Willie Mays

[rmarks]

Here is how the eBay authentication process misleads buyers. I was offered this card with the eBay stamp of approval. eBay only authenticated the card, not "after market" adjustments such as an autograph; however, this nuance is not noted.It does not appear good to me, but thought I'd get opinions nonetheless. Your insights are always appreciated. Screenshot_20250331-112032~2.jpg

[rand1com]

Not authentic autograph!!

[rmarks]

My thoughts too. Thanks for the confirmation.

[RICHIEHARRIS]

Yes it happened to me as well. I purchased on eBay a 1960 Fleer Ty Cobb autographed card but on the contingency that it could be authenticated. eBay arbitrarily sent it for authentication without my requesting it. The card came from the authenticator only as an authentic baseball card. Gee, thanks!
So I worked out with the seller that I could take the card to JA Spence so the signature could be authenticated….not just the card. Well, you guessed it…the autograph did not pass, and the seller took the card back and refunded me.
Have to really read the small print and not be fooled into thinking the eBay authentication included the autograph.

[rmarks]

I'm really disappointed there is no disclaimer or limitation sited on the authentication sticker.i have bought PSA and BAS slabbed signed cards on eBay and they still redundantly send it (the card only) for authentication.

[rand1com]

You can get a refund for this item through Ebay. The seller stated in the description that it was an authentic autograph. It is not. However, you would likely have to get a rejection letter from PSA/DNA or JSA to prove it is not authentic and I doubt you can get one back within the time frame for a refund. I would contact the seller and tell them it is not an authentic autograph and see if they will refund.

[rmarks]

Thank you for the great advice. I was offered the card after it was returned from another buyer. I told him immediately that I didn't think the autograph resembled any authentic Mays signatures that I've seen. I posted it here to confirm my thoughts and to alert others about the limitations of eBay authentication.

I think PayPal has a six month protection policy, but I don't know how difficult it is to make your case.

I appreciate the members of Net54. It is a scary world outside this safe house. I'm grateful for your support and support.

[rand1com]

Ebay is pretty inconsistent but usually supports the buyer in cases like this. Since they endorse JSA and PSA/DNA as autograph authenticators, they would likely side with you as long as you have an original failure letter.

Have you contacted Ebay with your concerns about the autograph and the fact that the seller stated it was authentic. He obviously misrepresented the item and they might refund based on that. They can easily have a 3rd party look at the autograph and deem it a forgery from the scan.

Hate to see you get taken in this scenario but obviously $300 for an authentic Mays '72 Topps autograph would have been a huge bargain so the saying "buyer beware" certainly applies.

[rmarks]

Thank for your suggestion.

Fortunately, I never bought the card. Apparently it was purchased by another person and returned. The seller reached out to me through eBay messenger, as I had asked about the signed card previously. He wanted to know if I would like to buy it. I told him I didn't believe the signature to be authentic. I used the picture that he attached in his eBay message as an attachment to this post.

I never paid any money, not did I receive the card.