[Lordstan]

So, This type of stuff is certainly frustrating, but mistakes do happen. Now the real test for all involved is what happens next. Will the original AH take the item back now that it failed? If not, will JSA make him whole because he bought it based on their opinion?
I have no issue with someone giving an opinion. However, if you charge top dollar, or any amount for that matter, for your opinion because you promote yourself as an expert, you better be ready to stand behind mistakes you made, even the honest ones, that caused another person financial harm because of a decision that person made based on your opinion. After all, doctors, lawyers, stockbrokers, and other have gotten sued and held accountable for problems people have had based on decisions made as a result of their opinions. So why not auction houses?

If either the original AH or JSA do stand up and make the buyer whole, then they deserve the credit for doing so. Let's see what happens.

This situation does bring up an interesting question. What would Sotheby's or Christie's do if they sold a Van Gogh or similar that was later proven to be fake? Would they refund the money or would they refer the person to the expert they used to authenticate the item for restitution? If the AH refunded the money, would they ask for a refund from the authenticator that was used? I wonder what is the standard?