Washing a game used jersey

[G1X]

Re: Washing a game used jersey

With regards to baseball, I can only speak for the two teams that I generally collect, the Giants and Nationals, and a few other team shops I have visited in the past couple of years. I saw very few unwashed baseball jerseys. Most of the Washington Nationals jerseys I observed at their game-used kiosk on various occasions last season appeared to have been laundered by the team, and every Giants jersey I've purchased on line from their game-used shop over the past three years had been laundered by the team. (According to the holograms, some of the jerseys are stated to be game-worn, others team-issued.) The only Nationals jerseys I observed that were unwashed were jerseys from a specific landmark game such as last year's opener.

This raises an interesting question regarding the chain of custody in the MLB authenticating process. Is the hologram applied when the player removes the jersey, or is it applied after the equipment staff has unloaded the jersey from the washing machine or dryer (to be sure it sticks securely)? If anyone has had any first-hand experiences with the MLB authenticating process, please share.

I am also interested to hear from others about the game-used MLB jerseys sold by their favorite team at the gift shop, fan fest, etc. Are most of them washed or unwashed? What about Steiner's Yankees jerseys - are most washed or unwashed?

Mark Hayne
Gridiron Exchange
gixc@verizon.net

[jbean023]

Re: Washing a game used jersey

Esquire yes this does apply to other sports, if you look on ebay for instance and search sold items Miguel Tejada game used you will see a jersey that is beat up pretty good. A clean Tejada wouldnt of brought that kind of money. I have a couple mlb jerseys caked with dirt. Majority of mlb jerseys are taken off right after the game and authenticated without being washed. Hope this helps. And thanks Mulligans finally chimed in i knew you were reading !!

[slab0meat]

Re: Washing a game used jersey

All I'm saying is the jersey has lost value being cleaned or washed by the collector. I wish all this years Hunt SB auction winners would chime in and say yeah if a collector would of washed the Tom Brady jersey i would of spent 24K on the jersey still or the Gronk,Rodgers,etc. Wheres Mulligans in all this? He has what I have seen to be the highest valued modern era football collection. Would you fork out that kind of money if a collector altered a jersey? Also the 2 bears collectors that have the big name player collections. Any game used item that is altered by a collector loses value!! A jersey that sells for 6K at auction and you personally wash the jersey, the value is no longer 6K and if you're honest with collectors saying you washed the jersey, you will never see 6K again.

I don't have that kind of money, so I'll never be in that situation. I also collect to keep, not worry about the value at selling time.

And in my personal situation, what did I physically alter about my game used Spencer? Will it lose value for SOLELY an olfactory change?

[Mulligans]

Re: Washing a game used jersey

Too funny.....whenever this topic comes up, I run for the hills.

Its like talking politics.....my view on Football Jerseys and politics are pretty similar as I am pretty opinionated.....I know I'm going to piss off some people if I share my thoughts on a couple of these posts

I collect Jerseys because they are dirty and beat up and the thought of washing them or freshening them up has really never even crossed my mind??

[esquiresports]

Re: Washing a game used jersey

I'm wondering if the people who strongly prefer/require unwashed jerseys for football feel the same way about baseball, basketball and/or hockey. Almost all the focus has been on football.

I only have baseball jerseys and one racing suit, all of which came clean. Never even thought about it until seeing some of the NFL jerseys. I can see how it's pretty cool to have a game photo of the player wearing your jersey next to the jersey itself, reflecting the same game use. Not sure if this translates well in other sports. It may tie to those jerseys being repeatedly worn and washed in regular use. In baseball, you can get some grass and dirt stains at least, but not sure if this carries the same weight in your eyes.

[jbean023]

Re: Washing a game used jersey

All I'm saying is the jersey has lost value being cleaned or washed by the collector. I wish all this years Hunt SB auction winners would chime in and say yeah if a collector would of washed the Tom Brady jersey i would of spent 24K on the jersey still or the Gronk,Rodgers,etc. Wheres Mulligans in all this? He has what I have seen to be the highest valued modern era football collection. Would you fork out that kind of money if a collector altered a jersey? Also the 2 bears collectors that have the big name player collections. Any game used item that is altered by a collector loses value!! A jersey that sells for 6K at auction and you personally wash the jersey, the value is no longer 6K and if you're honest with collectors saying you washed the jersey, you will never see 6K again.

[G1X]

Re: Washing a game used jersey

I get it.... also remember "washed" does not necessarily mean "cleaned" per se.. as said before, in my case, it got rid of odor, while every stain remained. I examined it very thoroughly.. I'm sure it's not an isolated case.

I should have said washed instead of "cleaned" to clarify.

Mark Hayne
Gridiron Exchange
gixc@verizon.net

[slab0meat]

Re: Washing a game used jersey

I get it.... also remember "washed" does not necessarily mean "cleaned" per se.. as said before, in my case, it got rid of odor, while every stain remained. I examined it very thoroughly.. I'm sure it's not an isolated case.

[G1X]

Re: Washing a game used jersey

On the other hand, if a buyer is someone who *doesn't* want smelly jerseys hanging around, the value doesn't decrease at all. As with many things, it's worth what someone will pay for it.

It all depends on who is interested. In my experiences from the selling side of the fence is that some collectors will buy regardless of whether the jersey was washed as it just does not matter to them. On the other hand, many others wouldn't buy it for any amount of money once it has been cleaned. Being able to obtain unwashed jerseys is a recent development, so while it is appealing to a lot of collectors and perhaps even a requirement for some (I certainly understand the appeal), it is simply not that big of a factor one way or the other for some collectors.

It is all about personal tastes and preferences, and there are many various tastes in this hobby. On a similar note to the "washed" vs "unwashed" debate, one of the biggest surprises I learned when I became more involved as a dealer is that some collectors prefer unused team-issued jerseys or gamers with minimal use. I also discovered that some customers who usually insist on jerseys that show game wear will purchase a mint jersey if it is a particular player, team, style, etc. that they collect, as they would rather have a mint jersey than nothing at all if there are no other options available. There is abolutely nothing wrong with this - I was just surprised to see the interest level as I assumed (wrongly) that jerseys that did not show use would be nearly impossible to sell. When I have made team purchases over the years, I never had enough mint condition jerseys as they always sold well.

Mark Hayne
Gridiron Exchange
gixc@verizon.net

[nevrdiez34]

Re: Washing a game used jersey

On the other hand, if a buyer is someone who *doesn't* want smelly jerseys hanging around, the value doesn't decrease at all. As with many things, it's worth what someone will pay for it.

Perhaps, but at least if you didn't wash the jersey the consumer has that option. Once it's washed it really only appeals to the person that would wash it anyways, you're cutting your target market in half. I agree with many others on this topic in that there are many other options (and just as effective) to removing the smell that washing it away.

[slab0meat]

Re: Washing a game used jersey

JPOP it doesn't matter your belief on if the value decreases on washed jerseys from a home washer, it's proven that the value decreases. Even the collector that washed the 9/11 jersey this thread was started out admits he knew the value would decrease and sold accordingly.

On the other hand, if a buyer is someone who *doesn't* want smelly jerseys hanging around, the value doesn't decrease at all. As with many things, it's worth what someone will pay for it.

[ChrisCavalier]

Re: Washing a game used jersey

Come on, guys, could we please avoid resorting to name calling? It's great to have a lively debate and differences of opinions, but this thread is deteriorating rapidly. When you post, act like the person you are responding to is sitting across the table from you, and your wife and kids, and maybe even you mom is there with you.

Mark Hayne
Gridiron Exchange
gixc@verizon.net

I will echo Mark's comments here. I went back and edited a few of the posts and will happy to edit any others if anyone thinks it necessary.

In addition, please note that posting on the forums requires the observance of the forum rules including:

No Personal Attacks. Do not harass, belittle, threaten or “flame” another member. Do not call other members names, even in jest. You may dispute opinions and facts, but do so with facts and not by taking it to a personal level. This forum is intended to operate in a positive environment. Please help us achieve that goal.

The complete list of forum rules can be found here:

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

Thanks in advance for your compliance.

Sincerely,
Chris

[G1X]

Re: Washing a game used jersey

Come on, guys, could we please avoid resorting to name calling? It's great to have a lively debate and differences of opinions, but this thread is deteriorating rapidly. When you post, act like the person you are responding to is sitting across the table from you, and your wife and kids, and maybe even you mom is there with you.

Mark Hayne
Gridiron Exchange
gixc@verizon.net

[Falcon]

Re: Washing a game used jersey

I'm Not Sure Why Your So Smug You As You Haven't Proved Anything Outside Of The Fact That You Are Extremely Foolish.

For The Collectors Who Collect These Modern Day Football Jersey With Off The Field Wear You Decreased The Value Of That 911 Jersey 50%. Sorry But In My Book Thats Not Funny Its Hubris.

The ONLY Reason I Can See Anyone Washing A Modern Day Football Jersey With Off The Field Wear Regardless Of What You Or Some Of The Other Sheepeople On Here Might Say Is Because You Will Be Walking Around Wearing It Yourself.

Anyone Who Would Wash An "A" Tier Players Modern Day Football Jersey With Off The Field Wear Or Advise Someone To Do Likewise Has No Common Sense Period.

Are u serious? Wasn't trying to prove anything other than the fact that people all have different opinions on this issue, which as I've said is fine. I was simply stating that I hope that he was reading this thread so he could see that there is a way to state your opinion as opposed to the emails he sent me. And if I'm foolish for not wanting a smelly jersey displayed in my house with my 4 ad 8 year old sons than I hope you're not a dad. And for the record, I do own 3 higher end jerseys that I won't wash to retain their value but I keep them in sealed plastic bags far away from my kids.

Please don't concern yourself with what I do with my hard earned money and my purchases.

[jbean023]

Re: Washing a game used jersey

Lol!!