Full Version: Authentic Bills throwbacks
Do the authentic Bills throwbacks have sewn numbers? I had heard that they did not. Trying to tell how close to authentic this jersey on Ebay is. Thanks...
Most are sewn numbers but are on fake jerseys. I would say 95% of "authentic" ebay jerseys are fake, regardless of the seller rating. buyer beware.
Yeah I don't know if any of the threads survived after the crash, but Lori has posted regarding this subject on numerous occasions.
Authentics do indeed have sewn-on names/numbers, but nearly all ebay jerseys are phonies. The few real ones there cost about the same as you'd pay through a reputable dealer... so why buy on ebay in the first place?
That being said, if you're interested in getting a jersey that looks pretty close to the real mccoy, and don't care whether or not it is indeed the real thing, ebay is your best bet. For fakes, most look pretty good, and most people in the stadium will never be able to tell.
Authentics do indeed have sewn-on names/numbers, but nearly all ebay jerseys are phonies. The few real ones there cost about the same as you'd pay through a reputable dealer... so why buy on ebay in the first place?
That being said, if you're interested in getting a jersey that looks pretty close to the real mccoy, and don't care whether or not it is indeed the real thing, ebay is your best bet. For fakes, most look pretty good, and most people in the stadium will never be able to tell.
Ray and sullim are both correct. Since the 2002 redesign, all game-issued Bills jerseys (including the throwbacks) have sewn numbers, and the "authentics" are based on those designs. If the numbers are screened, it's a replica.
On the other hand, if you're talking about a Kelly-era jersey, sewn numbers are a dead giveaway that the shirt isn't real. Back then, the Bills were one of the few teams in the league to use screened numbers on their game jerseys.
If it's listed as an authentic on eBay for a significant markdown from the suggested retail price, it's almost certainly a knockoff. If you're all right with that idea, go for it. The only current "authentics" I see on there are a couple of different Lynch jerseys, and they all look bogus to me. One easy way to tell: look at how the shoulders are cut. Real jerseys will be wider at the top, tapering to where the dazzle cloth used for the shoulders meets the mesh of the body. The shoulder-to-sleeve seam on the counterfeits typically runs straight up and down, giving the shirt a "boxy" look. The sleeve cuffs on the real ones are tighter, too.
And if you buy from this guy, you are guaranteed to get an authentic autograph on a "custom made authentic style" (read: unlicensed) shirt. You want to pay for that? Caveat emptor.
On the other hand, if you're talking about a Kelly-era jersey, sewn numbers are a dead giveaway that the shirt isn't real. Back then, the Bills were one of the few teams in the league to use screened numbers on their game jerseys.
If it's listed as an authentic on eBay for a significant markdown from the suggested retail price, it's almost certainly a knockoff. If you're all right with that idea, go for it. The only current "authentics" I see on there are a couple of different Lynch jerseys, and they all look bogus to me. One easy way to tell: look at how the shoulders are cut. Real jerseys will be wider at the top, tapering to where the dazzle cloth used for the shoulders meets the mesh of the body. The shoulder-to-sleeve seam on the counterfeits typically runs straight up and down, giving the shirt a "boxy" look. The sleeve cuffs on the real ones are tighter, too.
And if you buy from this guy, you are guaranteed to get an authentic autograph on a "custom made authentic style" (read: unlicensed) shirt. You want to pay for that? Caveat emptor.
Hah. That Chargers site shows one of the fake hangtags -- "National Foetball League" -- that appeared on the counterfeit McGahee shirts floating around a couple of years ago.
The NextLevelTalk.com boards have a lot of good info, but you have to register for an account to read the Authentic vs. Fake board.
The NextLevelTalk.com boards have a lot of good info, but you have to register for an account to read the Authentic vs. Fake board.
QUOTE (Lori @ Jul 6 2008, 06:34 PM) 
And if you buy from this guy, you are guaranteed to get an authentic autograph on a "custom made authentic style" (read: unlicensed) shirt. You want to pay for that? Caveat emptor.
No seller could spell that bad and be able to tell the difference between a genuine and a fake. Somehow they want to convince you that just because they show a picture signing that ALL of the jerseys they are selling are genuine.
QUOTE (G. Host @ Jul 7 2008, 12:17 AM)
No seller could spell that bad and be able to tell the difference between a genuine and a fake. Somehow they want to convince you that just because they show a picture signing that ALL of the jerseys they are selling are genuine.
This guy's even worse, Glenn. I sent him a friendly note about a Poz jersey last year -- like the Conlan in that picture, there were several differences from any Bills jersey I've ever seen, and I thought that maybe someone had pulled a fast one on him. The snotty reply I received convinced me that he knew EXACTLY what he was doing, so I told him I'd be warning our 7,500 members against buying anything from him.
And I'll continue to do so.
QUOTE (Lori @ Jul 7 2008, 12:44 AM)
This guy's even worse, Glenn. I sent him a friendly note about a Poz jersey last year -- like the Conlan in that picture, there were several differences from any Bills jersey I've ever seen, and I thought that maybe someone had pulled a fast one on him. The snotty reply I received convinced me that he knew EXACTLY what he was doing, so I told him I'd be warning our 7,500 members against buying anything from him.
And I'll continue to do so.
And I'll continue to do so.
Send a note to ebay saying he is falsely advertising jerseys.
They have pulled ads before.
Just a note to the OP. I've bought a handful of jerseys on ebay before, but only the replica (screen printed) jerseys that sell for $75 in stores. Those you can find on ebay for $25-40 or so, and i've never had a problem with them. They've always come with NFL tags, and the NFL shield on the front collar, etc.,
Regarding the "authentics" that ebay sells, follow the advice of Lori if you want a real authentic like the kind you can find in the bills store for upwards of $200. However, if you are looking for a decent, cheap jersey, dont be afraid to buy an "authentic" one on ebay, just know what you are getting. A buddy of mine in our Bills backers got a $50 "authentic" Lynch jersey last year, with stitched on lettering and nameplate. There's nothing physically wrong with the jersey. Its good quality, and came in good shape (he got his from overseas). But its not the "exact" jersey that the bills have. there are some minor changes. I'd say that a casual fan would be hard pressed to notice any differences without comparing the 2 side to side, but a hardcore fan probably notice the subtle changes.
Treat it like you would buying knock-off stuff in the city. If you go and buy a $25 ROLECKS watch on the corner, you dont expect it to be a real ROLEX. You know its a knock off. Same thing with the authentic jerseys. If you dont mind that its a knock off, and dont want to fork over $200, i dont see a problem getting one off ebay.
Regarding the "authentics" that ebay sells, follow the advice of Lori if you want a real authentic like the kind you can find in the bills store for upwards of $200. However, if you are looking for a decent, cheap jersey, dont be afraid to buy an "authentic" one on ebay, just know what you are getting. A buddy of mine in our Bills backers got a $50 "authentic" Lynch jersey last year, with stitched on lettering and nameplate. There's nothing physically wrong with the jersey. Its good quality, and came in good shape (he got his from overseas). But its not the "exact" jersey that the bills have. there are some minor changes. I'd say that a casual fan would be hard pressed to notice any differences without comparing the 2 side to side, but a hardcore fan probably notice the subtle changes.
Treat it like you would buying knock-off stuff in the city. If you go and buy a $25 ROLECKS watch on the corner, you dont expect it to be a real ROLEX. You know its a knock off. Same thing with the authentic jerseys. If you dont mind that its a knock off, and dont want to fork over $200, i dont see a problem getting one off ebay.
Thanks everyone!
Actually one of the best quality jerseys I own is a knock-off Hartford Whalers with green and BLACK instead of blue. But it's actually the nicest of all my hockey jerseys.
I generally don't care about "authentic" or not, I usually don't wish to pay upwards of 200 bucks for a shirt I'll wear once or twice (the Bills typically LOSE games I watch in my jerseys). But it is nice to know what IS and what ISN'T.
Lori, that bit about the sleeves was an excellent example!
Actually one of the best quality jerseys I own is a knock-off Hartford Whalers with green and BLACK instead of blue. But it's actually the nicest of all my hockey jerseys.
I generally don't care about "authentic" or not, I usually don't wish to pay upwards of 200 bucks for a shirt I'll wear once or twice (the Bills typically LOSE games I watch in my jerseys). But it is nice to know what IS and what ISN'T.
Lori, that bit about the sleeves was an excellent example!
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