OT - Weirdly affordable authentic jerseys on ebay

Submitted by exmtroj on

So, I've been shopping around ebay for deals on authentic football jerseys, and I'm finding a ton of authentic NFL, on-field jerseys selling for about $50, when normally they would be around $180 or so.  They're brand-new with tags, and all the stitched on numbers,  names, logos and everything.  I'm curious, how in the world are they so cheap?  These people can't be selling them for any type of profit if they are this affordable.  Are they illegal or something?  I'm about to make a few purchases, but not if this is going to be some sort of rip-off.  Anybody have any info or experience with this type of thing?

 

EDIT: The jerseys are brand new, feature current players, and the shipping isn't very high, at most it's like ten bucks.  It also comes with the original tags, is that something that could be bootlegged?

DGDestroys

August 7th, 2010 at 5:44 PM ^

I'd guess there's a spike in jerseys given away around training camp which drives the price into the ground? That's just my guess.

 

EDIT: The comment below mine is confusing me, are they game worn or brand new?

jrt336

August 7th, 2010 at 5:37 PM ^

Are these jerseys from people no one has ever heard of or superstars? There's no way people are selling authentic Peyton Manning or Larry Fitzgerald game used jerseys for 50 bucks.

bluesouth

August 7th, 2010 at 5:53 PM ^

it's too good to be true it probably is.  Secondly, would you sell authentic game worn jersys for $50?

The third warninhg don't support theives or copy right theives it just drives prices up on the real thing and it drops the value and puts legitimate businesses out of business.

robpollard

August 7th, 2010 at 5:55 PM ^

When I look for jerseys (and I assume by 'on-field', you mean jerseys that are new, but the same as those worn by the players, not 'game worn' jerseys, which are more a collectible), I find you can get really good deals on players who are no longer with their team, e.g., a Terrell Owens Bills jersey or a Thomas Jones Jets jersey.  Fans of those teams rarely would want a player who's left for another team.

 

Is that it?  If it's for a player who's currently with the team, e.g., a Chris Johnson Titans jersey, I would assume some sort of scam (or, as noted above, shipping that's $75).

Filthy Dilithium

August 7th, 2010 at 5:57 PM ^

I bought an authentic NFL jersey on Ebay awhile back. It's only worn sparingly and hasn't been washed yet, so I can't vouch for its durability, but it does seem to be of good quality.  Fits good, comfortable, and everything is legit on it, so to speak, (looks like the real thing, numbers are correct and arent sewn on crooked or anything, and everything is spelled correctly) but I'm 99% sure it's bootleg. 

I would buy another one if I was really interested in getting another jersey, but I still think it's a bit of gamble because you're not going to know of it's quality until you get it, and I'm not sure the person selling illegal jerseys takes returns.

-dp-

August 7th, 2010 at 6:52 PM ^

The jerseys are definitely fake, and the materials are much lower quality than a real authentic. The extra shiny, thin twill is a dead giveaway. You may be able to fool some people, but as someone who owns several real authentics, they aren't even close. I would go with a replica over a counterfeit authentic. 

Alex021224

August 7th, 2010 at 7:48 PM ^

I recently purchased jerseys from a couple different sellers. I received one legit jersey. The sellers name was "notcounterfeitjerseys" (I know it seem like an obvious fake), I bought the #2 away jersey from him. I actually took the jersey to the MDen to compare and it checked out. But I would avoid any seller from Wisconsin, there are a couple different sellers (from cities within a couple miles from each other). I got  a horrible knock off of the Nike authentic Braylon. It looked 3x worse then the picture. 

kdhoffma

August 7th, 2010 at 9:52 PM ^

Why are they so cheap?  Because counterfeiting authentic pro jerseys is a huge business on ebay.  Jerseys are made overseas using inferior materials... and yes, "original" tags are easily counterfeited.  It's so bad, some pro teams even hold counterfeit jersey exchanges, for example: Montreal Canadians.

Scott Dreisbach

August 7th, 2010 at 11:51 PM ^

Then it is too good to be true.  You have to be extremely careful when buying an Authentic Jersey off ebay.  I bought an alleged Kobe Bryan Jersey that was Authentic, came with nike tags, was drifit, stitched everything, and it was $50.  An authentic NBA jersey retails for well over $100.  Long story short, I got it from the guy about 2 months after I won the auction, and it was fake.  It looked like the guy made his own jerseys and slapped on the NBA stuff, sewed on the numbers.  He did a good job, but for someone who can spot a real or fake, I knew it was fake.  That and the 40 inch chest it was supposed to be measured 56 inches, despite the tag saying 40.  Do not do business with Jerseystore2000

I did, however, have a great purchase of an authentic Donovan McNabb.  I believe that I spent $70-$80 and came back excellent quality.  In my opinion, you are taking a big chance at getting some counterfeit stuff, but it may be a risk worth taking.

the_big_house 500th

August 8th, 2010 at 12:47 AM ^

jersey from ebay for 100 last year but I also bought it through bidding instead of buy it now. It's the real genuine article as far as I know cause I bought it from a trusted seller. I'm hoping it's not a fake.