Don't be a Victim of Fake Autograph Memorabilias

[LT_Manning]

To all those sports fanatics this will educate you on how to spot a fake jersey and Certificate of Authentic card.
I had from "mjstar2" on ebay. He has a store located in Huntington, NY. I recently purchased a Victor Cruz Authentic Jersey Autograph. It was certified by Steiner and provided COA (Ceritifcate of Authentic). It was not for the Steiner COA, I would never had bid on the item.

For football fans, we all know that Authentic Jersey runs for about $250 (Reebok Authentic). My winning bid was $129.00. At first I thought I got a great deal. Because I saved over $100 just on the jersey itself.
I was very disappointed when the package arrived. The jersey fabric felt like a cheap and imitated. Then I started looking for proof that it's a fake. I was able to find flaws on the jersey and also on the Steiner COA card.

Here are some pictures.
https://picasaweb.google.com/1154522...keJerseyAndCOA

This guy just insulted my team by selling a fake and claiming it's real. I really feel bad for all those past buyers that till this day still thinks the Autograph they purchased is actually a fake.

I hope this post was helpful.

Added:
Btw, another rule of thumb when buying a NFL issued jersey. This applies to all jerseys issued by Reebok or currently Nike. The numbers on the jersy (stitched on or screen printed, front and back) must be the exactly the same size. All the fake jersey's I've seen has this problem. Also you want look at the stitch work. All stitches must be equally aligned or flat. So next time you see a cheap jersey try these simple rules and you'll decrease your chances on buy a fake.

[fadedmario]

I own a sports memorabilia business and only trust PSA (PSA/DNA), JSA, SGC, and Beckett. Can't go wrong with any of these. Anyone else is just a gamble. Also, do your homework before you buy an autograph. Usually you can spot the fakes if you just look up similar items beforehand.

Hope this helps.

[DieHardColtsfan]

First and foremost let me point a few things out. I am an avid sports memorabilia collector and gotten to know the nuances of the industry very well.

Let me start by saying that I have no idea about the product you purchased so I can’t talk in detail about your particular item obviously. Though, I can point a few things out to the average consumer.


When places like Steiner, PSA DNA, and other reputable authenticating-grading companies/dealers host signing events, they typically have an athlete show up to an event and sign excess amounts of the same product for re-sale and/or mass production purposes. Two things can happen. The event can be totally private where the dealers/authenticating company is basically hiring the athlete to re-stock their own inventory. OR, the event can be a public event where fans pay to come and line up to meet and greet and leave with an item. These type of events are usually done for more of a marketing type thing, that’s why you will see places like Macy’s hosting them etc.

Now to the product. Often players are contracted to sign items. Whether it be an abundance of mini helmets, 8x10 photos or jerseys etc. The consistency with every item is low cost. Typically when jerseys are the product, the company often gets a cheap quality, yet esthetically good looking jersey (not authentic, but sewn). Remember they are selling the autograph, NOT the jersey. The value lays in the autograph. Also the dealers/authenticating companies pay the athlete for their time and if there’s an event, the dealer pays for that too. All this cut’s into the dealers profit margin. They simply cannot shell out additional (in my opinion inflated) premium for “Licensed jerseys.” With that said, it is NOT often you see authentic NFL licensed jersey being signed and distributed with the backing of a reputable grading company.

Now, I’m not saying you won’t find it. Remember Steiner and PSA DNA distribute products, but they also offer professional service. For example, If I got my authentic NFL licensed jersey signed by the player. I can send it in to them (for a fee of course), and they will give it a seal of approval (COA).


Back to concern at hand. Again, I don’t know the specifics of your jersey. Yet I do know that you can’t assume and authentic jersey is valued at $200 alone, therefore an added signature should value it 50-150% more. That’s not how it works. I’ve learned there is a market for authentic jerseys and there’s a market for autographs. There is little to NO market for the two combined. Mainly due to the fact that I pointed out that the companies themselves don’t produce authentic jerseys with autos & because people are purchasing the signature, not the “canvas”.

[utl768]

i got out of collecting memorbilia because there were so many fakes

my friend in high school used to sell fake autographed baseball on ebay by forging the signatures and photoshopping coa's

so much shady ****

[fadedmario]

i got out of collecting memorbilia because there were so many fakes

my friend in high school used to sell fake autographed baseball on ebay by forging the signatures and photoshopping coa's

so much shady ****

You can spot the fakes. Whether its sports cards, autographs, or memorabilia. You just have to take the time to indentify and compare with similar items before you buy. If it's something rare - then it becomes tougher. I have 30 years experience and can authenticate most items myself. I also specialize in dead ball era (baseball) autographs - they are much tougher than modern day auto's.

Anyone that buys a autographed baseball with a shady COA and a forged signature is an idiot.

[jtrinaldi]

I own a sports memorabilia business and only trust PSA (PSA/DNA), JSA, SGC, and Beckett. Can't go wrong with any of these. Anyone else is just a gamble. Also, do your homework before you buy an autograph. Usually you can spot the fakes if you just look up similar items beforehand.

Hope this helps.

Lol you don't know what you are talking about. PSA/JSA are all not trust worthy. They have authenticated forgeries and they were even featured on 60 minutes. I have done memorabilia the last 10 years to know which companies are legit. Just because you own sports memorabilia shop doesn't mean your knowlegable. Tri Star/steiner sports/mounted memories are the only ones that I'd trust, and I am out of the hobby. PSA/DNA authenticate stuff they have not seen signed, which is how so many forgeries come through them. go back to selling hello kitty stuff in your ebay store

[lygctt043]

You can find a fake. Regardless of its motion card, signature, or souvenirs. You have to spend time, difference and the comparison of similar project before, you buy. If it is a rare thing - and then it gets tough. I have 30 years of experience, can verify their most items. I also specialize in the dead ball era ( baseball ) signature - they are more modern car firm. Any cool COA and forged signatures to purchase 1autographed baseball, is an idiot.

[fadedmario]

huh

[fadedmario]

Lol you don't know what you are talking about. PSA/JSA are all not trust worthy. They have authenticated forgeries and they were even featured on 60 minutes. I have done memorabilia the last 10 years to know which companies are legit. Just because you own sports memorabilia shop doesn't mean your knowlegable. Tri Star/steiner sports/mounted memories are the only ones that I'd trust, and I am out of the hobby. PSA/DNA authenticate stuff they have not seen signed, which is how so many forgeries come through them. go back to selling hello kitty stuff in your ebay store

I've never had an issue with PSA/JSA/SGC/Beckett - ever. Never saw that on 60 minutes. What did they get busted for exactly?

[lygctt043]

You can find a fake. Regardless of its motion card, signature, or souvenirs. You have to spend time, difference and the comparison of similar project before, you buy. If it is a rare thing - and then it gets tough. I have 30 years of experience, can verify their most items. I also specialize in the dead ball era ( baseball ) signature - they are more modern car firm. Any cool COA and forged signatures to purchase 1autographed baseball, is an idiot.

[jtrinaldi]

I've never had an issue with PSA/JSA/SGC/Beckett - ever. Never saw that on 60 minutes. What did they get busted for exactly?

they went behind the scenes and put in a few forgeries of autographs with simple give aways (ball point pen/wrong baseballl) and PSA/JSA passed them easily, and when they were confronted they tried to blow the crew off. Another one was an ordeal with Chris Morales a known forger.
http://live.autographmagazine.com/fo...topher-morales
Another example is this, how even though the signature may be real, if it is authenticated by Chris Morales JSA will not pass it. This means that they are putting no effort on researching those autographs.
http://sigartsinc.blogspot.com/2011/...ntication.html

[fadedmario]

they went behind the scenes and put in a few forgeries of autographs with simple give aways (ball point pen/wrong baseballl) and PSA/JSA passed them easily, and when they were confronted they tried to blow the crew off. Another one was an ordeal with Chris Morales a known forger.
http://live.autographmagazine.com/fo...topher-morales
Another example is this, how even though the signature may be real, if it is authenticated by Chris Morales JSA will not pass it. This means that they are putting no effort on researching those autographs.
http://sigartsinc.blogspot.com/2011/...ntication.html

Good to know. Thanks for the info. I have always trusted them because items that have been graded by them sell well.

[jtrinaldi]

There are also sites dedicated to autographing which can help collectors out. You have to pay though which is a downside, but if you are new to the hobby I would suggest you lookin into options like that.

[Brewer94]

Good to know. Thanks for the info. I have always trusted them because items that have been graded by them sell well.

Your best bet is to do a little research and find what companies offer a picture of the player signing the exact item. Companys also have an on site authenticator when a player signs items intended for retail. Some of hte companys I trust are:
Upperdeck, Topps, Just Minors, GTSM, Tri Star, Fan HQ, Waukesha Sports cards, Legends of the Field etc.
You could get ****ed for selling a forged item so it is best if you do your own research about a company.

[LT_Manning]

Wow, just logged back on and realized a conversation has started already.
Anyways, thanks for the advice everyone.

I did indeed do my homework before I purchased the item. I also know for fact that Victor Cruz did show up at this douchebag's store (Cow over the Moon). Also the Autograph looked very real. What I don't get is why did he went all that way to forge Steiner's COA? When he already paid for the real deal.

I do understand that these sellers have a overhead and they operate to make a profit. But these little tricks they try to pull advertising "Victor Cruz Signed Steiner New York Giants Authentic Football Jersey Auto". As a consumer I expect the product is what it was advertised. I have not problem paying for a fake jersey but with an Authentic autograph. Although, I would never buy it if it was advertised that way. hahaha.. That's because that's how I collect my memorabilias. I am the type that would go out and buy a $200 authentic NFL game helmet and pay another few hundred for an autograph. To me it's either Authentic all the way or counterfeit all the way. After this I am never paying for an autograph again. I rather save the money, go to training camp and personally witness the autograph in person.