I have a chance to pick up a nice jersey that was from a nfl auction but the buyer washed the jersey because it was dirty. It is the real deal but now is it worth less because it is clean. Don't know what to do on this one.
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I have a chance to pick up a nice jersey that was from a nfl auction but the buyer washed the jersey because it was dirty. It is the real deal but now is it worth less because it is clean. Don't know what to do on this one.
All depends who you ask. Some love the dirt, some don't. Your preference (or if you care at all) is what matters.
I think you have to look at it from two different presepectives:
Buy It if:
You just want to have a legit jersey of the particular player and the fact that it was washed doesn't matter because you are buying at a good price.
Don't Buy it if:
Being able to photomatch the jersey is important and seeing obvious signs of game use is a high priority.
I personally don't like to purchase things that have been altered from a previous buyer. Assuming that the use was once docemented (ie thru NFL Auctions as showing good wear).
It's really just personal preference I guess and knowing what you are buying is legit.
I just picked up my very first modern NFL gamer, here are my thoughts for what it's worth!
1) I used to stay away from modern jerseys because the replicas were so similar. Now, the actual jerseys are so much different from replicas that it's almost like the old days, there's nothing out there retail even close to what they wear with maybe the exception of quarterbacks.
2) The jersey smells, I'm not sure if that will ever go away.
3) It puts to rest any possibility of someone who sees legitimate playing time having a team-issued or game-issued jersey passed on to the hobby as a "gamer." These things get so beat up that it would be impossible in my opinion to claim "light use". You can see why they wear a different jersey every game, they are only made to last one game or maybe two at most.
So, bottom line for me is if it's a legit gamer even if it's been washed the value is still there. I might have even appreciated my jersey being washed before being shipped to me, though I'm not going to alter it now that I have it.
I'm not sure though that I will be buying many more of these!
I bought a 2009 Cowboys vs Packers Terence Newman game used jersey from Steiner a few years ago. It was my first game used jersey. Having been worn on grass and Newman recording 8 tackles, the jersey was filthy and stunk of sweat and damp when it arrived and I opened the box. So as a true rookie of game used collecting, what did I do of course.... I WASHED IT!!
Fast forward about 4 years, this act of insanity is one of the biggest regrets of my life. I have learnt so much about game used gear since then and it pains me to think that it could have been so stupid. The jersey really was one of those rare "shirt off someone's back" finds that we all crave. Oh if I could only turn back the clock on that. He is one of my favorite players too and I had the jersey exactly as it was when Newman took it off and I washed it!! The thought of opening that box now, knowing what I know now would be amazing!!
Do I still have the jersey? Hell no! When I figured out this whole game used deal I couldn't bare to look at it so sold it asap! I have other game used jerseys have been laundered prior to me owning them. I am fine with this as they were laundered by the team. (Cowboys game jerseys laundered by the team have a particular smell to them).
Not sure how I would feel about a jersey I knew left the teams hands dirty and then a collector took it upon themselves to launder it. That would affect the buzz of owning it to a degree, for me personally. But if you can photomatch the game wear and damage on the jersey and it's a good price then it will still be nice to have, right? It's still game worn.
I'm OK with team washed but not with home washed.
I own a pretty beat up and dirty as hell Bears jersey and do wonder what will happen to it in a few years with all of the dirt on it...
Here's just the name plate that shows some of Soldier Fields best dirt:
http://webzoom.freewebs.com/chicagob...s/DSC00421.JPG
I got an Anthony Spencer 2010 awhile ago, with several repairs, grass stains, maybe a small rip, I forget exactly. And it smelled. Let it hang in a mostly unused room in the house for awhile, didn't get any better... tried a little Febreze, didn't work. Finally just decided to wash it, as I don't have a separate place to put smelly jerseys, and I didn't want it mixed in with the others smelling quite that bad.
After washing, the smell was gone, and all the marks and stains were still there. Was a win-win, though some may disagree.
Remember dirty jerseys smell for a reason. Bacteria and mold from sweat and dirt turn jerseys. Mold can eat the jersey and can deteriorate the material. I think from a preservation point of view I would clean it. I think that is what museums do. George
I've commented in past threads on this subject but will chime in again. First, each to their own. There is no right or wrong, it's simply a matter of personal preference. If you like all of the dirt, grime, and sweat, good for you. On the other hand, if a smelly jersey is more than you (or your spouse, family, pets, etc.) can stand or is simply not appealing to you, then wash it. Based on my experiences as both a dealer and a collector, I can attest that some collectors might not want the jersey if you washed it, but there are other collectors who will gladly buy it.
My preference is to wash any jersey that is intended for my personal collection simply because I prefer not to smell a foul jersey or hang a dirty jersey in my sports room. More important, I have a bit of a germ phobia and the thought of MRSA and other bacteria lingering on the jersey is a bit frightening. However, I do not wash any jersey that I obtain strictly for the purpose to sell. Those are carefully stored (while wearing gloves, I might add) and placed in an area far from my nose.
I have won "Shirt-Off-My-Back" contests three times in the past 7 years (two Nationals and one Minor League), and I cannot begin to tell you how unpleasant it can be having a still wet, sweaty, stinking, dirty jersey handed to you. I went straight home each time and washed the jersey (and my hands, of course). By the way, for those who might be curious, when I won this past season, the MLB Authenticator was waiting for me as I walked off the field to put the holgram on the jersey. And if you are wondering how I've won three times, just plain blind luck. (I also was selected at a Minor League game many years ago to go on the field and scoop up as many $1 bills as I could in 90 seconds using only one hand. I scooped up over $700.)
I collect mostly older jerseys (20th century) and they were all washed by the team before leaving the locker room, so the current trend of unwashed jerseys bears no special interest to me or others with similar collecting tastes. For those who collect older stuff, unwashed jerseys are never an issue unless you were the lucky kid (not me) who Mean Joe Greene tossed his jersey to in exchange for a Coke :)
Mark Hayne
Gridiron Exchange
gixc@verizon.net
If you wash a jersey is there a detergent that is best?
I would assume a dye free and scent free detergent would be the best.
Any jersey I've ever washed was with Woolite.
I've used Wisk...no bleach or color-safe bleach...warm (not HOT) wash cycle and air dry cycle to avoid shrinkage.
Dave Miedema
I have never washed one. So if I ever do this has been very helpful. Thanks
I use baby detergent since it has the strictest and probably least harmful chemicals. However I agree I have woo lite works well.
I have washed many jerseys over the years and always in cold water (various detergents). I have never put them in the dryer. I have always let them hang-dry on either a wooden hanger or a wide hanger in a lighted room.
Durene football jerseys do fine in the washing machine. I have always let a professional clean wool baseball jerseys as I never felt comfortable putting them in the washing machine based on my experience many years ago of ruining my favorite wool sweater.
I am not endorsing any of these methods other than to say that it has always worked for me without ever damaging a jersey.
Mark Hayne
Gridiron Exchange
gixc@verizon.net
I would never wash my jerseys. The only way I would is if something were to get on one by accident, but then I would spot clean it. I actually received a 1989 Clemson jersey today and the guy had washed it, you could smell the spring air when I opened the box. Was kind of disappointed.
I never really thought about the longterm effect of dirt, sweat and bacteria on the jersey fabric. That is a very good point if the game used jersey is a item you plan to keep forever.
It's funny how the thought of opening a parcel with a smelly dirty jersey inside (worn for sport use by, what in reality is a complete stranger) seems so appealing! Yet opening a school backpack containing my son's athletic gear, that has sat in a closet for the entire school vacation is enough to turn your stomach, lol! I guess that's why family and friends think we're strange, lol!
Through the years, I have had the opportunity to talk to trainers, equipment guys and persons responsible for laundering professional jerseys. Back in the day, whether it was football or baseball, it was a matter of pride to take a worn and/or dirty jersey and return it to like new condition. So for me, getting a vintage jersey that does not show a lot of wear means little to me and yes, I do wash any jersey that comes into my home.
With the modern day players, has anyone ever given it any thought as to why the equipment guys wear rubber gloves when handling game worn jerseys and/or equipment? To add to that, how about a sweaty, dirty jersey shipped or stored in a plastic bag? I can't imagine the bacteria that would grow and thrive inside a plastic bag.
Jim
I had always liked the dirt and other stuffs on game used jerseys until I read this thread. I never liked the smell of some them though.
You guys make some very good arguments for washing them.
I don't know... maybe it's me but I'm sensing a little paranoia with regards to the long term effects of dirt / sweat / grass stains on fabric. Can anyone provide proof that leaving a GU jersey in-tact, with all staining etc, will ruin a jersey? Or is this just a theory? Bacteria and the like general flourish with moisture and exposure to various catalysts - if your jersey is dry and hanging in a controlled environment (I put mine in shadowboxes), I would assume the chance of further growth is minimal / deterioration. Just a thought.
Someone asked why equipment managers wear gloves when handling fresh GU equipment? It's because the players general spit, sweat, blow snots, and bleed all over the place during games, so it's a precautionary measure for the staff against getting sick, or having a disease transmitted.
I own a couple of GU jerseys, one is covered in stains and is beaten up, while it hangs next to one that was washed. In all honesty, the washed jersey just doesn't hold a candle to the beaten, stained jersey. Just my opinion.
To add on, I too, have NEVER put a jersey in the dryer.
I have always washed with Woolite, cold water only, hang dry.
Spencer has been the only GU jersey I've washed, though... almost only retail authentics have been done.
I can send photos of the black mold that ate my tent.
As a former Boy Scout who worked his way up to Eagle, I can say that you never put a tent up wet unless you have to, but then when you get home you hang it out to dry to keep it from molding and to make sure it is clean before putting back into storage. A jersey hanging up in someone's house in a temp controlled environment will not mold if it stays dry and the humidity doesn't stay too high in the house. If there ever is mold on a jersey, then I would probably just wash that area by hand. I have never seen a jersey with mold on it, but then again I have not seen every jersey. As for bacteria, I would probably just spray it lightly with one of those germ killing aerosol sprays if I was really worried about it, and I would have to ask my friend who is a physician, but I think when blood dries over time you do not have to worry about contracting anything, but I could be wrong.
I was never a boy scout and I have put up many tents wet. Mostly because it was raining at the time or because of the morning dew.
I usually unrolled them and allowed them to dry later at home, but not always. :o
"As for bacteria, I would probably just spray it lightly with one of those germ killing aerosol sprays if I was really worried about it,..."
Good idea! Such a simple yet ingenious solution.
threads like this are why the elder collectors no longer participate on this forum....anybody can take a game used clean jersey and grime it up if you want to pay more for it...anybody who puts a filthy jersey in their closet is not a collector he is a ....... Fill in the blank...
I have noticed one thing about his forum.
Some here are so intolerant of anyone else or their ideas that communist China must look like a utopia to their feeble little minds.
Roady, there are often very differing opinions on here. Washing or God forbid wearing a jersey will bring out the gloves with some people. To each their own.
Personally, I think the money that I'd love in washing a jersey would be much less that the hospital bills from the nasties you might get or the lawyer bills for a divorce. Plus I find smelling someone else's body sweat and fluids to be just a little on the odd side...but that's just me.
Just to add my two cents, a funny story. (And by no means am I implying that anyone who has anything to do with this thread is the person who emailed me.)
As many of you know, I'm the original owner of the 9/11 John Abraham jersey which I purchased from NFL Auctions. There is an earlier thread in here that discusses the fact that I could not stand the smell of it, never thought it would leave my collection, so I washed it. A few months later, another jersey I wanted became available and I was forced to sell the Abraham jersey to be able to make this new purchase. I wish for the life of me I could remember who I sold it to, but one thing I know for sure. The buyer was made aware that I had laundered the jersey at home, hence the discounted price I gave him.
Fast forward to this year's Hunt Super Bowl Auction. The same jersey came up for auction and sold for roughly $500. I have no idea if the person who consigned it to Hunt was the same buyer I sold it too or if it had exchanged hands prior to the Hunt sale.
About a month or so after the auction had closed I got a very angry email from the buyer, who apparently purchased it for $500 or so, then tried to sell it on ebay for as high as $1,200.
Here is the email in it's entirety, word for word, minus the cursing:
"Hey im the one who bought the abraham 9/11 jersey on hunt and come to find out it was washed? Are you f&*%ing kidding me ? Who does some s%*t like that after they pay close to1k for a jersey what a joke and sad day for the hobby!!! Unreal dude, this is total bulls%*t!!! I contacted hunt and sent them your GUU post so they know that the item they sold was misrepresented to them and should of said washed in there listing but it wasnt!!! Total false bs!! Thats okay cuz i will get my money back for false advertisement nice job by the way!!! Take a beautiful jersey and destroy it like that cuz of the smell. Hope you like it coming back into your collection, be well!!!"
So here is the email I sent back to him, again minus the cursing:
"Look dude....I'm not the one who sold it on hunt. Check your facts. Whoever consigned it on hunt prob had gotten it from me but he's the one who misrepresented it, not me. The guy I sold it to knew exactly what it was...a washed Abe jersey hence the price.
Why the f&*k would I go on a public forum like GUU and talk about washing it then try and pass it off on a national auction as unwashed??? Are u seriously that stupid?
Washed or unwashed, that's a matter of preference anyway...not my problem u are into men's sweaty laundry."
His email back to me:
"The whole point of the game used hobby is use u clown! and u wash it away? are u that fuc&*%ng stupid! why do u collect it to ruin it by washing it? why bother? yeah i do collect sweaty mens laundry cuz it displays the game which is what most want minus the dbags who wear the jerseys or wash them. i dont let anyone dictate to me if im allowed to display or take a smelly jersey out of a bag! i have a set of balls and a spine! thanks! thanks for ruining the hobby. guys like u make me sick. go collect jersey cards! spend top dollar to wash away evidence and photo matches! lmfao! hahaha. what a joke"
And my final email back to him:
"Look man don't be mad at me cause u thought u could take a jersey that wouldn't even sell for 500 on Hunt and flip it on eBay for 1200???!!!
I'm not even the guy u should be mad at. Call Hunt, find out the consigner and go from there. Geez, for a guy with "ballz and spine" this shouldn't be so hard.
And I'm not the one who was tryin to tell u how to keep your jerseys. U where the one giving me s*%t for washing it. Just as u say, I don't let anyone dictate to me how or what I do with my jerseys. My 4,000-6,000 jerseys I don't wash. Not my fault u thought u could make a quick 700 and it didn't turn out that way..."
Why am I sharing this? Well when I got the emails it first pissed me off but later made me laugh. Was just waiting for this subject to come up here so I could share this story...
Falcon,
Thanks for sharing. It's good that you can look back on it now an laugh about it. I bet the other guy is still mad. Ruining his life over such a trivial thing.
Some people get really bent out of shape about little things. They don't realize just how short life really is. It's sad.
I can handle and expect people to disagree.
What I have noticed in the last few years is some of those who simply disagree are quick to hurl insults and call names. I don't know if the internet provides them with the protection they need to show their true colors without fear of a bloody nose, or if they are just mean people all the time.
I don't care what someone does with their property. It's none of my business. Why does anyone care?
Do your thing and let the other guy do his.
I know this is a very sensitive subject, but to each their own. If it really comes down to photo matching, then fully document what you have in detail with all of the marks, imperfections, tears, and then wash it accordingly. I am not speaking for everyone here, but I collect for life (unless something life changing happens). So if you were to sell, you would have documentation. I can see where someone could have doubts, but for most game used jerseys, you have imperfections, alignment issues, etc, to help you photo match. I myself like the game used look. It just seems that it is up to you with what you like, even though you may have opposite opinions with your fellow board members.
Quote:
The whole point of the game used hobby is use u clown! and u wash it away?
Don't equipment mgrs 'wash away the use' after each game?
If you have a jersey that has a stain and you have it photomatched I would not want to wash it.
Anyone could always fabreeze them I guess and see it that helps with any smells. I have some game used jerseys that have not been washed that don't smell at all. I have some that do, not overly ripe, but it is there if you put your nose close enough.
I have hundreds of game used jerseys in a closet and you can open the door and will not notice any smells. Now my closet is cedar lines so I am sure that helps. And they are all in individual garment bags as well.
Now if anyone knows how to make batting gloves stop stinking I am all ears.