Matt Barkley Game Worn MEARS

[Firststringer]

Re: Matt Barkley Game Worn MEARS

Yes, I emailed Troy pointing out the discrepancies and he was quick to respond by correcting the year (2011) and changing the item description to "jersey type issued to Matt Barkley". MEARS also added a notation stating "available images do not support on-field game wear". On this revised basis I feel it is a fair representation of the item and even though it was not game worn, the auction price justified the existence of what proved to be an authentic Barkley jersey - the first one to hit the open market - as 2002-present day USC jerseys are harder to find (and I was able to confirm solid provenance indicating this jersey was sourced directly from USC by someone with insider access).

[ChrisCavalier]

Re: Matt Barkley Game Worn MEARS

Please note there is a incorrect statement in this thread. Troy has NOT been banned from GUU. I am not sure where that is coming from.

-Chris

[tella27]

Re: Matt Barkley Game Worn MEARS

Don't be fooled - Its the same song and dance all the time with Troy and MEARS.. Once they get called out they act like this is something that never happens and they were quick to fix the problem. Truth is it happens all the time and they either know what they are trying to do or don't care - either if those should make someone think twice about buying their items.. MEARS is solely out to make as much money as they can and depend on people holding their name to a high standard and blindly buying what they say is game used. As we all know game used next to a title will bring more money and more interest to the auction. They in turn make more money. Sad thing about it is how much stuff gets through without someone calling them out..
Troy always acts like he is just blown away that something he's auctioning off isn't legit - it happens once yeah I could see it being a mistake but when it happens over and over and over its just a front. The people that believe its just a simple mistake are the people he's hoping bid - the ones that blindly and without question think MEARS is top tier.. Ask the guy that they sold a fake Sandy Koufax ball if he will buy from them again.. MEARS is no better than GAI when they were authenticating anything that came though the door.

[tella27]

Re: Matt Barkley Game Worn MEARS

Please note there is a incorrect statement in this thread. Troy has NOT been banned from GUU. I am not sure where that is coming from.

-Chris

Sorry Chris I was going by what I was told before - that was the reason he would have to post through Joel.

[earlywynnfan]

Re: Matt Barkley Game Worn MEARS

Don't be fooled - Its the same song and dance all the time with Troy and MEARS.. Once they get called out they act like this is something that never happens and they were quick to fix the problem. Truth is it happens all the time and they either know what they are trying to do or don't care - either if those should make someone think twice about buying their items.. MEARS is solely out to make as much money as they can and depend on people holding their name to a high standard and blindly buying what they say is game used. As we all know game used next to a title will bring more money and more interest to the auction. They in turn make more money. Sad thing about it is how much stuff gets through without someone calling them out..
Troy always acts like he is just blown away that something he's auctioning off isn't legit - it happens once yeah I could see it being a mistake but when it happens over and over and over its just a front. The people that believe its just a simple mistake are the people he's hoping bid - the ones that blindly and without question think MEARS is top tier.. Ask the guy that they sold a fake Sandy Koufax ball if he will buy from them again.. MEARS is no better than GAI when they were authenticating anything that came though the door.

This is absolutely NOT the experience I've had with Troy and MEARS. Yes, I'd love to find the high bidder on the Koufax ball and ask if he will bid again; since the ball was removed before the auction completed, they did not "sell" a fake Koufax ball.
Hey, Tella, do you have any first-hand dealings with Mears/Troy to share? Or are you just basing this on what you read on the internets?

Ken

[Phil316]

Re: Matt Barkley Game Worn MEARS

I had an issue with a Jerry Rice gamer that Mears authenticated.

http://www.gameuseduniverse.com/vb_forum/showthread.php?t=57856&page=2

Although I stand by my findings Troy went above and beyond to try and prove his case. Even though we had a difference of opinions he was professional and not rude or anything like that. The only thing that

Goldin Auctions uses Mears to authenticate items as well.

It's not like Mears is Coaches Corner or anything like that.

Just like anything though the best authentication is yourself. Do the research and come to your own conclusion. Do not rely on other people's opinions as the final say.

[tella27]

Re: Matt Barkley Game Worn MEARS

This is absolutely NOT the experience I've had with Troy and MEARS. Yes, I'd love to find the high bidder on the Koufax ball and ask if he will bid again; since the ball was removed before the auction completed, they did not "sell" a fake Koufax ball.
Hey, Tella, do you have any first-hand dealings with Mears/Troy to share? Or are you just basing this on what you read on the internets?

Ken

I do have first hand - I had purchased a Kobe Bryant jersey with DC paper work that said it was "issued" but looked like it was worn (snags and other things including a microphone pocket stitched on the inside). I contacted MEARS about looking it over and letting me know what they thought - wasn't sure if it was like MLB where they don't say game used unless they see it come off their back. I emailed Troy the info including what the LOA said and also spoke with him on the phone. I sent the jersey in to be authenticated and added to their auction. It was authenticated by MEARS' "experts" as being game used. It was listed on their site as game used, with a full detailed description of why it was found to be game used, for 8 days of a 10 day auction then the last 2 days it was changed to game issued. I wasn't called or notified of the change - I saw the change and called MEARS to find out why. I was told that a person called and questioned the jersey so they changed it. This after their team of "experts" with all their years of work found it to be game used. One person that calls in trumps their experts?? MEARS tried to let the auction run so they would make their money and when I called Troy himself tried to convince me that a game issued Bryant jersey would get close to the same amount and wanted me to let the auction run. This showed me that they are only out to make a buck. If it would have been found to be issued just like the DC loa said I wouldn't have had a problem with that finding but the fact that they just called it "Game Used" to make more on their 20%. With all the things they find to be game used just shows they are only about the money and not the hobby or collecting. They find things game used until they are called out - then its "oh one of the authenticators must have made a mistake". He's nice once he's called out because he wants you to believe this was a one time mistake