and everything got damaged in transit and they treat you like they are doing you a favor. Not a friendly place to deal with. I used to be able to call James on his cell phone and he would help me with any issues. Not anymore.

Copyright 2003-2011 World of Autographs.