Let the Client Speak.... and be Heard.
p4A has the practice, and a reputation for listening carefully to clients, for incorporating their comments into new service improvements and for providing a high level of personal service. As a consequence we receive a great deal of client feedback; here is the feedback left directly on the website from the most recent 139 evaluations.
Ratings
The results of the following attributes rated on a scale from 1 to 5. (5 = best ~ 1 = worst)
| ATTRIBUTE | AVERAGE EVALUATION | |||
| VALUE -- How valuable is this site to you? | (4.2900) | 
| ||
| USABILITY -- How easy do you find this site to use? | (4.2300) | 
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| QUALITY -- How accurate and complete do you find the information in this site to be? | (4.1700) |
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| SERVICE -- In your experience, rate the quality of support for this site and service? | (4.3400) |
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Comments
I'm a brand new user. But on my first use, I found it to be wonderfully full of useful information.
--mvm39
Researching antiques and related material takes lots of time and this website is certainly the BMW of antqiues databases
--anonymous
We're here for the first time. A very nice site easy to find what we wanted to know. Still we had a question and send a mail in half an hour we recieved an answer. Fantastic ! Thanks
--anonymous
I am an 84 year old man and just experlmenting with a new laptop. Very impressed with your service will use you for other questions I may have info on thank you .
--johnny
Frequently I am called upon to do a liquidation or a fair market value appraisal of reproduction style furniture from the middle of the 20th century, such as bedroom, dinning room and /or living room suites. The quantity of this sort of furniture on the P4A site is quite limited. Comparables of top quality furniture are easily available from the big three auction houses, so I go to your site for the mid range and lower value items. In today's virtual world, the location of the auction is almost irrelevant.
p4acomment: Actually, p4A is quite aware of this particular need by appraisers and actively seek this type of material.
Just to be sure, have you checked the material in this classification: furniture/reproductions post 1900? There are over 5,000 records there.
Our practice is to include in the database every piece of Kittinger and Baker furniture we see in a covered auction. Ditto for Eldred Wheeler and Wallace Nutting, all Potthurst Bros of Baltimore. We generally include all pieces by other major furniture makers – Heritage, Drexel, Hickory, etc. if they are named in the catalogue entry. Beyond that we include “style” pieces for Georgian and French furniture on a regular basis. There is a lot of ‘decorator’ stuff out there that gets only occasional attention as there is a great ‘sameness’ to it. We also actively look for Grand Rapids type furniture – Berkley & Gay in particular, but Stickley too. Even modern day Stickley gets picked.
When you search for this material, in addition to using the specified classification, you may also want to try including the word ‘style’, as that will turn–up other out-of-period examples.
Beginning from about 1940 moderne furniture is included in the regular sub-type classifications as would any other period be classified.
--djl
Absolutely first rate. Everything I need. Easy to use. Affordable. Where have you been all these years?
--anonymous
I serve on the decorative arts acquisition committee for our large City Museum. Recently we were trying to decide if we should bid on a sideboard. I was able to find the exact sideboard which sold in 2008 for less than the latest auction range. We bought the sideboard for the museum collection and felt good about what we paid thanks to P4a.
--anonymous
DOES NOT SUPPORT LOCAL ART AND MANY OTHER FIELDS. SUPPORT IS VERY GOOD. THANKS JIM
p4A comment: Editorial staff has discussed this issue with the subscriber personally. He would like to see more coverage of auctions in his local geographical area. p4A does cover two auctions in his area, but not intensively or as frequent as this subscriber would like.
p4A auction coverage is ultimately limited by the resources provided by subscription fees. Currently p4A covers about 27 of the top 32 regional auction houses in the country. (The remaining ones do not wish to cooperate in making their results available to p4A, or we have elected not to cover them for other reasons). Down one level, p4A provides occasional coverage for approximately 15 significant auction centers. Further, coverage is extended to smaller auction houses when they are selling material signifcant to the database. This amounts to perhaps 30/35 sales per year.
This subscriber would like us to 'promote' one of the secondary houses to primary status. We'd like to do that too, but the necessary resouces to do so are not available.
--flyfish1946
Support is very nice--but it is so hard to get into the site--lots and lots of blank space and tiny, tiny click "here" buttons. How about a big red button and an arrow? Then lots and lots of complications before getting to a simple renewal. I finally gave up and called support--I bet a lot of customers get discouraged and walk away, and I would have had I not really needed the information.
p4A.com : Thank you for leaving feedback Susan. We are sorry you had difficulties in following the on site renewal process. We try to be very clear about this as subscription renewals are the most important factor in keeping the database alive and growing. But whenever there is an issue our customer service desk is more than happy to either walk the subscriber through the process or directly transact the renewal right then. No one should ever hesitate to contact p4A for customer service. Providing excellent service is not a chore for us, it is a pleasure.
And thank you very much Susan for the compliment about the value of p4A's content. It's good to know you find it so valuable that you will work through a little aggravation to access it.
--8896
Just started using this site. My opinion so far is that I can find alot more on my own on the internet. The first three items I submitted showed no items found on items I had already found informtion on.
p4A comment: This was a first time 24-hour subscriber who was primarily interested in Indiana artists.
We are uncertain as to how to interpret his comment as the search logs show results for each of his first three searches, including four results for the artist Lucie Hartrath, which he indicated was his primary interest. Overall he had 17 searches, of which 14 had results returned. This isn't surpising to us as p4A likely has the best collection of data on Indiana paintings on the web. Perhaps what he meant was that he didn't learn anything new about them?
On a side note, we are always perplexed when subscribers provide a rating for p4A service, even though they never requested any service. We wonder what, if anything, this implies about their overall ratings.
--anonymous
ITS ALOT OF WORK TO USE THE DATABASE BACK AND FORTH.
--lisad
I don't understand the question on service.
It [the database] is very usable and well organized but you need to separate pottery and porcelain. You are strong on American items but weak on Asian and European.
p4A comment: Thank you for your compliments Betty.
The issue of Pottery and/or Porcelain was discussed at length in our early years. It was decided then that because of the many types of ceramics, all of which have a pottery origin, and the varying levels of ceramics knowledge among p4A users, a general category heading of Pottery & Porcelain would best communicate where to find items of interest. Spliting them would likely require many of p4A users to consult two categories when researching their item instead of one.
We appreciate knowing of your desire to have more Asian and European records in the database. We've recently increased the number of Asian records because of Chinese activity in the marketplace resulting in prices realized volitility. We will continue this emphasis. European items are included in the database when we find useful sales records. American cataloguers are not as experienced in describing these lots as they are pieces of American origin. Thus we see many lots with generic descriptions, such as "European 19th century chest of drawers". These lots are hard to find in the database using typical search criteria so they are mostly excluded. When non-American lots are more fully described p4A will make every effort to include them in the database.
User Tip: when searching for Asian items, use country of origin as a search criteria; generic Asian origins are discouraged in the p4A reference database. When searching for European items, country of origin may be a good search criteria, but be sure to try the "Continental" origin as well as it is very commonly used in auction descriptions. Note that England/Britain is a separate origin, neither European nor Continental.
--bhay
THIS HAS BEEN THE MOST HELPFUL SITE WITH MY APPRAISAL WORK. APPRECIATE ALL THE INFO READILY AT HAND.ALSO, THE INFO IS USED FOR OUR AUCTION RESEARCH. THANKS, ANNE EVANS, ANNES ESTATE AUCTIONS IN COLUMBUS, GA
--anneb
I have had a 15-day subscription to try to value a conglomeration of uncommon items acquired over the past 30+ years - your site has been most helpful - easily negotiated - and extremely well done. Thank you for your efforts. They are much appreciated.
--anonymous
As an appraiser, this site is vital for searching auction prices for the many antiques and decorative art objects we find in the houses we are appraising.
--collinswood
I have totally enjoyed the site.It is a quality presentation.Do you update or change the listings Thank You.I will sign on again later
p4A comment: Records in the p4A reference database are permanent entries as they are used by appraisers and institutions in legal proceedings. p4A is the only database, however, that will update its records based on future knowledge. For instance, if p4A learns from the trade press something about the item sold, or about the sales transaction itself, the record will be updated with that information. Another example happens when p4A learns that the item has been re-offered or sold subsequently at public auction. That additional sales information is then recorded on the original record for the benefit of researchers using the p4A database. p4A is the ONLY database annotating its records with this type of additional information.
--busybody
What a waste of money...didn't find anything I needed. PF
p4A comment: We are always puzzled by one-time users who rate p4A's service as a 1, yet never request any help at all. How do they know?
This user was looking for textbooks, among other things. Few textbooks will be found in the p4A reference database. There are a few classics of historical value, but for the most part nothing is worth less than out-of-date information. The same applies to a great extent to old encyclopedias. Some have illustrations of value, but most have no re-sale value at all.
We are sorry not to have been able to help Pam with her other queries. There are literally millions of antiques, collectibles and unique pieces of fine art out there and no single database can claim to be even remotely comprehensive. The best way to be certain p4A has information of use to you is to do a search for it on Google. If Google points you to p4A you will find a picture of what you are looking for when you arrive. p4A guarantees to have a record for that picture. In the alternative prospective clients are always welcome to call p4A (see contact us link) and we will be happy to tell them whether or not the database contains items of interest to them.
--auntp
I'm a first-time user of the site, and was impressed with the ease of using it. I found exactly what I was looking for in a very few minutes.
--jkowis
I have subscribed to P4A since I opened my appraisal practice, it has been an invaluable asset. We all have experienced the downturn in business over the past few years but we all need and our clients deserve the best information available on market prices. The combination of photos, descriptions, and categories available for searches make this service the cost effective alternative for me.
--marquisbob
I have been using P4A since 2001 and, as an accredited appraiser, have found it to be invaulable. Not only is the site easy to use and extensive, the folks that own and manage it are extremely helpful when needed. The 30/30 Professional version is especially helpful.
--gsimonton
This site is very well put together and easy to use even for the novice. I found myself wanting to shop this site but everything is already sold, and not available. Maybe some educational information would be interesting about demand for certain items, rarity , I am thinking in terms of expanding the number of reasons a person might come to this site.
--aaa3
Extremely helpful! Great technical support- highly recommended.
--exxzxxe
Good Job on This Site.
--anonymous
Always my "go to" site -- keep up the good work, and thank you.
--anonymous
I was able to find some things I've been searching the internet for quite some time. Great site!! Thanks for all your help.
--starslady
i know for a fact that there are about 150 kugel auction lots over the last 10 years... this database is missing the vast majority of them
p4A.com comment: Amber's comment is both accurate and irrelevant. The purpose of the p4A database is to provide sufficient information to answer valuation and identification questions, not to provide comprehensive coverage of every sale in the auction market.
The most common types of kugels are plain spheres, usually blue, sometimes gold and occasionally in silver or other colors, and grape clusters. Once a selection of these common types is in the database, with due diversity through time and location, it is not necessary to keep adding duplicate records to establish value. This is the same methodology used to construct public opinion polls with accurate results from small samples. To keep adding duplicates on top of duplicates makes the database more cumbersome and difficult to use without adding value for its users and increasing costs for subscribers.
In addition to the duplicates issue, kugels are among those items frequently batched together in one auction lot. The lot might have two spheres of different sizes and one grape cluster kugel. p4A editors will not include this lot in the p4A reference database because it has no research value: the value of any one of the three items can not be determined from the price paid for all three. There are antiques database considerably larger than p4A, but they diminish their quality by including vast numbers of these 'junk' lots without adding any value for their users. p4A prefers a more quality oriented approach to its data.
--akrisky
I've used this site only once, trying to get an idea of the value of an antique clock I have, but I found it very easy to use and full of invaluable information.
--fbrunner
The results reflect only a few auction houses. For the carpet section Christies, Sothebys, Nagel, Rippon and Boswell and other major auction houses are not recorded. The Data Base is a mass: you search for Caucasus (as origin) and you get items produced in Turkey. It is really not worth the money.
p4A comment: This feedback is from an Italian user who appears to be an oriental rug specialist. We are sorry he does not approve of p4A's auction house selections; Sotheby's rug sales ARE included in the database (which he apparently overlooked), Christie's does not share their sales data and the other three auctions he cites are European --- all p4A data comes from U.S. auction houses.
The user complains about the origin attribution of p4A records; p4A uses the origin provided by the original selling auction house, or if none is provided, the generally accepted region from which a given rug type is exported. In the cited case, the Caucasus region borders the nation state of Turkey, so it is entirely possible that rugs made in one area or another would be difficult to assign to a specific geographic designation. For this reason p4A relies on the experts who have actually seen the rug for its attribution.
--stefanos
Excellent! I found exactly what I was looking for. Great Job!
--bebebets
Excellent...we have been trying to come up with a value on a tin sign for years and finally found it, easily, in your db.
--pupper
easy and reliable
--anonymous
It is just a pleasure to look up stuff that I have but also so many other very interesting things. Thank you for all your hard work on providing this site. I just wish it was a little cheaper.
--dkoukol18
When I call for "Contact us' the answer is give us your money, but do not bother us. You really need to get with it as you are no longer the only show in town.
p4A comment: This subscriber called the p4A office at 10:21 p.m. and was given the option of leaving a voice message (she did not speak with an individual). As a small company our personnel must limit their availability to normal business hours, in this case 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST. p4A did follow-up with the subscriber the next day via e.mail with some search suggestions based on her activity logs.
--craigplace
This was my first time to use your site. I needed assistance and the lady that helped me was very professional and courteous. It seemed with my limited use that many of the items I looked at were 4-5-9 years old. It would seem as if some updating was in order as we all know that the current antique market is much different than the last 5-9 years. I did find what I was looking for as an appraiser and will have to adjust your representive item value to fit todays market. I will use the site again. Thank You!!!!!
p4A comment: Thank you for the service compliment; we are happy to personally help each subscriber who needs assistance. The sale dates of given records depends largely on how often examples of a given item appear in auctions covered by p4A. There are 1,248 classifications in the p4A reference database and some (furniture/glass/pottery etc) are updated daily with new material, others less frequently. There are some items we've seen only once in ten years of auction experience, so that is the best data point available. In general we attempt to keep all classifications up to date within three years of the sale date, if at all possible. This year efforts have been made to reduce this window to an eighteen month period due to the unusual volitility in the antiques marketplace. There is some indication, however, that the market may be reverting to a more normal level, which will be reflected in the prices p4A reports over the coming months.
--boogerbob
really a rip off, not current & limited items to what is out there at auctions.
p4A comment: This user requested no service help, which is unfortunate because he was making a very basic, but easily corrected mistake in his search criteria by including the word "antique" in each of his searches. This word is seldom used in auction catalogue descriptions as it is redundent: everything in a catalogued antiques auction is an antique.
And yes, as stated many places on the p4A web site, every record in the p4A reference database is the result of an auction sale in the U.S. This is the ONLY way to determine up-to-the minute market values. No other form of sale provides the clear-cut, competitive, open to all opportunity to purchase the item in question that underlies true market value. In addition, dealer, gallery or private sales are seldom accompanied by sufficient documentation to validate the data. For these reasons appraisers, insurance companies, the IRS and other professional agencies all rely on auction sales for current market values.
--dl1404
My very first visit, I am impressed, everything piece of information that I needed was available on this visit. I shall be back for more, the site is very easy to navigate.
--norman81
The search engine comes back with hundreds of irrelevant hits
p4A comment: the user is almost certainly using only the key word search function. There are enough words common to many types of antiques and art that this will return many extraneous results. This can be avoided very simply by using the key word search in conjunction with a category and type classification. This will limit the response to your specific area of interest.
--anonymous
First time user.
--anonymous
Informative,easy to use! Would like to use more! Since I use occasionally as a collector, I think the prices are a little high!! On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd give the sight an 8!!!!!!!!!!
--grapette
Found info on previous sale of painting.
--spoonzzz37
This site is a waste of time and money. The prices listed are not up to date; the prices are from up to 7 years old!!! The price of gold has tripled since then.
p4A comment: this subscriber found exactly what he wanted, but is unhappy that the price dates from 2004. There are several reasons for this and the prices provided, on occasion, may require some common-sense interpretation by the subscriber. It is important to understand that not everything comes to market at the same time or even on a regular basis; some items are seen only occasionally or even rarely. In those cases the price realized may require adjustment for inflation or other known issues. In this instance the user was looking for cigarette cases - something not seen in every auction - and further restricted his search to gold French cases. Even so tightly described there was one record available for him in the p4A reference database, but it had been sold in 2004. Was this price useless for today's market? No. In this case the adjustment should have been both obvious and easy for the subscriber to make. A large part of the value of this case has to be in the gold from which it was made. The subscriber knew the price of gold in 2004 and he knows the price today, so it should be easy to adjust for the change in the cost of materials. This adjusted price is likely equally valid in today's market.
We should add that new price records are added to the p4A reference database every day, and that most areas will have prices available within the last year or so, if not within a few months of the current date. But unique items or rarities appear at auction only infrequently. This is one reason records are permanently retained in the database. If the researcher is looking for something rare that sold ten years ago p4A may have it for them. If they are looking for something that sold within the last year, it is quite likely p4A has it. But whatever the sale date, the subscriber needs to consider the price carefully to understand what it might mean for their current research needs.
--jewelman
wow.. didn't know you existed..
--anonymous
I find this a valuable service. However, I notice that it does take a long time for the search process to be completed. Thank You.
--mainbooks
P4A is an appraisers dream. It is well worth every dime, the various subscription plans provide for both the part time and full time user. Thank you for such a GREAT site!
--cyndib8
I've been really enjoying your site.
--patrickela
I joined your site to look up information on sterling and gold cigarette cases, boxes, etc... I can get more info on E-bay than on your site...you have less than 200 cigarette cases listed in total, only 62 under Silver/Gold, and over 15 percent of those sales were my personal items...With Russian cigarette cases being so Hot right now, where are your records? A total waste of time and money...If you went and followed up on all the Auctions you show, where are the records?
p4A.com comment: actually, according to the Google logs, this user came to p4A looking for a Remember the Maine milk glass item. p4A guarantees only that the item presented to the visitor when they arrive on the site is in the database. There may be more - likely there is - but with millions of potential antiques and collectibles in the marketplace it is not possible to make a blind guarantee beyond what is initially presented.
p4A does not hold itself out to be a comprehensive repository of all auction market transactions. The purpose of the p4A reference database is to provide authoritative valuation information for comparable items. Two hundred cigarette cases, where none were guaranteed, is likely sufficient data to establish comparable value. The user further specifies a sub-niche of Russian origin for these cases. There are 27 such Russian cases in the database....certainly not a comprehensive list, but a substantial sampling of a very narrow specialty none-the-less.
The problems with eBay listings and sales are well known, for this reason eBay transactions are not considered sufficiently authoritative and verifiable for the purpose of appraisals or the establishment of accurate market values and are not included in the p4A reference database. Those users satisfied with that level of data are encouraged to research eBay directly.
--bfkdesigns
This is my first visit and WOW! It's wonderful - so much information and so easy to use. Thanks.
--bluemesacc
This is my first time to use your site. I appreciate the information. Although I did not find what I was looking for, I did find comparables. I will be back as the need arises.
--makeitsojulie
We love P4A and would be lost without it. Wish you would begin to cover European auctions.
--anonymous
First time on this site and I loved it! I found what I was looking for in a flash... Wonderful resource. Many Thanks, Sandra A
--sandersonrd
The worst $13 I've ever spent. I found nothing that I was searching for in several categories. Very frustrating. Search categories too narrow.
p4A.com response: Situations like this are frustrating because the poster never requested help. It is easy to find on the web site how to reach us by phone or e.mail and we actively encourage anyone who is having difficulty finding what they need in the database to contact us for assistance.
Not having spoken with the user we can only go by the logs of her activity, which show significant results for almost every one of her searches, sometimes hundreds of results. She received extensive search results because in no instance did she use the key word search function to narrow her search. One wonders if she looked at all the results?
The second comment about the search categories being too narrow is also puzzling. With categories like "furniture", "dolls" "pottery and porcelain", and "paintings" one wonders whether she did not misspeak and meant to say "too broad". That would fit with her search results. The way to narrow results to a more managable number is to use the sub-type search criteria and key word search.
While we receive many comments here about how easy it is to use the p4A reference database, not eveyone has the same level of experience. We ecourage every subscriber not having a satisfactory experience to contact us for assistance. If the subscription has lapsed we will gladly extend it so you can find the information you need with our help. Unlike some web resources, at p4A.com we actually like speaking with our subscribers.
--coco
OUTSTANDING SITE..........THANK YOU ....SO USER FRIENDLY AND EASILY NAVIGATED....GREAT JOB! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK........... MARY
--marysstuff
I became a subscriber of P4A around 2003 and have renewed my subscription every year thereafter. I am an ISA CAPP appraiser and would hate to think I didn't have this databased program at my fingertips all the time. Some of my research is done late at night and regardless of when I need P4A it is always available. I use it to check estimate of values, actual values received, data about the sales, research auction houses selling specific items, and have called some of the auction houses on items they have sold to have them sell something for me. Kent has been personable when I have occasionally needed to talk with him. Now the added newsletter is a bonus. One other great advantage is that this is affordable. I have several appraiser and antique dealer friends which I suggested to try P4A just for a month and they have become annual member. Thanks Kent Sincerely, Carol Wamble ISA CAPP
--carollee
I grew better at using your site the more I used it. It does an extraordinarily good job at differentiating a great deal of material. I ranged widely in my searches and was never disappointed. I shall return frequently!
--anonymous
We stumbled upon some old signage we believe to be dated in the early 1900's and were hoping to find the approximate value of this signage on your site tonight. Upon paying the $12.50 and spending about 45 minutes navigating your site - we were disappointed to find that we were unable to find the match to our antiques - and noted that the prices of the antiques that you DO list do not really list a defined price for selling purposes.
p4A response: This subscriber did not contact p4A for service, so it is difficult to know what they were looking for. Apparently none of the 2,634 advertising signs currently in the database matched their need. The only guaranteed way of knowing what is in the database before subscribing is by using a search engine such as Google to pinpoint specific results. If Google points to p4A as having a specific item in the database, users can be certain it is there. Otherwise, even with hundreds of thousands records it is not possible to completely cover the millions of antiques and collectible types available.
Also, researchers should be aware that there is no such thing as a "defined price for selling" any antique or collectible, no matter what you may see or read elsewhere. Each transaction is entirely unique and sums up a wide variety of circumstances related only to that particular transaction. As stated up front on the p4A site, this database reports actual auction sale prices. These are often helpful in determining an item's value and potential marketability, but they are not "defined selling prices." Individual experiences vary.
--roaddog61
excellent. found item similar to mine item inherited august 2007. first time found anything similar. brilliant to know a bit more, not as valuable as first thought but never mind.
--anonymous
As a first time user I found it very interesting and well worth the $12.50 for 24 hours. It was all the time I needed to find some items in my collection and things I'd like to add.
--anonymous
Generally, it is very good but i constantly find items that have sold at auction that do not show up on p4a.
I just searched for "English - Furniture - Chest of Drawers - keyword Hepplewhite." I got 21 results and I know very well that there have been far more chests sold described as "English" and "Hepplewhite" by auctions that are supposedly covered by p4a. 21?
Same for "Nanking." Searching under porcelains I got a handful of results. Nanking is sold all of the time, p4a makes some serious data entry mistakes.
p4A comment: Part of the difficulty here is terminology; for some time now it has been the general practice among major auction firms to refer to English furniture by their period reign names; seldom do we see designer names used in this context. Thus there are currently 65 Georgian chests in the database, 131 George III chests and 16 George II chests. Including those with Chippendale, Hepplewhite and Sheraton references there are about 250 English chests in the database, sufficient, we think, to establish price and trend information.
There are currently 89 pieces of Nanking porcelain in the database. We include essentially all the Nanking we see at auction as it is rarely encountered by us. As an example, Skinner's in Boston, well known for selling ceramics, has not catalogued a single piece of Nanking in the last year. Sometimes Nanking porcelain is confused with Canton porcelain, of which there are currently over 700 pieces in the database.
If subscribers do not find what they think should be in the database they are encouraged to contact us by phone or e.mail to see if there is a classification or nomenclature issue in play.
--anonymous
i hate this site. A waste of money
--shackamaxon535
I expected more data than one picture and sale. There was no background information. p4A comment: for many items there may be multiple results, in some cases hundreds of results, but, as stated on the landing page, p4A guarantees only to have the item record displayed there. No service was requested by this user.
--rwilley
Rated straight 5's across the board. p4A comment - This was a first-time, single session user.
--pdllover
Need logoff button.
--anonymous
Excellent. Using this site was my first experience and it was easy to navigate and obtain the required auction price results.
--johngford
I have had a hard time finding information on the possible value of my Gilroy Roberts Eagle. This site had access to two sales and info on each for less than $20 for a viewing. Other sites only provide info on their sales where here I had access to other auction sales.
--anonymous
I think your idea of presenting on-line tutorials is a good one .. and might be expanded. I may even, when we find the time, take one :-)) We'd be hard-pressed to be as efficient as we are in the personal property appraisal business w/out access to P4A. Thank you
--jazzsegue
I find this site to be a very valuable tool in researching comparable values when I am working on a client's appraisal. It was recommended to me by one of very best in my field and I can't say enough about it! The staff is terrific, so helpful when I need something! Marcia K
--texasquiltgal
I found no knowledge of antiques here. p4A note: this was a first-time 24-hour subscriber who requested no assistance in finding her item in the database or made no attempt to explore its content.
--foelgner
It would be good for the reference number to be included on the comparables page. That way the items could be referenced from appraisal reports.
--thozgrls
As a long time subscriber I find the site the easiest of any I subscribe too including clock and art sites. Good photos, good information, usually quickly finds what I want. AAAA
--mapes
As always, I love it for estate and other FMV appraisals. I would love it if within each sale price you could let us know whether or not something sold to a collector or a dealer. I also would like it , when I check items for saving for comps, to not have the data base kick me back to page one. Currently I have to remember which page I was on when I imput the comps on a page for saving.
--anonymous
the best on the internet...randy shaw
--mandyacoma
I love P4A. I use it as often for help in identifying items as for searching for values. The customer service at P4A is the best in the business. Can't work without this site!
--anonymous
THE PICUTRE ARE A TERRIFIC HELP. THE INFORMATION BEHIND EACH PICTURE IS VERY GOOD. I ONLY WISH THAT YOU COULD FIND A WAY TO PUT THE SOLD PRICES WITH THE PICTURES.
--diane-lee
Well worth the $10.
--danwhite
The site is invaluable to me. What would make it better? Getting the big houses' prices (Sotheby's & Chrisitie's) and allowing for a longer login-in time, before you are "timed-out".
--anonymous
I SOMETIMES HAVE PROBLEMS WITH PULLING UP THE WANTED RESULTS. PROBABLY BECAUSE I DO NOT IN PUT THE CORRECT WORD OR PHRASE. OVERALL IT IS A GREAT SITE.
--nash
This site has been very valuable as I am trying to organize and put a value on my collections.
--pon
I could not manage or perform my due diligence without you! How can we as appraisers, encourage more auction houses to send their info to you to post?? I need more, more, more and more variety - no fault of yours now. Just more from more! Many thanks.
--alexserv
This web site has made me a better appraiser. Not only do I have access to the auction values, but the image library allows me to compare the quality of my items to those that sold at auction. No "pie-in-the-sky" asking prices or inaccurately identified reproductions, just sales between knowledgeable buyers and sellers. For beginners, the drop-down menu feature is a great feature because it gives them a list to pick from, even if they don't know exactly what they are looking for.
--dlsanders
I think it is excellent, and it only gets better.
--collinswood
some items did not have enough listings; database needs expansion
--brown
I find your site wonderfully useful! My only complaint is that is sometimes seems very difficult to search for certain items. For example, is there a way to EXCLUDE a word from my search?
--anonymous
As a professional credentialed appraiser I find your site invaluable. It is "heads above all the competion" for professional quality and VERY easy to use, an invaluable tool.
--worthandco
In doing appraisal research, I have found this site to be invaluable in getting comparables. More often than not, the exact or almost exact item was listed. This site has saved me many hours of roaming on the internet.
--anonymous
Only found one of two Currier and Ives that I sought after paying ten dollars for a one time session.
--woodyandkim
Thanks for an invaluable site. It's a pleasure working with your setup. Have taken some time off for the Holidays, but will be back at it after the New Year. My best regards to all of you, and thanks for a top notch job.
--nwhipple
I'd be lost without it!
--appraiser
I have been using p4a for many years and find it to be the most valuable tool that I have in my appraisal work. The best value for the money on the internet. I have recommended this site to several of my appraiser colleagues and they are pleased with p4a. Keep up the excellent work!
--sallya
Your site is great, easy to navigate and a great resource for me
--janie2
This is by far the most comprehensive and cost effective resource for identifying and valuing antiques and collectibles.
--bg
I have not had the occasion to need support. I rated the accuracy as a 4 because I did find a discrepancy that was subsequently corrected. I love the site and find it to be the best for many of my uses
--ireneu
I am a generalist appraiser, working in the field for more than 20 years. Having used p4A for approximately 4 years or more, I cannot now imagine working without the wealth of information p4A provides with the click of a button. The system is the easiest of any of the information sites I am familiar with. I'm always amazed when a most obscure object I am appraising can be found with its selling price. I cannot say enough about the support available. Never are you put through a voice-mail laundry list of choices. A friendly voice answers almost immediately and the problem is solved or my query is answered then and there. The staff is to be heartily congratulated on the success of the whole system.
--joannabadami
Very easy to use compared to Artfact and some others. Lots of useful information for me, an antiques appraiser.
--mapes
It's a mainstay for my appraisal and shop businesses. The photos are excellent. So glad Sotheby's results will be available here too.
--mmj88
In using the Database Search I would like to see an "omit words" line to try to narrow a search. I find when I go back to the Database Search the "Type" line goes away and I have to reset it, even though all I want to do is refine the keywords. Thank you. I do like using your site very much. Merry Christmas
--dmorris
If I leave the site unattended for what seems like just a few minutes during a search, I find it annoying to have to re-log-in and effectively losing my search data.
--anonymous
P4a is a valuable resource; I have been a satisfied client for several years. They continue to add features and improvements that meet my needs as a professional in the appraisal business.
--archivista
It took some time to really learn how to use the search engine. To learn the words that p4a used to describe an item etc. Once that was accomplished it was easy to search for items. Some catergories I found very limited examples to compare against. I would hope that p4a would make a better effort at expanding its database. The information that you have is absolutely very helpful in my profession, just need more. Okay, I admit it I am a antique junkie and I need my information fix.
--kingpaperboy
Management is responsive to suggestions and continues to improve the fields, thanks. We appraisers could use more categories of non-antiques "stuff" for when we value general household contents and a $dollar field, from $X dollars TO $X dollars, would often be helpful just as the year range is handy. Some of the categories are awkward, like piesafes being in the kitchen category; piesafes are placed anywhere in a house, as are drysinks. The kitchen is the last place one would think to look. ...We need more, more, more! And without additional expense. I know, we want our cake and to be able to eat it, too.
--mgrove
I could not possibly complete an antiques appraisal without doing research on this site.
--vivri
As a professional appraiser, I would like to see more information on each price as to why that item might have made a low or extremely high price. I would also like to know whether the item was sold to a dealer or end user, if those two things are possible. This would enable me to better understand the pricing on types of items I appraise. If this could be done, I would be more inclined to drop at least one other database and pay more for your service. Other than that, I think you do a superb job and I would have a difficult time working efficiently without your service.
--avalon
I find this site very helpful as it gives important information about items listed than just the price realized.
--bonniet
As a practicing appraiser who subscribes to a number of search engines dealing with fine arts and antiques I find p4a one of the most user friendly to use. I can't imagine not subscribing to p4a!
--dec
Need to incorporate more recent auction sales information, possibly by region and or auction house. Overall a good tool for the apprasier.
--slabet