Fake Signed T206 Cards (Too Many to List in the Title, See First Post for List)

[chalupacollects]

Originally Posted by perezfan

Have any of the 3rd Party Authenticators responded to any of this? We've heard a couple of responses from Auction Houses, but nothing from any of the TPAs involved (to my knowledge anyway... please correct me if I'm wrong).

How do we really know how seriously they are taking this matter? Historically they've tended to silently brush these things under the rug, and let the passing of time lessen the severity. Does anyone know what measures or safeguards they are planning to implement as a result of this?

Some of those forgeries look really sketchy, and after the reveals, I was shocked to see that many of those ever passed. Especially the one with the highest dollar value (Baker). Even if they won't address it here on net54, I'd love to see some type of press release or announcement posted on their own websites. Something to indicate new action being taken, in order to re-instill confidence among their customer base.

But frankly (and unfortunately), I don't see that happening anytime soon.

I don't know how serious the TPG's are taking this though if you think back to the last year or so I remember quite a few threads on this board where collectors were complaining that they were rejecting many more autographs than in the past. Having no skin in this part of the game myself it seems the TPG's may have had an inkling that something was off but just kept taking in the submissions and then rejecting them - keep the money flowing...

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by chalupacollects

I don't know how serious the TPG's are taking this though if you think back to the last year or so I remember quite a few threads on this board where collectors were complaining that they were rejecting many more autographs than in the past. Having no skin in this part of the game myself it seems the TPG's may have had an inkling that something was off but just kept taking in the submissions and then rejecting them - keep the money flowing...

Do the TPGs still charge you when they reject the auto. I know PSA will refund your cash if they don't slab your card. Unless you are known to send in a lot of bad cards. Then they will charge you for the bad cards even though they don't slab them.

[vthobby]

Originally Posted by bnorth

Do the TPGs still charge you when they reject the auto. I know PSA will refund your cash if they don't slab your card. Unless you are known to send in a lot of bad cards. Then they will charge you for the bad cards even though they don't slab them.

Yes they do. It's quite a racket really!

Mike

[drcy]

Originally Posted by vtgmsc

Yes they do. It's quite a racket really!

Mike

Actually, you should want an expert to be paid to make an assessment of the item (real, fake, identity, age, new, old, whatever). It wouldn't be good if he was paid, or paid differently, depending on what is the decision. That's a way to corrupt the opinion process. If that's the way card grading/authenticating or anything is done, it's wrong.

I don't formally examine items anymore, but if I am paid I'm being paid to examine the item and give an assessment as to what it is. I'm being paid for my expertise (and time), and it's the same expertise involved in identifying a real item as it is fake. Obviously, for the collector, auction house or museum, being informed that something is a modern reproduction or fake is valuable information.

[steve B]

Originally Posted by drcy

Actually, you should want an expert to be paid to make an assessment of the item (real, fake, identity, age, new, old, whatever). It wouldn't be good if he was paid, or paid differently, depending on what is the decision. That's a way to corrupt the opinion process. If that's the way card grading/authenticating or anything is done, it's wrong.

I don't formally examine items anymore, but if I am paid I'm being paid to examine the item and give an assessment as to what it is. I'm being paid for my expertise (and time), and it's the same expertise involved in identifying a real item as it is fake. Obviously, for the collector, auction house or museum, being informed that something is a modern reproduction or fake is valuable information.

Except you'd hope someone who is an expert would go easy on someone who sent in a really bad fake.


My one experience with stamps was at the international show in 2006. They had some experts manning an "antiques roadshow" sort of booth with a 2 item limit. I brought a couple I'd spent a bunch of time figuring out what was up with them. One I felt was good, the other not so good. (Genuine item, but fake perforations to make it an expensive item instead of a fairly cheap one. )

The time it took him to tell after I said I was pretty confident about one but not the other and handed them to him was well under a minute for both combined. It was good to know I'd been right even if it did take me much longer to reach the same conclusion. I've since sent the real one in for an actual certificate.

In the case of autographs, being paid what they ask on a difficult one isn't really all that expensive. But I'd hope is someone sent in an obviously pre printed or rubber stamped Ruth or something they wouldn't still charge the high fee.

[drcy]

Originally Posted by steve B

Except you'd hope someone who is an expert would go easy on someone who sent in a really bad fake.

Yes. I've given a lot of free opinions via emailed pics.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by bnorth

Do the TPGs still charge you when they reject the auto. I know PSA will refund your cash if they don't slab your card. Unless you are known to send in a lot of bad cards. Then they will charge you for the bad cards even though they don't slab them.

PSA charges you if they slab the card or not. The only time they don't is if the card is factory cut larger or smaller. If you send them a fake or altered card, you are charged. If you send them a fake autograph, they charge you. SGC and BGS always charge you.

[cor3y7]

Originally Posted by rats60

PSA charges you if they slab the card or not. The only time they don't is if the card is factory cut larger or smaller. If you send them a fake or altered card, you are charged. If you send them a fake autograph, they charge you. SGC and BGS always charge you.

The only instance when you are NOT charged for a "failed" autograph authentication if they are unable to render an opinion. In my personal experience, this has been in instances when the signature was too light for them to judge. I have been refunded my authentication fees in these instances.

[uniship]

At the risk of getting publicly flogged, may I dare ask if the known forger has been identified for certain yet?

[Leon]

To the best of my knowledge, with the several cards bought by the 1 as yet publicly unnamed buyer, it is beyond a reasonable doubt they had something to do with the fraud or they know where those specific cards went to. Authorities told the one person I have interacted with, and who has spoken with authorities, that they prefer the name not be made public. That is the last info I received. I know lots of people want the name made public but I am leaving that to the authorities decision for now. The one thing I don't want to do is hinder an investigation. Hopefully more info will come out soon.

Originally Posted by uniship

At the risk of getting publicly flogged, may I dare ask if the known forger has been identified for certain yet?

[Peter_Spaeth]

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