Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by DB on October 31, 2012 at 11:38pm

Steve, could you post the specific communication received from Schwartz regarding their opinion that the Sanders signed items were not authentic?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Steve on November 1, 2012 at 3:55pm

Subject: Re: At: Joel Barry Sanders Photo

Size: 6 KB

Steve - Although we are not authenticators it is our opinion that the Barry Sanders signatures do in fact look different on the ball and helmet.  The helmet signature to us is very questionable because of how clean it is written and the fact that the line back after the ERS in sanders is so straight and perfectly missing the autograph.  Normally Barry Sanders' line goes through part of his name.  On the football we are not sure if it is legit as the writing patterns do some what resemble the Sanders items we have today.  You might want to get the ball checked by JSA or PSA to be certain if it is a legit Barry Sanders signature on the football.  This is our opinion based on years of doing signings with Barry Sanders and over time his signature has changed a little just like normal people's signatures and hand writing alter.    Thanks, Joel On Tue, Oct 30, 2012 at 9:26 PM, a target="_blank" href="https://webmail.west.cox.net/do/mail/message/mailto?to=kahldon3%40cox.net">kahldon3@cox.net> wrote: Hi Joel, Per our conversation Tuesday afternoon, I'm sending you two photo's of the Barry Sanders signed items I purchased from Gridiron Authentics.  One is a signed NFL football and the other is a Proline helmet.  Please let me know what you think about the authenticity.  I appreciate your time. Sincerely, Steve Kahldon

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Steve on November 1, 2012 at 6:55am

I will post the info from Schwartz when I get home later today. I already filed a chargeback and for the two Ssnders items that are from earlier in the year, if Gridiron doesn't cover them, I'm filing a complaint with the Attorney Generals office of Pennsylvania. Then I'm contacting the newspapers.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by DB on November 2, 2012 at 1:26am

thanks steve for posting the communication.  reading their assessment leaves some very wide openings.  the parts such as; do some what resemble, we are not authenticators, might want to get the ball checked by... leave such an opening a tank could drive thru.   The part on helmet signature to us is very questionable seems the stongest but even there they have left as opening with Normally Barry Sanders' line goes through part of his name. 

Of course, I completely understand your reservations but it isn't as strong as I thought it could be but just another instance on product reservations.  Did Gridiron Authentics happen to ID the signing provenance?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by DB on November 2, 2012 at 9:11am

SK - the PA AG office that covers coachs corner was essentially useless.  If I didn't know better it would appear they turned a blind eye.  Their AG Consumer Advocate essentially felt it was a civil matter but the AG took no action overall even with the complete mounds of evidence.

hopefully, you don't have to go that route but if you do hopefully it has a better result.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Peter leone on November 2, 2012 at 9:19am

DB,

I think that is different No? The corner is an auction site so they take consignment items from other sellers so they don't have a say so on the authenticity of the items even though they may think or know they are questionable at best so I don't know if a case can be brought against them. The case with Gridiron they know exactly what they are doing and they know that what they are selling is bad and still continue to sell them.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by DB on November 2, 2012 at 9:29am

So doesn't Scott Malack and Lee Trythall.  It's the same regardless of auction or direct sellers.  The only element the AG's consumer advocate does is possibly open up a dialogue.  Even then, it's not always a given that there will be a response.  The arguments and substance would be the same.  The way these types also avoid further actions is by simply offering a refund w/o any admission.  Case Closed. 

The AG's might take action when their are hundreds of complaints (and usually w/i the state) and them taking action is not always a given... unless of course it's a headliner that has positive political capital.

Of course, if they are claiming "in person" and regardless of reason can't produce it or most likely lost there is a possible avenue.  I was chatting with a real Special Agent a few weeks ago on another matter and they like to know how $$ is involved, how solid or conclusive is the evidence and the "whoms" involved pro/con & credentials.  They (this one) seemed to understand that just because someone has credentials doesn't mean that are knowingly dealing in fraud but rather incompetent and one doesn't get nailed for being incompetent.

That's one reason I tend to lean this days toward one's current US Atty (which by the way the SAs rely upon as well) and if they aren't interested then it's a long haul.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Steve on November 2, 2012 at 5:50pm

If I choose to file a complaint with the AG, I'm not necessarily expecting them to recover funds for me, I'm looking to be a pain in the ass to Gridiron. Attach their name to another complaint, raise some awareness, and possibly cause Ebay to look into them.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by DB on November 3, 2012 at 3:46am

what makes you think they aren't, already?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Steve on November 3, 2012 at 11:00am

You mean Ebay looking into them? I have no idea. Nobody has said anything about it.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Steve on November 2, 2012 at 8:38am

I find it interesting that on their Photostat certs, which they are so proud of, that they give you all the information except for where and when the item was signed. That is a red flag also. If they were present at the signing as they say, then why not more firmly establish the information and authenticity. Every piece of pertinent information listed can only help to legitimize an item.  It seems to me that by leaving out the most important details, nobody can specifically say that Gridiron was not at a particular event.

As far as Schwartz goes, I took it as they don't want to make specific claims. I looked at over 200 Sanders signatures and they all had the consistent slant of the S and B, mine don't. I will say that whoever might be signing some of these Gridiron items is pretty good. Close enough that most people never give it a second thought, but every item I have has something off with the signature.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Peter leone on November 2, 2012 at 9:04am

Steve,

I think you are correct about Schwartz not wanting to make claims for whatever reason. I agree with them that they are not authenticators however they have seen Barry sign for years and as lose as their statement was about the signatures it does seem they have doubts about them.

• ▶ Reply

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• …
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• …
• 21
• Next ›
• Page