Here’s something that will no doubt help collectors out in a big way! It’s regarding an area of the industry that’s difficult to monitor, especially for unsuspecting buyers: autographs. Have you ever been hesitant about purchasing an autographed item on eBay? For fear that it might be a forgery? Well, listen up. In years past, despite its best efforts, even the good folks at eBay have unwittingly sold fraudulent autographs to unsuspecting buyers because there wasn’t always a proper policing mechanism in place.
But now comes a site-wide autograph authentication program from PSA/DNA that will help novice collectors – even a few veterans – make more informed decisions on the items they’re buying. eBay bidders now have the option of asking an industry expert for their professional opinion as to an autograph’s authenticity before clicking the “Add to cart,” “Place bid,” “Make Offer” or “Buy It Now” buttons. Seasoned authenticators at PSA/DNA are available to evaluate the autograph(s) in question via a “QuickOpinion™” link that will provide peace of mind for collectors for a nominal fee of just $10.
It’s an online service that’s been around for the past 16 years from PSA/DNA, but just recently it’s taken on a whole new presence on eBay. Now it’s included on every single autograph listing that’s posted across the e-commerce site, so it’s virtually impossible for collectors to miss the PSA/DNA QuickOpinion™ link. And the best part is it’s affordable and easy to use. Here’s how:
- Click on the QuickOpinion™ link and enter the eBay item number for the autographed piece you are interested in. Then make a fast and easy payment of $10. The item’s listing page is then forwarded via email to PSA/DNA’s highly qualified staff of experts for an online exam.
- Within 24-to-48 hours you will receive an email with PSA/DNA’s opinion on whether they feel the item is “likely genuine” or “likely not genuine.”
- While every effort will be made to examine all item listings submitted, requests for opinions on listings closing in less than 24 hours will likely be too late to examine. With most eBay auctions lasting five or seven days, collectors are encouraged to submit their opinion requests promptly.
If the situation arises where QuickOpinion™ is unable to render an opinion, the collector receives a refund to his or her account.
It’s yet another important step in PSA/DNA’s ongoing fight against forgeries in the marketplace. It behooves collectors to make a small investment in helping to validate or, in some cases, invalidate the signature in question. Because when it comes to buying autographs, the adage “buyer beware” is always in season.
