ebay seller TheSofaSurfer + a Billy Butler issued + fake provenance

[CampWest]

thesofasurfer currently has listed a Billy Butler 2010 signed jersey that he is listing as game used and providing patently 100% FALSE and contrived chain of provenance.


http://cgi.ebay.com/Butler-Kansas-Ci...item45fb2d76f3

I originally purchased this "team-issued" Butler jersey from an online Royals Charities auction in January 2011. In February I sold it to a collector as a game/team issued signed jersey. A month or two ago, that collector then listed it on ebay as a game/team issued jersey and sold it to TheSofaSurfer. This fact I just confirmed with the guy I sold the jersey to.

Thesofasurfer is now listing the jersey as game used with a fake story of provenance. "Obtained from Billy's neighbor who watches his dog while he's on the road."

The jersey showed no use, when I owned it. I bought it from Royals Charities hoping it was game used, when it was clearly not game used, I decided to sell.

To prove this is the same jersey, you can note the exact perfect matching of the autograph on the jersey I originally purchased to the jersey currently for sale by thesofasurfer. His picture first, mine is second. The top of the first B clips the corner of the 6, there is a stitching anamoly just to the right of that. The second B has a smudge on the bottom stitching. And everything else is perfectly identical. And as a Butler collector I can tell you, no two Butler autographs are exactly the same.

It is, in my opinion, conclusive especially when combined with the known chain of custody.

[EurekaDave]

Very interesting! Thanks. I wonder what the "letter of opinion" is he is talking about.

Dave Silverbrand

[otismalibu]

Same idea.

http://www.gameuseduniverse.com/vb_f...ad.php?t=44204

[CampWest]

Very interesting! Thanks. I wonder what the "letter of opinion" is he is talking about.

Dave Silverbrand

Whatever it is, it is probably not worth much more than his false story of provenance...

Looking through his feedback, he buys a lot of replica jerseys... and commemorative patches... lots of red flags on this guy.

[csu398]

And somebody paid a grand earlier for this...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=330576033213

[EurekaDave]

And somebody paid a grand earlier for this...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=330576033213

This is just amazing!!! I just love the euphemism "comes with all the paperwork." I "come with all the paperwork" too, but I'm sure as hell not worth $1,100.

Dave Silverbrand

[freddiefreeman5]

Why did you sell it as "game/team issued" instead of just "team issued" as you bought it?

Not trying to pick a fight but wasn't that a bit borderline deceptive too?

[ChuckFoPrez]

There's nothing wrong w/ customizing blanks and whatnot, it's just don't customize stuff and put them for sale as game worn or game used. You can say Pro Cut, Issued, etc. Just not used.

[LostExpo]

no there is nothin wrong with it at all....... a lot of people know on here i plan on sewing on an authentic 1998 30th ann. Expos patch on my 2001 grey vlad guerrero....... if i was ever to sell it (which would never happen) i would just tell the buyer what i did and why..........BUT the only thing i am kinda iffy about is adding patches that were never on that exact style jersey, if yah know what i mean

[EurekaDave]

The whole issue of "pro-cut," "Issued," etc. is a can of worms in itself. Such terms imply that some official entity produced the jersey.

I once asked a seller what was meant by "issued." He said it could have been worn by a player for team photos. You just have to be so, so careful these days because the language is ambiguous, and probably intended to be so.

Dave Silverbrand