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Field of Dreams in Las Vegas sold me a Babe Ruth Forgery.

I bought a Babe Ruth piece from Field Of Dreams at the Rio Casino a few years back and I have battling with them to refund my money without any success. Instead they tried to over me a replacement for even more money. JSA confirmed that this autographed piece was not authentic even though it came with a Christopher Morales COA. This has been an on going battle with them for years that has gone from the store to the parent company that sells their Franchise Licenses. All I can say is Buyer Beware!

 

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Permalink Reply by CJCollector on October 2, 2012 at 5:47pm

William, the above letter from Field Of Dreams is a lie.

There were no "procedures developed by Tim Fitzsimmons."  That's a lie.  As a matter of fact, when the authentication tests (HBO Sports) were sent to various authenticators, Chris Morales was one of those "authenticators (cough, cough)" who was tested.  Chris Morales was 0-5.  He was wrong on all five (5) autographs that were sent to him to "authenticate."  Chris Morales was 0 for 5.  He got all five wrong.

That is a fact. 

Permalink Reply by Bill Dorazio on October 2, 2012 at 3:41pm

So instead of a refund, they offered me a store Credit, then Jorge had this guy call me to offer me something else in exchange and heres that!

Bill,

Thank you for your time on the telephone last night.

As we discussed, I have available a signed check by Marilyn Monroe for your consideration.

It is a Bank of America check to her psychiatrist, Dr A. Gottesman, for the amount of $130.00, signed by Marilyn and dated September 1951.

(When Marilyn signed her first studio contract with Twentieth Century Fox on August 26, 1946. She earned $125 a week.)

I have attached images of the check for you to view.

A Certified Bank check is certainly one of the most favorable items for avid collectors.

The piece is PSA/DNA certified and comes with a PSA/DNA letter of authenticity. A Field of Dream COA will also be provided.

The piece will be custom framed in conservation quality framing, of the highest standard, to preserve the piece.

Marilyn Monroe: Brief History

Marilyn Monroe memorabilia  appeals to a broad range of collectors and is considered to be one of the most desirable items of celebrity memorabilia.

She was a cultural icon that transcended mere Hollywood stardom and is considered to be one of the most recognized faces of the 20th Century.

A global sensation in her lifetime, Marilyn's popularity has extended beyond star status to icon.

Today, the name "Marilyn Monroe" is synonymous with beauty, sensuality and effervescence.

Marilyn appeared in over 30 films, won three Golden Globe Awards, and was nominated Best foreign actress four times.

She appeared on the cover of life magazine 1952 and 1962 and was the first cover girl for Playboy in 1953.

She was married twice, firstly to Joe Dimaggio and then playwright, Arthur Millar.

At the 1962 Golden Globes, Marilyn was named female World Film Favorite, once again demonstrating her widespread appeal.

Ranked #6 on the American Film Institute's "50 Greatest Screen Legends" list

Named the Number One Sex Star of the 20th century by Playboy magazine (1999) Voted "Sexiest Woman of the Century" by People Magazine (1999)

Voted 4th Greatest Movie Star of all time by Entertainment Weekly Voted 2nd Greatest Movie Star of all time by Premiere Magazine

I will call you later this evening, as discussed.

I am excited that such a desirable piece has become available for you.

Good luck with your decision.

Your truly

Brett Grady

Director Client Relations

Field of Dreams

(B) 954-382 8362

(C) 305-215-1256

Permalink Reply by Bill Dorazio on October 2, 2012 at 3:43pm

And Then This:

Bill,

Thanks for your reply. I spoke to Jorge last night and asked for the best discount we could offer you.

He had agreed that we could have the piece released at $7200.

We would normally offer a Monroe signed piece for between $10-12K.

As you already have a credit for $4800, the additional amount required to secure the piece would be $2400.

I will have the item framed in our most exclusive design to ensure your piece is unique and truly a one-of-a-kind.

We are offering a substantial discount on this occasion, due to the terms of your initial acquisition.

We wish to have you remain a satisfied customer of Field of Dreams and I hope we can exceed your expectations on this collectable.

Your truly,

Brett Grady

Director Client Relations

Field of Dreams

(B) 954-382 8362

(C) 305-215-1256

bgrady@dreamscorp.com

Permalink Reply by Bill Dorazio on October 2, 2012 at 3:47pm

And This was the Straw that broke the Camel's back!!

Dear Mr. Dorazio:

It seems that we just jump from one unfortunate situation to another.  The bottom line is that neither Brett or I source our collection of vintage autographs.  Our buyers provide us with product that comes from hundreds of dealers, and yes at times, even eBay.  As long as the vintage product carries with it the right COA that we require our buyers are able to purchase the product.  In this case, we were given pictures and a cost of (including framing) $3000).  Based on the cost of the product in eBay ($2500) and a reasonable cost of framing that type of vintage product, $3,000 seems like a reasonable cost. 

Now, as you might appreciate, we don’t set prices to the public based on setting our Sale Price as our cost; otherwise, we would be out of business.  We normally look to (especially in the case of vintage, hard to find items) operate at a 40% cost of goods.  I think you’ll find that is reasonable in our retail marketplace.  At that margin, normally the lowest we would sell this piece to the public would be $7500.  The beginning asking price would probably (for an item of this caliber) would probably be closer to $10-$12,000, just because of the uniqueness of the piece.  That being said, offering it to you at $7200 is wholly within those guidelines.  I wouldn’t normally disclose our retail price guidelines to the public, but in this case, I think it’s important because of your implication that we are trying to somehow defraud you.

I can certainly understand that having you find this product yourself and be able to buy it cheaper would make this a bad deal for you; however, as I mentioned to you in the beginning, we buy from hundreds of sources and eBay is admittedly one of them – again, as long as they have the right authentication. 

The bottom line is that I agreed to provide you with a credit to purchase at one of our locations for the amount of $4800.  The reality is that I didn’t have to offer it, and you could rest assured that if you were to go to court and say that the Babe Ruth piece is a fake, you would most certainly lose that case given that PSA/DNA, nor any other 3rd party authenticator can testify in court, unless they are a court authorized forensic examiner; which Christopher Morales is.  I offered you the credit in a good-faith effort to fix a customer service issue; not to resolve a legal one.  If you’d like to rescind your acceptance of the credit towards a future purchase that I offered, then I will notate that and you can proceed towards the direction that you’re referring to below.  We do not intend to issue you a refund for the $4800.

I am truly sorry that we have not been able to satisfy you in this case, and I wish you well.  I would be more than happy to discuss the situation with the local Attorney General, as I don’t think that there is a legal issue here, but I’ll make myself accessible to him to answer any questions.

Regards,

Jorge Salvat

President

Brick and Mortar Division

Field of Dreams

954-377-0004

 Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2009 1:12 PM To: Brett Grady Cc: Jorge Salvat Subject: RE: Marily Monroe Memorabilia - Images-

Brett,

  I am very dissappointed and angry right now, to the point that I would just rather get the authorities involved and have them deal with this. I really just want my money back because you just proved that your company and the reputation that you have is not very reputable.

You are trying to sell me this item for $7200.00, applying my $4800.00 Credit which would leave me a balance owed to you of $2400.00.

  I have been in this business for a long time and don't like to be swindled by anyone so I do all my homework before I make a decision like this.

This item that you are offering me is on Ebay Auction #380100603657 at a Buy it now of $2500.00 or Best Offer which means that they would take less, and here you are trying to buy it and sell it to me at an upcharge of $4700.00!! Are you trying to tell me that you are going to add $4700.00 worth of framing to it, I highly doubt it!

I am going to Vegas in three weeks and I am going to take all of the paperwork and dealings concerning this purchase with me to the Attorney General's office as evidence unless I get a Full Refund!

I thought that I had built a good relationship with Jorge and put my trust in his hands and apparently I was wrong because you destroyed that. You have soured me on all dealings with FOD and their Franchises and when I get to Las Vegas I will let it be known as I will to all the people that I deal with at the National Shows.

So please don't call me unless you are telling me that my check is on the way because there is nothing that you can do to make me feel any better about this.

Respectfully yours,

Bill Dorazio 

Permalink Reply by CJCollector on October 2, 2012 at 3:53pm

William, thank you for posting those emails.

The least we can do, is give Field Of Dreams some free advertising.

It should make all of us angry that Field Of Dreams, instead of just giving William a full refund, attempted to extract more money from him.

Christopher Morales, one day.............

Permalink Reply by Bill Dorazio on October 2, 2012 at 3:59pm

Isn't it funny how they FOD corporate use Morales and then later on state that they only use JSA or PSA/DNA

Permalink Reply by BallroomDays67 on October 2, 2012 at 7:59pm

It doesn't make any sense. They seem to be claiming that they favor PSA/DNA and JSA simply because that's what their customers prefer, but if those companies are unable to render a decision they then use Morales.

JSA clearly stated that the item "is not, in fact, an authentic example." Considering the above claim, shouldn't JSA's decision overrule Morales' authentication?  

Permalink Reply by DB on October 2, 2012 at 4:17pm

I just had to pull out a few of the salient thoughts that were stated by FOD!  Truly Amazing...

 

"As I mentioned to you earlier, authenticity is no laughing matter to us – we take it extremely seriously.

if we can’t be trusted to sell authentic memorabilia, then what benefit do we truly offer? 

With that in mind, I would offer you the opportunity to give us back the piece and in turn I would offer you a store credit for the entire purchase amount.  Please understand that in doing so, we do NOT accept your opinion that the item is not authentic; however, as a result of your experience, I will destroy the piece and not resell it

As you already have a credit for $4800, the additional amount required to secure the piece would be $2400

It seems that we just jump from one unfortunate situation to another...

 I wouldn’t normally disclose our retail price guidelines to the public, but in this case, I think it’s important because of your implication that we are trying to somehow defraud you.

 I would be more than happy to discuss the situation with the local Attorney General, as I don’t think that there is a legal issue here"

and this is one offer I feel you ought to take them up on except I would add your state's US Attorney as well.!  Do understand though they know how to play the game with state Attorney General's consumer units who can be useless and places like this know that very well.

Permalink Reply by Bill Dorazio on October 2, 2012 at 4:36pm

Well if anything at all I thank everyone for being the Support Group that holds this all together for us serious collectors on this web site. Bill

Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on October 2, 2012 at 5:02pm

Bill,

Can the store credit be used on their website, too, or any other stores?

Permalink Reply by Bill Dorazio on October 2, 2012 at 6:56pm

Steve,

    That is a negative, they don't have a Website that advertises items for sale and they are individually owned franchises. I would have been happy with the Store Credit but after a lot of thought I would have had to go out there and they weren't going to give me a store credit until I returned the piece. I wanted something in writing signed by both parties, The Franchise Distributor as well as the Store owner and they refused to do that.

 

Permalink Reply by CJCollector on October 2, 2012 at 7:02pm

The one absolute that you have in your favor, William, is that email sent to you from Field Of Dreams. 

They lied when they wrote "As I mentioned, our systems and procedures were developed by Mr. Tim Fitzsimons of the FBI (the leader of “Operation Bullpen”)."

Like I previously wrote, Chris Morales went 0-5 on the "Authentication Test."  They were no "procedures developed by Tim Fitzsimmons."  That's a lie.  There is no way that Mr. Fitzsimmons would have "endorsed" Chris Morales.  He was wrong on all five (5) autographs sent to him!!!!!!!!!!!

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