The Philatelic Foundation - Determined Value On Certs

mdroth, the price, in this case, is a function of DV therefore if the DV is over $490 the price goes up so understanding how DV works (not cut and dry at all) and policies around it for PF are relevant in my view because this is not a service that can be "shopped around." To be clear PF is the BEST and i'm VERY HAPPY WITH IT. Sorry if this post looked like a rag on PF, that was not what I was saying. As a consumer, I'm trying to manage costs by understand pitfalls of DV as it relates to PF services.

While the PF lists 5.5% of 'submitted value' within the Cert Fees box, the application actually demands the submitted value to be "catalog or market, whichever is higher".

The PSE submission form requests catalog value only, with following note in their terms of service:

Revenuecollector, on the form you submit to the PF, the column you fill out is labelled "Value, Higher of Cat. or Market"

So it is correct that the minimum submitted value is cat value.

I was wondering if their fees is based on a percentage of DV rather than a fixed fee, wouldn't these bodies be more inclined to quote a higher DV? I am not saying they will do that, but since their earnings is tied to the value they indicate, there is always a presumption of bias.

What bias? They are a nonprofit for goodness sake. I sincerely doubt that the PF is sitting around trying to figure clever ways of abusing stamp collectors wallets. There is no smoke here let alone fire. I am really starting to wonder what all of the noise here in regards to the PF fees is all about. It makes no sense. It is simple as can be.

I've always filled out the form with current Scott catalogue values; this discussion is the first I've seen where someone regularly submits using lower ebay prices...

The Philatelic Foundation has announced a new service for stamps with low market value despite their high catalogue value which really reflect the value of very fine, fault-free examples. Therefore, submitters can expect the same quality and expertise for their stamps without having to pay a high fee for their certificate. The fees, which are still based upon catalogue value are:

A. Catalog value of $5,000.00 to $10,000.00 with an actual fair market value estimate of 25% or less of catalog value due to condition issues, including faults and/or poor centering.

Flat fee of $75.00

B. Catalog Value in excess of $10,000.00 with an actual fair market value of 25% or less of catalog value to due to condition issues, incluLowMarketValueding faults and/or poor centering.

Flat fee of 5.5% based on fair market value with minimum fee of $100.00

For each, the submitter is to state the fair market value, subject to revision by PF, if the fair market value is grossly undervalued. Applications are exactly the same and can be found here.

That program has been around for 3-4 years now. I just wish the valuation floor for the program was lower than $5,000.

Yes, both PSE and the PF have had this type service for about 3-4 years now. I have used the PSE PC/F (Poorly Centered/Faulty) service twice but have not yet used the PF service of this type.