Grey flannel auctions! What is up?!

[esquiresports]

Re: Grey flannel auctions! What is up?!

I can only speak from my limited personal experience, but everything has been very positive for me (buy side only). In their December auction, the price for an item started getting out of my comfort level based on the detail I could see in the photo. This was for a nice-conidition game item, and it was difficult to gauge wear/coloring. I called up GF very late in the evening. They went and got the lot and discussed the item with me in detail. I really appreciated that. What I didn't appreciate was getting outbid at 4:00 am PT the next day and waking up a loser. Hah! Couldn't believe the auction remained open so long. Literal case of "you snooze, you lose."

[Mulligans]

Re: Grey flannel auctions! What is up?!

In my example I wasn't saying it was fake. I was just asking them what they used to determine it was real.

Sorry Eric....I wasn't referencing your post. I had a Steve McNair GU Helmet with obvious game use that was purchased from NFL Auctions that was pulled because someone could not find a similar match on the Internet......I didn't sweat it as I would rather have it pulled than become someones cause for concern.

[slats7]

Re: Grey flannel auctions! What is up?!

True. But I'm also saving them the time and aggravation of giving refunds.

If the customer who got ripped off never stumbles upon this forum, they'll be none the wiser. That's what GF's counting on.

[Eric]

Re: Grey flannel auctions! What is up?!

That said, Just because other collectors can't find an appropriate image on Getty does not mean that the item is fake.

In my example I wasn't saying it was fake. I was just asking them what they used to determine it was real.

[Mulligans]

Re: Grey flannel auctions! What is up?!

I have consigned many items with GF over the years....They have always been very up front with me and they have pulled a handful of my items as a result of input from Forum members....In some instances, I felt that their decision wasn't justified at all, but they did not want the negative publicity and Michael thought removing the item would be better for "Goodwill".....I am certainly fine with that.....I would rather try a different venue than get killed in an auction that has negative publicity.....That said, Just because other collectors can't find an appropriate image on Getty does not mean that the item is fake.

[Eric]

Re: Grey flannel auctions! What is up?!

Because with each item they're forced to pull due to your dedicated research, you're costing them money. In short, you're bad for their bottom line.

True. But I'm also saving them the time and aggravation of giving refunds.

[slats7]

Re: Grey flannel auctions! What is up?!

Just throwing it out there

I, along with many others have been banned by Grey Flannel simply for being associated with this forum.

Over the years I purchased many items from them that I was comfortable bidding on and I actually gave them proof that some of the items may not have been as advertised. Guess they didn't appreciate that.

Eric

Because with each item they're forced to pull due to your dedicated research, you're costing them money. In short, you're bad for their bottom line.

[Mulligans]

Re: Grey flannel auctions! What is up?!

Like I said.....not here to cause trouble.....the nice thing about the Forum is that we are all able to share our opinions.....Have you ever considered giving some of the "Good Guys" a second chance?

[Eric]

Re: Grey flannel auctions! What is up?!

My favorite exchange was regarding a Lynn Dickey game used helmet that Grey Flannel was selling. I emailed them and asked what photo they used to authenticate the helmet because I hadn't seen Dickey wear a facemask like the one in their auction. I wasn't saying it was fake. I was just asking what research materials they used.
If they provided a photo, it would only enhance the item's value.
I had asked a question about another Packers item as well. Here's the response. I kept the email.

"On the helmet, have you seen every photo with Dickey there is?

Rich"

It's not up to me to look at every photo of Lynn Dickey. I wasn't selling the item and calling it "game used." It's up to him to defend his item if he wants to take the cash.

Anyway, months later, another forum user started a thread about this same helmet

http://www.gameuseduniverse.com/vb_forum/showthread.php?p=74342

Eric

[Birdbats]

Re: Grey flannel auctions! What is up?!

There was an old clothing guy, Sy Syms, who used to say in every commercial, "An educated consumer is our best customer." Like Eric, I learned first hand that Grey Flannel doesn't like being challenged by educated consumers. Looks like they got tired of educated collectors pointing out errors in their offerings, so they took the easy way out with the language they're now using in their listings. "Our consignor says it's legit. You decide whether he's lying. We're just the middle man making 20 percent on both ends." If you aren't going to do anything beyond marketing, aren't you basically eBay with a glossy catalog? Exactly what value are you adding?

[ChrisCavalier]

Re: Grey flannel auctions! What is up?!

Not to cause trouble here, but isn't that what took place on this great Forum......there are so many great collectors who have been banned from the forum because they are deemed a threat or in many cases overly informed.

Actually Jeff, every person who has ever been banned from this forum has been banned for rule violations. They were never arbitrary decisions. They were all done after the moderators discussed the situations and the bannings were deemed appropriate. Here is a link to the forum rules for your information:

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

I am not sure where you are getting your information but I am guessing it is from banned members who will, of course, say they were banned for no reason. However, every banning was substantiated by rule violations and were done for the purpose of protecting the integrity and positive environment of this forum for our members.

Sincerely,
Chris

[Mulligans]

Re: Grey flannel auctions! What is up?!

I find this to be an incredibly strange business practice. This forum has what I believe to be the most informed, passionate and judging by some of the collections that get posted on here biggest spenders in the hobby. So a business would actually go out of their way to make sure these hobbyists could never become a customer of theirs because they are deemed a threat or worse yet overly informed!? I understand there is probably more to some of the stories as to why someone is not allowed to bid with GFA but if a post here can get you banned there.... I find that bewildering.

Not to cause trouble here, but isn't that what took place on this great Forum......there are so many great collectors who have been banned from the forum because they are deemed a threat or in many cases overly informed.

[Wrigley2010]

Re: Grey flannel auctions! What is up?!

Everyone who is logged in can be looked up in the link above marked Hobby Network on the top of each page. You click on this link and look up a user id and their name shows up:

Thanks Joel, I had no idea that information was that readily available.

Just throwing it out there

I, along with many others have been banned by Grey Flannel simply for being associated with this forum.

Over the years I purchased many items from them that I was comfortable bidding on and I actually gave them proof that some of the items may not have been as advertised. Guess they didn't appreciate that.

Eric

I find this to be an incredibly strange business practice. This forum has what I believe to be the most informed, passionate and judging by some of the collections that get posted on here biggest spenders in the hobby. So a business would actually go out of their way to make sure these hobbyists could never become a customer of theirs because they are deemed a threat or worse yet overly informed!? I understand there is probably more to some of the stories as to why someone is not allowed to bid with GFA but if a post here can get you banned there.... I find that bewildering.

[Eric]

Re: Grey flannel auctions! What is up?!

Just throwing it out there

I, along with many others have been banned by Grey Flannel simply for being associated with this forum.

Over the years I purchased many items from them that I was comfortable bidding on and I actually gave them proof that some of the items may not have been as advertised. Guess they didn't appreciate that.

Eric

[hairyangryfella]

Re: Grey flannel auctions! What is up?!

I have had mixed dealings with Grey Flannel items.

1) I bought my Shaq jersey from ebay with GFA LOA. I can't photomatch it, but I'm pretty convinced by it, especially with the amount of sweat staining on it!

2) I bid on a Rondo jersey from their auction once but after doing a bit more research (I was new to the hobby and photomatching) I determined that the logo on the back was not in the same place as in the game, so it couldn't be that jersey (thus, the LOA was wrong and it could be fake) so I informed them about it. I am subsequently banned from their auctions.

3) The Garnett recently in SCP auctions came with a Grey Flannel LOA - and I photomatched that item and believe it was 100% real.


I've browsed their upcoming auctions and because of all the vague statements and complete lack of any kind of proof, I wouldn't be confident buying any of the basketball jerseys. They could all be real, but there doesn't seem much behind them to suggest that they are other than an opinion of some use.