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Permalink Reply by Steve Zarelli on June 21, 2016 at 7:51am

In my opinion, SGC (sgccard.com) is a credible authenticator with an excellent track record. Feel free to ask around...  you'll find they are widely respected in the community.

In full disclosure, I am the space autograph consultant for SGC.

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Permalink Reply by Rich on June 21, 2016 at 9:14am

Regarding GFA, they present themselves professionally which I think goes a long way in keeping nonchalant law enforcement off their backs. When you run your own show the way they do and sell nothing but forgeries from the same forgery on the same type of material in endless supplies, it actually is quite easy for hardcore knowledgeable fans to call foul. 

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Permalink Reply by MJ Emigh on June 21, 2016 at 2:45pm

>When you run your own show the way they do and sell nothing but forgeries from the same forgery on the same type of material in endless supplies, it actually is quite easy for hardcore knowledgeable fans to call foul. /span>

Rich-

I don't think I've seen them selling anything but their services. I suppose they may control a string of dealers, manufacturers, etc. while keeping the authentication business a separate entity, but it would seem unlikely. If they are willing to pass anything that comes their way, that seems like a very profitable business model. They don't risk manufacturing an illegal product; they simply sell an opinion. It's a win-win in a most unethical sort of way.

Since this is only my second day learning about this stuff, clearly I have no idea if what I said makes sense. If, however, you know that they are actually selling forged product, it shouldn't be too hard to blow the whistle on them. I'm not sure what the process would be, but illegal activity is.....well.....illegal.

-MJ

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Permalink Reply by Rich on June 21, 2016 at 2:55pm

That's not what's really going on though. They're not selling an opinion the way PSA or JSA would. It's part of a larger scam. You will not find authentic items certified by GFA, because that's not really their business. Their business is certifying forgeries they think are passable as authentic to less knowledgable collectors. There are authentication firms and those that pose as them while really working with forgery outfits to make money. This is the latter. Sadly, there are others.

We've had a lot of discussion on this site about the lack of law enforcement response. Check out a company called Coach's Corner. They are one of the absolute worst offenders in the forgery department, routinely selling laughable forgeries of items that - if real - would represent rarities or truly unique items. They sell stuff that hardcore collectors would tell you just doesn't exist. They've been outed again and again as being dirty, and it's not even a question.  Yet law enforcement has not intervened for reasons we're still trying to fathom.

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Permalink Reply by Rich on June 21, 2016 at 3:06pm

Christopher Williams has the most comprehensive insight on GFA/Rocchi. 

Thing is, when you see the same forgeries certified by the same person over and over and over and over . . . It's a bit easier to figure out what's going on. 

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Permalink Reply by MJ Emigh on June 21, 2016 at 2:30pm

Wow, it didn't take long to get responses! Thanks very much for the wisdom. 

It's obvious that the old "never assume" rule applies to this subject. In that case, let me ask about another product. There are signed balls being sold for about $70. Only problem is, you don't know who you're getting until you open the box. It actually seems like a pretty cool idea, although I'd prefer to buy the players I actually WANT on the secondary market. Apparently, a guy got a Babe Ruth in a card shop nearby (Dallas) a year or two ago. By buying secondary, I'll miss that fun, but ....oh, well.....

These balls are sold under the name "Tri Star." They seem to be trusted by card shop owners, which I consider a plus. What about you guys? Have they been known to sell forgeries? Obviously, with long-dead signers, they would have to trust the judgement of an authentication service, but what about the guys who still walk the Earth? Are these balls considered a safe bet?

Again, thanks in advance for your thoughts!

-MJ

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Permalink Reply by Rich on June 21, 2016 at 2:38pm

Tristar is a good company that schedules it's own signings and sells authentic material. The Tristar hidden treasures thing (Mystery ball in a sealed bag) was fun, though you'd rarely get a genuinely great deal - usually a minor star worth less than what you paid. I think I did it maybe three times and got Houston Street, Manny Trillo and Dontrelle Willis. This was several years ago.

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