Horrible verification news!

[indyreds]

We have all heard stories where you can almost use a certificate of authenticity as toilet paper. Today I ran across a site that really runs this point home to me. You email them a picture of your autograph, send the paypal and poof an certificate of authenticty is on the way. I could not believe it! They also try to sell you their certified junk on their site? Here is the link:
http://www.verifiedautographs.com/
I would say buyer beware to anyone who sees these certificates of ownership on an item you are going to buy or trade for!

[ChrisR]

I don't understand your view on this? They don't pass every item. It specificaly states that fake or forged items will not be passed but you will still be charged the fee. It's no different than the service offered by any of the other companies. The photo you send is the photo they "analyze" then that photo is the one you will recieve on the COA. If you send a photo of a real say Mariano Rivera that photo is on the COA, so you can't just put that COA with something you sign yourself. It won't match.

Honestly I see nothing wrong with this service. With todays digital cameras, scanners, and overall resolution; plus the HD computer screens; there is little difference than viewing the item in person. I would prefer this over risking my most prized possesions being handeled in the mail then handeled by some guy at the authentication company, then having it mailed back again.

The bottom line with EVERY "authentication" company is simple; they are in the business of making money. The so called "Best handwriting experts" have all made errors in authentication. Unless the item was signed in front of the authenticators eyes they are just being paid for their "expert opinion".

[bob9826]

and to me COA mean nothing because almost anyone with a computer could make one that looked real and then could then print it off

[indyreds]

My stance is simple-you can not tell if an auto is real without actually seeing it. I assume that if it was a simple as looking at a scan, then printing that scan off would work just as well? Would I be able to send your original scan of an real auto and then just put the certificate it netted me with a printed copy and call it real? This is just another way to get a piece of paper that tells someone something is a real auto that means nothing!

[ChrisR]

On a scan you can see the difference of ink on top of the photo. If it's a PP it all appears as one layer. Honestly if someone is stupid enough to buy a copy because it comes with a COA they can't be helped.