As for how to implement this new certification authority, here is my proposed plan. My inclination is to lean towards a complete e-business where no goods ever have to be shipped. (Once again, we'll discuss potential problems later.) A strict template would be required, high resolution photos in a certain dimension, one top, one bottom, one left, one right, one front, one back. An appropriate pricing model would be about $3-$5 per game, with discounts for larger submittals. If the game cannot be authenticated via these high res photos, then the money is returned and an "Undetermined" finding would be issued for this game. If the seal is authenticated, then each one of the photos will be watermarked with the certification company's logo along with a special serial number. An electronic certificate could then be printed directly from the company website for the seller to include with his listing. This way the seal is authenticated, the seller can proudly show off their certificate, and a buyer now has peace of mind that the item they are purchasing is legit.
Please see the bolded part. If you're selling an item on eBay this would be a tremendous advantage from your perspective. You'd have watermarked photos from an independent company along with a certificate of authenticity. If you think this certificate is meaningless, then I encourage you to start tracking autographed sports memorabilia. Stuff that comes with a COA sells significantly higher on average, even ones from small companies and not the PSA authority. PSA ones go even higher.
Same would happen here, buyers would have a peace of mind knowing the item is legit and the sellers could showcase their item. That provides a significant advantage over your competition. I guess you could post a question on the forum and then try to link that to your eBay listing, but surely that would not carry the weight of a COA.
But to answer your question, if you are only keeping the item for yourself then perhaps just posting a photo on the forums would suffice... if you can get experts to weigh in. Also, I doubt that people would respond to each one of your requests if you buy sealed games on the regular and make a new thread everyday.
ETA: I could see the advantage of if you list a serial number in your auction, then the potential BUYERS could go the the authority's website and see the "official" images...
one of the problems with photos is you cant see all sides at the same time. I can buy 5 mint othellos and be able to slap their wrap on every angle of a rare CIB
one of the problems with photos is you cant see all sides at the same time. I can buy 5 mint othellos and be able to slap their wrap on every angle of a rare CIB
Then require a video submission on items worth more than $XXXX dollars, just as VGA has different costs and requirements for high-end items.
Comments
As for how to implement this new certification authority, here is my proposed plan. My inclination is to lean towards a complete e-business where no goods ever have to be shipped. (Once again, we'll discuss potential problems later.) A strict template would be required, high resolution photos in a certain dimension, one top, one bottom, one left, one right, one front, one back. An appropriate pricing model would be about $3-$5 per game, with discounts for larger submittals. If the game cannot be authenticated via these high res photos, then the money is returned and an "Undetermined" finding would be issued for this game. If the seal is authenticated, then each one of the photos will be watermarked with the certification company's logo along with a special serial number. An electronic certificate could then be printed directly from the company website for the seller to include with his listing. This way the seal is authenticated, the seller can proudly show off their certificate, and a buyer now has peace of mind that the item they are purchasing is legit.
Please see the bolded part. If you're selling an item on eBay this would be a tremendous advantage from your perspective. You'd have watermarked photos from an independent company along with a certificate of authenticity. If you think this certificate is meaningless, then I encourage you to start tracking autographed sports memorabilia. Stuff that comes with a COA sells significantly higher on average, even ones from small companies and not the PSA authority. PSA ones go even higher.
Same would happen here, buyers would have a peace of mind knowing the item is legit and the sellers could showcase their item. That provides a significant advantage over your competition. I guess you could post a question on the forum and then try to link that to your eBay listing, but surely that would not carry the weight of a COA.
But to answer your question, if you are only keeping the item for yourself then perhaps just posting a photo on the forums would suffice... if you can get experts to weigh in. Also, I doubt that people would respond to each one of your requests if you buy sealed games on the regular and make a new thread everyday.
ETA: I could see the advantage of if you list a serial number in your auction, then the potential BUYERS could go the the authority's website and see the "official" images...
one of the problems with photos is you cant see all sides at the same time. I can buy 5 mint othellos and be able to slap their wrap on every angle of a rare CIB
Then require a video submission on items worth more than $XXXX dollars, just as VGA has different costs and requirements for high-end items.