I am pleased to offer my highest recommendation for The Appraisal Group and its lead appraiser, David Goldberg, for their exceptional professional services provided to the Katrina National Memorial Foundation (KNMF) Museum and the Free People of Color Battle of New Orleans War of 1812 (FPC) Museum Collection. David conducted a comprehensive, meticulous appraisal of three major archival collections--The Katrina List, The Enslaved/History in Bondage Collection, and The Katrina Collection--as well as the extensive three-volume FPC archival collection documenting over two centuries of Louisiana and Creole history. His work demonstrated an extraordinary command of archival valuation, historical context, and museum-grade documentation standards. Throughout the process, David was thorough, patient, and deeply committed to understanding not only the financial value of the materials but also their cultural, historical, and educational significance. He spent considerable time reviewing thousands of items--photographs, drawings, manuscripts, oral histories, media formats, artifacts, and genealogical records--with accuracy and respectful attention to detail. His written reports were clear, well-organized, and professionally formatted, and they now serve as essential documents for KNMF's insurance coverage, institutional partnerships, fundraising efforts, and long-term preservation planning. David's expertise has elevated the standing of both the KNMF and FPC collections within the wider museum and academic communities, strengthening our ability to safeguard and share these histories with future generations. I am deeply grateful for the outstanding service provided and highly recommend The Appraisal Group to any institution seeking trusted, knowledgeable, and culturally sensitive appraisal work for archival or museum collections. R. Omar Casimire Founder & Chief Curator Katrina National Memorial Foundation Free People of Color Battle of New Orleans War of 1812 Foundation read more

David is very professional and knowledgeable about what he does he helped me out tremendously will go back to him and will prefer people to him read more

My wife and I came to Mr. Goldberg not knowing anything about obtaining an appraisal on, as well as selling, an antique literary item that we had in our family. He explained the process fully and helped us through to a very successful conclusion. He has some great contacts! We really appreciated his knowledge and expertise. --Bob M. in Metairie read more

David Goldberg provided timely and detailed appraisal services for me. I donated hard to find law books to the Tulane Law School in New Orleans. Mr. Goldberg coordinated the delivery of the books to the law school and monitored the the school's acceptance of the donation and followed through to achieve timely recognition and issuance of the detailed documentation of the receipt of the books and proper tax documentation supporting that donation. I would strongly recommend Mr. Goldberg to anyone who needs similar services, particularly if the appraisal requires services in New Orleans. I plan to engage Mr. Goldberg for another prospective appraisal. His fees were commensurate with the timeliness and services provided. read more

I give David Goldberg and the Appraisal Group 5 out of 5 stars for the help he provided to me in getting a CITES permit from US-- FWS -- for exporting ivory. He kindly helped me when three other web-listed appraisers in the US and UK shunned me, possibly because I'm a novice and not in their fraternity. He also stuck with me during the back-and-forth with the US Dept of Interior. Although we've not met except through mail/email he's been patient personable and effective. I got the permit. Sincerely, Robert Myers, Auckland New Zealand read more

AVOID - If I could give no stars I would. this is the most unethical individual I have worked with. I am not surprised by some of the other negative reviews. I contacted David Goldberg for an appraisal on an item in which he told me he would provide it. He replied to my email with the amount and the details of the item he would write an appraisal for. I was instructed to pay via Zelle - this should have been the first warning sign.. I did so and waited a long time for him to reply. He finally responded with an elementary-level Microsoft word document in which he had typed a few sentenced with basic information on the it. The same word-for-word information I had already provided to him. I also could have found the info from a quick google search. There was also no price on the appraisal like he had promised in the initial email. When I called and asked why he said I would need to pay an additional $250 for an appraisal that would have a monetary value. He also told me to email him what other details I wanted him to put in the appraisal - so basically he was asking me to do his job for him. I can't make this stuff up.. We went back and forth for days. He never completed the work I paid him to do, said I could forget about the idea of a refund, and ghosted me after taking my money. He did not provide anything I paid for. He does not uphold himself as a professional and is apparently fine with stealing money. I am out $100 and all I have is a phony word document with a few sentences. I would encourage everyone to avoid David. Update: I was told the appraisal was mailed but have yet to received it. read more

Mr. David is a rip-off... Extremely un-professional. Not a good first impression at all. I could've figured out what I needed to know via google. Got ripped off big time, wasted $300. Steer clear, and beware! read more

Mr. Goldberg was very kind and tried to help me as best possible as I was trying to get a small ivory figurine appraised that had been lost in a move. As the item was lost, Mr. Goldberg had to base his appraisal on a similar item of mine, also ivory and likely from the same time period. His appraisal corresponded to the value of items I had found myself on the internet, but for insurance purposes I needed a professional appraisal and I also didn't have Mr. Goldberg's knowledge about the nature of carvings and corresponding time periods. The insurance company didn't accept the appraisal because it was done virtually only and not in person - this was not Mr. Goldberg's fault as we are in opposite ends of the continent. There are 2 reasons I don't give 5 stars: One is that in his first feedback he mentioned a different item than the one I was asking about, but mix-ups can happen to the best. The other reason is that I had to ask for a signed appraisal as the first one would not sufficiently show it came from a professional appraiser and the insurance company could have simply claimed I had written it myself. I did get a signed copy when asking for it and that's what I submitted. read more

First, this is only my second Yelp review ever, but I waned to share my complete and total dissatisfaction with The Appraisal Group and Dave. I have a serigraph for which I'm interested in obtaining a value. i called and spoke with Dave personally because he was local, and I try to support local businesses. We spoke for a few minutes. i described my print to him, and he kept telling me about his impeccable credentials to justify the cost of $25 for the appraisal, which I had no problem paying. He also told me it would take him about 30 minutes to figure out the value of my print. He recommended that I pay him $25 via PayPal, and he would get back to me. He sent me an email asking me to send him photos. i sent the $25 and quite a few photos of my print. I have heard nothing from Dave since our original phone call and his email requesting photos. It has now been approximately 3 weeks since our communications. In my opinion, he owes me a refund for my $25. He is, in my opinion, a hack and a sham, and i would highly recommend finding someone else to value your items and art. read more

We just cannot say enough Great Things about Mr. Goldberg. We have been struggling about what to do with some of my Grandmother's antique Victorian furniture. Thanks to Mr. Goldberg, those pieces will now be residing in the Houmas House Plantation Museum. We are Thrilled and I know my Grandmother would be even more Thrilled!!! Lisa M Baton Rouge read more

I called David with need of appraisal of personal items for insurance purposes. He responded quickly, met me, and reviewed the items. After a couple days, David issued the promised report outlining the values of the items with supporting information. The appraisal was done quickly and professionally and satisfied my intent. By coincidence, David's father had prepared appraisals for me decades earlier. read more

My late aunt's furniture and other valuables were inventoried and appraised by David Goldberg of The Appraisal Group. I am extremely satisfied with Mr. Goldberg's work. He was able to meet with me on a weekend, which was very suitable to my schedule. He arrived early for our appointment, which was an hour and a half drive for him on a rainy day, and he worked diligently throughout the time of the review process. I found him very congenial and easy to communicate with. He provided the documentation I needed within two days, and I was then able to submit the information to my co-administrator, thus helping to speed the estate process. Mr. Goldberg took the time to explain details regarding the items in question when I asked him for more information. I also found his fee reasonable. In sum, I was treated quite fairly and professionally, and I am have no complaints. read more

Most knowledgeable appraiser! Knows his stuff more than anyone else. He is extremely passionate about his business and antiques.

Mr. Goldberg refused to provide any material content for an appraisal (other than a price range). He claimed to have identified the item I wanted appraised, and indicated that if I sent him $25 he would provide that information. I paid him. He then said he would give me $400-$600 for the item if it was sold through him. I asked for the appraisal. He refused to give me any further information. I asked THREE TIMES for the appraisal report, and he continually refused to provide ANY BASIS for his price tag (and an honest/ethical appraiser NEVER tries to get the customer to sell the item to him without providing ANY details about why it is worth what it is worth - that information is an appraisal). A price tag is not an appraisal. An appraisal says "This is what the item is, and this is how we value it, and this was the market value for other items at auction or private sale in the past, with those details included. It is NOT just a flat pricetag offered to the customer by the appraiser who says he wishes to acquire the item. I requested MULTIPLE times that he give me that information and he said he had it but would not give it to me unless he was given the items for sale. I am reporting this to all of the appraisal organizations and sending them his emails as well. I do not know whether or not this item was ever actually identified (as he claimed) because there is NO REASON not to provide me with that information when I have paid for it and he knows it, he used the promise of that information to exact payment from me and then refused to honor it when I sold the item without his involvement. That is beyond shady. All communication was by email and I have filed a dispute with Paypal. I believe he scammed me, and that he is likely out scamming many other people in the exact same fashion. Beware!!! read more