In light of recent revelations are you more or less confident in TPA?

[barrysloate]

Richard- in no way was I suggesting you may have been offered money to influence your opinions. I merely thought that it might have happened somewhere in the industry.

[RichardSimon]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Richard- in no way was I suggesting you may have been offered money to influence your opinions. I merely thought that it might have happened somewhere in the industry.

Barry - I never thought that you meant me, not to worry.
I just wanted to make it clear that though pressure was put on me at times, the pressure never involved a cash payoff.
I do miss those Las Vegas trips though .
Gave me a chance to visit the Grand Canyon and take a rafting trip down the Colorado River.

[Exhibitman]

I voted for about the same. TPAs can help a collector with a specific piece. JSA caught a wife-signed piece at the National for me that saved me a bunch of $$. If I can't get it signed myself I am willing to lean on a TPA to back up my own research.

TPAs also make it easier to sell. Sorry, but even if they do make mistakes they are generally treated as reliable by the purchasing public.

What I won't do is purchase items that I cannot research myself unless they are sold strictly for the collectible value [such as a vintage photo or postcard I'd purchase anyway at the price offered]. I looked for a good long time before buying my most recent expensive [for me] autograph and was completely satisfied that the TPA [PSA/DNA in this case] absolutely nailed it before I bought the item:

[Caseyatbat]

+1