I Hate When TPA's Do This!

[ironmanfan]

I recently acquired a signed, Bill Ripken Game Worn hat via an auction site and was diappointed to see that the "verification sticker" was placed right over the player's hand written uniform number. Let's face it, there were a lot of other places on the hat's underside where it could have been placed. As you can maybe see, I tried to peel it off but decided against it.....

UGH

[3arod13]

I recently acquired a signed, Bill Ripken Game Worn hat via an auction site and was diappointed to see that the "verification sticker" was placed right over the player's hand written uniform number. Let's face it, there were a lot of other places on the hat's underside where it could have been placed. As you can maybe see, I tried to peel it off but decided against it.....

UGH

Possible it's not his cap, but he sign it, and that's why the covered up the written number? Sure doesn't make sense they would do something like that.

[ironmanfan]

Possible it's not his cap, but he sign it, and that's why the covered up the written number? Sure doesn't make sense they would do something like that.

The hat was advertised as game used by Billy (nd I bid accordingly) and when I showed it to him personally, he confirmed it was his (as far as he could tell). This hat was a part of a game used bat/hat combination lot.

[3arod13]

The hat was advertised as game used by Billy (nd I bid accordingly) and when I showed it to him personally, he confirmed it was his (as far as he could tell). This hat was a part of a game used bat/hat combination lot.

Well, glad to hear that!!

[Wrigley2010]

You would think authenticators would have a set of SOP's regarding the placement of their stickers. I've actually seen this happen on a few different occasions where a sticker was placed in an area that obstructed the item in some form. Wouldn't putting the sticker in the most inconspicuous spot be the most desirable option for the customer? It's hard not to wonder if these TPA's think their sticker is as important as the actual piece they are authenticating.

[icollectDCsports]

Is the authentication represented by the sticker for the autograph or for the game worn nature of the hat (or both)? It's unfortunate, but I'd think the auto authentication folks may have less sensitivity to the possibility that the placement of their sticker could obscure certain markings important to identifying the game worn aspect of items. In general, I'm not a fan of how prominently some TPAs place their stickers, which I think are generally pretty gaudy and ugly. On examples is bats. I often see stickers placed on the front of bats near to and detracting from the labels. I'd much rather the stickers be on the back so that they would not be seen when the bat is displayed in its label-forward position. That's my preference, although I can imagine that some collectors like having the stickers more prominently placed so that those looking at the items will see that they're authentic.

[camarokids]

Common sense is NOT so common in America anymore!

[ShaimOnYou]

Common sense is NOT so common in America anymore!

Agreed. We're so dumbed down now it's almost painful.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/...g-down-america

It's permeating every part of our society.

HOW in the world can a guy in this business who's conscious, awake, breathing air, place a sticker over a number on the hat? If you're in the hobby, you just know better, don't you?

[Wrigley2010]

Is the authentication represented by the sticker for the autograph or for the game worn nature of the hat (or both)? It's unfortunate, but I'd think the auto authentication folks may have less sensitivity to the possibility that the placement of their sticker could obscure certain markings important to identifying the game worn aspect of items. In general, I'm not a fan of how prominently some TPAs place their stickers, which I think are generally pretty gaudy and ugly. On examples is bats. I often see stickers placed on the front of bats near to and detracting from the labels. I'd much rather the stickers be on the back so that they would not be seen when the bat is displayed in its label-forward position. That's my preference, although I can imagine that some collectors like having the stickers more prominently placed so that those looking at the items will see that they're authentic.

JSA only authenticates autographs so the sticker is for the autograph. Regardless of whether an autograph authenticator would be as sensitive to sticker placement as a game use authenticator really shouldn't be an issue. These companies should have SOP's in place that guide their employees on where a sticker should be placed. If they really allow the authenticator to place it at their discretion then JSA and all the others need to change their procedures. I know PSA and their game use authenticators will accept requests on sticker placement prior to them authenticating the item.

[sportsnbikes]

This all goes back to, how many "experts" do these TPA's actually have? I find it very hard to believe these "experts" are anything more than entry level workers sitting there looking at these autographs and giving a best guess as to authenticity. With millions of submissions, how many "experts" can these companies truly have?

If you're an entry level worker without knowledge of game used, you don't get it that you shouldn't put the stick over the hat number.