Need help with a counterfeit

MinorLeaguer

I bought a modern card in a PSA holder on ebay that I already own a few examples of. I compared the one I received to the ones I already own and the stock on the back of the card received is too-white and the copyright font is wayyyyy off and subtle differences in the font on front on close inspection. My others were bought by me in complete team sets closer to when issued in the late 80's and submitted to PSA by me so I know they are correct. What would be protocol? I haven't contacted the seller yet but you know when I do, he'll claim he didn't know. Anyone else that should be contacted? Suggestions please and thanks!


Also wanted to add that ironically the card was mailed to me in a PSA box, the corregated type that your submissions are sent back to you in after they are graded with the green sticker on top with the small orange circle sticker as well and QC markings.

Ironmanfan

If the card is in a PSA holder, I don't how the seller can be held liable.......Your correspondence should be with Joe Orlando @ PSA and document to him why you think it's a counterfeit and have them make good on it.

IMF

onlyanumber

<< <i>If the card is in a PSA holder, I don't how the seller can be held liable.......Your correspondence should be with Joe Orlando @ PSA and document to him why you think it's a counterfeit and have them make good on it.

IMF >>



Agreed. If this ends up going back to the seller, it stays in the market. If PSA gets it and makes right with it, it leaves the market and helps stop future counterfits from that card making their way into PSA holders...

Foo3112

If you feel unsatisfied with your purchase, then just ask the seller for a refund. Let him know your reason without trying to insult him or place the blame on him.

otwcards

<< <i>I bought a modern card in a PSA holder on ebay that I already own a few examples of. I compared the one I received to the ones I already own and the stock on the back of the card received is too-white and the copyright font is wayyyyy off and subtle differences in the font on front on close inspection. My others were bought by me closer to when issued in the 80's and submitted to PSA by me so I know they are correct. What would be protocol? I haven't contacted the seller yet but you know when I do, he'll claim he didn't know. Anyone else that should be contacted? Suggestions please and thanks!


Also wanted to add that ironically the card was mailed to me in a PSA box, the corregated type that your submissions are sent back to you in after they are graded with the green sticker on top with the small orange circle sticker as well and QC markings. >>



What is the card? Printing and stock variations are not uncommon and are sometimes easily mistaken for counterfeits.

cardcountry

Was the case tampered with? Any chance you could post a picture?

MinorLeaguer

1986 Procards West Palm Beach Randy Johnson. I have many, many, many cards from this production from obvious to be HOFers to light stars to outright commons. They were sold as team sets and not as a complete set. Also, from collecting these, it appears that some team sets were more produced than others Generally it seems AAA produced more than AA more than A. Every single card from this set and the other 1986 team sets I own have the same off-white stock and same copyright font - except for Tom Glavine and the entire greenville braves set where there is no copyright for some reason. The Johnson fake is a pure white stock with its own copyright font. When I get to work this week I'll scan a good one and the fake of the Johnson so we can reference. Other things to look for in a fake Randy Johnson: The sky behind him is purpleish on the fake as well vs lighter blue on the originals. The font on the front of the fake is too thin upon close inspection as well.

MinorLeaguer

<< <i>Was the case tampered with? Any chance you could post a picture? >>



The case looks clean. I'll scan Mon or Tues along with a real one

MinorLeaguer

Heres the auction btw. Johnson reprint

I sent a straight forward non-acusatory note to the seller and will await his response.

firstbase23

I agree with Ironmanfan. The seller is selling a card graded by PSA as a Mint 9, which is what you received. If PSA graded a fake it is not his fault.If it is a fake, PSA will make good and remove it. Returning it to the seller just allows someone else to possibly get burned.

Matt

digicat

If you go after the seller, you'll be in a situation where you're basically saying "I disagree with the grading company" and that argument might not get you too far.

The only people that might work with would be the grading company.

A few years ago I got a 1985 Topps McGwire PSA 9 that I determined was a fake. I sent it to PSA for review and they offered me grading vouchers equal to the card's SMR price or cash. Very simple process.

jmmiller777

So how does the grading company make it right?

digicat

<< <i>So how does the grading company make it right? >>



They buy back their mistakes.

jmmiller777

So, they will refund the full price of the card purchase price?

digicat

<< <i>So, they will refund the full price of the card purchase price? >>



They did for me.

link to PSA's Financial Guarantee

Now, in my case the card was a fairly common card with an easily established price, and I paid SMR for it.

Indy78

So what is the procedure for sending a suspect card back to psa? Does one need to fill out the standard sub form and pay a fee?

digicat

<< <i>So what is the procedure for sending a suspect card back to psa? Does one need to fill out the standard sub form and pay a fee? >>



Call PSA customer service, tell them about your issue, and follow their directions.

MinorLeaguer

Here's the scans. Ironically, I was so worried about fonts and the picture, I didn't even notice the biggest difference that the original says bats "right" while the counterfeit says bats "left". Baseball reference says he batted right and that is consistent with the authentic ones. And the 32 on his uni is darker on the fake.

1986 Johnson Front - Counterfeit on Left

1986 Procards Randy Johnson back - Counterfiet on left

1986 Procards Randy Johnson copyright fonts - Counterfeit on top

cwazzy

That's a very well done fake (other than the batting right part LOL).