WARNING. Seller jefstep82 selling all reprints as real

[ASF123]

I’m trying to educate myself in spotting fakes (back into collecting after a long time). I can see pretty obviously unnatural corner “wear” on a lot of these listings, but not all of them. Other than that (and the “reprint” in the fine print ), what are the giveaways?

[Jewish-collector]

He just has the decimal place in the wrong spot on all of his cards. That's all. For example, the 1955 Koufax should be $4.50 not $450.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by ASF123

I’m trying to educate myself in spotting fakes (back into collecting after a long time). I can see pretty obviously unnatural corner “wear” on a lot of these listings, but not all of them. Other than that (and the “reprint” in the fine print ), what are the giveaways?

As you mentioned, the unnatural corner wear. Also, the "cracking" on the surface of the card. Here are a couple of examples.

1966 Topps Palmer RC (very noticeable on the right side with the blue background)


1971 Topps Clemente (very noticeable in the white uniform)

[ASF123]

Thanks! Much appreciated.

[oldeboo]

Originally Posted by ASF123

I’m trying to educate myself in spotting fakes (back into collecting after a long time). I can see pretty obviously unnatural corner “wear” on a lot of these listings, but not all of them. Other than that (and the “reprint” in the fine print ), what are the giveaways?

Here's a look with comparisons...

There are a few common characteristics with the type of fakes this seller has. The main one is the overall blurriness of the cards. The text and images are blurry. Another one is the corner wear as mentioned, real cards typically don't get sand paper taken to the corners. Also, another big one is the crackled effect mentioned that you can see on some of them. Real cards don't crackle like that. Color is also another sign. Really well centered cards can be another tip off to a fake. You can see different paper characteristics of different types of cards. Depending on the card they were made with specific paper and ink that is a characteristic of the type of card. Cracker Jack cardboard has a distinct look, T206, Goudey, they all have a certain look that is hard to replicate.

Go through all of this sellers cards and compare them to graded cards if you want to inform yourself. (Yes grading companies get it wrong once in awhile, but it's a decent baseline usually)

It's a shame that this seller is doing things by the eBay book since he is discreetly listing them as reprints. Deception at it's best.

[upstateNYmilb]

Originally Posted by oldeboo

Here's a look with comparisons...



There are a few common characteristics with the type of fakes this seller has. The main one is the overall blurriness of the cards. The text and images are blurry. Another one is the corner wear as mentioned, real cards typically don't get sand paper taken to the corners. Also, another big one is the crackled effect mentioned that you can see on some of them. Real cards don't crackle like that. Color is also another sign. Really well centered cards can be another tip off to a fake. You can see different paper characteristics of different types of cards. Depending on the card they were made with specific paper and ink that is a characteristic of the type of card. Cracker Jack cardboard has a distinct look, T206, Goudey, they all have a certain look that is hard to replicate.



Go through all of this sellers cards and compare them to graded cards if you want to inform yourself. (Yes grading companies get it wrong once in awhile, but it's a decent baseline usually)



It's a shame that this seller is doing things by the eBay book since he is discreetly listing them as reprints. Deception at it's best.

Thank you for breaking it down, good info to know

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