Forum members-
It is unfortunate that I have to do this because I would have thought that common sense would have suggested what I am about to describe.
But- it has come to my attention that people from this site might be misguided in what to say when contacting someone who is selling an item you have questions about, or find questionable.
Here’s the way to do it
Dear Bigtime Authentics Corp
I noticed you are selling a John Smith game worn jersey on ebay (item 1234567). I had a few questions about it and was wondering if there was some sort of explanation. You have it listed as a 1999 John Smith Yankees jersey, however Smith did not play with the Yankees until 2000. Do you have any insight on this? Please explain.
Signed,
Potential Buyer
Here is the way not to do it.
Dear Bigtime Authentics Corp
I noticed you’re trying to rip people off by selling a 1999 John Smith Yankees jersey. It’s clearly a fake since anyone would know John Smith didn’t play with the Yankees until 2000. If y9ou do not respond immediately I am going public with this on Game Used Forum and Game Used Universe to tell people how you’re ripping people off.
Signed,
Potential Buyer
The response to the first letter would likely be something like
Dear Potential Buyer-
You are correct. We went back and checked our source on the John Smith jersey. It turns out it was a recycled 1999 jersey which Smith used in 2000. In 2000 the Yankees used many jerseys from 1999. I appreciate the question and apologize for the confusion. If there are any more questions, please let me know
Bigtime Authentics Corp
In that case there’s a plausible explanation which you can take into account when you choose to bid or not to bid
The response to the second letter would likely be something like-
Potential Buyer-
I don’t need the aggressive attitude and the threat. Go screw yourself.
There are so many inconsistencies in this hobby, that you have to assume there’ could be a reasonable explanation. Jerseys are recycled. Tagging can be inconsistent. A piece can be customized. The player who the jersey is sourced from could be wrong (see recent Rod Carew glove)
I think we have to be careful not to jump the gun on yelling "Cheat." Sure, there are plenty of crooked people out to make a buck in this hobby, but there is a process you must go through before reaching that conclusion.
Those are my two cents . I am interested to hear what people think
Thanks
Eric
moderator
It is unfortunate that I have to do this because I would have thought that common sense would have suggested what I am about to describe.
But- it has come to my attention that people from this site might be misguided in what to say when contacting someone who is selling an item you have questions about, or find questionable.
Here’s the way to do it
Dear Bigtime Authentics Corp
I noticed you are selling a John Smith game worn jersey on ebay (item 1234567). I had a few questions about it and was wondering if there was some sort of explanation. You have it listed as a 1999 John Smith Yankees jersey, however Smith did not play with the Yankees until 2000. Do you have any insight on this? Please explain.
Signed,
Potential Buyer
Here is the way not to do it.
Dear Bigtime Authentics Corp
I noticed you’re trying to rip people off by selling a 1999 John Smith Yankees jersey. It’s clearly a fake since anyone would know John Smith didn’t play with the Yankees until 2000. If y9ou do not respond immediately I am going public with this on Game Used Forum and Game Used Universe to tell people how you’re ripping people off.
Signed,
Potential Buyer
The response to the first letter would likely be something like
Dear Potential Buyer-
You are correct. We went back and checked our source on the John Smith jersey. It turns out it was a recycled 1999 jersey which Smith used in 2000. In 2000 the Yankees used many jerseys from 1999. I appreciate the question and apologize for the confusion. If there are any more questions, please let me know
Bigtime Authentics Corp
In that case there’s a plausible explanation which you can take into account when you choose to bid or not to bid
The response to the second letter would likely be something like-
Potential Buyer-
I don’t need the aggressive attitude and the threat. Go screw yourself.
There are so many inconsistencies in this hobby, that you have to assume there’ could be a reasonable explanation. Jerseys are recycled. Tagging can be inconsistent. A piece can be customized. The player who the jersey is sourced from could be wrong (see recent Rod Carew glove)
I think we have to be careful not to jump the gun on yelling "Cheat." Sure, there are plenty of crooked people out to make a buck in this hobby, but there is a process you must go through before reaching that conclusion.
Those are my two cents . I am interested to hear what people think
Thanks
Eric
moderator
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