Okay BO folks I need some help

[crazy4kinsler]

A guy brought some autographs into my store today and asked if I wanted to buy them. I told him I'd need to take a look, check out the COAs and find out more information about them. He said he knows they're real, but he'd let me hang on to them until Monday to see what I could find.

He said he got them at a local auction and they have all have COAs and that's how he knows they're real. I told him just because there's a COA doesn't mean the autograph is actually real because you can fake COAs.

The COAs are Autographed Legends LLC (Schmidt), YMC Sports (F. Robinson), May Favorite Players II (Mantle/Ford, Mays and DiMaggio), GIA (Mantle and Williams, neither of which are pictured because they are a little larger than my scanner). FWIW, the Ford/Mantle has a picture of Ford signing one of those photos (although I don't know if it's that particular one or not).

Anyway, I've posted pictures. So, let me know what you guys think. Thanks.

DiMaggio

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af141/hdnguy/64a89d09-dd56-42aa-9cd0-df39ed443efb_zps9c063c0e.jpg



Ford/Mantle dual

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af141/hdnguy/da6ba2ce-1851-48ec-8da8-e3fe17c7b03d_zps668bf540.jpg



Mays

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af141/hdnguy/cf1c44f9-d264-4978-9618-95881f412936_zps94c39f3a.jpg



Schmidt

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af141/hdnguy/newautos-4_zps402046de.jpg



F. Robinson

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af141/hdnguy/newautos-3_zps534a90fa.jpg

[37Jetson]

I focused on the Whitey Ford because to me it looks like the same person signed the Mantle and Ford Autograph on that card. I am not an autograph expert, but this is some interesting reading.

Mickey Mantle Whitey Ford Autographed Photo Forgery Ebay Seller Buck208 YMC Sports COA - Autograph Magazine Live! (http://live.autographmagazine.com/forum/topics/mickey-mantle-whitey-ford-autographed-photo-forgery-ebay-seller-b)

[crazy4kinsler]

I just read that GAI was one of the top 5 autograph graders until they went out of business. Can't figure out why they went out of business though. Anyone?

[DJ3k]

I just read that GAI was one of the top 5 autograph graders until they went out of business. Can't figure out why they went out of business though. Anyone?
Don't buy
BEWARE OF GAI AUTHENTICATION OF AUTOGRAPHS. | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/gds/BEWARE-OF-GAI-AUTHENTICATION-OF-AUTOGRAPHS-/10000000027237007/g.html)

[37Jetson]

I just read that GAI was one of the top 5 autograph graders until they went out of business. Can't figure out why they went out of business though. Anyone?

GAI autographs were being sold by the same seller selling the fakes in the article that I linked. I think it is safe in saying that you should stay far, far away from these.

[theacox]

If it were me, I would go with the "guilty until proven innocent" line of thinking. They could certainly all be legit, but make the seller prove it beyond your reasonable doubt.

[WCTYSON]

They all look bad to me except for the Schmidt auto, when compared to my certified autos of each. I would decline them all, as even the Schmidt if it is authentic would not be worth the risk.

[Davesportscards]

That looks nothing like Frank Robinson's Auto

[TheHeel]

I am not an expert by any means but I would stay away. I know PSADNA is not accurate 100% of the time but I would only buy high end through them.

[Davesportscards]

I would stay away.

[Madrid1028]

I focused on the Whitey Ford because to me it looks like the same person signed the Mantle and Ford Autograph on that card. I am not an autograph expert, but this is some interesting reading.

Mickey Mantle Whitey Ford Autographed Photo Forgery Ebay Seller Buck208 YMC Sports COA - Autograph Magazine Live! (http://live.autographmagazine.com/forum/topics/mickey-mantle-whitey-ford-autographed-photo-forgery-ebay-seller-b)

Yeah look at every single Whitey Ford out there. The Y is done wrong. He looped it back the other way. Im not an expert but if it doesnt match then that alone is a big enough flag for me.

[crazy4kinsler]

I will pass on selling them. Not sure what I'm going to tell him because I'm sure he spent some good money on them. Just don't want him to go off on me because 'i think they're fake'.

I might just tell him about this "Florida Forgeries" ring and that all of these names were associated with that. Even GAI has become questionable. Since we don't know when GAI certified these, they are probably not real.

I'm not going to say they're not real 100% because I can't gaurantee that. But I'm going to tell him things look fishy with them because of the companies.

[preakness]

I wouldn't even get into the whole fake stuff conversation

Just tell him you don't deal with autographs unless they are pack-pulled
(or unless they are PSA/DNA)

don't go by "the eye test" and whether some might say they think this and they think that

[Cubs]

Ford looks a little off

[37Jetson]

I will pass on selling them. Not sure what I'm going to tell him because I'm sure he spent some good money on them. Just don't want him to go off on me because 'i think they're fake'.

I might just tell him about this "Florida Forgeries" ring and that all of these names were associated with that. Even GAI has become questionable. Since we don't know when GAI certified these, they are probably not real.

I'm not going to say they're not real 100% because I can't gaurantee that. But I'm going to tell him things look fishy with them because of the companies.

You sound like a very conscientious person being worried about your customer's reaction. It is not necessary to say they are 100% fake, but you can educate the customer about PSA DNA and the Florida Forgery Ring.

[callou2131]

Imo they are bad. If you want to be sure post them in the net54baseball autograph section. There are a few guys on there that can even tell you which forger signed them. They are good.

[crazy4kinsler]

Absolutely care about their satisfaction and reaction. That's how you get repeat customers and guys coming back. If I tell him they're fake and to get lost, chances I see him again are small.

I believe I'm going to inform him about the Florida Forgery Ring and let him know that I can't buy them because I'm not 100% sure they're real. I'm not going to tell him they're 100% fake, but will let him know that I just can't take that chance and do it politely.

Thanks everyone.

You sound like a very conscientious person being worried about your customer's reaction. It is not necessary to say they are 100% fake, but you can educate the customer about PSA DNA and the Florida Forgery Ring.

[Zoop]

The Ts in Mantle and Whitey are identical. Avoid like the plague.