How good is a PSA Opinion?

[broome1000]

I have a very nice Roger Maris autograph baseball I am going to put up for sale soon on ebay. The ball was put in a holder with days of being signed and has only been touched maybe twice over the last 25 years. I am sure it is a good idea to have the autograph certified and the ball graded beforehand. I am thinking of sending it off to PSA. Before I spend the $100 I read in the forum where someone suggested after listing an autographed item on Ebay someone might just want to pay $8 to PSA for an opinion. My question is how much weight does a PSA opinion carry verses having the ball phisically sent out for grading? The ball and signiture look like a 10 to me. If PSA says it is most likely authentic is that good enough for you?

[skyking26]

Re: How good is a PSA Opinion?

If I were buying a Maris ball, I'd pay more on ebay for a graded ball that PSA looked at vs. an opinion. If the item were a lesser value I'd say go for the opinion, but this is a valuable piece - so it might be worth your while to go the send off route...

RK

[otismalibu]

Re: How good is a PSA Opinion?

If you list it on eBay someone can pay $8 for the PSA opinion. If the verdict is "likely not genuine", eBay ends the auction.

[sammy]

Re: How good is a PSA Opinion?

Post a few photos and receive a FREE authentication.

As good as PSA/DNA in accuracy.

[ahuff]

Re: How good is a PSA Opinion?

It seems that autographs, with favorable opinions by known authenticators, bring a premium. On a ball worth that much, I would say that it would be worth the time and investment. Especially if selling on the bay. On there, I believe people seem to bid with a "buyer beware" attitude.

Perhaps another auction house might do you even better service.

[broome1000]

Re: How good is a PSA Opinion?

Here are some photos. Let me know what you think.

[CollectGU]

Re: How good is a PSA Opinion?

In my opinion that ball will not pass PSA or JSA.

Regards,
Dave

[bigjimsguitars]

Re: How good is a PSA Opinion?

I'm certainly no expert on Maris auto's, but it would have to been in 1984 or 1985 based on the Bobby Brown Ball....Roger passed away on 12/14/1985....

[broome1000]

Re: How good is a PSA Opinion?

You certainly must have a reason to back up your claim. I will tell you I had it examined by an expert in Cooperstown whose opinion was it is genuine.

In my opinion that ball will not pass PSA or JSA.

Regards,
Dave

[David]

Re: How good is a PSA Opinion?

Offering no opinion on the signature, but, due to the grade of the sig and ball, if it were authentic you'd more than get your money back by getting the full PSA or JSA LOA. An authentic Maris ball in that condition is worth good money.

[David]

Re: How good is a PSA Opinion?

Bidders know that a Quick Opinion is just that. PSA or JSA hasn't examined the ball in person, but gave an opinion from looking at the pictures. A 'Likely Genuine' is not the same as a full LOA, but does tell bidders that PSA or JSA checked the auction out from afar and think the signature looks genuine.

[cohibasmoker]

Re: How good is a PSA Opinion?

I am not an expert on autographs. I've listed only a few signed items on eBay but as soon as I listed the auction, I've immediately notified and paid PSA/DNA for their "quick opinion". I do this because:

1) I am NOT an expert on autographs;
2) I NEVER want to sell a bogus item;
3) the general public trusts PSA/DNA; and,
4) Keyword Spamming (Violation of eBay policy)

Here's how I did it: I would list an item on eBay and always left space in the Description Title. I then notified PSA/DNA and paid for their quick opinion. When PSA/DNA comes back and tells me the item "appears genuine", I then go back to the auction and add the PSA/DNA "keywords" to the Description Title AND, I revise the listing by stated that the item has been examined by PSA/DNA and their "quick opinion" came back stating the item was, “likely genuine”. I also state that that I will enclose a copy of the email from PSA/DNA supporting their findings.

On 1 occasion, one of my signed items came back “likely not genuine” and I removed the item from eBay myself. Luckily, I did not have a lot of money into the item and just took the loss.

I recently bought a signed item on eBay using their “quick opinion”. I saved the PSA/DNA “quick opinion” email and sent the item and the email copy to PSA/DNA. They did a full evaluation of the item and deducted my $7.49 from the total cost of the authentication.

I am sure there are members on this forum who will disagreed with my methods but this is what I’ve done and it works for me.

Jim

[CollectGU]

Re: How good is a PSA Opinion?

You certainly must have a reason to back up your claim. I will tell you I had it examined by an expert in Cooperstown whose opinion was it is genuine.

Here is your ball next to 3 others passed by PSA. You can see the differences. I hope this helps:

[broome1000]

Re: How good is a PSA Opinion?

I don't know what you are looking at but I went letter by letter and on one of the 3 balls you submitted I see near perfect matches for every letter. I don't know about you but i certainly don't sign my name the same way every time and I am sure Roger didn't either. I think I will start with the opinion first though just to be on the safe side before I cough up the approx. $200 for the full analysis and grading. Please post the collage you sent me so others who have been following this thread can see for themselves.

Here is your ball next to 3 others passed by PSA. You can see the differences. I hope this helps:

[CollectGU]

Re: How good is a PSA Opinion?

I'm not sure how to post it for everyone to see. Ask Sammy here for his opinion. In my opinion it's not close many of the strokes are very different especially the g into the er in Roger, and then add in the fact that it is a Bobby Brown ball ...but that is only my opinion.

Regards,
Dave