Hey folks,  Ive been looking at the auctions and buy it nows for a powder blue Sidney Crosby Winter Classic jersey on ebay for some time now.  At the Penguins Team Store at Mellon Arena "Pens Station" back when the powder blue jersey was first debuted after the January 2008 Winter Classic, the Sid jersey (replica, no fight strap)was $200 even, which I thought was kind of pricey, but it is what it is.  At any rate, Pens Station also had blank jerseys that were selling for $150, so again, Ive been looking for a better price on ebay.  FYI, these jerseys have been sold out for months now.

So How do you spot a real jersey amongst the fakes? 

You used to be able to goto the Penguins website and their online team store to look at zoomed in photos, but now that the REAL jerseys are all but sold out for months, you have to be careful.  There maybe other places to find a legit up-close photo of the jersey, but it may be tough. ***Updated Info*** The Pens are now wearing the Powder Blue as their 3rd Jersey.  These can be found everywhere from Dick's to the Pens Store to NHL Shop . com.  You can find them.  They are still pricey, but they are what they are.

FYI:  The photo of the jersey that was on the site was being sold for $199.99.  When Zoomed in, you could check the jersey name and number font.  Other indicators are Blue Laces in the front, Reebok Vector stitched on the left sleeve and above name on the upper back, and a Reebok tag with Gray bars on the top and bottom of the tag inside the jersey, and in the midde of the tag, a reebok vector in blue with white background on the left and NHL shield in black and white with a dark blue background on the right.  There is also a separate CCM tag with a canadian flag at the top.

***Updated Info*** In seeing all the fakes at the Igloo, I have noticed one predominant feature.  The Vector on the back, above the player name, is just the stiched vector outline with the box around it on the fabric of the jersey itself.  The real jerseys, the true RBK jerseys, have a stitched vector, but their is a silvery/white background stitching behind it.  There are so many fakes out there now, its crazy.

Please note that Reeebok did not sell ORIGINAL ON ICE JERSEYS to retailers.  They simply were not available.  The ON-ICE jerseys that were worn during the game, IF THEY WERE SOLD, would have had a fight strap and WHITE LACES.  Again, Reebok did NOT sell these jerseys, so lets just say that the legitimacy of the jerseys with white laces and fight straps being sold on Ebay is more than curious.  Fact of the matter is that Reebok only offered the semi-pro jerseys that were either BLANK or had the Crosby 87.  Both had BLUE laces  All other jersey names (Malkin, Letang, Hossa who wasnt even a Penguin yet) were never offered.

Now if you buy a knockoff, this doesnt mean that the ebay seller is selling crap, it just means that if you are looking for the 'real deal', you have to be careful.  Some folks could care less about knockoffs and thats fine, I just thought I would shed some light to those of you who I see bidding WAY TOO MUCH $$$ on the items that in my opinion are not completely authentic.  This advice goes for you bidding on the Winter Classic jersey or any other NHL jersey for that matter.  Check the team site or some other place where you can get a good look at the jersey, so you know what you are bidding on.

And as always, you roll the dice buying overseas.  Again, that doesnt mean you are getting crap, you just may not be getting the 'real deal'.  Remember, the Sidney SEMI-PRO jersey was sold for $200.  If you find one on ebay for $50, just make sure you know what you are getting.  For NHL jerseys, I usually limit my search to North America....BUT, I have also been seing the same questionable jerseys from sellers in North America, who if I had to bet a nickel on, are buying them in bulk from overseas sellers at discount and then selling them again...but that of course is pure speculation

; )

Good Luck