Seems a bad practice to me, as far as I know, members are only offering opinions and not expecting to be used for bolstering.

@centralpapottery I think this is a good question. Since many of the members here give opinions and not official authentication so to speak, thanking the forum for their help with Identification I think may simply bring you issues if it turns out to be something else, as some people may look at that as a guarantee of some sort. What I would consider doing is paying the $12 for the preview assistant and asking Peter if it is ok to put his name as having reviewed the item. I would just always ask first before giving specific names, that would be my rule.

Personally, I feel it is better to avoid mentioning names, however well-intentioned it is, it could backfire one way or another.  

@julia to clarify, you would never mention bidamount? I, actually, thought it would be advertisement for the site. But, maybe everyone bidding already knows about bidamount. Glad I asked the question. I'm listing something to go on tonight and was going to thank bidamount for help identifying. But, I always add, "but please make your own determination as to age" even if I thanked bidamount. I'm going to take it out if that's what seems best.

@jg1133 good thought. Next time I have a worthy item to send to Peter, I'll ask. Of course, that might mean those looking at my item wouldn't need to get authentication from Peter if I say I already did. Don't want to lose business for him. Of course, they may not trust my word that I got it authenticated from Peter anyway, especially if it were high dollar. I will probably take it out for tonight's listing... unless Mark or another admin comments.

Feels that you are looking for an easy, quick & free of charge NOW personal services when dating or identifying your items. I think this one will backfire for sure already.  And I think, this will take a while to recover..😂 

And I would like to add, very important bit when it comes to any sort online society:

You can take a few times FREE or charge (as this is forum) later you will have to find a way how to give something back to society (unless you are super loved & liked member - in other words, special 1) - otherwise in a long run - your threads will get ignored & noone will bother to answer your questions..No-one likes or noone wants to be used for any reason in any  form.

Sorry - this way I am in real life, I say what I think, but before I say it, I really do think what I will say.. Some people hate this, some people respect, it depends.

 Dear Central Pennslyvania, It is just wrong and common courtesy demands you inform and request permission before using a member's name in a commercial venture. Few use their true identity, which means they value privacy. Something tells me this horse has already left the barn and this discussion is perhaps too late. For the few who do use their true identity, I can't imagine they would want their name used in this manner without their permission. 

No, I wouldn't mention Bidamount unless I had purchased it from Peter and that was my provenance.  Or of course, if I had asked for an appraisal by someone, whether Peter or someone else, and been given permission to mention that it had been appraised by them.   

I will say I do sell quite a bit of what I post here, but I would never mention anyone in particular or the forum when describing a piece.  I certainly take the advice of other members here when shaping the research or the approach to researching a piece that I have posted here, but I consider whatever I learn on this forum as helpful clues, rather than an authentication(no offense to anyone here, obviously I take many of your words as gospel in many cases), and even if I did I would still need to confirm further for myself.  I also deal with quite a few very prominent collectors here in DC and many times over lunch or whatever we will chat about pieces, and I offer my opinion and they theirs, but never would their opinion or mine be used to bolster the provenance, as it is just that, a friendly opinion.

Formal appraisals aside, with permission granted of course, it is just good practice to avoid the mention of people who have helped along the way.

Jeremy

Hey everyone, I definitely got the message. Also, I was actually just trying to give bidamount forum credit for helping, and maybe at the same time spread the word about the forum. When I get wisdom or knowledge from somewhere, I like to give that wisdom or knowledge credit. Also, I have learned by now that if I have something worthwhile and list it correctly the item will sell on its own merits. My motives are 100% pure. Seems like some are having a hard time believing that. Thanks for all your thoughts. Again, I’m glad I asked the question. In my line of work, it’s very important to stay away from the appearance of evil. Clearly, some believe it would be wrong, so I’ll stay away from it. 

I don't want to have this post sound condescending or targeted to you directly @centralpapottery, this is a really good example of what shouldn't be done when it comes to reselling from forum post threads and free, uncertified-obtained knowledge. 

 What can happen from something like this is the enabling of The Butterfly Effect to occur. Citing forum posts or opinions is a bad call in general when you go to sell something. Comparing it to listening to someone who claims to be financial adviser without proof, or your peers for buying or selling something of questionable value to someone you don't know 9999/10000 times is a bad move for me to allow to happen. Some folks are looking for financial value in the item you post and have, some just want it as a material decoration. 

It's better to question the answer for your own research if it doesn't come from an appraiser or service you paid for that has a  solid, liable background behind it. Otherwise if its cited as fact from peers/friends etc., then responsibility of yourself is questioned when someone might've gotten it wrong down the vine of things. To add to that, citing a website such as bidamount.com then getting it wrong which leads to having an angry buyer demanding a refund is more likely to dump on the forum, cite it as fraud, etc. Just leaving a bad stain from it all. 

Personally, I ask a lot on here on what seems complex to me, but it turns out to be simple for others for objects because I'm in need of an avenue to research than a need of reliability of opinionated determination to resell it, because I clearly don't understand universal form figures yet, or time periods of this particular porcelain/ceramic or the right color of blue and so on.  This is  how I see it, practice it, and thank everyone who helps me directly to get to a point to understand it. I'm young, dumb, but full of interest. Learning as I go, so i don't have to ask these questions later. Not only that, but to eventually help give my own opinion that's been shaped at least. 

But if I call something out that's not fully understood by me, and I get called out and corrected/identified by a more seasoned collector, its still possible that might be incorrect as well, no matter how blatant it couldn't appear to be. Worse yet, I don't get called out and it is wrong by default. Then from either event, someone else reads that thread with an identical or similar item they want to sell and reference back to how they learned it, or just selling it without referring back to their source but citing it as a direct fact. This can happen with the listing itself, direct message or even word of mouth. Thus the butterfly effect might happen either way if that item gets sold. Its just the one flap needed to create the effect. 

Taking consideration to the butterfly effect is a matter of dignity, respect and common courtesy to your fellow peers, general pals here, Peter himself, and the rest involved here in this past time industry. Above all, for the pursuit of knowledge. 

Thank you for posting this again, and learning from the awesome members here about this! it is a great learning experience for the next to learn before they do so themselves without asking. 

I agree with the comments from forum members.

The only exception would be with Peter's opinion. This is because its a paid for response. But once again this is also just opinion.

Opinions stated here are just that. Unpaid thoughts etc.

I have had in more recent times people on Instagram quoting my opinion on some items. I quickly informed them that using my name to sell their wares without my prior authorisation was unacceptable and if they continued to do so I would no longer assist them with my free time and opinions.

Mark 

For pieces that I have paid Peter to identify, Ive vaguely said in the listing "reviewed by any expert" but Ive never shared the actual appraisal or mentioned him by name because I want my customers to figure out what they want to pay.  

I'm not sure it would be "wrong" to do so, since you've paid for the opinion.  I just dont see it directly enhancing my listing all that much (maybe it could, but Im more interested in getting the piece in front of people who already know what it is).

Using the forum itself to endorse dating or identification would be wrong, and honestly probably not going to help your sales.  It's academic commentary, but the knowledge base is variable.