If you love golf memorabilia and collectibles, you’ve certainly seen dozens of websites offering golf pictures
and golf autographs for sale. They all claim to be authentic and most
offer a Certificate of Authenticity. If you search on eBay and other
auction sites, you’ll find even more dealers offering “genuine” golf
course art and golf photos – often with stories of how they came to own
these rare golf collectibles. At the same time, the incidence of
fraudulent sports memorabilia is rising, thanks in part to how easy the Internet
makes it to sell memorabilia of all types. How can you be sure that the
golf pictures and golf autographs you buy are authentic and the
signatures are genuine? These tips will help you avoid buying fake
autographs and memorabilia.
Ask for Third Party Authentication
A
Certificate of Authenticity is only as good as the authority that
provides it. Face it, anyone can print up a fake certificate – but there
are highly-regarded companies who make it their business to
authenticate sports memorabilia. Do some research and learn which
companies have a good reputation in authenticating golf pictures and
other golf memorabilia. That way you’ll know whether that third party
authentication is worth the paper it’s printed on.
Know Your Stuff
Knowledgeable collectors can often spot a fake if they know the sport well. If,
for example, you know that a particular golfer only signed autographs
at events run by a specific promoter in 2002, you’ll know immediately
that the guy trying to sell you a 2002 photo signed by that golfer at a
different event is trying to scam you. The more you know about golf,
tournaments and golfers, the more likely you are to spot fake golf
autographs.
Check the Reputation
If you’re thinking of buying golf autographs
or golf art from a dealer you don’t know, check around with other
collectors and dealers. Most collectors who have been around for a while
are familiar with the reputable dealers of golf memorabilia, and know
those that have shady reputations. Like any community, the members tend
to look out for one another, so take advantage of it.
Buy from Dealers You Know
The
best way to make sure that the golf memorabilia and golf pictures you
buy are genuine is to only buy from dealers you know and trust. Not only
will you always know that the items you’re buying are genuine, you can
also cultivate a relationship with someone who will let you know when
they come across a piece of golf art or a golf autograph that will fill
out your collection.