NFL Game Used Collecting is in trouble

[Utopian2630]

Re: NFL Game Used Collecting is in trouble

http://cgi.ebay.com/1999-WASHINGTON-REDSKINS-TEAM-GAME-ISSUED-HOME-JERSEY_W0QQitemZ330050580886QQihZ014QQcategoryZ86829QQcmdZViewItem

I wonder if things like this can explain the number of questionable NFL game used jerseys popping up on the market?

[gatorcollector]

Re: NFL Game Used Collecting is in trouble

I agree that there are serious issues in the hobby, but I feel like my specialization insulates me (not 100%) from a lot of the danger of fake jerseys. I collect game worn jerseys of former Florida Gators. I know there are fake Emmitts out there, probably some Jevon Kearse and Fred Taylor too. I can't afford them anyway, so I don't have to worry about buying a fake.
The ones I do buy are primarily the commons. Guys like Ernie Mills, Tony McCoy, Godfrey Myles, Jason Odom, etc. Let's be honest - who's going to take the time to fake a jersey of one of those guys? Which brings me to my question - is that a naive point of view? Realistically, should I be worried about possibly buying a fake of someone like Bobby McCray (Jags DE) or Cooper Carlisle (Broncos OL)?

[Eric]

Re: NFL Game Used Collecting is in trouble

http://cgi.ebay.com/1999-WASHINGTON-...QQcmdZViewItem


I wonder if things like this can explain the number of questionable NFL game used jerseys popping up on the market?

I'd say there's an 87% chance that the redskins jersey you point out here will surface in a future auction as a Peyton Manning game worn jersey which came from team sources and has typical qb use and no alterations.

[timotswan]

Re: NFL Game Used Collecting is in trouble

To take some of what has been discussed a step fuether on some things I have learned in my short time in the game used collecting arena by getting burned myself and turning to some guys I consider experts in this forum and outside such as Jim Yackel, the game issued you discussed previously, I have learned that game cut ( which are typically isuued from nfl auctions) are even different than game cut. My understanding is game cut is just manufactrued by the manufactuer such as Reebok for nfl auctions where as game issued actually came from the team but just happened to not be used in a game it is ready for game use but for whatever reason never was worn in a game.

To me this is a difference because it would be more like a jereye the player would wear but just never made it into rotation for them to wear in a game, thus to me would actually have a better value than just a game cut, although the argument could be made neither were worn.

PLease correct me if someone knows more regarding this issue.

[timotswan]

Re: NFL Game Used Collecting is in trouble

I need to calrify I meant my understanding is there is a difference between TEAM ISSUED and GAME CUT. Sorry for the confusion.

[timotswan]

Re: NFL Game Used Collecting is in trouble

I feel I also should make clear that without Jim Yackel and others in this forum I would not know nealry as much as I do now. Jim especially, is an honest guy that helps this hobby and has helped me greatly and I thank him for that.

[Eric]

Re: NFL Game Used Collecting is in trouble

Add the Winslow fiasco to this discussion. Personally, I'm having a hard time buying any football unless I know where it's coming from. A sad state of affairs.

Eric

[scottanservitz]

Re: NFL Game Used Collecting is in trouble

Eric,
I totally agree with your assessment on NFL jerseys. I would love to pick up some of the numerous jerseys in auctions or eBay. Unfortunately I will not trust eBay for jerseys unless there is endeniable evidence of where the jersey came from. I am even skeptical about some of the auction houses. It depends on how well they present and prove the item. I own exactly two jerseys. One I have photo matched to Getty photos and a football card that I found. It is 100% matched. The other is tagged with the WETRACK system that some of the teams use for inventory. I believe it is PROVOTRACK now, but I could be mistaken. I know the jersey is real and from the team. Anyhow, I agree that if somebody wants to collect NFL pieces that they need to be very leary and do as much research as possible. There are reputable dealers that stand behind what they sell. There is NFL auctions, but even they have made mistakes. I think there are steps that the NFL can take as has been mentioned to better track their equipment. For the money some of these things are bringing in it is a must to help the hobby be a safer place to the collector. I hope something is done in the near future. Until then many a collector is going to spend big $ on worthless jerseys, helmets etc.

Scott

[jayt1234]

Example: Reggie Bush

If there is a rookie in the NFL how many game used jersey's could there be? I would think fewer than 10. The have been a ton of solicitations for game used for him but I just cannot imagine him using nearly as many that have been on sale out there. In fact there was a huge amount of his gold and black Adidas cleats out there as well, but fortunatley they were being sold only as issued and not game used. I would think the cleats below are legit considering you could not buy them, but who knows.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=008&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=180092046713&rd=1&rd=1

Jay T

[beavisrules]

Re: NFL Game Used Collecting is in trouble

I pretty much avoid most recent NFL jerseys (2004 to present) and any star jerseys because of the number of fakes available (I have seen an incredible number of "game issued" Manning jerseys on ebay), unless I buy it from a trusted source (like Jim Yackel or such). I collect more of the "common" players from the 1990s/early 2000s, because they are typically more affordable, and no one has as much of an incentive to fake them as such.

I haven't had nearly the trouble with college (Notre Dame) jerseys that people have had with NFL jerseys, but there have been several fakes or misrepresented jerseys on ebay over the years on these as well. Of course, it's easy for me to spot them, but not for the casual buyer/shopper. There was one last month that was "game worn" from the 90s - too bad it had sewn on numbers instead of screened, making it an obvious manufactured fake by someone who didn't do their homework.

Bottom line - it pays to do your research no matter what you are buying (or selling).

-beavisrules
always interested in Notre Dame memorabilia

[Eric]

Re: NFL Game Used Collecting is in trouble

Chris Nerat writes about this topic and has a solution in his Gavel Chat column.

http://gavelchat.sportscollectorsdigest.com/PermaLink,guid,6ba4a17b-1842-4948-abe0-a88fdf7590ec.aspx

I think his points are valid. I too am tired of people getting fooled by "light use" on jerseys that should show evidence of game use.

Eric