Originally Posted by BeenBurned
(Other brands on TPF won't even respond to your question if the correct pictures aren't shown, if the pictures aren't well focused, if the listing has ended or if you don't participate in other parts of the forum other than using free authentication services.)
Because the authenticators are volunteering their own free time and expertise, they (the authenticators) are allowed to do as they desire.
Some of them want to avoid what they perceive as "freeloading," and others might believe someone is promoting her own items under the guise of verifying a purchase she wants to make. They want to encourage buyers to do their homework, i.e., ask questions, authenticate BEFORE listings end.
Also, some of the authentication threads for some brands are so busy and they may have just one or two members who are skilled enough to authenticate that they just draw the line to limit to active listings.
There are a few cases (I know I've had experience here and on the ebay boards) where the sellers have been rude and defensive to me/us and I won't authenticate for those sellers.
There are any number of reasons why listings aren't authenticated but those people always have the option of getting a professional authentication from one of the approved services.
