MEARS Practices

[tella27]

Re: MEARS Practices

Here are pictures of the jersey before I bought it and after I received it - as it can be seen the marking around the 24 are IDENTICAL. Ive pointed it out with arrows. Ive also pointed out the snag on the front - it can been seen in the pictures prior to my purchase. The only difference is the fold line in the bottom tag but this fold is called out in an email to me from Mos_Def. This is the same jersey now as when he had it - it HAS NOT BEEN WASHED OR ALTERED IN ANY WAY.
Wood floor is Mos_Def - Black is me

[Mulligans]

Re: MEARS Practices

I rarely weigh in on these topics…..In my opinion, this is certainly not a perfect Science with the new Basketball Jerseys…… and you can argue whether MEARS communicated properly, but I do think Troy apologized for any missteps they may have made?


I don’t have any connections at MEARS and I’m pretty sure they have no clue who I am.…They are not perfect by any means, but in my opinion, Troy and his group are by far one of the finest Authenticators in the Country.


I have used their services many times for Auctions as well as Authentications. I have not always been happy with their conclusions, because sometimes the truth can hurt……. But, one thing for sure, they are extremely thorough and VERY GOOD at what they do. I can’t imagine them doing anything purposely to mislead anyone?

[DeacDoug]

Re: MEARS Practices

I think that there is an inherent conflict between running an auction house and being the authenticator for same. At least Lou Lampson did not do both. Although I understand that other auction houses do this as well, I think Mears should chose one or the other.

[tella27]

Re: MEARS Practices

I rarely weigh in on these topics…..In my opinion, this is certainly not a perfect Science with the new Basketball Jerseys…… and you can argue whether MEARS communicated properly, but I do think Troy apologized for any missteps they may have made?


I don’t have any connections at MEARS and I’m pretty sure they have no clue who I am.…They are not perfect by any means, but in my opinion, Troy and his group are by far one of the finest Authenticators in the Country.


I have used their services many times for Auctions as well as Authentications. I have not always been happy with their conclusions, because sometimes the truth can hurt……. But, one thing for sure, they are extremely thorough and VERY GOOD at what they do. I can’t imagine them doing anything purposely to mislead anyone?

All I can say about the whole issue is MEARS and their expert authenticators said this passed as being game worn. It was then changed because of a post on some forum by someone that neither has ever owned this jersey or even been in the same room as this jersey. I was accused of doctoring the jersey to make it look worn and added the snag. I've posted pictures of the jersey before I bought it (and it was purchased from a member on here that I've done business with in the past a few times and alway happy) everything is identical from when I purchased it including the snag on the front. Now MEARS changed there opinion because of a post on a thread and I've proved that who ever posted that has no clue what they are talking about.

[tella27]

Re: MEARS Practices

I think that there is an inherent conflict between running an auction house and being the authenticator for same. At least Lou Lampson did not do both. Although I understand that other auction houses do this as well, I think Mears should chose one or the other.

I also agree with Doc on this - when the place authenticates something and then sells it they have interest in its final sale price. I don't feel that the drive for profit on an item should ever be able to come into play. It's like JSA - they authenticate signatures but they don't sell items after they authenticate them.

[Takuleechch]

Re: MEARS Practices

On the eBay listing you listed it as game worn when the letter says issued. Why did you list it as such? just curious

[tella27]

Re: MEARS Practices

If you're going to quote something make sure you have the full quote.
I listed it as game worn and wrote in the listing that it has a loa from DC Sports saying issued but I felt it showed use and showed pictures of the use. I didn't leave out the DC Sports info and I took up close pictures of where I felt it showed wear or washing.

[tella27]

Re: MEARS Practices

On the eBay listing you listed it as game worn when the letter says issued. Why did you list it as such? just curious

This is what was in the listing on eBay - as you can see I wrote that it had a loa from DC Sports that said it was issued. I felt strongly enough that it was worn that I contacted MEARS about it and ended the auction to send it in.

This is a Kobe Bryant 2011-2012 Lakers road game used jersey. It comes with a COA from D.C. Sports where they call it an issued jersey but the jersey shows signs of washing and also has marks on the jersey from being snagged (seen in pics 5 & 6) - I believe this is like how MLB will call a jersey "Issued" unless they see if taken off by the player even when there are genuine signs of wear and washes. One of the key things is the mic pocket that is stitched into the left inside of the jersey for when he was Mic'd up during the game. The pockets arent stitched up at the begining of the season in hope of being mic'd - they are done for that game. Ive tried to find out what road games he was mic'd for during the season but havent found really any info online

[jppopma]

Re: MEARS Practices

Tella, One thing you need to remember is that Mears Auction items do not get the full Mears expert authentication. Even as such, most modern basketball jerseys would only get a score of 5 on their grading scale. I'm pretty sure that most items they, or any other auction house lists, are predominately driven by what the consignor tells them the item is.

I appreciate your openness in the descriptions and hoping that it may have been mislabeled on the LAO. Mears as a business likely would have loved to sell the item based on your hops, but they need to cover their own butts once the item is questioned. You can't blame them for that (although not notifying you is a slip up).

Glad you got the item pulled and will have it back to sell on your own. Look up earlier stories of items in which Mears did alot of research on and then requested payment for their efforts after the items were found to be fakes.

[tella27]

Re: MEARS Practices

Tella, One thing you need to remember is that Mears Auction items do not get the full Mears expert authentication. Even as such, most modern basketball jerseys would only get a score of 5 on their grading scale. I'm pretty sure that most items they, or any other auction house lists, are predominately driven by what the consignor tells them the item is.

I appreciate your openness in the descriptions and hoping that it may have been mislabeled on the LAO. Mears as a business likely would have loved to sell the item based on your hops, but they need to cover their own butts once the item is questioned. You can't blame them for that (although not notifying you is a slip up).

Glad you got the item pulled and will have it back to sell on your own. Look up earlier stories of items in which Mears did alot of research on and then requested payment for their efforts after the items were found to be fakes.

The biggest thing is I want it to be know that this jersey is in the exact same condition now as it was prior to purchase. I have no problem showing pictures or anything else to let that be known. I have no ill will towards MEARS - I'm just baffled by the opinion of someone that knows nothing about the jersey is treated as if their opinion is fact. It is what it is - I bought it as issued and when I received it I felt it showed wear so I sent it in. Being told it isn't worn doesn't bother me and that's what I told Troy.

[both-teams-played-hard]

Re: MEARS Practices

I apologize if this post is off-topic. I seem to remember a company that customized authentic NBA jerseys. Same jerseys that the players wore. Same specifications as NBA gamers. Mfg, size and all. I'm not a smart man, but that can't be classified as "team issue", correct?

[trsent]

Re: MEARS Practices

I rarely weigh in on these topics…..In my opinion, this is certainly not a perfect Science with the new Basketball Jerseys…… and you can argue whether MEARS communicated properly, but I do think Troy apologized for any missteps they may have made?


I don’t have any connections at MEARS and I’m pretty sure they have no clue who I am.…They are not perfect by any means, but in my opinion, Troy and his group are by far one of the finest Authenticators in the Country.


I have used their services many times for Auctions as well as Authentications. I have not always been happy with their conclusions, because sometimes the truth can hurt……. But, one thing for sure, they are extremely thorough and VERY GOOD at what they do. I can’t imagine them doing anything purposely to mislead anyone?

Very well put. I believe they try to be honest and upfront and we can't say that about every other auction house.

I think that there is an inherent conflict between running an auction house and being the authenticator for same. At least Lou Lampson did not do both. Although I understand that other auction houses do this as well, I think Mears should chose one or the other.

That is a valid opinion, but Troy has created a company and a concept and he fully discloses his "conflicts of interest" before anyone bids, so it is your choice if you bid on his memorabilia or not. Troy and Dave Grob are not going to change their concept and keep to one or the other - They will continue to run an auction house and an authentication company and you know the facts so you can make your own decisions if you wish to buy from them or not based on this fact.

This being said, how many items for sale on eBay are sold by the same guy who is telling you the game used jersey is authentic? At least with MEARS you can go back to the company down the road with concerns and they will still be there to discuss. How many eBay sellers are there to answer questions down the road?

[cohibasmoker]

Re: MEARS Practices

Very well put. I believe they try to be honest and upfront and we can't say that about every other auction house.



That is a valid opinion, but Troy has created a company and a concept and he fully discloses his "conflicts of interest" before anyone bids, so it is your choice if you bid on his memorabilia or not. Troy and Dave Grob are not going to change their concept and keep to one or the other - They will continue to run an auction house and an authentication company and you know the facts so you can make your own decisions if you wish to buy from them or not based on this fact.

This being said, how many items for sale on eBay are sold by the same guy who is telling you the game used jersey is authentic? At least with MEARS you can go back to the company down the road with concerns and they will still be there to discuss. How many eBay sellers are there to answer questions down the road?

Joel,
Just who is on the Staff at MEARS? I went to their website and all it says is "coming soon"

http://www.mearsonline.com/index.php?page=staff

[trsent]

Re: MEARS Practices

Joel,
Just who is on the Staff at MEARS? I went to their website and all it says is "coming soon"

http://www.mearsonline.com/index.php?page=staff

I don't know the current staff beyond Troy and Dave Grob. Tony Giese left to work for Heritage so I don't know any of his staff anymore. You can email Troy to ask if you want to know who is working for him. troy@mearsonline.com

[cohibasmoker]

Re: MEARS Practices

I don't know the current staff beyond Troy and Dave Grob. Tony Giese left to work for Heritage so I don't know any of his staff anymore. You can email Troy to ask if you want to know who is working for him. troy@mearsonline.com

Joel,

I was just wondering is all.

JSA, PSA and most if not all auction houses publicly list their Staff - I was wondering why MEARS didn't.

Jim