Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mark Saurin on September 6, 2009 at 11:55pm

Having sold autographs on eBay before, my rule, keep it simple, don't go on about forgeries, risks, & other signatures on the same subject, At the end of the day, your task, is to sell the item, explain when, how, & who managed to get the item signed, & lastly, put the item up for auction, at a realistic starting price, i.e Elvis Presley asp $250, Photo $500

When buying, firstly, look at the item, look at the starting selling price, this l feel, gives me the head's up, on what the seller really thinks about his/her item, Don't be scared to take the TIME to ask questions, common sense kicks in here, some questions may not be answered, through lack of knowledge, also, some sellers, will not respond, this, l feel, can also give you the answer, talking from experience here, I've bought items, only later, discovering, I to, have fallen for the greed of a unscrupulous seller, who then, also had great feedback. Most autographs sold on EBay, are sold through ignorance, however, do not be fooled, every seller knows/thinks what the item is really worth, because remember, at the end of the day, the seller has incurred selling fees, for for putting the item up, for auction, in the first place. LASTLY, don't be fooled, by sellers, quoting, on their auction page, "Starting at a low price so l can keep my EBay fees low," this too, gives me the heads up.

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Permalink Reply by Brandon Mysinger on September 11, 2009 at 9:13pm

NASCAR buyers can contact me directly through here for FREE authentication for NASCAR autographs! Or, they can report a possible fake to me as well.

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Permalink Reply by Bogiemax on September 28, 2009 at 8:39am

I like the fact that PSA/DNA will also give their opinion on the item in question before you purchase it:
On www.ebaysports.com and other conspicuous locations on eBay, and the PSA/DNA home page (www.psadna.com), you will find a QuickOpinion™ link which will take you to the Request Page.
Once there, simply enter the eBay item number for the autographed item in which you are interested, and make a fast and easy payment of $7.49. The item listing page will be forwarded [via e-mail] to our highly qualified experts for an online examination. Within 24-36 hours, you will receive an e-mail with their opinion on whether they feel the item is "likely genuine," or "likely not genuine."

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Permalink Reply by Jeffrey Hauser on October 22, 2009 at 4:15pm

My tips: Avoid "private bidders" listing, those with a "no return policy", low or negative feedback numbers and sellers that post poor quality, blurred, small, or hard-to-see images of the signature. That's a start. And if you have a bad gut feeling, bid on something else. There will ALWAYS be another item like it in the future.

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Permalink Reply by kevin conway on October 24, 2009 at 10:07pm

About 10 years ago I started an eBay Forger List of all the blatant forgers on eBay. The first year it was about 10 sellers, than after about 4 years it grew to over 150 sellers. Also wrote an article that went fairly viral online about 5-6 years ago. Bacially what to look for with suspected eBay sellers, along with the myths many inexperienced buyers still attest to:
http://www.cvtreasures.com/safe-buying-online-guide-page-2

Kevin
movie posters
celebrity autographs
sports memorabilia

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Permalink Reply by Josh Board on November 11, 2009 at 2:11am

Kevin, awesome that you did this.

I have to say, ANYONE that buys any kind of autograph off eBay, is insane.

I'm not just talking about the forgeries. I've seen so many, I stopped looking years ago. It got to a point where, 95% of what I saw, was bogus. The funniest example was my favorite band: The Doors. A signed American Prayer album. Only problem is...this came out 7 years after Jimbo was taking a dirt nap. I wonder how he signed it, in his famous (and easy to forge) JMorrison.

But, on top of that, soooo many of my friends have been burned buying other items on eBay. The buyer didn't send what they promised, or whatever.

You've got people j****** up bids, that have no intention of buying (remember the Marilyn Monroe plot, that sold for millions? The buyer didn't come thru).

Seriously...eBay isn't worth the many risks.

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Permalink Reply by Jeff Gossett on December 18, 2009 at 6:28am

Josh,

Your comment "I have to say, ANYONE that buys any kind of autograph off eBay, is insane." Don't you think that's a little harsh? I sell stuff on ebay are you calling me a crook? I have a box full of stuff that came from Frances Bavier's estate sale; she played Aunt Bee on the Andy Griffith Show and is highly collectable and rare for Mayberry collectors. The box contains mostly items that she kept for tax purposes. There's everything from cancelled checks, threat letters from the IRS state & Federal tax papers personal bills, SAG residuals, even old envelopes that contained fan mail & cards that people had sent her. I've even found some of those people and returned the envelopes that they had sent her some 20 + years ago. I agree that people need to be very careful about what's on Ebay but to paint all of us sellers as frauds isn't fair.

Jeff

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on December 19, 2009 at 10:38am

Jeff,

I agree with you. People can buy autographs with a reasonable degree of safety on eBay by being careful, knowing about what they're buying and and who they're buying from. Getting authenticity opinions on autographs before you buy--whether from a good authenticator or a friend or friendly dealer who knows the autograph--is critical unless you're good at it yourself.

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Permalink Reply by michael bartow on November 17, 2009 at 3:08pm

I would suggest maybe looking to see if the seller has a photo of the person signing the item in question around. usually Nascar drivers don't mind me taking a photo of them signing the item. What bugs me though is the guys who take what looks like chest shot photo's of the person and that's it. I mean you could have that same photo person on 14 different pieces and who's to say that person signed all 14 pieces.

I would make some other comments but I think I will keep them to myself

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Permalink Reply by Stephen Duncan on November 20, 2009 at 11:10am

Josh,
"J.Morrison taking a dirt nap", OMG I just about laughed my **s off on that one. I thought I have heard them all but that description still has me in stitches. As far as being "insane" at buying autographs on Ebay, .....I don't agree that it is total insanity. The insanity is those that purchase and have no idea of the caution that they need/must take. I almost feel sorry for them.
Cheers,
Stephen Duncan
P.S. " A dirt nap", .....LMAO

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on November 23, 2009 at 11:52am

Jim Morrison seems to be signing autographs every day--you sure he's dead?

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Permalink Reply by Stephen Duncan on December 1, 2009 at 11:56am

I have gotten Ray Manzarek's autograph and/or spoken to him at least 7-8 times over my 25 years of collecting. In several occasions (3 or 4), the topic of autographs have come up. Here are several of his responses (as I paraphraze):
"Why would I have a (Jim) Morrison autograph? He was my friend."
"Nobody back then really cared about getting our autographs, ........we all just hung out".
"Jim didn't sign many autographs for anyone, ....none of us really did. It just didn't come up."
He then went on to tell the crowd ( at the KLSX record and autograph swap at the Bonaventure Hotel, early 1990's ) to be very careful if anyone says they have a (Jim) Morrison autograph.
~~~~ In all my autographing and seeing the remaining 3 members at all kinds of various events here in L.A., book signings, Jim Ladd sponsored events, etc...., the entire immpression I get is there is VERY FEW real Jim Morrison signed items anywhere and even fewer fully signed Doors signatures. That for me personally, ends the discussion and speculation. Nobody knows it better than Ray, Robbie and John.
Stephen Duncan

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