Hi, Gang.

A while back, I made a post about eBay seller barryjanvrin and the constant flow of fake autographs he has been selling, mostly signed entertainment trading cards.

http://www.ebay.ca/sch/barryjanvrin/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_...

This seller has over 10,000 positive feedback (with no negative feedback) and appears to have no limit to the forgeries he sells and will continue selling. So, I tried something different. I am pretty familiar with John Hillerman’s signature (from the T.V. show Magnum PI), and when I saw seller barryjanvrin selling 6 Hillerman forgeries I decided to buy them (total cost $22 plus shipping) and move this issue into the sellers front lawn. When the cards arrived, I immediately filed a PayPal dispute regarding the forgeries I had received. The seller was quick to contact me and offer me a full refund. Here is the message he sent me:

Good morning!

I am very sorry to hear that. I do my best to reference every autograph in my collection. I just turned 67 and my eyes aren't as sharp as they once were. I have never intentionally sold anything that's not legit. I do understand your frustration. Please return the items and I will refund your payment.

Barry

I immediately sent the cards back.

Soon after the first email, the seller sent me a second email stating:

I'll issue your refund as soon as I receive them. I have been collecting since I was 15 yrs old and I have always enjoyed doing so. It is very frustrating and disappointing that too many are now not authentic. I have mostly stopped adding to my collection. I am now just trying to sell it and down size. I do the best I can but sadly I'm not always accurate. I do apologize.
Thank you!

Then a third message:

Good morning,
Have you put these items in the post?
Thank you

At this point, I sent the seller a reply:

Here's the thing... I appreciate that you will be refunding my payment once you receive the cards, but it has been made aware to me by fellow members of Autograph Magazine Live, through PSA/DNA quick opinions, and my own investigation that most, if not all of the autographs you are selling are 100% fake. It also appears that you have been selling fake autographs for quite some time. I'm not sure how to proceed except to leave negative feedback warning other potential buyers not to purchase items you are selling and to advise eBay of the same.

I have yet to hear back from the seller, although they have stopped all of their current listings, obviously waiting to see what I do next.