STEVEN ZARELLI SPACE AUTHENTICATION Steve Zarelli Mr Zarelli Disqualified a GORDON COOPER Signed Book , LEAP OF FAITH , that was signed in person Ballston Lake New York
I have collected Autographs since the year 1971. I met many celebrities over the years .
I have become very knowledgeable of Autographs over the past 47 years of collecting as well as selling.
I stood in line for an hour back in 2001 in order to meet, and have books signed by GORDON COOPER The title of these books , LEAP OF FAITH These books were all purchased new , they were First Editions. The cost of these books was $ 25.00 each.There was no extra charge for having these books signed. Gordon Cooper signed these books in front of me. The Bookstore Employees helped me carry the books to my car. I purchased quite a few !
I sold one of the Gordon Cooper Signed, First Editions of LEAP OF FAITH online. The buyer returned the book to me 30 days later becuase she sent the book to Steven Zarelli, of Balliston NY for an opinion and a Certificate. Mr Zarelli sells opinions .
Mr Zarelli rendered his very own opinion that the book was not authentically signed by Gordon Cooper I accepted the return, plus I paid for return shipping of the book.
While Mr Zarelli broke no laws and he did render an OPINION. This was indeed an opinion. I am unclear what the opinion was based upon. I find it incredible that anyone would pay for an autographed book and then pay an addional fee for an opinion on authenticity. My buyer returned the book , but was out of pocket the opinion price with no item to show for it. This deal lacks common sense .
This is not the first time that Steven Zarelli sold one of my customers an opinion on a signed book, or anything else. Several years ago a customer refused to return two items that Mr Zarelli had a negative opinion on. A return of an item is a reasonable request. That customer engaged a credit card charge back with Discover Card and the customer kept the two items.
I am attaching photographs of the Gordon Cooper Signed book that was returned. Readers can form an "opinion" for themselves.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Karl
Essex,Connecticut,
United States
Looking at an Entire Book can Provide Clues as to Authenticity
#5Author of original report
Thu, March 29, 2018
Some Books were meant to be signed..
juanita
jamaica,New York,
United States
THIRD PART AUTHENTICATION IS NOT AUTHENTICATION AT ALL, NO GUARANTEE AT ALL, WRITTEN OPINION ONLY
#5Consumer Suggestion
Sat, March 17, 2018
There are some names in the authentication field that just about everyone will recognize. PSA/DNA, James Spence Authentication, and Global Authenticators. Dealers try to use these names to sell their autographs. If the autograph you are looking at has been authenticated by one of these companies, then "it must be real". Wrong. These companies and others like them have been abusing their privilege for years. All have "D" ratings with the Better Business Bureau for not returning your item, damaging your item, or sending back a different item among other things.
Most importantly, they do not know how to authenticate. JSA has been caught on television twice authenticating fake autographs and on numerous occasions have authenticated reprints and stamped signatures (two of the easiest fakes to spot). PSA authenticated a check stating it was genuinely signed by G.A. Laurell (Laurel Tape & Film. Inc,), but the signature was actually George A. Romero (Director). How did the signature make it through "extensive research and database comparisons" when it wasn't even his name? There is no excuse for a mistake like that, yet they refused to take responsibility. (Thanks to www.autographalert.com for this information). Some 3rd party authenticators have even been caught taking money from dealers to authenticate their forged autographs, while some are notorious for rejecting authentic autographs obtained by fans.
Collectors are beginning to realize the waste of money that 3rd party authentication is. That is why Global Authenticators filed bankruptcy. I am sure more are to follow. You do not need to rely on these companies when purchasing an autograph. You only need a little of your own research to determine the authenticity of the signature you want to purchase.
Karl
Essex,Connecticut,
United States
Zarelli needs to look at the entire book when he tries to determine authenticity
#5Author of original report
Tue, March 06, 2018
Mr. Zarelli has disparaged more than a dozen of my signed books over the past several years. He needs to look at the entire book and he should look at cover, and the published date, The Astronaut Books were signed in front of me. Most were signed in Florida. Some were signed in Texas . It puzzles me why he disparaged these books that were 100% Authentic and signed directly in front of me by the actual astronauts. These disparagements interfere with my business and the return costs are brutal .
Greg
LosAngeles,California,
United States
I purchased items from Karl, never an issue
#5Consumer Comment
Wed, February 28, 2018
I am surprised that Zarelli finds fault with Karls Books.