Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Quadropheniac on January 23, 2022 at 1:09pm

So basically, your best bet is if it there is a doubt-open it on video (so you have evidence if something is hinky).

If it's missing the signature page-you can send it back and you then have evidence there was something fishy,

If the sig page is in there and everything looks OK and you are concerned about future value-maybe send it into ACOA, Beckett or another and get a COA for it.  I think many collectors will want a sealed one. But some will feel even better about one where they can see the autos and where it has been authenticated with a respected company and has a COA.

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Permalink Reply by Jason H on January 23, 2022 at 1:13pm

Has amazon ever sold something that was resealed a different way? Do they have the machines to do this? Im just wondering what the process would be if these were previously opened returns. If amazon resealed these, it means they would all be checked to make sure the autograph was there before resealing.. I would think.. so if these are real and someone tried to do something fishy now based on ideas given in this thread, amazon would have an idea. It makes me sad hearing these stories. You arnt just hurting the company. When they resell it, you are hurting other collectors who spent god knows how many hours researching, hoping to find one at retail, only to see the page torn out or whatever.. these stories really make me want to stay away from any big ticket items that are not a 1st run release

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Permalink Reply by Quadropheniac on January 23, 2022 at 1:33pm

Shinkwrapping something isn't difficult at all. When I was in college I worked for a small, independent toy store and people would open up shrink wrap to look at the contents of educational games, flashcards, or other things.  These weren't collectible items. But people wouldn't want to buy an open one when they were supposed to be sealed. So we'd drag them to the back and drop them in a large box. And once there was enough in the box, we'd inspect them to make sure they were complete, then I'd spend an afternoon re-shrinkwrapping them. All you needed was the shrinkwrap roll, a sealing machine, and a heat gun. And for anyone that was at all decent at it-it'd look like a factory seal. For people that sucked at it-it'd have big holes or look baggy and loose.  So without opening it-there really isn't a way to ease your doubts. with absolute certainty.

So again, if you have doubts, either return it sealed or open it and verify.  Those are really your options.  

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Permalink Reply by Jason H on January 23, 2022 at 2:31pm

Thats great info

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Permalink Reply by Jor-El on January 23, 2022 at 1:37pm

Honestly I don't know how Amazon works. My own copy, which I pre-ordered full price the day these went on sale and was shipped as soon as Amazon got them, arrived opened (unsealed).

In the past I have asked Amazon (EU) about a similar issue where I bought a collectible book as new: I received a sealed copy but it had a return sticker on it. They told me then that they don't re-seal items.

Someone mentioned the publisher could have re-sealed returns, which sounds plausible. I don't know much about the book world, but in music it's common to have a free-return-guarantee for the shops on certain titles. That way they guarantee an abundance of availability without letting the shops take the risk on a new title. This could have happened with this book too.

I know Amazon sells items which have been tampered with; for example boxes of collectible cards where the Rare cards have been taken out of the packs. Where there's money to be made there are dishonest people, and Amazon being one of the biggest retailers of the world is bound to fall victim. They can't check everything.

If the publisher or Amazon resealed this you'd hope they would have checked for the signature page, but there's no way to know for sure.

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Permalink Reply by Jason H on January 23, 2022 at 2:31pm

If Amazon does not reseal, I wouldn't trust the baggy ones at all. I would spend hours comparing signatures until I was 100% sure they are real. If any doubt at all, I'd want to return. 

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Permalink Reply by Jor-El on January 23, 2022 at 2:49pm

If it has the signatures, I don't think you have anything to worry about. I can't imagine someone taking out a signed page and replacing it for a forged one. I wouldn't even know how you could accomplish that without leaving a trace of tampering.

So if it has a signed page bound in the book you should be good. Only you won't know if you leave it sealed. From what I've heard in this thread, there's too much uncertainty and I'd definitely advice on opening the baggy seal. I think if you plan on leaving it sealed for future resale purposes, the baggy seal will create just as much doubt with a potential future buyer. So best to check now while you still have the option to return.

Great advice given here to videotape the opening of the book!

Permalink Reply by Jason H on January 23, 2022 at 3:20pm

Ah, I was assuming the deluxe version is the same as the regular unsigned book. If they are both different, I see your point. I thought the only difference was the signatures. Ive never even looked at the regular book so I have no clue

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Permalink Reply by Jor-El on January 23, 2022 at 3:32pm

The Deluxe is cloth-bound and comes in a slipcase. So besides the signatures it's a higher quality production of the book. You can't mistake them for eachother. I've seen the Deluxe book sell for $50 with the signature page cut.

Permalink Reply by Jason H on January 23, 2022 at 3:52pm

Thats really good to know, thanks. Im glad they are different from eachother.. ill be opening mine as soon as I receive it

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Permalink Reply by Darryl Gundersen on January 23, 2022 at 4:12pm

Please post results.

Permalink Reply by Jason H on January 23, 2022 at 4:58pm

Darryl, not sure why there is no reply button for your comment... had to reply to myself.. I will post results

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