Lampson AMI Connection?

[Eric]

Hello everyone-

I had an interesting experience I wanted to share with you all. After getting some advice on how to deal with Mr. Lampson's delinquency with responding to the many questions surrounding his authentication work, I asked the Better Business Bureau to help locate Lou through his company 100 Percent Authentic.

The people at the Bureau said filing a form would be a good way to get Mr. Lampson to address some of the issues, since that should be a requirement of running a business professionally, so that's what I did.

The BBB looked at the concerns and has attempted to contact Lou through the company Lampson authenticates for- "100 Percent Authentic" found here

http://www.100percentauthentic.com/Default.asp

Over the years I have tried to contct Lampson or anyone through their website but have never heard back.

Here's the odd part.

Yesterday I got a letter from the BBB saying my complaint has been sent to American Memorabilia.

My problem is not with AMI, it's with the company Lampson works for 100 Percent Authentic.

Is 100 Percent Authentic owned/run by AMI?

If so, it's not very clear. On the 100 Percent Authentic website, AMI is listed as a client of 100 Percent Authentic, even quoting Victor Moreno with a "client testimonial"

Client Testimonial

"100% Authentic offers us superior service in every way. They provide us the fast service we require for our auction house and to run our very popular online auction site. The quality authentication that Lou Lampson provides is second to none. In addition, We can track our certificates efficiently, and they get them back quickly..."

Vic Moreno, President
American Memorabilia, Inc.

I'm very confused here. Is Mr. Moreno commending his own company for providing great service to his other company? Or did the BBB send the complaint to the wrong place?

Does anyone have insight on this?

Again, my questions weren't for American Memorabilia- they in fact have been very good about answering questions and doing so in a timely fashion. Like many others, I'm just trying to ask Mr. Lampson some questions about his work.

Thanks
Eric

[hblakewolf]

Re: Lampson AMI Connection?

Eric-
An entire thread was devoted to this subject, and I'm sure if you search, you can locate it.

Before the recent move, AMI and 100% Authentic had the same street address.

Howard Wolf
hblakewolf@patmedia.net

[CollectGU]

Re: Lampson AMI Connection?

Eric,

100% authentic is owned by AMI. I think It was originally created years ago to possibly get into third party authentication, but they decided long ago against that. They now simply use it now like a tracking system to track the certs on the items they sell. Lou has no ownership interest, and the content on the site hasn't been updated in years....

Regards,
Dave

[Eric]

Re: Lampson AMI Connection?

I assume this is the thread? Is there any more information on this subject?

http://www.gameuseduniverse.com/vb_forum/showthread.php?t=335&highlight=lampson+american+memorabilia

[Eric]

Re: Lampson AMI Connection?

the content on the site hasn't been updated in years....

Regards,
Dave

That's actually not the case, there are new certs on there from as recently as last month...

[sportscentury]

Re: Lampson AMI Connection?

Eric,

I have already received three emails about this thread and it doesn't look like it has even been up but a few minutes.

My understanding, based on my research from a while back, is consistent with what Dave/CollectGU wrote. AMI owns 100% Authentic and thus does not have a third-party/independent authenticator in Lou. Dave, since you also work for AMI (you do editing for them, if I remember what you stated in a previous thread correctly), please correct me if I'm wrong. However, I don't know how anyone could define Lou as an independent or third-party authenticator for American Memorabilia (since they own "his" company), which, to me is an absolutely critical issue. How could Lou's "authentications" for AMI ever be determined to be objective?

Best,
Reid

[CollectGU]

Re: Lampson AMI Connection?

Eric,

Let me clarify. Yes, it is updated with the items because that is where the items are logged and tracked. When I say updated I mean in terms of contact info, about the company, etc...

Regards,
Dave

[suave1477]

Re: Lampson AMI Connection?

Yesterday I got a letter from the BBB saying my complaint has been sent to American Memorabilia.

Is 100 Percent Authentic owned/run by AMI?
I'm very confused here. Is Mr. Moreno commending his own company for providing great service to his other company?
Thanks
Eric

Eric I am not saying this is fact but from speaking with Vic and staff at AMI, I would say your assumption could be hitting the nail on the head

[sportscentury]

Re: Lampson AMI Connection?

Is 100 Percent Authentic owned/run by AMI?

If so, it's not very clear. On the 100 Percent Authentic website, AMI is listed as a client of 100 Percent Authentic, even quoting Victor Moreno with a "client testimonial"

Client Testimonial

"100% Authentic offers us superior service in every way. They provide us the fast service we require for our auction house and to run our very popular online auction site. The quality authentication that Lou Lampson provides is second to none. In addition, We can track our certificates efficiently, and they get them back quickly..."

Vic Moreno, President
American Memorabilia, Inc.

I'm very confused here. Is Mr. Moreno commending his own company for providing great service to his other company? Or did the BBB send the complaint to the wrong place?

Eric,

Anyone with two neurons to rub together must realize that this whole AMI/100% Authentic thing is an absolute joke.

Reid

[CollectGU]

Re: Lampson AMI Connection?

Reid,

Just to clarify. I don't work for AMI, but I did do some minor editing for them. I was not paid for this, and would gladly help them again if asked.

This topic has been addressed numerous times before. Lou doesn't own 100% authentic and never did. It's simply a tracking system for certs issued.

Regards,
Dave

[sportscentury]

Re: Lampson AMI Connection?

Dave,

Thanks for the clarification.

Also, I saw the Ripken glove you picked up ... looks incredible. Nice going!

Best,
Reid

[hblakewolf]

Re: Lampson AMI Connection?

Reid,

Just to clarify. I don't work for AMI, but I did do some minor editing for them. I was not paid for this, and would gladly help them again if asked.

This topic has been addressed numerous times before. Lou doesn't own 100% authentic and never did. It's simply a tracking system for certs issued.

Regards,
Dave

Dave-
Is it safe to say that AMI/Victor owns 100% Authentic?

Simply a trracking system? Please....put down the Pom Pom's, already.

Howard Wolf
hblakewolf@patmedia.net

[CollectGU]

Re: Lampson AMI Connection?

Dave-
Is it safe to say that AMI/Victor owns 100% Authentic?

Simply a trracking system? Please....put down the Pom Pom's, already.

Howard Wolf
hblakewolf@patmedia.net

Howard,

100% authentic is not a business. They do not do third party authentication for a fee, so I'm confused by why you think it is anything more than a tracking system as explained.

Regards,

Dave

[mvandor]

Re: Lampson AMI Connection?

Howard,

100% authentic is not a business. They do not do third party authentication for a fee, so I'm confused by why you think it is anything more than a tracking system as explained.

Regards,

Dave

It appears to be more, a conscious effort to create the appearance of a third party independent authentication service, when in actuality it's simply a front for AMI's virtually self authentication process.

Or do I misunderstand?

[Eric]

Re: Lampson AMI Connection?

Howard,

100% authentic is not a business. They do not do third party authentication for a fee, so I'm confused by why you think it is anything more than a tracking system as explained.

Regards,

Dave

Dave

Note this line from the website. (Note also that the misspelled 'collectibles')

"We are a professional authentication service specializing in game used sports collectables."

There is also a link to have your items authenticated

http://www.100percentauthentic.com/AuthenticationStep0.asp