Comment by Steve Zarelli on March 16, 2013 at 2:31pm

It goes to show you how fragile the ecosystem is and the barbarians are truly banging at the gates. Even  a short stoppage in EMR activity results in an explosion of fakes.

Comment by Rich on March 16, 2013 at 2:48pm

Seems like the best thing you can do is call the seller out on this forum.  Ebay is incredibly spotty on removing items.  Even the worst forgeries seem like a waste of time to report.

As bad as ebay is with forgeries, they aren't nearly as bad as ioffer, ebid or even amazon.  Try finding ANYTHING authentic on those sites.

I have to second Carl's feeling about Ebay.  It's a mess for sure, and they have been historically bad at policing the site on all levels (not just autograph collecting).  But it is also an amazing resource for obtaining items you might otherwise never come across.  I've purchased authentic items on Ebay that I can just about guarantee you I would never have seen an autograph dealer carry.  

Comment by Null on March 16, 2013 at 3:11pm

Does this mean none of the Mantle/DiMaggio/Williams stuff we post will be removed?

Comment by Richard S. Simon on March 16, 2013 at 3:19pm

Ryan - it seems that ebay has stopped worrying about fake autographs, so the stuff that gets posted here will not be getting removed.  Write to ebay, post this story on other blogs. If we apply enough pressure,,,,,,

Comment by Richard S. Simon on March 16, 2013 at 3:21pm

Seismic activity has been reported in Florida where the sellers of bogus items have been cheering so loudly that it has been reported on seismographs. :(

Comment by CJCollector on March 16, 2013 at 3:24pm

From now on, when I expose a seller, I will be giving them their own thread, that way it gets a high search return on Google.

Comment by terrier8HOF on March 16, 2013 at 4:03pm

Excellent idea Christopher.

Comment by Steve Buchanan on March 16, 2013 at 4:32pm

The Moral of the story kids, is buy from reputable dealers in autographs that have a positive track record, care about autographs, and offer a LIFETIME GUARANTEE of REFUND. Stop being so G*******D cheap trying to find a dealer selling a Babe Ruth Autographed ball that's been stuck in a wool sock in the bottom of a hope chest since 1948 from someone who sells Gi Joe's and Looney Tunes Glasses at the swap meet.  Buyer Beware. Ebay is a business.

Comment by Steve Zarelli on March 16, 2013 at 5:07pm

Steve - you make a valid point, but it misses the bigger picture. Fakes dilute the value of our collections. Even if you are the most diligent collector in the world and have 100% good material, a flood of fakes destroys confidence in the market and diminishes the value of your collection.

Further, what if you want to sell a 100% good item? Will you sell or consign it to a reputable well known dealer? If not and you try to sell it yourself, good luck because your item will be mixed in with all the fakes from the other "collector" sellers.

Comment by Steve Buchanan on March 16, 2013 at 6:24pm

Zipper Ripper... Fakes have been around before autographs had monetary value. Like Stamps, Baseball cards and Coins, people will and have capitolized on hobbyists, and collectibles markets. Know your s*** if you're buying or selling. The thing that dilutes all of our collections are DOPES that (1) don't research BEFORE they buy (2) Buy a fake on the Hope System (3) Are Cheap, and are a price buyer. Lots of variables devalue our collections. Like a new car coming off of the show room floor...it will NEVER be worth what you paid for it. It's only worth what the other guy will pay.  When I die, my kids know to research my 35 year collection of autographs and memorabilia.  Daddy taught them to ask a ton of questions. And understand supply, demand and more importantly, HUMAN NATURE.

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