Ebayer Lambeauleeper At It Again...

[aeneas01]

just in time for christmas....

Dan Marino 1998 "GAME ISSUED" Helmet

although he's cleaned up his wording some, it's remains clear that his intentions are to deceive - examples:

"Since I have no proof Dan Marino actually wore this helmet I am selling it as a "GAME ISSUED" helmet."

ha, ha, ha - as if there's a possibility that it once belonged to marino - just can't quite get the mitts on any proof...

"VERY RARE offering from this past M.V.P. and Hall Of Famer!!!"

ha, ha, ha - very rare? an "offering" from marino? ha, ha, ha....

http://cgi.ebay.com/Dan-Marino-1998-...QQcmdZViewItem

[kneerat]

That's all fine and dandy, but what proof does he have that it was "issued for a game?"
If he has proof that it was ordered by the team and intended to be used for NFL game play, then that statement is fine, but if he has no proof of that, well... you know.

Always remember, a piece of equipment that has been made to look like it should be used in game play is way different than a piece that was ordered by the team and issued for game play.

[nyjetsfan14]

If you have been on e-Bay a while you have seen these helmets repeatedly over the last couple years. They are just helmets made to the specifics of the player as seen on photos, film, cards, etc... then described as "issued" pieces. As you can tell by it already having a bid...the description works.

[kneerat]

I guess... If you consider one bid of 199 bucks from a guy with -1 feedback, then yeah. It works.

[B1SON]

As an "authentic" helmet or what ever you want to say it is, isn't it worth $199? If it was $600 currently I might think it worked, but I can tell you if I was a fan of Marino and I saw this "authetic" looking helmet, I'd pay $199 to display it in my office even if it wasn't "issued" for a game.

[mvandor]

As an "authentic" helmet or what ever you want to say it is, isn't it worth $199? If it was $600 currently I might think it worked, but I can tell you if I was a fan of Marino and I saw this "authetic" looking helmet, I'd pay $199 to display it in my office even if it wasn't "issued" for a game.

I am quite familiar with this guy as aeneas knows, I was duped into buying an LT helmet from him. I can assure you, the way he misrepresents his knockoffs results in them selling for 2x what they should at least. $300 for a good knockoff is about right AT BEST. You can usually get signed ones for a bit higher.

He makes awfully solid copies but isn't satisfied selling them honestly.

[B1SON]

I remember analyzing the helmet on here with you. WOW! What did you do to recover your money...or....did you get nothing back?????

[mvandor]

I remember analyzing the helmet on here with you. WOW! What did you do to recover your money...or....did you get nothing back?????

I chose to keep the helmet as it was nearly a perfect copy, better than what Real Stuff or other replicators seemed to be producing. Had it signed at a show several weeks ago, and it makes a nice display in my office.

Just not one valued at what I sunk into it, particularly after the $200 expense to ship it and get it signed by LT through Radtke.

[aeneas01]

the bottom line is that no one likes to be taken advantage of, misled into believing one thing only to discover otherwise down the road. imo lambeauleeper is a special sort of chump given that he's so small-fry; that his moral compass is so whacked that he has no problem ripping folks off for, in the scheme of things, such a small amount of money. this is especially true given that had he even an ounce of dignity, self-respect and determination he could make 10 times what he's making now by simply and honestly describing his helmets as "the finest game issued reproductions available". he could state that the customer would be paying for carefully matched components, dedicated attention to detail and a unique reproduction not available elsewhere. by taking this honest approach he could develop a solid reputation and following that would allow him to sell his lids at will and at a premium price.

but the guy is obviously a thug with a scope of vision fitting of a small-time crook. frankly, i believe that chumps like lambeauleeper feel the need to misrepresent their items because they're afraid that a buyer will turn around and dishonestly relist the lid thereby making a quick profit on their labor. i also believe that other "reputable" dealers, so-called industry leaders, that play "loosey-goosey" with terms such as "game issue" spawn copy-cats like the lambeauleepers of the world.

[nyjetsfan14]

This is where we should stress collectors really need to be their own authenticators. This is especially difficult with helmets. I used to be a member of the helmet club and some of these guys could reproduce exact copies of vintage helmets almost undetectable to anyone. Because of this I will only purchase (paying a premuim price) a Jets game used helmet from a source which I absolutely know and trust (it wasn't always that way - I have been burned a couple times in the past)...such as the team itself or someone like PSI who represents some Jets players. Because I mix and match helmets (between game used and reproductions) for display purposes I might bid/buy - up to a certain price - a helmet that appears authentic. I did this recently on the Brian Washington Jets helmet on e-Bay. It looks like a gamer but I don't know the seller or if the helmet is truly authentic but for 200 bones it isn't a bad price to pay either way. This forum provides a great opportunity to discuss items like this, especially with aeneas01 being very helpful and sharing with all his knowledge which I very much appreciate.