Arrest at the National?

[mickeymbz]

Re: Arrest at the National?

Unindicted co-conspirator?

why is anyone even using and paying lampson for his tarnished BS LOA's at the present???? do people actually still hold value to his LOA's?

[ziggy]

Re: Arrest at the National?

why is anyone even using and paying lampson for his tarnished BS LOA's at the present???? do people actually still hold value to his LOA's?

No, probably devalues the item

[nickacs]

Re: Arrest at the National?

No, probably devalues the item

Exactly.... ANY auction/Ebay/personal collection item I see for sale with one, it's bye bye sale! LMAO.. Run and stay far, far away my friends

[MSpecht]

Re: Arrest at the National?

"If customers independently learned the jerseys were fake and returned them, Jensen allegedly re-auctioned them, authorities said."


The MO above seems to be at the heart of the matter. Over the years, various collectors have complained that, when overwhelming evidence was presented that an item either purchased or won at auction from Vintage Authentics was non-authentic, Jensen would initially offer to put it in an upcoming VA auction and assist (hope) the original purchaser would get their money (or some part of it) back. Of course, the second time around, there would be no mention of any "issues" with the "authenticated" item. On occasion, when under pressure, the original buyer would get a refund, the non-authentic item would again show up in a future auction, again with no discussion of "issues." It looks like they went to the well one too many times (or took on the wrong collector who decided to not let the matter drop. Depending on the amount of additional resources the U.S. Postal Inspectors Service decides to devote to this prosecution, we may be seeing just the tip of the iceberg. It will also be interesting to see how the "We trusted our authenticator" defense plays out.

http://www.gameuseduniverse.com/vb_forum/search.php?searchid=904906

Mike jackitout7@aol.com

[frikativ54]

Re: Arrest at the National?

Interesting article from the NY Daily News; check out the picture of Jensen being escorted away.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/iteam/2011/08/04/2011-08-04_steve_jensen_arrested_for_selling_fake_memorabilia_phony_jerseys_of_alex_rodrigu.html

Only thing is that I couldn't access the court papers. Is the link to them working for anybody else?

Here are also some arrest photos; I can't wait to hear more firsthand testimony from people at the National.

[ivo610]

Re: Arrest at the National?

Things like this are very very good for the Hobby.

Just wonder if those auction catalogs are going to be half size from now on...

[RJB44]

A player's claim....

So what happens when a collector pays thousands of dollars for an original game used jersey (authenticated), only to have the player claim it wasn't one of his jerseys - or in the case of Albert Pujols, makes a claim that they themselves have the only jerseys issued (for a given year).

[gingi79]

Re: A player's claim....

So what happens when a collector pays thousands of dollars for an original game used jersey (authenticated), only to have the player claim it wasn't one of his jerseys - or in the case of Albert Pujols, makes a claim that they themselves have the only jerseys issued (for a given year).

Am I alone in thinking that purchasing or owning a Pujols jersey, specifically 2002, now comes with an almost irreversible doubt cloud? I have always wanted one but barring it has multiple photomatchs, MLB certification, a DNA swab of hair and matching blood stain with corresponding CSI documents and was taken off Albert's back and handed to you personally, I'll pass thanks.

[David]

Re: Arrest at the National?

I should note that most to all consignment auction houses won't accept a return, particularly much later, unless they agree there is a major problem in authenticity, condition and/or lot description. They aren't going to accept a return if there is nothing wrong with the item and/or auction description. If they feel there is nothing wrong with the item, they won't take it back.

[sammy]

Re: Arrest at the National?

....hence, no credit cards accepted.

[sox83cubs84]

Re: Arrest at the National?

why is anyone even using and paying lampson for his tarnished BS LOA's at the present???? do people actually still hold value to his LOA's?

Not certain, but working cheaply and giving a thumbs up to just about anything he's shown are two possibilities.

Dave Miedema

[Birdbats]

Re: A player's claim....

Am I alone in thinking that purchasing or owning a Pujols jersey, specifically 2002, now comes with an almost irreversible doubt cloud? I have always wanted one but barring it has multiple photomatchs, MLB certification, a DNA swab of hair and matching blood stain with corresponding CSI documents and was taken off Albert's back and handed to you personally, I'll pass thanks.

I've been telling collectors for years to be careful when considering Pujols jerseys because, while I've never been in Albert's closet, I know someone who has. He's seen the stack of gamers Albert has. Albert keeps most of his jerseys. Thus, the supply and demand issues. But, in the past month, I've seen four legit Pujols jerseys on the market. Hunt had two (2003 road and 2005 home) in its ASG auction. There was a 2011 home jersey sold on eBay that originated from a Koman Foundation raffle. And there was a 2006 spring training home shirt on eBay. Legit jerseys can be had. They're few and far between, but they're out there. So, don't give up. You may not find a hammered, regular-season gamer. But one-game-use jerseys, spring training shirts and other charity-auctioned jerseys do pop up. Just do your homework and make sure the provenance is rock solid.

[scottanservitz]

Re: Arrest at the National?

Hello fellow members. I just got back from the National and I just happened to watch this whole thing go down. I was innocently strolling the floors when I saw the postal police come in and walking in a fast and determined pace. As the interested person that I am I had to follow. The inspectors got to Jensen's booth and since there were about 8-10 of them he knew he was in some trouble. They patted him down, went through his wallet and cuffed him. At this point it became obvious to me why my wife and I never miss an episode of Cops! Well they read Jensen his Miranda Rights and escorted off. Now at this time there was a buzz in the room and people were asking what the heck was going on. The dealer that was next to VA's booth told me that apparently he sold and mailed fraudulent merchandise. I assume he heard the Postals telling Jensen the reason. All I can say is that it was a very surreal and kind of disheartening ordeal to me. I've sold to Steve before back at the Atlantic City show some years back and he was very cordial and interesting to me back then. Believe me, I don't know the specifics of this situation, but if he is proven guilty and is in fact guilty, I just can't feel sorry for him. If he isn't proven guilty, I think that this will somewhat tarnish his reputation. In the end though, I am glad that there are people trying to clean up our hobby and make it a better place for us as collectors! I truly enjoy this hobby and deep down kind of doubt that this is not the last time something like this is going to happen. Hope this doesn't get too long winded but thought you guys wanted a first hand perspective on what went down.

Scott

On a positive note, this was the best National I've attended in terms of game used that I've attended! And I picked up a gem that I will share in another thread. Also stopped by GUU's booth and had a nice chat with a gentleman there! Props to them!

[Birdbats]

Re: Arrest at the National?

Again, I request any info to definitely establish that my 2002 road Pujois is not good.

The first things I examine on a 2002 Cardinals jersey are the memorial patches. You can tell the ones that were sewn on by the pros at Liebe Athletic Lettering and the ones that were attached by amateurs. Compare the patches on your jersey to these photos and determine if yours is closer to the high-quality, tightly stitched patches or the lesser-quality, looser-stitched patches. Note the differences in how the letters are embroidered. Also note that the patches on real jerseys are ironed on before they're sewn, resulting in the letters appearing almost 3D inside the sleeve.



Could be a minor point, but the set/year flags on every legit 2002 Cards jersey I've seen is sewn flush right with the Majestic tag.

[Birdbats]

Re: Arrest at the National?

Here's a thread about my one encounter with VA. They didn't agree with me at first, but they eventually pulled the jersey.

http://www.gameuseduniverse.com/vb_forum/showthread.php?t=34901&highlight=1996+ozzie