What Value A Cert???

Some of you may have seen this before and I ask an opinion. I have bought classics from several philatelic auction sites. Guess I trust them more than ebay. But I have come across numerous times on "trusted sites" where the description may say "401 F-VF NH NGCs BK4 w/P#6891 2010 Weiss Cert does not mention NGCs, inspect!" Or better yet "2 VF (4) nice margins, neat red gridiron cancel, w/ 2011 APEX Cert, not mentioned on cert item has a minor bend/wrinkle, bold color fresh & select !"
How can a "Cert" not mention NGCs or a minor bend/wrinkle? What makes that better that buying something evaluated by an "individual" on ebay? What are we really paying for "expertise" service???

Doug

You should only expect a certificate to state whether a stamp is genuine or not. Who knows what may have happened to the stamp after the certificate was issued? In the case you raise, the 'minor bend/wrinkle' might have been caused subsequently by the owner.

A much more important consideration is whether the certificate is correct. I only collect the Indian States, and I know whose certificates I trust for those. I've seen a clear APEX Certificate for a laughable, and well-known, forgery of the Bhopal 1935 ¼ Anna red surcharge on 4 Annas (SG O322, cat. value £1500). Stick to certificates from the most authoritative certifying body for your stamps, but don't expect a certificate to mention everything.

Sorry Tony but I have to disagree. With what you pay for a cert these days, I expect it to list everything. I think it should also list a current estimated value, but I may be alone on that.
Pat

In my opinion it should mention all defects that the item has at the time it was certified especially those that can't be identified from the photograph,

Okka

But Tony's absolutely right on subsequent damage, and the "cert" concept remains GENUINE or FAKE. An ebay Seller can cite and display the cert, but should mention any condition issues NOT listed on the cert. Anything else is simply fraud.

The first and primary task of a Cert is to state whether the stamp is genuine or not and should include a copy of the stamp so that it can be compared to the original - The copy would enable a subsequent buyer to see if any damage has ocurred after certification was done