Reputation (SNS)

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﻿The saying that a person is only as good as his reputation goes triple for appraisers. They trade upon their believability and their honesty. If a customer does not believe the results of a particular appraisal, he will not sell his goods to that appraiser.
When an appraiser makes an estimation of an item's worth, the information doesn't just blurt out of his mouth. He has to decide what to tell his client. If the appraiser hopes to purchase the item, the temptation to report a lower-than-actual price can be overwhelming. Smart appraisers build their need for profit into their bargaining instead of lying to their customers. After all, the client can always walk out the door and get a second opinion from someone else.
If an appraiser earns a reputation for dishonesty, his business will steadily decline; only those of less-than-savory reputations themselves will frequent his shop. Some appraisers make a profitable living fencing stolen goods, but even they must keep a semi-honest reputation. Cutthroats and thieves are notoriously short-tempered with those who try to cheat them.