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Notorious eBay Seller Of Fakes Now Has Psa/Dna Stickers On Everything... What Gives?

Hi Everyone-

After ("allegedly") being burned by eBay Seller sportsnmore9999 on more than one occasion, I learned through this forum: (https://live.autographmagazine.com/main/search/search?q=sportsnmore...) that many had the same experience and that, rather than offering a misguided mix of genuine and counterfeit signed items, it appeared that this was ("allegedly") more like a straight-up factory of fakes, most being "certified" with a TD (Team Derek) hologram sticker, which this Forum has also deemed problematic:(https://live.autographmagazine.com/main/search/search?q=TD+hologram).

Now I find that their inventory has been streamlined (specifically signed rock/pop lp listings) and ALL are now ("allegedly") certified by PSA/DNA. The question here is, are we seeing an ("alleged") onslaught of counterfeit PSA/DNA stickers and certificates, or is someone at PSA/DNA ("allegedly") "on the take" here? Can a leopard really change it's spots?

Unfortunately, I could not verify any of these items through the PSA/DNA database, as none of the images posted are set so you can magnify the image enough to read the sticker numbers. Additionally, pics of the certification cards are labelled "Sample Only", deeming both the stickers and certificates useless in verifying the authenticity of the corresponding signed pieces.

For the record, I only buy signed lps, mainly because I find it harder to be tricked, unlike lp "flats" and photographs, which can easily be duplicated from genuinely signed originals. Some examples of current listings by this Seller can be seen below. Please see the following link to this Seller's listings page for this Seller's full inventory and share your thoughts.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/Entertainment-Memorabilia/45100/m.html?_ss...

Tags: eBay, fakes

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on November 17, 2018 at 12:50pm

Yes, how likely do you think it is that the readable, clear ones are the legit autographs and the others are not?

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Permalink Reply by BallroomDays67 on November 17, 2018 at 1:50pm

It seems pretty unlikely. If you look at other cert #s in the database that are near the ones that are clear and readable, the names match up to items offered by the seller.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on November 17, 2018 at 2:04pm

The dealer is known for selling forgeries. You can order forgeries from suppliers by name and type.

The seller could buy a few genuine ones and order forgeries to fill adjacent nearby certs. The buyer gets one with a fake sticker and COA with that number on it and is never the wiser.

All PSA/DNA autographs are tagged with a synthetic DNA dabb that is only readable under a specially calibrated laser. You could buy a few and then ask PSA to issue a new COA for $10. They'll test for the DNA tag before issuing the new COA. I think some dealers have the laser too.

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Permalink Reply by BallroomDays67 on November 17, 2018 at 2:42pm

That's a pretty complicated scenario. So they would be blurring the stickers to hide the fact that the cert #s are duplicates? I just think it's much more likely that all of the stickers are real, especially considering that several of those names were previously offered without PSA/DNA certs.

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Permalink Reply by Joe W. on November 17, 2018 at 11:07am

I have a couple of general thoughts. When a seller has a reputation over an extended period of time of being suspect, I will not do business with them. PERIOD. Can a leopard change it's spots? Possibly but it would take me a long time to accept the "new reality".

The new goal for forgers is to get a "pass" by a TPA. Once that's established it off to the races. Fortunately, some people think a corporate mindset fits fine with the authentication process. I disagree. It's more of a marketing tool than a well thought out comprehensive service. Corporations are always seeking the bottom line. $$$. I'm willing to bet as their profits go up their accuracy rate goes down.

Is this hobby better off with the advent TPA services? Are there less forgeries? Are things improving?

This hobby, if someone wants to become a serious collector, is based on study and experience. Having a few knowledgeable friends can help as well. Nothing can replace that.

Avoid taking anything for granted.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on November 17, 2018 at 1:34pm

"...some people think a corporate mindset fits fine with the authentication process. I disagree...."

Well said - it fits in there, but where? I just would not expect to be serviced before a stockholder, and other considerations etc like the bottom line you mention. It is a marketing tool, with a little "free" billboard stuck to anything they can get it on. Note the stickers are now easily overtaking the images with placement, and getting further from the edge... But accuracy? A look at "Facts" pages of Gleason secretarials and forgeries, Hendrix pastiche print/forgery Ballroom spotted...

This hobby, if someone wants to become a serious collector, is based on study and experience. Having a few knowledgeable friends can help as well. Nothing can replace that.

Avoid taking anything for granted."

Well said, all. +1

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on November 17, 2018 at 3:06pm

This may help us find out what’s going on:

Tell the seller that we can’t read any of the numbers on the stickers and ask him if he would post better images.

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Permalink Reply by BallroomDays67 on November 17, 2018 at 4:04pm

Here's one that's unclear, but you can just barely make it out - AE64738 Rod Stewart.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/183533234977

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on November 17, 2018 at 4:37pm

Thanks. I went thought their sold feedback and gathered all the listings I could find that were not PSA or JSA. Very few were until recently. Here are the 16 that I found. I may have missed a few but I doubt it.

The photos look larger and sharper to me:

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Permalink Reply by Jason on November 18, 2018 at 7:45am

This is another seller with BAS and JSA that I find very questionable.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%...

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Jason

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on November 18, 2018 at 9:15pm

This discussion went silent after I started showing why I thought PSA may not have certed the hundreds of highly questionable autographs being discussed.

I'm not going to kick you off the site for POing me once, twice or even three times—or I would have wished Goodcat into the cornfield long ago.

I'm not fighting for PSA. I'm fighting for objective and thorough evaluation of autographs and related situations.

You may distrust PSA, JSA or Beckett, period.

You may believe that any TPA is a bane to autograph collecting. That no one should collect autographs unless they learn how to authenticate themselves.

You may completely trust them.

You may be like me and feel that independent authentication is needed but that methods and quality control need to improve...and not just a little. Primarily among the comprehensive TPAs.

No matter our positions, it's important to be as fair, objective and thorough when evaluating situations as we'd want others to be with us.

Our historical knowledge and opinions of the people or businesses we're evaluating should be considered too. I love a good ribeye, but you won't find me at Hannibal Lecter's Prime Steakhouse.

Well...I hope not.

Working together, we can dramatically improve the quality of authentication and make autograph collecting better, saner and safer.