COUNTERFEIT ALERT: Charity Autograph Counterfeiter revealed and reported by “Inside Edition.”

What does “Autograph Authenticity” mean to you?  A lesson for Charity Fundraisers.  Why am I writing this?  Because we want to protect you - teach you and your charity.  Do we want to drive more business to us - of course BUT...the truth of the matter is, revealing that there are counterfeiters out there may drive people away.  But at least I'll be able to sleep at night.  

Unfortunately, like everywhere, there are a few companies who are documented Autograph Counterfeiters and one of which, was actually the subject of an “Inside Edition” story.  This company, located on the east coast, has been providing autographed items but in this case, an autographed Country Music Legends Guitar, for many years and also has a company providing very similar items.  The company which was the target of the investigation, had provided what was said to be a “Country Music Legends autographed Guitar.” 

Inside Edition investigators posed as a charity and ordered many guitars such as Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Pink Floyd and of course, the Country Music Legends guitar.  However, the investigation revealed that one of the autographs was Tammy Wynette.  Unfortunately, Tammy Wynette died in 1998 but the guitar was made in 2013.  Ms. Wynette (as said by the reporter) would have had to come back from the dead to sign the guitar.  The investigation revealed that all the guitars they received were counterfeit autographs. 

If you would like to watch the story – here is the link:

https://www.insideedition.com/videos/3420-watch-real-or-fake-rock-and-roll-memorabilia-investigation

However, these counterfeiters aren’t stupid – the items come with a Certificate of Authenticity verifying that they are real.  

Do you think they care that they are scamming and stealing from a charity?

The company in question then said there is no real way to prove that an autograph is real - BullShi@t !!!   All the guitars were returned by the company, however, charities are still utilizing the items.

I hear you “Why aren’t they going to jail?”  “Why isn’t anyone doing anything about it?”  I hear you and believe me, I’ve been screaming the same thing for years.  But I am going to hopefully educate you and hopefully you pass the word around throughout the charity world.

Why do these companies routinely change their names and web addresses?  Seriously, because they are hiding.  They have had many different names…all it takes is a little searching on the Google and you’ll see. 

Ask those companies if they have photo's of the items being signed and who the authenticators are?  Are they the standards in the Memorabilia World such as JSA, PSA/DNA, Becket or Steiner?  No?   Ruuuuuuuuuuuunnnnn !!!!

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REALITY:

How to protect yourself and your charity by spotting a Fake.  Yes – authentic autographed guitars do exist but if they are truly authentic, not only are they incredibly expensive but they are authenticated by “Authentic Authenticators” and come with either a photograph or video of the person actually autographing the item.

I’ve heard the argument “Well it comes with a Certificate of Authenticity” – the reality is, anyone can also produce a certificate of authenticity but the reality and the real question is – “Who is the authenticator?”  Real or “Authentic Authenticators” have a track record and are widely known in the autograph industry such as JSA, PSA/DNA, Beckett and Steiner.  However, you should understand that all counterfeiters will provide a “Fake” Certificate of Authenticity just to cover their tracks.

Here is reality – these companies carry autographed items which no one has other than themselves or they have items which you may feel are acceptably expensive such as a Muhammed Ali autographed Boxing Glove for $1,000.00.  The reality is – he died many years ago and several years prior to his death, he could not write.  His authentic autographed boxing gloves are wholesaling for $3,000.00 or more.  Plus they are extremely hard to find.   Anyone who has passed away, their autographs are extremely rare and if you do find them – well, be prepared to pay a hefty price. 

Lebron James, Tom Brady, Michael Jordan, Derek Jeter and iconic athlete’s such as they are – their autographs are EXTREMELY expensive and that is why – many of us don’t carry them.  They are mainly sold through a retail setting. 

ANOTHER POINT:  Don’t believe the story “They are signing them at a lower price because they are meant for charities” – Bull.  They could care less.  They want to be paid and that’s it.  Our company does 100’s of signings with athletes and they know who we are – “Pay me please.”

Ask yourself this?  Why doesn’t this company sell these items in a retail setting?  If you have checked the internet to see if you can find their items with other dealers other than the two (2) companies who are documented forgers, why are they the only ones who carry them? 

Another tip that will help you – Look at the autographs, do they appear all the same, signed with the same pen and appear very similar?  Let’s take for instance this authentic Rolling Stones autographed Guitar.  Understand – IT’S REAL – but the consignment price is nearly $15,000.00.  Notice how messy the autographs are?  Notice they don’t look similar or signed with the same pen?

The reality is ladies and gentlemen – many of you want to believe the fakes are real and honestly, don’t care if you are passing these frauds along.  Do you know that you are then a part of a criminal conspiracy?  

“All that Glitters is not Gold” – let your gut and your conscience be your guide.  Do you want your charity featured on Inside Edition or some other investigative TV Show like 60 Minutes?  I doubt it.

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Our Guarantee:

BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising’s guarantee is simply this – EVERYTHING autographed we carry is 100% authentic – PERIOD.  If you want to show our items to other authenticators, please be our guests.  We don’t have life time guarantee’s – why?  Because our items are REAL – why guarantee them if they are real?

How does BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising have 100's and 1,000's of photo's with celebrities and athletes, standing with them, video's and photo's of them signing the items but the other companies don't?  Well that's a CLUE or a major HINT.  RUN!!!

When you go on our website, why don’t we have pictures of all of our items shown for you to reserve?  Because it’s impossible.  Authentic autographed items sell quick – We, because our items are real, don’t have an unending supply of items.  Why?  Because we can’t pay someone to fake the autograph. 

Every single autograph we carry is authenticated by Authentic Authenticators who are the standards in the memorabilia world – JSA, PSA/DNA, Beckett etc.  Our items come with a photograph of the item being autographed.

If you are want REAL or AUTHENTIC, there is only ONE (1) PROVIDER to come to – BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising.  That is why we are TRUSTED by the White House, the Armed Forces, Law Enforcement Charities, the NFL, the NHL, the MLB etc.

If we can help you or you would like to learn more about how to spot a counterfeit autograph, contact us at www.BWUnlimited.com, we would love to help.  Also, please test us - ask for photo's and who our Authenticators are - WE WOULD LOVE TO SHOW YOU!!!

The Myth about how Autographs are acquired

Because of the counterfeiters that prey on people, especially in the charity industry, there are definite myths about how autographs are acquired.  I hate to “Smash” the fantasy that you have in your mind, but this is the reality of it.

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Myth:  One or two companies, especially those in the charity industry, have the exclusive right or are the only people who can get to Iconic Musicians or Movie Superstars.  They get Guitars and Movie Posters signed either by an entire band or the entire cast of a movie. 

Truth:  Entirely False.  No one, not one company or individual has the exclusive right to only carry or get autographs from musicians or bands.

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Myth:  When an iconic Athlete or Superstar dies, their autographs are so plentiful, the price for their autographs stays the same or is cheaper.  Only a few companies have many of their autographs in stock.

Truth:  Entirely false.  When an Athlete or Superstar passes away, the price of their autograph sky rockets, making them very hard to afford.  Not one legitimate company in the world that has these autographs keeps them priced the same – remember, everyone wants to make money so everyone marks them up so that true autograph collectors will want them and will pay the exorbitant price.  Immediately these autographs become extremely rare and soon will no longer be available.

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Myth:  Autograph companies wait above dugouts, outside of stage doors or have very private signings with Athletes and Super Stars were no one else is invited to be a part of it.  Based on this, Iconic Athletes and Super Stars sign the autographs for free.

Truth:  Entirely false.  The real autograph industry is more of an assembly line.  It’s

not the “Romantic” picture everyone sees in their head.  In fact, the real industry performs these signings to ensure that the maximum amount of autographs are received.  Furthermore, it also ensures that true “Authentication Companies” are on site and can personally witness the items being signed.  Here is how it really works:  Helmets are set up in lines with a “Sticky Note” attached for inscriptions.  Photographs and Jerseys are stacked up for each player.  Also, at these signings, there are normally many Athletes present.  Athlete’s charge certain prices for certain items, helmets are normally more expensive due to the round shape.  Because of the high prices for their autographs, the signing is sent out across the country to wholesalers to reduce the cost.  Regardless, the athlete may say he will sign  1,000 autographs for $50,000.00. The more iconic Athletes such as Peyton Manning request an enormous amount of money to conduct a signing.  One of the highest priced Athletes is Derek Jeter.

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Here are a few ways to test if an autograph is authentic – Use these before you either buy or ask a company for your next charity event:

#1 – Does the company which you are acquiring the autograph from, have photo’s with their employees with the Athlete or Celebrity?  Everyone wants to get their pictures with these famous people, why doesn’t the company that is providing the item have these photos. 

FACT:  This is especially important for us at BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising.  Because the two other companies that are famous in our industry for providing autographed Guitars, Drumheads and Cast Signed Movie Posters are counterfeiters – that’s right, all the autographs that they provide are absolutely counterfeit, this is especially important to us.  As you will see, BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising has plenty of photographs of us with Athletes and Celebrities.  Plus our items come with photos of the items actually being signed and are not “Photo-shopped” whatsoever. 

#2 - Go on line and search the name of the company and the owners of the companies which are providing the items.  Go to “Autograph Magazine Live” and search the name of the company before you agree to purchase or receive items.

#3 – Let’s say you are considering receiving an autographed Guitar from one of these companies.  Search the internet to see if other companies carry the same guitar.  Also, if you find a similar guitar, check the difference in pricing.  For instance – a Rolling Stones or Bruce Springsteen signed Guitar if it were real, would truly cost $15,000.00 – not $1,500.00 (MAJOR RED FLAG). 

#4 – Ask the company where and when the item was autographed?  This is referred to as “Provenance.  The definition of which is – “The place of origin or earliest known history of something.  The beginning of something's existence; something's origin.  A record of ownership of a work of art or an antique, used as a guide to authenticity or quality.”  The company should be able to tell you exactly where and when it was signed no questions asked.

#4 – Ask the company who the authenticator is of the item autographed?  Do not listen to what the company is telling you about the authenticator.  Research the authentication company.  There are only two (2) truly authenticate Authentication companies – JSA and PSA/DNA. If other companies do not use these authentication companies, WHY NOT?  They are the only authenticators accepted by EBay and other legitimate sources. 

Do your research, don’t be fooled.

BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising only carries 100% authentic autographed items.  But counterfeiters, especially in the charity world, will say the same thing.  But do they use authentic authenticators BW uses?  No they don’t.  The items which BW provides come with various certificates of authenticity as well as photos of the items being signed. 

Another issue – why would a company say that they will take back the item if its not authentic?  BW does not guarantee that because all of our items are 100% authentic. 

Don’t be fooled.  Only deal with REAL companies providing REAL Autographed items – BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising.  Contact us at www.BWUnlimited.com.