MEARS Mumbo-Jumbo?

[trsent]

Re: MEARS Mumbo-Jumbo?

All right, I will. I'll assume Troy is either reading this, or that he talks with Dave or Dave every so often, and we know they are reading it. Troy, Dave and Dave weren't responsible for what happened... So, can you offer any enlightenment to the situation?

MEARS doesn't have to read this forum, no one makes any auction house read this forum. I'm sure they know about this discussion, but they do not have to come to this forum to respond.

We do not know who or how much this jacket was bought for. We do not know if they were contacted or if the seller was contacted and reneged on an eBay deal.

I have no reason to contact Troy or Tony over this issue. If anyone, such as Robert wants to contact them personally for an answer, I hope they share it with us.

I just believe that no one is responsible to this forum if they do not wish to reply on here. I would assume they read this thread, but since so many people attacked them over 2-4 past items instead of focusing on this item, after they have authenticated properly how many thousands of items, I can assume they decided not to reply or act through Game Used Universe.

If anyone really cares, I would recommend calling MEARS and asking questions that we are all dying to know the answers to. The phone numbers can be found on the MEARS Auctions web site.

Expecting them to reply on a forum (or possibly even email) is most likely not going to happen. They have their own forum, and if anyone was really concerned I assume they should have posted there from the start unless they just were looking to smear the MEARS name.

They may deserve it on this one, I don't know all the facts but I hope someone finds them.

[Mark17]

Re: MEARS Mumbo-Jumbo?

Who said MEARS is avoiding anything? Has anyone personally contacted Troy or the general staff at MEARS asking questions? MEARS does not have a responsibility to this forum. I assume they know about this thread, but that doesn't mean they read it.

Clearly Dave and Dave are reading it, as they have both responded. In fact, Dave Grob's response includes him making a major decision in how he will manage his involvement with MEARS in the future. So..... you don't think this thread/issue is important enough for other senior MEARS staff to read, or that they don't care about the very informative photos and comments members are offering, regarding the questionability of this item?

Dave Grob has taken personal action and the other Dave has make a statement that I can only assume is true so they are covered, but neither of them work in the office for MEARS as far as I understand, so unless someone calls or emails them with these questions, who knows how they are responding since they do not have an obligation to respond on this forum.

If Dave and Dave felt it was important to respond to this forum, it seems rather cavalier (no pun intended) for the rest of MEARS to ignore it.

It would be nice if they would respond on this forum directly to Robert's findings, or for that matter even on their own forum, but we cannot control what they do from here if we do not contact them personally and I'm not going to do that myself.

Someone should take the lead.

All right, I will. I'll assume Troy is either reading this, or that he talks with Dave or Dave every so often, and we know they are reading it. Troy, Dave and Dave weren't responsible for what happened... So, can you offer any enlightenment to the situation?

[Lokee]

Re: MEARS Mumbo-Jumbo?

This reminds me of those commercials. "Are you sure this parachute is packed correctly?" "Probably"!
"Are you sure this item is legit?" "Probably!"

AWSOME !

[Bravesfan]

Re: MEARS Mumbo-Jumbo?

This reminds me of those commercials. "Are you sure this parachute is packed correctly?" "Probably"!
"Are you sure this item is legit?" "Probably!"

[trsent]

Re: MEARS Mumbo-Jumbo?

["Thousands of authentications and then a couple of mistakes and people come on here and act as if it is the norm for them."

I don't think anyone is saying this is the norm for them. But the mistakes that have been brought up here have been monstrous money-grabs that fly in the face of everything they purport to stand for.



"Also, this industry isn't perfect with authentication, but MEARS has always stood behind their decisions even if they have not replied to this one, I do not know if anyone has attempted to contact them over it."

Please refresh my memory on their response over the Jim Brown jersey. I seem to recall them avoiding that one, too.


Ken
earlywynnfan5@hotmail.com

Ken, I do not know all the history about a Jim Brown jersey. You should email or call MEARS and ask if you really want to know. How come I should know the answer?

I just know the same 2-4 items there have been issues with keep getting brought up over and over again. They have thousands upon thousands of quality authentication, and a guy makes a comment asking how comfortable they should be with their authentication and you say no one is questioning if this is the norm.

Who said MEARS is avoiding anything? Has anyone personally contacted Troy or the general staff at MEARS asking questions? MEARS does not have a responsibility to this forum. I assume they know about this thread, but that doesn't mean they read it.

Dave Grob has taken personal action and the other Dave has make a statement that I can only assume is true so they are covered, but neither of them work in the office for MEARS as far as I understand, so unless someone calls or emails them with these questions, who knows how they are responding since they do not have an obligation to respond on this forum.

It would be nice if they would respond on this forum directly to Robert's findings, or for that matter even on their own forum, but we cannot control what they do from here if we do not contact them personally and I'm not going to do that myself.

Someone should take the lead.

[earlywynnfan]

Re: MEARS Mumbo-Jumbo?

["Thousands of authentications and then a couple of mistakes and people come on here and act as if it is the norm for them."

I don't think anyone is saying this is the norm for them. But the mistakes that have been brought up here have been monstrous money-grabs that fly in the face of everything they purport to stand for.



"Also, this industry isn't perfect with authentication, but MEARS has always stood behind their decisions even if they have not replied to this one, I do not know if anyone has attempted to contact them over it."

Please refresh my memory on their response over the Jim Brown jersey. I seem to recall them avoiding that one, too.


Ken
earlywynnfan5@hotmail.com

[WadeInBmore]

Re: MEARS Mumbo-Jumbo?

I think there is always going to be the good and the bad. Authenticators are not perfect though we all would like to think that they are. At the end of the day it is still just a piece of paper with someones opinion on it. As long as you are happy with the item, then that's all that matters at the end of the day. This thread started because Mears swooped in and stole an item right out from under someone...it's not the first time someone has used cash money to get what they wanted in this hobby. My two cents for what its worth.

Wade

[trsent]

Re: MEARS Mumbo-Jumbo?

Wow amazing stuff. How comfortable should we be with Mears loa's? Why would someone pay these guys for opinions on items when you see things like this happen.

They are currently the only company I believe authenticating game used memorabilia (other than other bat authenticators) and their work is almost always perfect. Thousands of authentications and then a couple of mistakes and people come on here and act as if it is the norm for them.

MEARS has a great industry record, and there are unanswered questions about this jacket that I do not know if anyone from MEARS has actually addressed because maybe they have not been contacted or maybe they feel attacked over the issues - I don't know. I never asked them, I just saw the posts on this forum.

Also, this industry isn't perfect with authentication, but MEARS has always stood behind their decisions even if they have not replied to this one, I do not know if anyone has attempted to contact them over it.

----

On another note, interesting to see that the rumors have been denied about who bought this jersey off eBay. Bravo Chris to edit the forum to remove speculations or rumors.

The facts that Robert has shown is really enough evidence that hopefully MEARS responds to if someone contacts them over it personally.

[yankees159]

Re: MEARS Mumbo-Jumbo?

Wow amazing stuff. How comfortable should we be with Mears loa's? Why would someone pay these guys for opinions on items when you see things like this happen.

[ChrisCavalier]

Re: MEARS Mumbo-Jumbo?

Chris,

What protocol is this? Does this mean that Lou Lampson, for example, can get in contact with you and have all threads discussing his authentications removed by claiming that they are inaccurate? I don't know what the purpose is of a forum like this if it can't objectively vet items or the involvement with them that entities have (such involvement making their claims inherently subjective).

Awaiting your response, I'll refrain from voicing judegement concerning your move.

Hello Luc,

Thank you for your post and I will be happy to clarify. We have created rules for the forum which can be found here:

http://www.gameuseduniverse.com/vb_forum/showthread.php?t=99

Rule #16 states:

In instances where a forum member is identifying an item in the hobby they believe to have issues, the poster should clearly state their findings in the form of an opinion and provide adequate rationale for why they believe there is an issue. When possible, we recommend that the poster questioning an item attempt to contact the seller of the item and allow at least 24 hours for the seller to reply before posting. This will prevent postings that may be generated based on misunderstandings of an item. In addition, while this forum is designed to help educate collectors, we will not allow comments that accuse entities in the hobby of participating in any form of criminal wrong-doing. Any posts suggesting criminal wrong-doing should be brought to the attention of the moderators immediately.

While GUU certainly cannot know everything concerning claims that are made on the site, nor are we mediators, if there is something posted that is clearly inaccurate, we will do what we can to remove or edit the posts to remove inaccuracies. In this instance, we were contacted and told by Dave Bushing that he had no involvement whatsoever with the transaction. While we were not privy to the transaction, we find no reason to doubt his word. As such, that part of the post was removed. If evidence can be presented otherwise that would be something to consider. Absent that, it is consistent with policy to remove his name. This is not the first time this has been done. There have been many other instances where posts have been deleted or edited to remove claims that lacked substantiation.

Again, while we are not privy to everything that happens in the hobby and there is often no way for us to know one way or another what really happened, we will act on any posts where we are contacted by someone feels they have been inaccurately represented unless proof can be provided otherwise. Further, in this instance, as noted in the thread, the original poster agreed to remove Dave's name from the post.

Please let me know if that answers your question.

-Chris

[LWMM]

Re: MEARS Mumbo-Jumbo?

Dave Bushing did contact GUU as well stating he had no involvement whatsoever with the Maravich jersey. As such, as per GUU protocol, his name was removed from the posts right after he contacted us.

If there is anything else Dave Bushing or anyone else at mears feels is incorrect, they can feel free to contact us and GUU will remove or edit anything that might be inaccurate.

-Chris

Chris,

What protocol is this? Does this mean that Lou Lampson, for example, can get in contact with you and have all threads discussing his authentications removed by claiming that they are inaccurate? I don't know what the purpose is of a forum like this if it can't objectively vet items or the involvement with them that entities have (such involvement making their claims inherently subjective).

Awaiting your response, I'll refrain from voicing judegement concerning your move.

[ChrisCavalier]

Re: MEARS Mumbo-Jumbo?

Dave Bushing did contact GUU as well stating he had no involvement whatsoever with the Maravich jersey. As such, as per GUU protocol, his name was removed from the posts right after he contacted us.

If there is anything else Dave Bushing or anyone else at mears feels is incorrect, they can feel free to contact us and GUU will remove or edit anything that might be inaccurate.

-Chris

[aeneas01]

Re: MEARS Mumbo-Jumbo?

for the record, while mears did indeed purchase the ebay jersey, dave bushing has contacted me to say that he was not involved in the transaction - as such i've asked chris cavalier to remove dave's name from my posts and replace it with mears.

...

[aeneas01]

Re: MEARS Mumbo-Jumbo?

Once again, I find Dave Grob a person I'd feel completely comfortable doing business with. Ken
earlywynnfan5@hotmail.com

i agree 100% ken.

A bit more mumbo jumbo with the hand in the cookie jar, but it's nice to see Mears take some responsibility for the jacket. That post doesn't address what happened in the Mears auction, however, notably whether an unaffiliated party purchased it (and presumably had the sale canceled) or Mears threw in the high bid.

did mears take some responsibility for the jacket? i don't think so. seems to me that grob, mears' policy guy, simply felt that he had to say something about this mess, which was that it's indefensible, but the guys that run mears have said nothing. as far as mears' auction is concerned, did mears win the jacket back? if they i don't know how they could admit as much given they've said numerous times that they don't bid in their own auctions.

None of these five points guarantee that this is a prototype. I'm not saying that. What I am saying is that in my opinion, this item favors being a prototype. Isn't that the most likely choice? Instead of making the leap of faith that this style was actually worn by the team -- with no real evidence to prove it -- can't we make the more logical assumption that this was one style that was considered, but ultimately not chosen?

i think a prototype makes sense, but so do many other possibilities including it simply being a vintage warm-up jacket that someone made into a maravich/jazz jacket. heck, the green in the jacket doesn't even match the green in the jazz's uniform (perhaps it's faded?). whatever the case, i don't know how anyone could conclusively determine that it was a prototype, let alone authenticate it as a prototype, without any sort of supporting info...

so i'm wondering, did maravich even sport a jersey or warm-up with "maravich" on the back during his first year with the jazz? does mears even have proof of this?



...

[trsent]

Re: MEARS Mumbo-Jumbo?

Since MEARS owned the jacket, I wonder if the winning bidder was still charged a "Buyer's Premium"?

Imagine selling an item on eBay and then telling the winning bidder they had to add another 20% to their final price.

Just an opinion

Jim

MEARS charges 15% on all items to the buyer. They own most of the items in their auction I believe and they charge this premium on all items.

Most all independent auction houses charge a buyer's premium, MEARS is more reasonable than most. eBay is a special operation that it is illegal to charge premiums on, unless I believe, you are working with eBay Live which I do not know if they still even exist.

Comparing eBay to any other auction house in the memorabilia business is not realistic. I personally would love to see the memorabilia auction houses work on lowering buyer's premiums since it is a tool that has taken advantage of the public for years and years but I don't see it going away.

The original concept of the premium was for the auction houses to cover costs since most items were to be consignments. Too many auction houses now own their own items and still charge the premium which defeats the purpose, but good luck getting this to change.