FWIW, I agree with this. It is very difficult to authenticate jewelry by photos to begin with but this isn't even a forum about jewelry. It's primarily about bags! And there's not even a regular authenticator in that thread so removing it shouldn't be too much of a shock to anyone's system, right?
tPF authenticator discussion
- Thread starter missbanff
- Start date
TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others
- Status
FWIW, I agree with this. It is very difficult to authenticate jewelry by photos to begin with but this isn't even a forum about jewelry. It's primarily about bags! And there's not even a regular authenticator in that thread so removing it shouldn't be too much of a shock to anyone's system, right?
Wow. This whole time maybe I've totally misunderstood the purse forum. I've always thought that this was just a public online forum to discuss and share knowledge of handbags and accessories for fun. I have used the authentication discussions, from time to time, but didn't realize that it was so serious, thinking of it as what was being offered were opinions only. Take it or leave it. No disrespect to the people who to choose to help others by offering opinions, but if I wanted to be sure of authenticity, I would seek a professional opinion. This isn't a business for authenticating is it? Maybe I misunderstood things. . .
They're opinions in the legal sense, since in the case of a dispute, ebay, paypal and c.c. companies would (usually) require a professional documentation of said issue, i.e., counterfeit, damaged, etc. And the authenticators aren't employees of TPF so admin isn't liable in the event of mistakes.
But much of TPF's reputation has been built on the experience and proven skill of the various authenticators and for members to play guessing games with others' money will hurt the buyers and sellers whose items are wrongly "authenticated" as well as damage the reputation and trust many people have for TPF and it's ATs.
Any member is welcome to spend money on a professional opinion and certainly, those companies that offer them are happy to accept your money. But in many cases, spending money isn't necessary.
Here's an idea. . .Maybe the mods can monitor members of the pf and nominate experts in each subforum to authenticate pieces. If the concern is that a person hasn't proven their worth on the forum to post in this category, then make it so only a select few have the ability to authenticate. This will stop sellers from authenticating their own items and individuals with limited knowledge expressing an opinion. The pf should also have a disclaimer in every authenticating forum stating that the opinions expressed should be taken as opinions and the authenticators are not professionals.
The forum already states this disclaimer on the bag and accessory authentication threads, except for that last bit about not being professionals. Some authenticators who volunteer here are in fact professionals, the same people that some use for paid authentication outside the confines of TPF.
Please view the first page of the jewelry forum authentication thread- no disclaimer
From the feedback forum:
http://forum.purseblog.com/announcement.php?f=6&a=35
Disclaimer
All Authenticate This threads are here to provide assistance to shoppers who are uncertain about the legitimacy and authenticity of designer goods. The evaluations posted by our members are nothing but opinions that stem from personal experiences as shoppers and collectors. They are not legally binding or professional authentications and are not to be treated as such.
This is not on the jewelry box thread. It is listed in a different section. Imho it should be on every authentication thread.
Not every authentication thread is the same, not all have the same first post or the same way of authenticating or the same guidelines. Different things have worked for different subforums, depending on how they have evolved over time. That's part of what this discussion has been about and continues to be about.
The disclaimer above is posted in the Feedback Forum, along with the rules and is readily accessible to anyone.
I completely understand this, but I think listing a reminder of the disclaimer for the authentiction thread, just like Swanky reminds members of the rules in the discussion threads, would be helpful to new or not very active members who have limited forum knowledge.
It's not in every authentication thread, and as you may know if you've followed this one, Vlad and Megs are looking at the authentication issue across the forum with an eye to making changes, rather than doing things piecemeal. People have been great with offering suggestions and opinions here for them to consider.
And just a personal note: as someone who authenticates, I try to always include in my posts phrasing to the effect of "in my opinion" ... because regardless of disclaimers, it bears repeating. I don't always do it, but I do try to. And as has been mentioned a lot here too people rarely even read the first post in a thread, another issue being looked at.
Frankly, even a paid professional or appraiser is just rendering their opinion. I've had appraisals done by reputable firms on the same piece of fine jewelry to have them come back with wildly disparate assessments.
Opinions ... everyone's got one!
Me too. Sometimes someone will press and ask for another opinion because they think we aren't sure. We can be absolutely sure but still there's a chance we missed something. Hence my signature line.It's not in every authentication thread, and as you may know if you've followed this one, Vlad and Megs are looking at the authentication issue across the forum with an eye to making changes, rather than doing things piecemeal. People have been great with offering suggestions and opinions here for them to consider.
And just a personal note: as someone who authenticates, I try to always include in my posts phrasing to the effect of "in my opinion" ... because regardless of disclaimers, it bears repeating. I don't always do it, but I do try to. And as has been mentioned a lot here too people rarely even read the first post in a thread, another issue being looked at.
Frankly, even a paid professional or appraiser is just rendering their opinion. I've had appraisals done by reputable firms on the same piece of fine jewelry to have them come back with wildly disparate assessments.
Opinions ... everyone's got one!
I noticed too, I just shake my head. Hopefully they will make some changes, eventually.
- Status