2003 Pujols Jersey on eBay with Grey Flannel Letter

[hblakewolf]

Re: 2003 Pujols Jersey on eBay with Grey Flannel Letter

What I don't understand is what any bickering between GUU members and the seller has to do with the item. I mean, if the guy thinks that the Game Used Forums aren't a good source of information, then that's great - he doesn't have to post or bid in the auction. But what does Game Used Universe's reputation, either good or bad, have to do with the Pujols jersey in question? The true question is whether or not the item is authentic. And the seller only detracts from the true point by attacking the reputation of this website. All we are asking for is proof that the Pujols jersey is a legitimately game-used item.

Lee-
Based on the current Ebay listing and the fact that it's now been relisted 4 times in the last 2 weeks, the seller appears desperate to try to offer reasons for the issues surrounding this shirt, including:

Lack of 0062 tag
Lack of MEARS LOA
Issues with Grey Flannels evaluation

He even goes as far to call Rob Steinmetz a "Bigshot" dealer in his current listing, and notes it came from him, however, Rob has already commented on this and noted he never owned it.

MEARS has also posted the following about the sellers comments:

Albert Pujols Cardinals Road Jersey on E-Bay

June 27 2008 at 6:30 PM Dave Grob (Login davegrob1)There is currently an Albert Pujols Cardinals road jersey listed on E-Bay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Cardinals-Albert-Pujols-SIGNED-Game-Used-Jersey-MEARS_W0QQitemZ220249825371QQihZ012QQcategoryZ6059 7QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

The auction description includes mention of MEARS and a copy of MEARS worksheet. Interested bidders are encouraged to ask the seller about the actual Letter of Opinion and matching hologram with the MEARS Cert #. A worksheet for an item is just that and its only purpose is to facilitate the gathering of information that is to be used in forming and supporting an opinion.

An item offered as a MEARS product without the letter and hologram will not be covered by the MEARS Buyers protection program as we would have no way of ensuring it was in fact the same item we evaluated.

On the MEARS Web Site, under the Evaluation Services Tab (top of the page) and in the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) sections, you will find this information relating to buyers protection:

Problematic circumstances may include:

We will not provide a refund under certain circumstances. We state these clearly now to avoid future disputes to our refund policies.

"The person I got this item from said it originally came with a SCDA/MEARS letter. He lost the letter, but I have bought from him in the past so I did not think it was a big deal." In this case we are being asked to provide a refund on an item that cannot be proven to have been authenticated by us. I think most would agree that this is not unreasonable.

Dave Grob
Policy Director
MEARSAlbert Pujols Cardinals Road Jersey on E-Bay

June 27 2008 at 8:36 PM Dave Miedema (Login sox83cubs84)

Response to Albert Pujols Cardinals Road Jersey on E-BayI've got concerns about this jersey and the worksheet, as well. The front shows no hologram number, and several key items not filled in. The back is cropped in the photo to eliminate the grade and grader. I'd be very wary of this offering.


Howard Wolf
hblakewolf@comcast.net

[trsent]

Re: 2003 Pujols Jersey on eBay with Grey Flannel Letter

The seller posted on another forum that he would reply to the questions here, but he is prohibited from posting on this discussion forum.

[lund6771]

Re: 2003 Pujols Jersey on eBay with Grey Flannel Letter

Rob...did you get a hold of someone at ebay to tell them about the discription?

Also let the guy post...It would make some interesting reading

[ChrisCavalier]

Re: 2003 Pujols Jersey on eBay with Grey Flannel Letter

What I don't understand is what any bickering between GUU members and the seller has to do with the item. I mean, if the guy thinks that the Game Used Forums aren't a good source of information, then that's great - he doesn't have to post or bid in the auction. But what does Game Used Universe's reputation, either good or bad, have to do with the Pujols jersey in question? The true question is whether or not the item is authentic. And the seller only detracts from the true point by attacking the reputation of this website. All we are asking for is proof that the Pujols jersey is a legitimately game-used item.

Personally, I think this post is dead on. The seller of this jersey was banned from this website for repeated (and I mean numerously repeated) violations of the forum rules. After he was banned, he tried to create new accounts under new user names with different IP addresses and was banned each time thereafter.

It appears this person's response is to try to discredit this site elsewhere because we are keeping true to the forum rules and protecting the community from those seeking to take the site away from its intent to help others without personal attacks, baiting, false claims, etc.

As I have said before, judge a tree but the fruit it bears. People can say whatever they want, especially sitting behind a computer. At the end of the day, the best way to determine who you can trust is to judge them by their actions and the fruit they bear. I personally know Rob Steinmetz very well and when I read a comment that "Rob is dishonest" I almost have to laugh.

While we cannot control all the type of comments people make on this site or other public forums, our policy for those associated with GUU is to try not speak negatively about others. We prefer to let others know how we do things and trust people will see the integrity we bring to the industry by the fruit we bear. I would suggest you look at this person's listing, the approach he is taking in response to legitimate questions about the item, the fact that he has been banned from the site, and make your own decision about the integrity of his word.

[3arod13]

Re: 2003 Pujols Jersey on eBay with Grey Flannel Letter

I usually don't get involved in these discussions, but I thought I'd mention that sometimes this bad publicity might get more people to take note of GUU. A lot of watchers of this item will have their curiosity piqued by the listing and will come on this website. Many may stay, when they realized that the Game Used Forums are about educating the collector. Just another way of looking at things.

I don't know what bad history the seller has with GUU, however, I don't think he or anyone else should be using ebay as their soapbox to bash GUU or anyone else. GUU doesn't have the opportunity to address and/or counter what the seller is posting.

I emailed him as follows: Dear fromthepros, Just a recommendation. If you relist the jersey, don't add the stuff about GUU. I think it scares off potential buyers. Especially if they don't know about GUU and can't figure out if there's a problem. Looks good to me. 3arod13

My point to the seller was, the information he posted about GUU has nothing to do with his auction. I guess the seller felt I was protecting GUU. My point to the seller was, what he is saying about GUU has nothing to do with the item he is selling. Just list the item, provide what documentation and information you have, and go from there.

Using ebay as a forum to bash and attack GUU or anyone else is uncalled for.

I guess there's more bad history there that I'm aware of.

[3arod13]

Re: 2003 Pujols Jersey on eBay with Grey Flannel Letter

What I don't understand is what any bickering between GUU members and the seller has to do with the item. I mean, if the guy thinks that the Game Used Forums aren't a good source of information, then that's great - he doesn't have to post or bid in the auction. But what does Game Used Universe's reputation, either good or bad, have to do with the Pujols jersey in question? The true question is whether or not the item is authentic. And the seller only detracts from the true point by attacking the reputation of this website. All we are asking for is proof that the Pujols jersey is a legitimately game-used item.

Agree and well said. As I stated, to use his own auction, and ebay, as his soapbox to attack GUU, is ridiculous and uncalled for.

The signature is good. The jersey may also be good. Legit questions deserve legit answers. Being defensive only makes you look bad.

[trsent]

Re: 2003 Pujols Jersey on eBay with Grey Flannel Letter

Agree and well said. As I stated, to use his own auction, and ebay, as his soapbox to attack GUU, is ridiculous and uncalled for.

The signature is good. The jersey may also be good. Legit questions deserve legit answers. Being defensive only makes you look bad.

Well, now we all can afford the jersey:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Albert-Pujols-Game-Worn-Jersey-MEARS-Grey-Flannel-GAI_W0QQitemZ220255665472QQihZ012QQcategoryZ60597QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

It has been listed at auction with a $99.99 opening bid. Wow, he listed a ton of new stuff, plus a reply to Chris's previous post. I do not know eBay's policy on this activity, but he sure goes off on a tangent in this listing.

It will be neat to see where this listing ends.

[3arod13]

Re: 2003 Pujols Jersey on eBay with Grey Flannel Letter

Well, now we all can afford the jersey:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Albert-Pujols-Game-Worn-Jersey-MEARS-Grey-Flannel-GAI_W0QQitemZ220255665472QQihZ012QQcategoryZ60597QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

It has been listed at auction with a $99.99 opening bid. Wow, he listed a ton of new stuff, plus a reply to Chris's previous post. I do not know eBay's policy on this activity, but he sure goes off on a tangent in this listing.

It will be neat to see where this listing ends.

Ebay has been contacted and his auction will be removed.

Ridiculous this seller is using ebay this way.

[hblakewolf]

Re: 2003 Pujols Jersey on eBay with Grey Flannel Letter

Forget about this shirt having "9 lives"-it simply will not die!

And to boot, you have to love the extremely informative write-up/rambling/bashing about this site.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Albert-Pujols-Game-Worn-Jersey-MEARS-Grey-Flannel-GAI_W0QQitemZ220255665472QQihZ012QQcategoryZ60597QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

On a serious note, how can Ebay allow this listing to remain active?

Howard Wolf
hblakewolf@comcast.net

[3arod13]

Re: 2003 Pujols Jersey on eBay with Grey Flannel Letter

Forget about this shirt having "9 lives"-it simply will not die!

And to boot, you have to love the extremely informative write-up/rambling/bashing about this site.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Albert-Pujols-Game-Worn-Jersey-MEARS-Grey-Flannel-GAI_W0QQitemZ220255665472QQihZ012QQcategoryZ60597QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

On a serious note, how can Ebay allow this listing to remain active?

Howard Wolf
hblakewolf@comcast.net

I contacted ebay this morning. They are removing the listing.

[Eric]

Re: 2003 Pujols Jersey on eBay with Grey Flannel Letter

moderncollector-
please respond to the above questions. you came on here with questions about the worksheet and you should clarify your thoughts.
thank you
eric (also known in certain ebay listings as "idiot")

[frikativ54]

Re: 2003 Pujols Jersey on eBay with Grey Flannel Letter

Wow - I don't think I've seen anything like this on eBay ever. Honestly, I think he is just trying to detract from the authenticity question by bashing Game Used Universe. Plus, I find it interesting how the seller mentions ad nauseum that the money-back guarantee only applies if the Pujols jersey does not pass Mears. Perhaps he is just finding an evasive way of saying that there is no unconditional money-back guarantee on the purchase. Quite deceptive IMO. If 3arod13 is correct, R.I.P. Pujols jersey auction!

[3arod13]

Re: 2003 Pujols Jersey on eBay with Grey Flannel Letter

Wow - I don't think I've seen anything like this on eBay ever. Honestly, I think he is just trying to detract from the authenticity question by bashing Game Used Universe. Plus, I find it interesting how the seller mentions ad nauseum that the money-back guarantee only applies if the Pujols jersey does not pass Mears. Perhaps he is just finding an evasive way of saying that there is no unconditional money-back guarantee on the purchase. Quite deceptive IMO. If 3arod13 is correct, R.I.P. Pujols jersey auction!

I contacted ebay at 7:00am yesterday. Auction still active today. They take way too long to take action.

[hblakewolf]

Re: 2003 Pujols Jersey on eBay with Grey Flannel Letter

I contacted ebay at 7:00am yesterday. Auction still active today. They take way too long to take action.

Based on the fact that this is the third time this jersey has been listed on Ebay with similar negative comments about the Game Used Universe and now specifically Steinmetz, (and these previous listings were never cancelled, either), what leads you to believe Ebay will take any action about this current listing?

Howard Wolf
hblakewolf@comcast.net

[cards-bats]

Re: 2003 Pujols Jersey on eBay with Grey Flannel Letter

*** CRICKETS CHIRPING ***

nothing.