Best Authenticators for Bats and Jerseys

[joelsabi]

Who are the top 3 authenticators for each of these division of game used equipment and why.

A) Bats
B) Jersey

Is it fair to say that there is too much information to think a GU expert would be knowledgable in more than one area such as bats and jerseys.

[spartakid]

Not sure about top three for each, but I would say the best for bats is PSA and the best for jerseys is probably Mears.

[corsairs22]

Has anyone ever had authentications of a bat from both PSA and Mears and found any differences in their analyses? I have bought a couple of bats that came with letters from both authenticators, and naturally they agreed. But how often do they disagree?

[intheminors]

I'm thinking of sending my A-Rod bat to PSA... Any idea of the charge I'll be looking at for them to authenticate?

Kyle

[mr.miracle]

I'm thinking of sending my A-Rod bat to PSA... Any idea of the charge I'll be looking at for them to authenticate?

Kyle

Authentication and Grading Fees

1. DIRECT MAIL:
Authentication fees:
Service Level
Authentication Fee Bat ValueTier 1
$550$25,000+Tier 2
$400$10,000 - $24,999Tier 3
$285$5,000 - $9,999Tier 4
$185$1,000 - $4,999Tier 5
$85$999 or less
Turnaround time is dependent upon demand.
Grading fee (optional): If you would like your bat graded, the fee is $65 per item. Indicate on the form

[vonbrandingo]

Don't collect jerseys so don't know about that, but IMO MEARS is the best bat authenticator. All of the information written on PSA/DNA LOAs can be found on the MEARS LOAs but the MEARS worksheets provide more detail and useful information about how they reached the grade. Without the worksheet, the PSA/DNA grading system seems to be much more subjective and leaves the bat owner wondering why points (or half-points) were earned, not earned, or deducted (i.e. cracks may or may not be acceptable for high grades under current PSA grading standards but did the crack on this (any) bat affect the grade/eye appeal for the authenticator?).

[vonbrandingo]

And MEARS generally costs less than PSA authentication and grading. From mearsonline.com:

Game Used Bats
Pre-War HOF (1945 and earlier) Tier 1 player $550.00
Pre-War HOF (1945 and earlier) Tier 2 player $350.00
Pre-War non HOF (1945 and earlier) $200.00
Post-War HOF (1946 through 1979) Tier 1 player $450.00
Post-War HOF (1946 through 1979) Tier 2 player $250.00
Post-War non HOF (1946 through 1979) $100.00
Modern Era (1980 to present)
HOF $150.00
Super Star Player $100.00
Semi Star Player $75.00
Common $25.00
Replacement Letters $19.99
Historically significant items additional fee POR