Are Some of Your Sports Cards Fakes?
, by David Riska, 6 min reading time
The Detrimental Impact of Fake Cards on the Sports Card Industry
The sports card industry has experienced a surge in popularity over the years, with collectors and investors alike seeking to acquire rare and valuable cards. It seems like where there is money involved there are counterfeit products. Unfortunately, this growing interest has also given rise to the production and circulation of fake cards, posing significant challenges to the integrity and trustworthiness of the industry.
We do a decent number of local card shows each year. To illustrate how easy this could happen to you, we recently purchased some cards at a local card show from a young fellow who approached our booth. In this exchange there was less than $100 in value fake Larry Bird card transferred to us that we simply didn’t take the time to deeply look over the card during the show before purchasing. The young man seemed nice and polite enough that we went mostly in good faith (bad idea). It’s quite possible the young man may not even have personally known that he was pawning off a counterfeit card (or maybe he did, who knows).
We do a fair amount of bulk grading card submissions through a local reputable card auctioneer and card shop that has been around for nearly 50 years. We dropped off this card (and the other same real Larry Bird card below) for pre-screening review and within seconds the screener noted this one Larry Bird card was a fake. What’s funny is we actually had the exact same Larry Bird card that we are submitting at the same time that is a real Larry Bird card.
So let’s put your eyes to the fake card test. Which of the two cards below is a fake Larry Bird card?? OK now you have to watch the video later in this article to find out which is the fake and which is the real card.
Now we have to ask you the question. If someone is willing to fake a less than $100 card, how many fakes are out there of the crown jewel cards that we all know???
In the remainder of this post, we will explore the detrimental impact of fake cards on the sports card market and its stakeholders.
Erosion of Trust
One of the most damaging consequences of fake cards is the erosion of trust within the sports card community. Collectors rely on the authenticity and accuracy of cards to make informed decisions regarding their purchases. The presence of counterfeit cards not only deceives collectors but also undermines the credibility of legitimate sellers and the entire sport card marketplace. As a result, genuine card sales suffer, and the reputation of the industry as a whole is tarnished.
Financial Losses
The production and sale of fake cards generate significant financial losses for both collectors and investors. Buyers who unknowingly purchase counterfeit cards pay a premium price for items that hold little to no value. The realization that their prized possessions are inauthentic can result in substantial financial losses. Additionally, investors who rely on the appreciation of card values may experience severe setbacks when they discover that their investments are counterfeit.
Damage to Card Grading Services
Card grading services play a vital role in assessing the condition and authenticity of sports cards. However, the presence of fake cards challenges their ability to maintain credibility and accuracy. If counterfeit cards enter the grading process undetected, it compromises the integrity of the entire grading system. This not only damages the reputation of grading companies but also undermines the confidence collectors place in the grading process.
Implications for Card Manufacturers
Fake cards pose a significant threat to card manufacturers as well. Counterfeiters replicate popular card designs and logos, imitating the original manufacturer's branding. This unauthorized reproduction not only infringes upon intellectual property rights but also impacts sales revenue for legitimate manufacturers. Furthermore, the existence of fake cards in the market dilutes the overall demand for genuine products, affecting sales volumes and potentially forcing manufacturers to adapt their production and distribution strategies.
Legal and Ethical Issues
The production and sale of fake cards involve illegal activities that infringe upon intellectual property rights. Counterfeiters often engage in copyright infringement by replicating official logos, player images, and card designs. These unauthorized reproductions not only violate intellectual property laws but also exploit the popularity and demand for sports cards. The proliferation of fake cards raises ethical concerns as it deceives and defrauds collectors who invest their time, money, and emotional attachment into building their collections.
Negative Impact on Hobby Enthusiasts
Sports card collecting has long been a cherished hobby, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie among enthusiasts. However, the presence of fake cards introduces an element of suspicion and uncertainty. Collectors are left questioning the authenticity of their prized possessions and doubting the legitimacy of fellow collectors' cards. This sense of doubt can lead to a loss of enjoyment and enthusiasm for the hobby, ultimately driving some enthusiasts away.
Increased Vigilance and Authentication Efforts
To combat the rising tide of fake cards, the sports card industry and collectors have had to increase their vigilance and authentication efforts. Collectors are investing in specialized tools and knowledge to identify counterfeit cards, while more and more authentication services have emerged to offer expertise in verifying the authenticity of cards. While these efforts are commendable, they place an additional burden on collectors and incur extra costs to ensure the integrity of their collections.
The prevalence of fake cards in the sports card industry is a significant problem that undermines trust, creates financial losses, and damages the reputation of legitimate sellers, grading services, and card manufacturers. The implications extend beyond financial losses, as the erosion of trust and the ethical issues involved impact the enjoyment and enthusiasm of hobby enthusiasts. The industry must continue to address this issue by implementing stricter security measures, educating collectors on authentication methods, and increasing collaboration among stakeholders.
So the moral of this story is you or anyone (including us) can be a victim of fake/counterfeit sports cards. It can, and likely will, only get worse with the continued improvement of home printing devices and card stock cutting tools.
We hope you take this seriously. Only by taking a united stance against counterfeit cards can the sports card industry preserve its integrity and ensure a sustainable future. Without it the industry might go the way of the dinosaurs, or worse bring in unwanted government regulations and oversight.
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