BUYER BEWARE of Fake High-End BGS Slabs From Probstein: Luka and Zion Prizm

[3124508 on COMC]

Cross-posting from recent posts in this thread for additional eyes: https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1423927

Buyer beware.

Fake slabs:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/363241371073
https://www.ebay.com/itm/373413179886
https://www.ebay.com/itm/373413180352
https://www.ebay.com/itm/383883540738

[KhalDrogo]

Any contact with Ricky? Would be hilariously sad if he defers to BGS who then continues their radio silence.

[3124508 on COMC]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

Any contact with Ricky? Would be hilariously sad if he defers to BGS who then continues their radio silence.

I can shoot him an email later. Doubt I will get a response.

[Asian62150]

That Luka looks like it would grade pretty well even if it wasn't in a fake slab. Why not just go the legit route?

What is the upside? A few hundred more dollars? That's worth a company like Prob or PWCC risking their reputation and integrity when their business is generating millions?

If I were running a high volume consignment/auction house, no way I'm touching anything that resembles a fake/fraud.

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by Asian62150

That Luka looks like it would grade pretty well even if it wasn't in a fake slab. Why not just go the legit route?

What is the upside? A few hundred more dollars? That's worth a company like Prob or PWCC risking their reputation and integrity when their business is generating millions?

If I were running a high volume consignment/auction house, no way I'm touching anything that resembles a fake/fraud.

These scammers are likely putting cards with surface indentations and scratches in these holders. Harder to see those issues in a BGS slab.

I mentioned this in the other thread, but the biggest problem for me is the possibility that BGS might reslab some of these. Take damaged card, put it in a fake slab, send to BGS for a $5 reslab. Don't see why it wouldn't happen since at least one of their more senior employees is not even aware of the problem.

[Totalpackage]

Is there any other way than the missing dot of patent number to spot a fake slab?

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by Totalpackage

Is there any other way than the missing dot of patent number to spot a fake slab?

The font on the flip. These flips are also missing the serrated edge on the bottom. Although that may be present on real slabs too.

[WallyatJCCards]

no way I would notice the difference, until now. appreciate the heads up!

[Archangel1775]

Has BGS made an announcement on this issue yet? My confidence is waning in their service.

[Bob Ross]

I doubt BGS does anything to fix this. One would think they would build in holograms/etc into the label as PSA did. The gap between PSA and BGS keeps getting bigger.

[Totalpackage]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

The font on the flip. These flips are also missing the serrated edge on the bottom. Although that may be present on real slabs too.

Do you mean the font on the gold, silver or white tags?

[Brobocop]

Originally Posted by Bob Ross

I doubt BGS does anything to fix this. One would think they would build in holograms/etc into the label as PSA did. The gap between PSA and BGS keeps getting bigger.

That’s easy to fake as well. Look at how many fraudulent MTG cards are out there. I wonder if you can create a watermark or laser etching? I think my Ray-ban sunglasses have a small laser etching on the side which I’m guessing is how you can tell a real from a fake. Honestly though, with how much technology is advancing, I’m not sure any method is 100% guaranteed to prevent this. Sad that grading can’t even be trusted. Feels like them my way to guarantee your card is legit is to get it out of a pack or box yourself.

[suknives]

Hear me out, but what if the cards are counterfeit as well, and that’s another reason why they’re going the fake slab route?

[orion9578]

Count me in as someone who'd be clueless and likely end up with one of these in my collection if it wasn't for threads like this. 37 years of collecting and you'd think I wouldn't be surprised by now BUT I constantly am. Thanks for the thread....and I'm off to look over ALL of my BGS slabs now(don't have a ton as I've mostly gone PSA, but still...scary!)

[This is]

Fat kid on the Block is a trimming twit
Chinese slabs make me sick
And all this fraud is a bummer
Is a bummer

[suknives]

Originally Posted by orion9578

Count me in as someone who'd be clueless and likely end up with one of these in my collection if it wasn't for threads like this. 37 years of collecting and you'd think I wouldn't be surprised by now BUT I constantly am. Thanks for the thread....and I'm off to look over ALL of my BGS slabs now(don't have a ton as I've mostly gone PSA, but still...scary!)

I think the problem is that if these fake slabs have been around for 2 years now, it’s pretty likely they’ve updated their manufacturing to perfectly match BGS slabs, and the differences we’re spotting now have probably already been fixed in recent batches of “fake slabs”.

Also, if they’re doing this with BGS, this is probably already happening with PSA slabs...

[orion9578]

Originally Posted by suknives

I think the problem is that if these fake slabs have been around for 2 years now, it’s pretty likely they’ve updated their manufacturing to perfectly match BGS slabs, and the differences we’re spotting now have probably already been fixed in recent batches of “fake slabs”.

Also, if they’re doing this with BGS, this is probably already happening with PSA slabs...

I understand. I've seen threads here and there but if I remember correctly the slabs weren't well done? I might be misremembering(I'm old!). As far as my PSA collection goes, you're right, a few could be fake as well I suppose. But the bulk of my graded collection comes directly from me(or Jewcer now) grading said cards.

Guess I'll tread lightly in any future purchases. Ridiculous we as collectors have to deal with this but like I said, I guess I just shouldn't be surprised anymore!

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by suknives

I think the problem is that if these fake slabs have been around for 2 years now, it’s pretty likely they’ve updated their manufacturing to perfectly match BGS slabs, and the differences we’re spotting now have probably already been fixed in recent batches of “fake slabs”.

Also, if they’re doing this with BGS, this is probably already happening with PSA slabs...

BGS slabs are rudimentary. They are the equivalent of PSA slabs from the 90s, which were faked. There is not a single example of a fake PSA lighthouse flip.

[RogerGodahell]

Thanks CHYNA!

[tjforce]

Originally Posted by This is

Fat kid on the Block is a trimming twit
Chinese slabs make me sick
And all this fraud is a bummer
Is a bummer

Did we just get an LFO reference here?

[hawkfandan]

Thanks for posting. Need to keep these dirt bags on blast.

[Totalpackage]

I think Beckett really needs to upgrade their date base system. If we can check out the original cards' pictures those were graded would be much more helpful than the current limited info.

[thenwhatjk]

Originally Posted by This is

Fat kid on the Block is a trimming twit
Chinese slabs make me sick
And all this fraud is a bummer
Is a bummer

thumbsdown.gif

[YayNJ]

every single card should come with some sort of blockchain on the reverse + holo + QR code

it's the only way fraud can be beaten on stuff like trading cards.

I'm not sure why it's not happening already. As well as helping cut down on fraud it could also store information about the card - year, parallel type etc.

[suknives]

Originally Posted by YayNJ

every single card should come with some sort of blockchain on the reverse + holo + QR code

it's the only way fraud can be beaten on stuff like trading cards.

I'm not sure why it's not happening already. As well as helping cut down on fraud it could also store information about the card - year, parallel type etc.

because that cuts into Panini's bottom line.