MLB Authentication Error?

[ziggy]

Re: Does MLB Auctions fix their mistakes?

Here is a similar jersey to yours:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Jeff-Francoeur-game-used-autographed-jersey-2007_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ65Q3a12Q7c66Q3a2Q7c39Q3a1Q7c72Q3a1205Q7c293Q3a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem255563bf67QQitemZ160346390375QQptZLHQ5fDefaultDomainQ5f0QQsalenotsupported

[gingi79]

Re: Does MLB Auctions fix their mistakes?

I know all newer Twins Game Worn Jersey's are MLB Authenticated as team issued. It doesnt mean yours wasnt worn. I have 2 Twins jersey's that I know were worn and they both say issued.

See that's not fair to collectors and I don't think it's right that we have to accept it. It is purchased from MLB, why can't it be listed correctly? Why does there have to be mired in "maybe it's game worn, maybe it's just an autographed GI"

If I put this shirt on eBay, it sells for maybe $200. If I put my red one on eBay with a much uglier autograph purchased a year ago from the same site but listed as game worn with a date, it goes for over $1000. No way am I taking a $300 hit immediately and an $800 hit in value on resale just because MLB Auctions is half assed in their wording and research.

If I purchase directly from the team and MLB, someone needs to stand behind it with easy to understand and straight forward descriptions so there is NO DOUBT this shirt was on Frenchie's back in a real game.

[AWA85]

Re: Does MLB Auctions fix their mistakes?

I may be wrong, but it almost seems like MLB.com considers issued to be the same as game worn.

[Mauer7]

Re: Does MLB Auctions fix their mistakes?

I know all newer Twins Game Worn Jersey's are MLB Authenticated as team issued. It doesnt mean yours wasnt worn. I have 2 Twins jersey's that I know were worn and they both say issued.

[gingi79]

Does MLB Auctions fix their mistakes?

I already emailed them (the email follows below.) I won a game worn white Jeff Francoeur Atlanta Braves jersey from the 2007 season. I was very excited to get it at the price I won it for as I can now either save it or resell it for a nice profit if things get tight. Box comes via UPS and I'm stoked to open the box. I pull it out, look it over and see marks that appear to have been made by a pen or marker. I have never seen bat marks which look exactly like a ball point pen or thin sharpie marks. I figure it required further research until I plugged the MLB Hologram into the database......

They sent me a simple Autographed shirt. It had the 33 patch and a 0063 code on the inner tag but was obviously never used in an MLB game. There is no (07 48 s2) tag under the jock tag (which looks crisp and new). So I am rather positive it is not GU and I emailed my concerns.

My question is, has anyone had a similiar issue with MLB Auctions and how was it resolved? If I don't get a positive resolution, I will be disputing the charge. Will I really have that kind of hassel to look forward to?

Anyway here is the email, an suggestions on how to get the correct shirt would be greatly appreciated.

"Hello,

I won a Game Worn Jeff Francoeur White Braves jersey recently on your site. It was listed on MLB Auctions as Game worn and I bid $500 on it, a very high sum as it was being sold as game used. You cannot imagine my disdain therefore when it arrived and was:

(a) Missing the {07 48 S2} tag that almost every game used Braves jersey has sewn on under the Majestic jock tag post 2006
(b) Has pen marks not consistent with normal game use.

Normally I wouldn't complain however, when I looked up my MLB Authentication hologram and saw this:

"Hologram number BB570634 was located in the MLB Authentication Database under AUTOGRAPHED JERSEY.
Session Product Description: TEAM ISSUED #7

Session Name: JEFF FRANCOEUR SIGNING
Session Date: Feburary 06, 2008
Autographer: JEFF FRANCOEUR
Authenticator: AUTHENTICATORS, INC."

Nowhere does my hologram description list this shirt as worn in a game.

This shirt is listed as a jersey prepared for the Braves, NOT USED in a game and simply authenticates the autograph. It's value is nowhere near that of a shirt listed in your database as Game Used and I paid $500 for a GAME WORN jersey. I am immeasurably dissatisfied with this jersey especially since your authentication system lists as simply an autographed jersey.

So I need to know how we are going to rectify this situation. It doesn't match my other MLB registered Francoeur jersey and it doesn't appear that there been a mistake in the database that you can rectify. For instance this wasn't simply a clerical error where it as incorrectly listed as an autographed jersey rather than game worn with dates that it had been worn.

In short, when can I expect to get the game worn Jeff Francouer jersey I paid for? How do I return this shirt to you at your expense? Please rectify this situation immediately. I aprreciate your quick and thorough assistance.

Sincerely,

GinGi79"

[DonFan23]

Re: MLB Authentication?

My suggestion would be to look up the address of the Deloitte & Touche office nearest to the ballpark where the authentication was done, and send a letter to the Managing Partner. It may or may not work, but they should still have the records in their files, and maybe you can make some headway with them.

[coxfan]

Re: MLB Authentication?

I'm new here, but I bought a g-u ball from the -Tampa Bay-Texas Rangers game of 5-21-03, and the Yankees-rangers game of 5-21-04 ( A-Rod's first series back). Both were bought from the Rangers' in-stadium store. I noted at the time that both MLB holograms said that Deloitte and Touche were the authenticators. But when I re-checked them recently, they now say the authenticator was Authenticators, Inc.

Did they retroactively change the name of the authenticators on the website from the original posting? Any ideas?

[cmw2ward]

Re: MLB Authentication?

It's hard to believe that the MLB is that careless! Really leaves me with a very bad taste.

Why would anyone buy from the current MLB Authentic program, who knows maybe two years from now they'll loose the current records?????

[mr.miracle]

Re: MLB Authentication?

I recently purchased a Pedro Martinez game used bat. It has an mlb hologram on it (MR-258175). When i enter the hologram number in the website it says "this item appears in the data base" but no additional information is listed.

So I called and e-mailed MLB. Below please find their response. As a collector I am very put off MLB Authentication. I was wondering if anyone else had the same experience.

Thanks


Thanks for the e-mail. The MR hologram is from Deloitte & Touche. From May 2002 through January 2006, the firm of Deloitte & Touche was the exclusive third-party Authenticator for all items under the MLB Authentication Program. As Authenticator, Deloitte was solely responsible for all authentication and data entry of the hologram numbers placed on autographed items and game-used memorabilia. Unfortunately, MLB has no direct access to this data. Please let us know if there is anything else we can help you with.

Thanks for your patience,
MLB Authentication

My personal favorite was when MLB emailed me back with the same problem and I was informed that Arthur Andersen was the independant authenticator back in 2001 and since they are essentially nonexistent at this point they told me that Arthur Andersen retains those records, MLB has no access to them and there is no chance that they can ever be updated or verified. The only thing that they can say is that the item is authentic but no additional verification details are available.

This is real, real nice.

[xpress34]

Re: MLB Authentication?

I don't remember exactly when and where, but MLB addressed this issue some time back - in fact, it is why a lot of teams only used the MLB Hologram program instead of their own LOA for a limited time.

The Colorado Rockies used the Hologram program for ONE year (2005) for their Game Used items before going back to team issued LOAs.

Anyway, MLB issued a statement back then that there had been some 'issues' with keeping up with the database and therefore, not all MLB Holograms will actually register in the DB and some may show a different item.

Luckily my 2005 Matt Holliday GU Hat actually registers on the system with the hologram.

I wish I could be more help, but I can pretty much guarantee that you won't find any better info since MLB basically washed their hands of the deal.

All the best -

Chris

[cmw2ward]

Re: MLB Authentication?

Can anyone help me out? Any info would be great!

Thanks

[cmw2ward]

Re: MLB ?

Any idea about how to get the authentication records?

[jgoldstein2000]

Re: MLB Authentication?

A lot of us have this problem.

[cmw2ward]

MLB Authentication?

I recently purchased a Pedro Martinez game used bat. It has an mlb hologram on it (MR-258175). When i enter the hologram number in the website it says "this item appears in the data base" but no additional information is listed.

So I called and e-mailed MLB. Below please find their response. As a collector I am very put off MLB Authentication. I was wondering if anyone else had the same experience.

Thanks


Thanks for the e-mail. The MR hologram is from Deloitte & Touche. From May 2002 through January 2006, the firm of Deloitte & Touche was the exclusive third-party Authenticator for all items under the MLB Authentication Program. As Authenticator, Deloitte was solely responsible for all authentication and data entry of the hologram numbers placed on autographed items and game-used memorabilia. Unfortunately, MLB has no direct access to this data. Please let us know if there is anything else we can help you with.

Thanks for your patience,
MLB Authentication

[David]

Re: MLB authentication question

From my experience, pop up windows are hit and miss. Once it works, the next time it doesn't. Whether its me or my browswer or the websites or pop ups in general, its never clear.