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Authenticity is Everything
Potential Fake Signed Grammy Drum Head Autographed
I just joined this site as a result of finding articles here regarding a company, or companies? which apparently deals heavily in fraudulent collectibles, Art Of Music/Gallery Of Dreams.
On Christmas Eve, I purchased something in Las Vegas, and it is remarkably similar to something which was asked about on this website earlier this year. The item is a "autographed" drum head, with the Grammy logo on it. Signed by many major artists, including Bruce Springsteen, Garth Brooks, Paul McCartney, Santana, Bono, Edge, Phil Collins, and others.
This display piece was purchased at a Las Vegas shop which shall remain nameless.
I am definitely hoping for some guidance. This situation is complicated by the fact I did not take delivery of the piece, since it would not fit in my vehicle, so I have no photo at this point. Nor do I know whether said "store" will be of any assistance, especially if they know the item was a fake, and I was intentionally duped. After reading what I have on this site, I am more or less convinced this is not legit.
My only recourse is to dispute with my credit card, but they have said I should take delivery of it, otherwise how can I prove it is fake. I welcome any assistance from someone knowlegable here of what I might do. It remains to be seen whether the shop will stand by their reputation and refund me, but i suspect not. I am willing to explore any options available to me, and would hope they will not want the bad press I will attempt to bring them.
Thank you in advance for any advice.
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Comment by Steve Zarelli on December 27, 2011 at 12:40pm
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Does the store have a standard return policy? One would think there would be a 30 day return policy for any purchase. Your credit card company may allow you to dispute it if they do not accept a return within a reasonable time frame.
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Comment by David S. on December 27, 2011 at 12:43pm
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Their policy is no refunds, and 7-day exchange at their discretion. It is now up to me to prove that the item I purchased is a fake. If I can do that, I hopefully have nothing to worry about, but I imagine if they've pulled this scam before, they will defend their ground and fight me.
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When you take possession you could list the item and get a PSA/DNA quick opinion.
Presuming it fails, you then have an opinion from a respected authenticator and that would probably be all you need for CC dispute.
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Is the PSA/DNA opinion something I can get from merely having a picture of the item, or do I need to go in person somewhere with the piece? Is there any chance the shop could use the argument that the PSA opinion is irrelevant, and invalid? If so, would they have a leg to stand on, or is the credit card company likely to take that as a 100% respected opinion?
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Comment by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on December 27, 2011 at 2:10pm
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David,
Again, right now this is a bit premature without a picture of the drumhead. Ask for one and then you can decide what to do. Who knows? Yours may be genuine--no way to tell without images.
PSA/DNA is in Orange County and you can usually make an appointment. But right now you need to find out if you really have a problem or not. Get a large, crisp picture of the signed drumhead and then we can go from there.
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David, you asked:
Is there any chance the shop could use the argument that the PSA opinion is irrelevant, and invalid?
The fraudsters almost always refuse to accept opinions by PSA/DNA, JSA or Roger Epperson, the top popular music authenticator. They generally only accept the opinions of the authenticators who seem to be in the business of authenticating forgeries as genuine.
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Zip, doesn't always work that way if purchased in person! It's a real quagmire... thought I read "a certain authenticator discussed here" well we talk of many but I can only imagine and if it is a "forensic one" then good luck as the odds aren't in your favor from what's been presented so far or being banned from ebay! That doesn't mean that they are always bad so ask yourself, "how lucky do you feel" and if that is their policy then If it were me 1. I wouldn't have bought it to begin with and 2., I'd cancel the sale.
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Steve, the piece pictured in this post: http://live.autographmagazine.com/forum/topics/real-or-fake-grammy-... looks similar to what I purchased, and it does not indicate 50th Anniversary anywhere, yet is presumed to be fake. It also contains signatures of many people on that piece, which seems like too big a coincidence.
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David,
If it looks like that, I don't have high hopes. But get an image. You have no case without one.
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@steve, he doesn't need a case. he cancels the sale and requests a refund, plain and simple! If they charge the CC, he disputes the charge as 1. he did not receive nor pick up the item 2. regardless of reason he had concerns over it's authenticity.
do you think they are going to start a fight over it? Hardly, as they don't want the associated penalty fee for not refunding a cc charge. Went thru something similar with an Ali and of all things it was based on our Bulldog Pal's discussion. The seller, at that time, knowing full well I would not accept delivery, and regardless of alot of intracicies just cancelled the sale knowing full well they cannot charge you (ever with all the legalese, if you don't accept it!)/
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