How does wearing a game worn jersey affect its value?

[swainer]

I'd like to get the opinion of the forum regarding how much wearing a game worn jersey decreases (if any) the value of said jersey. I'm trying to pry one of my holy grail jerseys from a guy I know but he is very reluctant to part with it. The main reason is he loves to wear the jersey to games, out on the town, etc. Presumably he's washed the jersey numerous times as well. So I'd imagine any chance of a photo match was lost in the wash cycle. Being relatively confident the jersey is legit, I still want the jersey. I would think consistently wearing the jersey has to decrease its value somewhat. But how much? 20%? 30%? 50%?

Does anyone have any thoughts?

Peace,

John

[sox83cubs84]

Re: How does wearing a game worn jersey affect its value?

I'd like to get the opinion of the forum regarding how much wearing a game worn jersey decreases (if any) the value of said jersey. I'm trying to pry one of my holy grail jerseys from a guy I know but he is very reluctant to part with it. The main reason is he loves to wear the jersey to games, out on the town, etc. Presumably he's washed the jersey numerous times as well. So I'd imagine any chance of a photo match was lost in the wash cycle. Being relatively confident the jersey is legit, I still want the jersey. I would think consistently wearing the jersey has to decrease its value somewhat. But how much? 20%? 30%? 50%?

Does anyone have any thoughts?

Peace,

John

Unless the jersey were to be permanently stained or damaged, I couldn't care less. However, to a large number of GUU members...maybe even a majority...wearing and washing a game-used jersey is comparable to drawing a moustache and beard on the Mona Lisa.

Dave Miedema

[otismalibu]

Re: How does wearing a game worn jersey affect its value?

Unless he's caused additional wear/damage, I would think the worst scenario is that he washed away some matching marks.

Everyone wants to think their gamer came right off the player's back. Very few have any clues as to the history of their item. And yeah, that's a Dr. J. gamer she's wearing.

[jppopma]

Re: How does wearing a game worn jersey affect its value?

There is a big divide on here when it comes to people wearing gamers. Personally, I don't think it would affect the price unless they did some damage to the jersey or added noticeable wear.

BTW; when dealing with reluctant sellers sometimes you have to go big. Sometimes you need to look past things and overpay when dealing with a grail. Not worth the risk of blowing your chances with a lowball offer and insulting the guy for wearing the jersey around.

[legaleagle92481]

Re: How does wearing a game worn jersey affect its value?

Jon,

I would say it depends on a few factors. Did he stretch the jersey out by wearing it? Did washing it damage it at all? Repeated washings wear down any garment. Did he add any substances to the jersey? I.E. spilled beer or food on it. You obviously need to closely examine the jersey for these and other issues. Assuming the jersey is not damaged at all by the wear I would say not much value should be subtracted. Lets be real absent damage whenever you buy a jersey you cant tell if its been worn by someone other than the player. Whether the wearer be a prior owner or someone in the locker room (I am sure many players kids try on daddy's jerseys all the time)

[flaco1801]

Re: How does wearing a game worn jersey affect its value?

I agree with Dave...its foolish...

[Cubsfan4life]

Re: How does wearing a game worn jersey affect its value?

I have no interest in owning a jersey someone else wore.

[ironmanfan]

Re: How does wearing a game worn jersey affect its value?

I have no interest in owning a jersey someone else wore.

like the player?

[Cubsfan4life]

Re: How does wearing a game worn jersey affect its value?

like the player?

No someone else other than the player is what I meant

[swainer]

Re: How does wearing a game worn jersey affect its value?

Thanks for the responses!

jppopma - I agree. The owner of the jersey and I have completed a few transactions now so we have a very good working relationship. I honestly think he will ask a fair price for it once he (and his kids) are ready to part with it and it will be just as important to him that the jersey has found a "good home" as the price he realizes for the jersey.

leagleeagle - As far as I know, he hasn't added significant damage to the jersey. And to be honest, I don't know how many times he's washed it. It is autographed twice by the player and the autographs appear somewhat strong still so I'm sure he's not washing it every week. That's what I was thinking as well. If he didn't tell me he wears it all of the time, would I have even have known. Probably not.

Dave/Otis - I think we're on the same page. Although I can understand the other side's point of view.

Thanks again guys and I hope you had a great Thanksgiving! My Lions did their part in ensuring my Turkey day was the same as the past 8 even though I'm no longer in Michigan.

Peace,

John

[jake33]

Re: How does wearing a game worn jersey affect its value?

I have an game used Buccaneers jersey that i bought for $81.50 , becuase the seller sold it incorrectly. I wear it on a lot of gamedays. It is tough to get much lower value than that. So, i could probably lsit a fixed price auction and list it as an "authentic" jersey, which has a bigger market for buyers than game worn and probably get over $100 for it.

However, for those highend game used items that are $500+ yes it likely would lower the value, those jersey really go into more of a "memorabilia" buying group of people.

[JJKANDLAK]

Re: How does wearing a game worn jersey affect its value?

I've worn a couple of "common player" gameused jerseys to ballgames, tailgates, etc. but have never washed them. For "star" players my policy has been the jersey stays in the display case.

[gingi79]

Re: How does wearing a game worn jersey affect its value?

Game worn jerseys are a collectible now. If Babe Ruth gave a kid his jersey and the entire family wore it through the generations and it came up for sale tomorrow, would it make it less real and valuable? Of course not. Its expected to have been used as a shirt as that's what it is.

If Marilyn Monroe wore one of Joe D's old jerseys to bed every night, the value would increase right? Why? She had no athletic talent. Her lifetime batting average was .000. She enhances the value because she was a sexy woman and a celeb but no different than you or I. You could even argue she negatively affected it because it now smells like Chanel #5.

I have a strict rule of only wearing a jersey I won't sell.
I assume every jersey I buy has been worn by more than just the player. Barring wear has been added or erased, the jersey is still an authentic game worn item of a player I admire. Nothing else matters to me. Just an opinion.

[TBTwinsFan]

Re: How does wearing a game worn jersey affect its value?

I wouldn't have a problem with it as long as it wasn't damaged or stretched.

[suave1477]

Re: How does wearing a game worn jersey affect its value?

This topic has been discussed before!!

And to reiterate my opinion from last time. I think it is terrible for someone to wear a game used / issued Jersey.

Everyone mentions well its not that big of a deal it was already worn by the player and as long as it is been taken care of minus food stains, beer, etc.... (kind of the what we dont know doesnt hurt us approach) And yes I get it that some where, at some point someone may have worn a jersey that I own and chances are I will never really know.

But for those of who you who think its an innocent thing to wear a Jersey. Think about this. Wonder how many Game Issueds are in your collection that only show wear due to the guy who decided he wanted to wear his game issued Jersey and now over the course of time of him cleaning it, it now shows use. So now you have a Jersey in your collection that was never even touched by the player but you spent your hard earned money for that Jersey thinking it was game used (That was worn by the guy at your local gas station)

I will even take it one step further I will not sell a game issued or used jersey to someone who has made me aware his intentions for the item are to wear.

Potential buyers on ebay have emails me and asked me for specifics on size of something I am selling. I ask them why? They say I want to make sure the Jersey fits me to wear it. I kindly tell them that I prefer not to sell it for personal use to wear as it devalues the item.