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Authenticity is Everything
Van Halen Opinions Please
A fellow member has asked for opinions about this signed 1984 Van Halen album in another thread. There are things that I like and things that concern me about it so I wanted to post it as a new discussion with the hope that we can get more members to comment on it. Thanks in advance.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Grant Davis on
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WEll done guys BUT i followed a link and kissdestroyer/fracturedmirror has made a killing on selling those forgeries - seems that all forgers use the same modus operanndum (MO - yep i know it is not spelt correctly) vocabularly ie he is the REAL DEAL etc etc
Feel sorry for the guys that bought the fakes but also that was me until i came to this site!!!!!
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Permalink Reply by roger epperson on
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It is correct that I dont usually blog on the weekends but what a great job you guys did exposing this guy. I have known of this guy and his stories for quite some time. As you have shown he really doesn't have a clue about these autographs. Great job!
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Permalink Reply by kissdestroyer1966 on
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Mr Epperson,
So nice to finally get to meet you (almost face to face). I finally get a chance to communicate with one of the parties partially responsible for the mess in the Music Memorabilia Autographed Market. However, before we get further acquainted, I need to address a few items that your watchdog spewed from his pie hole with of course, no justification other than hateful words and spite, prior to your arrival.
Mr Watchdog and his few, but I am sure loyal, followers,
Yes, that was my stuff on ebay (all 100% legitimate I might add) which has been removed by you and your clan, AGAIN... I stand by it 100% with or without your blessing. No biggie, I just sell of doubles for fun. You see, I make more money in a single day at work than I do passing on the fantastic items my source has to offer from his lifelong collection. You see, as I mentioned in my video on youtube, I do this just for fun, nothing more. I am very fortunate. Have a good job and make decent money. The 46 transactions I have on my ebay accounted for a whopping 3K over a 3-4 month period. If you really look at the transactions, you will note several purchases, a few autograph sells, and yes, sold some ice hockey equipment which was probably manufactured by the elves that make my autographed memorabilia. What a JOKE! I would hardly call that “making a killing” as you so eloquently communicated to our audience. Way to state the facts, or NOT, again! But that is what I have come to expect from you. All talk, no justification other than “Roger is going to get you and PSA/DNA is the end all for autographs!”. Well here I am my friend!
To put the dollar amount into perspective, I bet PSA/DNA makes 2-3K in 10-20 minutes at a show taking good money from hard working people and not even having the decency to confront them when they are told their stuff is bad. No discounts for the hard working people whose items are rejected. The inspector’s just sends a messenger to do their dirty work in communicating their cherished items are bad, collects the money, and if they are really unhappy, provides them a police escort out the door. You can attempt to dispute this, but it is fact. I witnessed this in person. It is appalling! Come on, who is the real crooks here? I am sure this business makes hundreds of thousands to millions off of hard working Americans who have absolutely no recourse when these messengers communicate the bad news to persons that didn’t understand how the process works. Then, to top it off, some of the key persons doing the grading sell on the side. I know for a fact Steve Grad, the Music Authenticator for PSA/DNA, has sold items on the side. He used to purchase items from my source prior to blacklisting him at a later date (have user id’s and emails to prove it). Will discuss those details in a bit. Being a paid authenticator and selling on the side is a complete conflict of interest. I am sure it is not condoned by PSA/DNA (at least I would hope not). Never the less, it has happened or is still happening. This particular authenticator knows my sources stuff and fails them on a regular basis. No reason to even waste your money if you items from my friends collection. They will be rejected. You will understand why in a few.
On a positive note, because I am fair, at least PSA/DNA is up front in the beginning of the process in telling people they are responsible to pay regardless of the outcome. It is also worth mentioning if they do put their stamp on the item it raises the value of the item for most people trust these authenticators and don’t know real from fake (like our watchdog who kisses the ground these Companies walk on).
PSA/DNA also emphasizes that this is STRICLY AN OPINION and it doesn’t mean the item is fake, just that the PSA/DNA Company will not back the item. It is funny how some of you think if PSA doesn’t put there sticker on it is fake. That is far from the truth, they clearly tell you it is JUST AN OPINION, nothing more! Never the less, they do communicate this up front so much of the blame definitely goes to the consumer. I just feel bad for those who don’t understand the process and what they are signing up for. Many people are very naive to the process. That doesn’t take away from the fact they could at least offer a discount if the items come back bad and offer an opportunity for persons to provide evidence that their stuff is good. Especially if they have photographs or videos.
Economy is extremely bad and people don’t have a great deal of extra money. These poor souls get hammered on the wallet, leave thinking there stuff is bad, and if they got it signed in person, get very upset that PSA/DNA wouldn’t allow them to offer a photo or videos of them getting it signed. No, PSA/DNA wants to know nothing about the history of the item. They just look at it and make an assessment. I would never authenticate anything without knowing its history. Signatures change over time and you need to know what era it was signed. Autographs change over time and analyzing to one standard is just ignorant and irresponsible.
Epperson’s watch dog claims I manufacture the items. That is so ridiculous that I hate to take the time to respond to such accusations. I can barely draw a stick figure mush less autograph items as nice as the ones depicted on the items I had on ebay and have shown to members of this site. Even better yet, is the elf factory theory? Yes, I hired a bunch of Santas elves to make the items in a factory in the basement like our friend Brian Burkel of Autographs America/Autographs Network. Give me a BREAK!!!! I do just fine in my current occupation. Why would I ever jeopardize what I have worked so hard for by purposefully signing items and selling on ebay. Making a living on ebay is very hard. I would never attempt to do it. I know people that have done it and it sucks. For me, it is nothing more than a hobby. More importantly, I would never ever sign an item nor purchase any items that I thought was bad in an attempt to profit. Let’s face it, with the exception of speeding from time to time, I have never broken the law and don’t intend to. Maybe Mr watch dog can put on his Detective Cap and investigate that too. He seems to have a lot of extra time. Come on, this subject is not worth my time.
Keep in mind the ONLY reason I joined this website was to help people to not get ripped off. Like many of you, I LONG FOR THE TRUTH! I have been ripped off and it doesn’t feel good. Unfortunately the only thing that happened thus far is I have been wrongfully attacked by the Epperson watch dogs. Although, I will say, it has been quite entertaining. I do realize there are only a few of you that are so brain washed and mean spirited. Unfortunately these persons seem to communicate and act like you are speaking for the whole body. Unfortunate more persons don’t offer your thoughts. Perhaps you are scared to get attacked as I have, who knows. Your speaker has provided nothing factual to date other than I had some items listed on ebay which have been removed by him and his clones thanks to Mike Hoppe which is depicted below.
Oh and interesting news. Just found out Michael Hoppe was the investigator and found me on ebay. Not that I care for I have nothing to hide. Turns out Mr watchdog didn’t do the research. Should have figured he wouldn’t be smart enough to connect the dots on his own. But Hoppe, has the connections with ebay safety and trust to make this connection. Way to go Hoppe. I give you credit for you are resourceful (even of you use it to mislead people). Just remember if anything ever happens to me my brother who is a detective is copied on all my interactions with you and this group of mobsters and knows exactly what a how corrupt you are! I wouldn’t put it passed you to try to shut up people that are exposing your indiscretions you fraud!. Good Job Michael! Should have stayed out of this. I had no beef with you regarding this matter but now you force me to start enlightening the public to your antics.
Hoppe is heavily responsible for abusing his influence with ebay more so than any other person in the industry. He gets good dealers kicked off all the time so he can own the market. Nothing more than simple greed! He wants to own the market place so he can charge crazy prices for his GAI certified stuff. I used to go to his website and see all the items he got from my source (many from KISS which he has removed due to scrutiny from PAAS and other persons questioning his motives). They were all GAI certified and he was asking $1000 for an autographed album by KISS, Motley, VH etc. He was totally raking people over the coals. Not the $100 or $150 we would sell it for but $1000. Get this. Michael runs one of the biggest Autograph Web Sites on the net and ebay trusted him to help police the market. He is the person that was responsible for getting me kicked off a year ago when he noticed I was selling items similar to his on ebay for a fraction of the cost. The items were almost identical, Metallica and Justice for All Poster. We both had it listed at the same time. You could tell they came from the same source and were signed by the band at the same time. The only difference was I was only asking $150 and he was asking $500 with of course the GAI certification (who is partially owns or is in bed with). Well, can’t have cheaper prices than Hoppe. No one competes with the big bad black sheep of the family (he is actually a loser compared to his siblings). His siblings are successful and honest for he comes from a wealthy family. Too bad he is the loser out of the group. He tries to make do by shady practices and poor ethics. He is as corrupt as they come. Seems I have pulled all the villains out of their holes. Just need Steve Grad to surface and we will have the trifecta. On his website you will note everything is authenticated by GAI. Some real some fake. GAI will authenticate anything he has for they are in bed together. Smart move on his part until people start to realize what is going on. He basically has GAI in his hip and they will authenticate anything he has. Buyer BEWARE!!!!!!!! This guy is as bad as they come!! I welcome the opportunity to see you face to face Mr Hoppe. Sorry you never amounted to anything. Your Shopping mall stores (Field of Dreams) failed or a reason. Your brothers and sisters seem to be educated and ethical; don’t know what happened to you. You give the Hoppe name a bad name. Should have stayed out of this. We have a lot more on you my friend. Keep kicking people off ebay for that seems to be your specialty. We will get you mr scum bag!
Just a little recap::
-I brought my original source of the VH items (band photographer that was the same photographer for KISS during the reunion tour, Aerosmith as well as several others during the 90’s and 00’s)
-Offered examples of correct skins, drum heads and magazines for both the David line up and Sammy line up
-Offered satins of VH during 07/08 tour that were obviously used (coincidentally by the bands photographer)
-Offered a video of Gene Simmons authenticating 2 items that came from my source
-All supporting my source is good
I still have seen nothing from you Mr. Watchdog (Mr Carl). I am done answering to you until you pony up something for the group to analyze. All you have done so far is spew hateful words with no backing other than Roger Epperson is god. You aren’t worth my time!
As for you Mr Epperson, I know you have seen the video. Gene Simmons looks right into the camera and says the Return of KISS poster and Love Gun Album signed in gold are authentic. Am I supposed to believe you, or Gene Simmons? I am sure you are so arrogant that you think I should choose you, but I choose Gene Simmons! (Without a doubt, the smartest of the KISS band members that has never drank or done drugs in his life). He had no reason to authenticate other than the fact they are real for he hates it when people make money on the KISS name. The other part the viewers don’t get to see is the best part where I removed from the protective sleeves and he says to me and my son without hesitation “Yes those are my autographs and the other bands members”. When he realized we wanted it on video tape he offered to make the tape that he did. But don’t worry, there are more to come. We have the money to meet with the artists and get items authenticated on video further proving you are blacklisting my source and depriving the market of the best collection of hair band items in the world. You have enough issues with some of the bad items you have on your website including fake Michael Jackson autographs and from what I can see fake KISS autographs. But no issue, you seem to have enough clones that it doesn’t matter, They love anything you have posted for you are a Music authenticator for JSA and must be reliable. I beg to differ.
But how does that hurt you (not that I care to, I just long for the truth)? Maybe a minor scratch on the hood of the car. It can be buffed out, no biggie. You will be just fine. So you know what, enough of the “mud slinging” and small talk, for it gets us nowhere. Let’s get down to business and quit beating around the bush!
You know exactly where the collection came from and the data we have in our archives to help support you and certain factions of PSA/DNA have blacklisted my source for quite some time, abused your authority in the autograph market, and slandered his name. Why? Flex your muscles when he didn’t succumb to Grads desire to get a stupid Metallica autographed photo? He isn’t the type of person to give into threats and he has paid the price. You, Steve Grad and Michael Hoppe have shown him who is boss by exerting your influence in the autograph market. What a travesty!!!! Steve wanted a Metallica Autographed photo and could not afford it. He asked my source to hold it for him until he could come up with the money. My source told him to pack sand and listed on ebay. Steve Grad used his authority to have the item removed from ebay (which seems to happen a lot with you guys). After that point he lost confidence in you, Mr Grad, and Hoppe, all of which he sold items to. He decided not to sell any of his collection to you guys for you were trying to get him to sell his items at a reduced price (which was already good) and you and your counterparts wanted to charge high prices for the items. Because of this you weren’t able to flip them at a high rate. My source became impatient for he needed the money. He started selling to person who would list the items on ebay and undercut all of you. Each of you decided to show him who was boss and blacklisted his entire collection and anyone who attempted to pass it on. This is examples of a total miss use of power. Hard to believe you guys have power but you ultimately control the autographed market for the uneducated (such as Mr Watch dog and his clonies). Alright enough, let get to it. I would like to make a proposition: Plain and Simple:
You pick any 2 items that your clan just kicked off ebay, including one of my choices (the Dynasty poster) for a total of 3 items. You and I agree to a forensic examination performed by the FBI or equivalent (we can collectively determine this organization). I will pay for the analysis. If the items come back good, you reimbursed me for the cost of the analysis, apologize to me on this forum, and allow all my friends that share this collection to sell without recourse from you with your influence with Jonathan Gonzales. However, if items come back suspect, I will admit that I was wrong to this entire audience, admit I have purchased tens of thousands of dollars in autographed items that are suspect (which we both know is false), shut my mouth indefinitely and eat the cost of the evaluation. Your choice my friend.
Let’s end this once and for all. This has gone on way too long! Look forward to a thoughtful response on how to move forward on this proposition.
Pat C.
P.S. Me and my friends are not going away. We will bring the truth to the market. You guys are crooks. We will be analyzing your internet store and providing information to persons as to the fake items you have authenticated on you site. You brought this on yourself. Do as I propose and let’s see who the crook really is.
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Permalink Reply by Mike P on
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For those of you out there, do not bother reading that.
It's a novel of bloviation
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What justification do you prove my friend. Nothing like all your clones. You are a loser like the rest of them. Give us something we can sink out teeth in. You offer nothing like all your friends!
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What a loser. Like Jim Rome says, have a take and dont suck. See no take in this comment. Guess you are a Loser! when you have something of value to add then reply,
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Dont bother reading what my friend? Can you even read. You probably saw it was more than one paragraph and gave up. When you get more than a 2nd grade education come back an visit. Children are not welcome.
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Reading what my friend. Your instructions on self satisfaction which you are probably an expert on.
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No, but I followed Ernest Hemingway's advice: "Develop a built in b******* detector."
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Permalink Reply by Brandon Mysinger on
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I can't believe I just read that! However, I don't understand the attack on someone who "buys from your same source" simply because he offers the "same" items for a higher price? IF (notice the big if) they are as real as you say, what does it matter? For someone who doesn't need the money, you sure are jealous.
On another note, if the items are authentic, you should never be able to tell that they came from the same "source" it shouldn't be obvious at all. However, the fact that it is obvious, is the main reason to start being worried.
I wouldn't be so fast to defend items you didn't see signed.
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Im not jealous just frustrated with the corruption in a hobby that is supposed to be fun. My beef is Steve Grad, Roger Epperson and Michael Hoppe have ruined the industry. They have abused their positions and influenced the ebay market with the misguided trust of Jonathan Gonzales of ebay. I am sure Jonathan is a good guy and was trying to do the right thing to police the market. But relying on these three persons was irresponsible on his part. I am a passionate person and when I commit to something I put my heart and soul into it. I do get a bit defensive when people make accusations that damage what I believe in without justification. They are certainly entitled to their opinions, but at least add some educated value to the conversation.
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