Charity Auction Item Counterfeiters Exposed!!!

The hottest topic in the Autograph Memorabilia world today is “Hot to Spot a Fake Autograph.”  Well, its an unfortunate fact that there are counterfeiters out there but what makes matters worse is that there are a few in the Charity Market Place.  The reason these companies exist in the charity market is based solely on the fact that those who are trying to fundraise.  They are easily caught up in the “Glitz & Glitter” of the items they offer such as band signed Guitars, Cast Signed Movie Posters, Autographed photos from deceased Presidents, Musicians, Celebrities and Athletes.  Signed Music Sheets and autographed Boxing Gloves including all the Boxing Legends including Mohammed Ali.  Honestly, I’m just astounded people will even believe that these types of items are real.  They are so badly counterfeited, that it astounds me that people fall for it.

Ok here are a few tips anyone can use to check to see if those items are real:

#1 – Don’t get caught up in the Glitz & Glitter – it’s all plastic.  Seriously, think about it, do you think that the Rolling Stones are all in the same place at one place?  No. 

#2 – Here is an easy one, check Google, does any other company out there carry those items outside of the charity industry?  In the real autograph world, no one has those items.  Real autographed items can be found everywhere – not just those companies.

#3 – Another easy indicator – Who is the Authenticator?  A lot of novice collectors or charities will say “It has a Certificate of Authenticity” – That means absolutely nothing.  What matters is who is the authenticator?  Are they accepted in the Sports Industry?  Does the company have pictures of these people actually signing the items?  Do they use an unknown authentication company?  There are only two “Authentic Authenticators” – JSA and/or PSA/DNA. 

#4 – Common Sense – Seriously, just use common sense about these items.  We had a charity use these items and took them to an “Authentic Authenticator” and they found they were counterfeit. 

#5 – Lifetime Guarantee – We don’t offer a Lifetime Guarantee for our items – that if they are found to be counterfeit, you can return them.  Ours are authentic, no guarantees because they are real.

#6 – Do you know who you are dealing with – With these companies, why aren’t there pictures of the people who work there or their names?  A little mysterious.

#7 – Ask them where the items were autographed?  If they say outside of a show or an appearance, an authenticator can’t be there to ensure the autographs are real.

Charities or whoever is reading this, please just use common sense. Don’t be fooled – we are here to protect you. 

BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising does not carry these items because they are not authentic.  We have been approached by several companies selling these types of items – we will not use them.  It’s all about integrity in the end, not about the almighty dollar bill $$$$.  If you want to ensure your guests receive real items, contact us at www.BWUnlimited.com.

BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising is a North American Charity Fundraising leader in a convenient “One Stop Shop” setting.  BWUCF only offers 100% authentic items authenticated by the most reputable companies in the world.  You can rest assured that our items are 100% authentic.  In fact, we don’t offer a life time guarantee that you can return them if they are found to be counterfeit.

BEHIND THE SCENES: How the Autograph Industry really works

Do you remember when you were a kid and you went to watch your favorite professional player while hoping to get his autograph?  You got as close as you could to the dugout, hoping he would pop his head out and possibly give you an autograph. 

That’s what most people think how companies like BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising gets items autographed, it’s the direct opposite.  Around the world, autographs of professional athletes are highly sought after.  In North America, there are millions of Sports Collectible stores which mainly specialize in the local teams. 

How it truly works may make you mad, but the athletes maximize their earning by conducting autograph signings.  In reality, the normal NFL career only spans 3 years.  Plus the athletes have to pay their agents, publicists, trainers etc.  So in order to earn more money, they respond to what the fans want – paid autograph signings.

The reality of how these are conducted honestly is mechanical.  The Athlete is paid a certain amount to sign a certain amount of items.  Routinely, it’s 1,000 total pieces or more.  The items range from Helmets, Pictures, Jerseys, balls, bats etc.  At some autograph signings, the national shows, there could be as many as 50 well known athletes.  These "Bulk Item" autograph signings for wholesalers are referred to as "the Back Room."

At the signings, autograph authenticators such as JSA & PSA/DNA are asked to be present to actually witness the items being autographed.  It’s truly amazing, there will be stacks of pictures & jersey’s for each athlete.  Rows and rows of helmets, cases of baseballs.  How do you think businesses like ours actually get the items autographed?

However, celebrities and musicians rarely sit down to do an autograph signing.  The main stream or ultra famous stars do not do autograph signings at all, they truly don’t need to.  In order to get their autographs, companies like ours employ “Chasers.”  The people watch to see what celebrity is in town and wait outside a venue that they are appearing and ask for their autograph.  They are normally 8x10 photos.  The celebrities or musicians will sign the items in passing with their autographs looking more like “Chicken Scratch.”  The “Chased” autographs are hard to authenticate.  Furthermore, they NEVER EVER sign more than a few 8x10’s.  Chasers cannot carry stacks of guitars or stacks of 16x20 large photos. 

However, it is incredibly rare to get an entire cast of a certain movie or even harder, the entire band to sign one item.  You can find autographed guitar pick guards that one of the band members signed, but you will NEVER find a “Body” signed guitar (which means signed around the large part of the guitar) signed by the entire band.  You will find them true, but you will also find Big Foot autographs and Loch Ness Monster being ridden by Elvis autographed photos too.

Another important fact, when a celebrity or athlete dies, their autographs become extremely rare for obvious reasons.  The prices skyrocket!!!  As time passes by, the autographs are harder and harder to find.  But then this is easy to understand right?

So, I hope this gives you a “Behind the Scenes” explanation of how Authentic Autographs are actually acquired.

BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising is a North American Charity Fundraising leader in a “One Stop Shop” convenient setting.  BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising is a North American Charity Auction Item leader, providing everything a charity could want and be successful with including 100% authentic, 3^rd party authenticated auction items from athletes and celebrities.  BW Unlimited also carries a wide array of Décor and Jewelry.  In order to better serve charities across North America, BW Unlimited formed its own Travel Package company – CharityTravelPackages.com.  Offering a wide array of Charity Travel Packages ranging from “Once in a Lifetime,” Concerts, Vacations, VIP Experiences and much more.   

If we can help you, contact us at www.BWUnlimited.com.  Check out our Charity Travel Package website at www.CharityTravelPackages.com.