Take A Few Simple Steps When Buying Autogaphed Sports Memorabilia!

When bidding or buying autographed sports memorabilia on Ebay or any other internet marketplace, take a few simple steps to check out the authenticity of an article you are buying to protect yourself against purchasing a "fake" or "forged" article.

First, if the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. You WILL NOT buy an authentic Peyton Manning autographed jersey ANYWHERE for $49.99. Top athletes usually have a contract with companies such as Tri-Star, Steiner, or Global to conduct autograph sessions. If someone claims to have an article signed by a top athlete that was conducted at a "private" signing, this is usually a red flag. Use common sense when purchasing items that have benn signed by top athletes. MANY retired athletes however, have no contracts to sign with anyone, and conduct signings themselves acting as their own agent. Articles from these athletes can be obtained VERY reasonably as their signing fees are usually low. This is how alot of retired athletes earn their income now that their "PAYDAY" from professional sports is over.

Check out the background information of the autograph signing location, date, etc. EVERY public and MOST private signings are listed on signingshotline as a way to promote and authenticate the signing session. ALWAYS check signingshotline's website to verfy that the athlete was actually AT the signing on the date that the seller says the session took place. If this information is not listed by the seller, ASK questions. If the seller cannot answer the questions, DO NOT BUY THE ITEM. I know that I can tell you WHEN and WHERE EVERY item I sell was autographed. I usually do not buy items that I am not familiar with the dealer who conducted the signing. I NEVER resell items that I have purchased over the internet for fear that I may pass on a "fake". There are a "select" few dealers that I will purchase from and issue my own Certificate Of Authenticity for the item. I can count these dealers on half of one hand!

CERTIFICATES OF AUTHENTICITY - This is where it becomes important for you to do your research. First, let me say, I have purchased some items for myself in the past that I know are authentic, but the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) sure would not have supported a good feeling of the item being authentic. This is what EVERY COA should include at the VERY LEAST; The name AND address of the company or person guaranteeing the authenticity, a desription of the article, the date and location of when it was signed, and a signature of the person guaranteeing the article. It is advisable to make sure you are getting a LIFETIME GUARANTEE of the authenticity. Without this, if you should sell or give the item o someone, the COA becomes worthless. A reputable dealer will guarantee the authenticity FOR LIFE. If they are guaranteeing it once, they should guarantee it for LIFE, right? COA's may or may not have a picture of the athlete signing the item. It is always a bonus if the COA includes this, but sometimes due to time constraints (I know from experience this happens at some of my sessions) there simply is not enough time to photograph the athlete signing EVERY piece (They sign quickly and you have to move your items out of the way for the next piece). It is an acceptable practice for dealers to take a "blanket" photo of ALL of their pieces and the athlete signing one of them. One thing I like to do if at all possible and allowed by the athlete/promoter is to take along my free standing table sign with the name and web address of my company, and include it on the photo. This proves that the items being signed are for ME AND I ws actually present at the signing.

Autographed trading cards are probably the MOST sold and TRADED autographed item on the internet. They are obtained a number of ways. First, the trading card company will contract the athlete to either sign a sticker which is then placed on the card, or to sign the actual card. The card company then usually prints a COA on the reverse of the card. Another method of obtaining signed trading cards is from mail requests. I can tell you from experience, it takes time, LOTS OF POSTAGE, and patience to mail off trading cards to athletes and WAIT for them to return. However, this is a GREAT and LOW-COST way to amass an autograph collection. It has been my experience that the odds are about 1:4 for having your card returned signed. Also, it may take more than a YEAR to get your cards back. One important tip: DO NOT send a valuable card in a mail request as you may NEVER see it again! As far as authenticity goes, I have NO PROBLEM issuing a COA for a card that I mailed to an athlete and received back signed. This is the next bext thing to have been at a session with the athlete. There are a TON of websites that will sell you addresses for current and former athletes. Make sure you are buying TESTED addresses with successful mailings within the past few months.

Having followed all of these simple steps, you should be able to purchase QUALITY, AUTHENTIC autographed memorabilia at affordable prices on the internet marketplace. There are even a few companies out there that will give you a "free" opinion of the authenticity if an item if you contact them within 48 hours of the auction ending.

Happy collecting!! I hope this guide has hepled someone to avoid being "burned" on fake autographs!