Behind the scenes at AMI

[kingjammy24]

have come across what appears to be tony giese's myspace page www.myspace.com/13130631 (giese is an AMI employee) and noticed some peculiar photos:




could giese and his friend be wearing this warm-up:

http://www.americanmemorabilia.com/Auction_Item.asp?Auction_ID=34318

and fooling around with this bat:

http://www.americanmemorabilia.com/Auction_Item.asp?Auction_ID=33655

rudy.

[89ASMVPBats]

Re: Behind the scenes at AMI

Rudy,

Nice Magnum PI work. It seems that the catalog photo shoots are indeed representative of the culture at AMI. Disappointing to say the least.

Drew

[hblakewolf]

Re: Behind the scenes at AMI

Rudy-

Words simply can't describe this post.

Combined with the previous American Memorabila post describing and including photos of individuals wearing upcoming auction lots including vintage flannels while playing basektball, this further confirms my decison to avoid consigning or bidding with them. Legit game wear is one thing, however, wear or possible damage associated with employee horseplay and clowning around is yet another thing that I'm not too comfortable with.

I'd be hard-pressed to imagine a similar situation being associated with Leland's, Mastro, or Christies.

In my opinion, American Memorabila could not be further from being classified as "professional" if it tried.

Howard Wolf
hblakewolf@patmedia.net

[jon_8_us]

Re: Behind the scenes at AMI

It's obvious that someone from AMI reads these posts as the pictures have been taken down.
jon

[3arod13]

Re: Behind the scenes at AMI

Unbelieveable! I can't believe my eyes. Words can't describe how this discusts me.

[kylehess10]

Re: Behind the scenes at AMI

I recieved a response from the guy on myspace:


"Kyle,

I have not worked at AMI since February of 07' shortly after those pictures were taken. Second. I do not believe those are the items you listed as being in the current auction. From my days at AMI I worked mostly on writing the entertainment items. All of the material that we handled (while I was employed there) was handled with care. You could easily go by the office and see, as many people did. As for the items we wore. I do believe they were seen as no good and/or were being sent back to a consignor. Seeing as I also helped out in shipping. As you know, in the industry there are a lot of similar and fake items that go through the whole market. While I was there, everything that was autographed and everything that was game-worn/used was authenticated separately. Anything that failed was sent back to the consignor.

All that being said, I don't work there and really have nothing to gain or loose from this. While I was there, all we had were mannequins that the items were slipped onto and photographed. If you look at the photos, and you see the white tags on the items, There are no stars or green stickers or any stamps on them. Those are normal indicators that the items are real/authentic or what have you. That is all I can really tell you. From what I remember they were bad items and were being sent back, which why I was even handling them (I rarely wrote a sports item).

As for "models" and such wearing the items. I wasn't there when that began and I too think its an amateurish
thing to do. If the item was "photoshopped" on then maybe that would be cool. Or even just an autographed replica and so forth. But Game used stuff worth thousands... not a smart thing to do, then again I am not a hardcore collector but I wouldn't care too much as long as it was still in optimal condition.

I hope that answers your questions. Feel free to ask more. I don't care if you share my letter with everyone. Like I said, I have nothing to loose or gain. As for the staff (a majority at least) they are decent and good people working in a field they love and treat all items as if they were in their own collection. If you have problems or suggestions, just call them. They usually are willing to talk to people. Rather than just talk about it on some board where people are already pissed off about one thing or another won't accomplish much. If enough people call and ask, then maybe they will change their policy.

-Johnny Crow
Former Employee of A.M.I."

[harpt]

Re: Behind the scenes at AMI

Hey guys, I have heard you all say a lot of things about AMI and to tell you the truth, they may all be true (I have no idea). I do know, however, that Tony Giese is as good as it gets in this hobby and--more importantly--as a person.

Whether or not any of you do business with AMI, I honestly could not care less. I have no business connection to them whatsoever. I do know Tony though. Whether he screwed around with a game used baseball bat or not, any of us would be lucky to have him as a friend.

Scott Harpt
scott_harpt at yahoo dot com

[3arod13]

Re: Behind the scenes at AMI

I find it so odd that with all the negativity about dishonest people in the hobby, why many don't go out of their way to ensure they don't do anything to question their trust and integrity.

I would think those who do, their business would thrive.

[RyanZimmerman11]

Re: Behind the scenes at AMI

Looks like I found my first place I will NEVER buy from.


Thanks for the read...it was disturbing to see what people do behind the scenes, but neccessary I suppose.


Thanks again,
Jay

[kingjammy24]

Re: Behind the scenes at AMI

re: johnny crow and the pujols bat

"From what I remember they were bad items and were being sent back, which why I was even handling them"

the bat in giese's photo is the same bat that is shown as having sold for over $2700 here:

http://www.americanmemorabilia.com/Auction_Item.asp?Auction_ID=33655

re: the pujols warmup that johnny crow stretched out nicely

the myspace pics were posted jan 3, 2007. in feb 2007, they sold this pujols warmup:

http://www.americanmemorabilia.com/Auction_Item.asp?Auction_ID=34318

how many identical pujols warmups were lying around for 1 auction?

lastly, even if these items were being sent back, how is that somehow an excuse to mistreat them? if AMI feels your item is bad, it's justified in having some fun with them in the back room? if they don't pass your jersey, then it's no excuse to stretch it over some portly guy while he and his frat pal engage in some juvenile hijinks. did AMI let the consigners know that, although they felt the items weren't good, they were going to have a little fun and possibly damage them?

i don't know tony giese. maybe he's a nice guy to have a beer with but after seeing these pics, i wouldn't want him anywhere near my game used items. imagine sending your most treasured pieces to an auction house and having the employees use them as toys.

i concur with howard on this one. "class" and "professionalism" are the furthest things from my mind when i think of ami. whether the items were being sent back or not, the pics say it all. toss in their use of lampson and you've got nothing more than a room full of clowns. dave o'brien, you seem like a decent enough guy. how did you ever get mixed up in that dog-and-pony show?

rudy.

[JackHE]

Re: Behind the scenes at AMI

I took myself off their mailing list a couple years ago - with each day that seems like a smarter and smarter decision.