Who believes UD is using fake stuff?

[Inferno]

You know what, this may seen excessive to some people but if I was to start my own card company I would be obsessive enough about authenticity that I would create a section on my website dedicated to the game-used equipment. I would photograph and document the history of every jersey, stick, or whatever and state which item was used on the back of a given card. I would also go as far as to update each item's page with information about which products I use them for.

For example, say I bought a Sidney Crosby jersey from the team and photo-matched it to a specific game. I would put on the page "This jersey was used by Sidney Crosby on _______, during the _______ season." I would put the photo of the jersey and the photo I used to match it to that game, and below it I would put as much information as I could about the jersey and add:

Featured In:
2008/09 The Cup
2008/09 OPC Premier
2009/10 Black

(For Example)

I am very obsessive about details and keeping things organized and documented, so if I had my own card company there would be no doubts about my memorabilia ;)

[zPens87z]

You know what, this may seen excessive to some people but if I was to start my own card company I would be obsessive enough about authenticity that I would create a section on my website dedicated to the game-used equipment. I would photograph and document the history of every jersey, stick, or whatever and state which item was used on the back of a given card. I would also go as far as to update each item's page with information about which products I use them for.

For example, say I bought a Sidney Crosby jersey from the team and photo-matched it to a specific game. I would put on the page "This jersey was used by Sidney Crosby on _______, during the _______ season." I would put the photo of the jersey and the photo I used to match it to that game, and below it I would put as much information as I could about the jersey and add:

Featured In:
2008/09 The Cup
2008/09 OPC Premier
2009/10 Black

(For Example)

I am very obsessive about details and keeping things organized and documented, so if I had my own card company there would be no doubts about my memorabilia ;)

I would be the exact same way.

The topic of the actual game worn jersey is a tough one for me. I don't know if UD is using actual game worn stuff, I would like to know, but if it is just photo shoot worn that isn't the worst.

Now if we are talking about ITG, I truely believe that they are 100% game worn items. Just look at the signature of the poster above me /\/\ there is really no questioning it.

[Inferno]

I would be the exact same way.

The topic of the actual game worn jersey is a tough one for me. I don't know if UD is using actual game worn stuff, I would like to know, but if it is just photo shoot worn that isn't the worst.

Now if we are talking about ITG, I truely believe that they are 100% game worn items. Just look at the signature of the poster above me /\/\ there is really no questioning it.

Dr. Price is very open when it comes to speaking with collectors, getting feedback, and answering questions. He basically hand-picks the pieces he acquires for his cards and in some cases, if he's in a pinch, he will actually take equipment out of his own personal collection for use in his products. From the sound of things he has an impressive collection as well, including some of the game-used jerseys from the first few all-star games. He has stated that those jerseys will never be used in any ITG products, but on more than one occasion he has taken other items from his collection and I think that shows how serious he takes the authenticity of his products.

[SkyFire47]

You know what, this may seen excessive to some people but if I was to start my own card company I would be obsessive enough about authenticity that I would create a section on my website dedicated to the game-used equipment. I would photograph and document the history of every jersey, stick, or whatever and state which item was used on the back of a given card. I would also go as far as to update each item's page with information about which products I use them for.

For example, say I bought a Sidney Crosby jersey from the team and photo-matched it to a specific game. I would put on the page "This jersey was used by Sidney Crosby on _______, during the _______ season." I would put the photo of the jersey and the photo I used to match it to that game, and below it I would put as much information as I could about the jersey and add:

Featured In:
2008/09 The Cup
2008/09 OPC Premier
2009/10 Black

(For Example)

I am very obsessive about details and keeping things organized and documented, so if I had my own card company there would be no doubts about my memorabilia ;)

that would also open you up to a huge potential liability. can you honestly say you'd be able to categorize all the jerseys (think hundreds or thousands) with all that info and have it maintained while your workers are buzzing about the production plant as they go about their daily jobs and then guarantee your workers didn't slip up?

also, any argument in this threads brought forth to question the credibility of UD can be used against any company.

[Inferno]

that would also open you up to a huge potential liability. can you honestly say you'd be able to categorize all the jerseys (think hundreds or thousands) with all that info and have it maintained while your workers are buzzing about the production plant as they go about their daily jobs and then guarantee your workers didn't slip up?

also, any argument in this threads brought forth to question the credibility of UD can be used against any company.

I would be obsessive enough to do all this myself

[gregmal05]

that would also open you up to a huge potential liability. can you honestly say you'd be able to categorize all the jerseys (think hundreds or thousands) with all that info and have it maintained while your workers are buzzing about the production plant as they go about their daily jobs and then guarantee your workers didn't slip up?

also, any argument in this threads brought forth to question the credibility of UD can be used against any company.

Yep, totally agree. Its so easy to bash UD because they do mess up quite a bit however its not like other companies have not had major errors before as well. ITG seems to be gaining support mainly because UD has gotten such a bad reputation, and Dr. Price seems to kiss you know what when it comes to appeasing the Canadian market.

In all though I have never really had an issue with UD, I collect 3 players and have never had trouble with the cards I collect. That said I can understand the support for ITG. They do seem to have better customer service, there are no redemptions, and they sometimes use better swatches. At the same time, if they did not excel at those things, they would be out of business, because those are the only things that draw people to their products, those are the reasons they still have a following. That and the fact that everyone seems to love to root for the three legged underdog that in reality has no chance of competing.

[HammerHawks]

That is a sweet idea though it would take a while...

[blindros88]

Yep, totally agree. Its so easy to bash UD because they do mess up quite a bit however its not like other companies have not had major errors before as well. ITG seems to be gaining support mainly because UD has gotten such a bad reputation, and Dr. Price seems to kiss you know what when it comes to appeasing the Canadian market.

In all though I have never really had an issue with UD, I collect 3 players and have never had trouble with the cards I collect. That said I can understand the support for ITG. They do seem to have better customer service, there are no redemptions, and they sometimes use better swatches. At the same time, if they did not excel at those things, they would be out of business, because those are the only things that draw people to their products, those are the reasons they still have a following. That and the fact that everyone seems to love to root for the three legged underdog that in reality has no chance of competing.

I think that the swatch quality has always been there for ITG. Take a look at my Lindros Collection. Most of the ITG cards in there are from when they had an NHL license. They were not as big as the swatches used today, but they still used the seams and made an effort to use multicolor pieces.

I don't think its fair to say that ITG cannot compete with Upper Deck. Level the playing field, and I think a lot of people will be surprised. Lets not forget when they had a license they had some very innovative sets. They have always indicated where patches come from (Numbers, Emblems, Nameplates), they were the first to use the fight strap (Complete Jersey), and my personal favoirte the Journey Jersey and Emblem series. Dr. Price has had 5 years to stash away ideas in case they get a license back. I hope that day comes very soon.

[domhas1]

Good luck on that. Thanks for pointing that out.

If I recall your referring to one of the auto's being fake. I remember something that it was decided that the auto was indeed fake on the card. As for the resolution of what UD did to solve that problem I have no clue. Of course for all the millions of cards that a tiny percentage. As they rely on authenticators, 2nd parties, etc. for all the legwork that goes into verifying the cards etc. I am some is done in house while others is out of house.


DOn

UD produced a quad cut auto card that featured Babe Ruth and three other players...It was proven the the Ruth and another signature was fake...

[atrain2004]

christy matthewson was the other fake the card had cobb, matthewson, ruth and honus wagner.. the ruth was authentic but the matthewson and cobb were later proved fake. UD never offered the guy who paid 26,000+ a single dime back.. I hate cuts autos and patches are so leary anymore with the fakers and who really knows where this stuff comes from.