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After submitting a review praising Sportsmemorabilia.com 's customer service, I would like to retract the statement and provide some warning signs for customers to look out for should they consider shopping with either Sportsmemorabilia.com or Hollywoodmemorabilia.com, which are run by the same individuals (you can verify this when attempting to use the "chat now" option to speak with a representative).
I originally placed a high rating review due to Christine in customer service refunding $200 on a purchase I had made where they provided the wrong information. As time went on with this company I continued to find more errors, rude customer service, and potentially fake autographs. Please read below:
The day before the Super Bowl I had ordered a 2008 team signed Packer helmet. As a huge Packer fan I was excited and found a great deal on the helmet ($874). The helmet was labeled as an Authentic Pro Line Helmet with Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers, and the rest of the 2008 team. Although the team was not exactly the same as the one that had won the recent Super Bowl, it was a close match, and I purchased the item for sentimental value. When I received the item I found that there was no Brett Favre signature and it was on a replica helmet. During this time I was told that maybe I received the 2011 helmet, which was on a replica helmet. I was also told that I would be sent updated certificates of authenticity, which they never sent. After two weeks of going back and forth with customer service to figure out what I was sent, they confirmed that the description was inaccurate. At that point I was finally provided the option of receiving a $200 refund or the entire purchase price if I returned the product. I decided to keep it.
Still excited about this company I decided to start a small collection of autographs. The deals of the day had amazing prices, and coupled with some discount codes I found online. I thought I was getting great deals. The frustrations continue:
1) I purchased a Joe Montana autographed jersey that was authenticated by "Mounted Memories" and Sportsmemorabilia. No issues here; good work guys!
2) I purchased a Dan Marino jersey that was also authenticated by "Mounted Memories" and Sportsmemorabilia. The issue this time is that they never sent me the certificate.
When I asked for it, they mailed it out but also sent a new hologram for me to affix to the item. This concerns me because if they give these holograms out so easily, what is to stop someone from sticking it to a fake item and passing it off as real? Kind of sketchy I'd say...
3) I purchased a Michael Jordan autographed photo which was mislabeled on the website. They showed a basketball photo but had it labeled as a baseball photo. Knowing that I found a mistake on the site, I capitalized on this and made the purchase. I mean, $179 for a signed Jordan is amazing. However, once again I am concerned about how the description was completely off.
***Now here's the kicker... Being a huge Beatles fan my entire life I have wanted to purchase a set of autographs to add to my collection. Those of you familiar with these autographs know that about 95% are fake. The most trustworthy ones are authenticated by Frank Caiazzo, Perry Cox, Tracks UK, and Memorabilia UK. PSA/DNA tries to certify a lot, but are known for their inconsistencies as of late. Now this is not to say that an item not authenticated by one of these individuals or companies is guaranteed to be fraudulent, but I'd be suspicious, especially when making an investment of thousands of dollars.
While looking on Hollywoodmemorabilia.com I found a deal for $1, 997.32 on a supposedly authentic 4X6 Beatles postcard that was autographed by all four Beatles. Something like this generally goes for over $5, 000, so I questioned a rep and was told that it was definitely authentic. Thinking I found the deal of the century, I asked them to hold the item so I could buy it on Monday. I inquired on the item over the weekend and was told by the representative Brittania that she had no idea who authenticated the item but that their 12-year reputation somehow meant the item was real. I did some more investigating online and found the exact same 4X6 replicated postcard selling on EBay UK for a few dollars. How could I not be skeptical at this point? Later that night I questioned the manager, Joe. He at first admitted that the 4X6 card was a mistake, and that it would be removed within 24 hours. The next morning I went on the site and it was still listed. I questioned him on this and he retracted his statement. On Monday I spoke with another representative, Jerome, who said that the item was authenticated by Sportsmemorabilia.com. Now, with John Lennon passing away well prior to their 12-year existence, I questioned how they authenticated the item. Frustrated, the rep disappeared for a bit and then replied that it was authenticated by Autograph Central, who also did not exist at the time. When I checked their website there was no proof of them going about authenticating Beatles autographs as required by suggested professionals.
At this point I became weary of the company and started investigating further. Here I found a John Lennon autograph, which was supposedly authenticated by the same company and a Paul McCartney/Ringo Starr signed Hofner bass that had a photo of only Paul McCartney's signature. At this point I asked to speak with the manager, Joe, again and was met with frustration, retracted statements, and extremely rude customer service. He then stated that the signatures were real, that I had no idea what I was talking about, and that I am impossible to please. Keep in mind that a month ago I dealt with their issue for over 2 weeks before it was corrected. I had even written a positive review. How can he say that I am impossible to please? Now I have a man retracting the comment and being extremely rude to me. At this point I told him I'd write a review and never make another purchase there again. To this he signed off on me like a teenage couple fighting on Instant Messenger.
Now I cannot confirm for 100% that these autographs were fake, but with all of their inconsistencies coupled with Joe stating that the posting was a mistake, I have my suspicions. I had this argument with them 2 weeks ago and the item is still posted (today is 4/17/11). I have photos of the items saved, and e-mails of the conversations. Although their deals are good and I feel that I made a few decent purchases, I would watch my back. Seriously... Most of their items are only certified by their own website and if they flipped out to this degree while being questioned on their Beatles' autographs, I'd be skeptical. On a side note, however, there were a few Beatles' items for significantly higher prices on the website that did appear legit. Shouldn't they all be legit though?
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Dear Customer,
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience or confusion on our behalf. I can assure you that we want nothing more than your satisfaction and to resolve any misunderstandings.
In response to authenticity claims, we encourage you to take our autographed memorabilia to any top authenticity agency of your choice for your own peace of mind. We guarantee 100% authenticity and proudly stand by this. We have been working with reputable authenticity agencies since 1996. If for any reason you are unhappy with your merchandise, we also guarantee a full refund.
Additionally, we apologize for any website discrepancies. We do our best with over 286, 000 products listed on our site.
On behalf of our Customer Service team, we apologize if you had a negative experience trying to resolve this matter. To further express our apologies, we would like to provide you with a hand selected product from our catalog at no cost. Just give us a call with your old order id and we’ll take care of the rest. We are here to help! Don’t hesitate to contact us to further inquire about any additional concerns you may have. As a loyal customer in the past, we would like to continue providing you with exceptional service.
Thank you.
Best,
Cassie
SportsMemorabilia.com
HAHAHAHA, GO MGlowiak, You showed them. Loved your review and i think it says alot about the company. I can guarantee that a jordan autograph for under $400 is fake. Sorry you had this experience, wish evil people like sportsmemorabilia.com didn't exist . Sad people are just out to make money and not an honest living. I also love their reply, they have over 286, 000 products, how can you get that many signatures and collectables? I too have seen the inconsistencies in their pictures and item descriptions. They would love to offer you "a hand selected product from our catalog at no cost" because they are fake and cheap. Why else would they give away "money". If it was real they would say "call us and well refund your money, or, any reputable authentication company will back up our statements" but reputable companies will only say that they scammed you. Sorry. UDA "the gold standard" sells jordan signatures for about $1400. If it was on a dirty sock, you couldn't wash, would still cost more then $400. Sorry but thanks for writing this and saving some of us from this damned company.
This website has to be fake or not real signatures, if you look on eBay you will find the exact same items on sports memorabilia, Hollywood memorabilia. But on eBay they are almost 30% less. Autographs are exactly the same, same spot same consistency. After talking to several different reps I decided not buy any items from them. The pictures are the same on eBay and there websites
I am currently having a terrible experience with Sport Memorabilia. They incorrectly addressed my package. My package from them is now lost. I have had a huge headache from them, trying to get correct tracking numbers and what company they ship with. I had to request all of my information from them from the start. They didn't send me a confirmation email until I requested one. Which I assume one doesn't automatically populate when you order. I have been emailing them letting them know the error. They have not replied to any of my emails regarding this. My experience with this site as not been positive. I 100% suggest that you DO NOT use this site. I just hope that the post office finds my item and this can all be behind me.
I purchased a football from Superbowl XLIV (Saints vs. Colts) from SportsMemorabilia. It was listed as "On Field Ball" for $269. It said it came with a certificate of authenticity/hologram. They had other ones listed as Official size footballs for $139. I was scheduled to meet up with Drew Brees at a photo op/signature event, so I purchased the "on-field" ball. When it arrived it was still in the paper box with no certificate of authenticity or hologram. It was an official size and weight Wilson football with the superbowl information printed on the ball. I called and spoke with a customer service rep who said I must have been sent the wrong ball as "on-field" meant the ball was on the field during the game but may not have been used in the game. I explained to her that that was also my interpretation of "on-field." She asked that I take some pictures and send them to her, which I did. I then called her back and she said she got the pictures and further added that she spoke to her boss who stated "on-field" only meant official size and weight. I explained that they have other ones listed as official size and weight which are cheaper. She said she could mail me a hologram sticker to put on the ball, which I didn't understand as to what the hologram was supposedly certifying. She then asked who Drew Brees was and further added that once I obtain a signature on the ball, they will no longer certify the ball anyway. I explained that I can get an official size and weight football from amazon for $100, so I told her I wanted to send the football back for a refund. She initially stated there would be a 15% restocking fee. I asked to speak to her boss as I believed they falsely advertised the item. She put me on hold and returned stating she was able to speak to her boss who waived the 15% restocking fee. I sent the football back and eventually received a refund after calling back to check on it after five weeks. I will not purchase from them again. To me their reputation is in question.
Now I'm concerned. I just made my first purchase with Hollywood memoralbilia it said it was photo#3 signed by the muscisian but a day later you can still buy the same #3 photo on their site. I have tried to submit a contact us email but after clicking submit it's just a blank page. Also the stories I'm reading about just mailing out holograms is extremely concerning! This will definitely be my first and last purchase with this organization.
Doesn't anyone realize most of their merchandise does not belong to, or not in the possession of the company? They take sports memorabilia being sold by other people and/or businesses, add a mark-up to the price and list it on their website. Take some of the items with, for example, a PSA number. Put it in the space bar and you will usually find the original listing from another company/person.
This Dave Krieg autographed card is being sold on ebay right now.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dave-Krieg-Signed-1990-Score-Seahawks-Football-Card-61-Autograph-3x-Pro-Bowl-QB-/301553515393
The same item and same photo are on their website for $6 more.
https://www.sportsmemorabilia.com/sports-products/dave-krieg-signed-1990-score-seahawks-football-card-61-autograph-3x-pro-bowl-qb.html.
EVEN THE DESCRIPTION IS IDENTICAL!
https://www.sportsmemorabilia.com/sports-products/everson-walls-autographed-dallas-cowboys-mini-helmet-the-jersey-source-auth.html
https://www.757sc.com/products/everson-walls-autographed-dallas-cowboys-mini-helmet-the-jersey-source-auth?variant=11048296808505
Same mini-helmet.. Description even cut off the same way as the one used by 757sc.