- Report: #1044720
Complaint Review: Steven Zarelli - Internet
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Steven Zarelli
Ballston Lake 12019 Internet, United States of America
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Web:
zipper68.blogspot.com/
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Steven Zarelli Sten Zarelli-Autograph Authenticator Steven Zarelli is a proclaimed Autograph Expert, but in my opinion , he needs time to grow Internet
For the past fifteen years, I have been making trips to Florida. I saw a few space shuttles from Daytona Beach and visited Kennedy space Center. I met quite a few astronauts , in fact I attended a few IN PERSON book signings. At each book signing , I purchased more than a dozen books and each book was sign in front of me. A simple telephone call, or a letter would confirm these signings. I have photographs as well.One of the book signings that I attended had James Lovell as a guest signer. I shook hands with him, several photographs were taken, and he signed a few books for me. I decided to sell one of my signed copies of Lost Moon on eBay. The buyer received an opinion from Steven Zarelli about the book. Mr. Zarelli gave an opinion that the signature was highly suspect. I saw the book signed with my own eyes, so I found the matter to be quite frustrating. I tried to reason it out and I looked at my signed books to see if perhaps James Lovell had signed his name differently in some way, but upon doing comparisons, this was simply NOT THE CASE !I had heard of Steve Zarelli before. I was previously of the opinion that he had studied autographs extensively and yet he found this book, which Lovell signed in person, to be highly Suspect. How could this be ? No matter how I look at it, Steve Zarelli is not the expert that some proclaim him to be, in my personal opinion. It is my opinion that Mr. Zarelli is knowledgeable, but not a definitive expert. Mr. Zarelli is just man. He is not correct every time. In my case Mr. Zarelli made a mistake. A MISTAKE. Those books were signed by James Lovell in person. I met Lovell and shook the mans hand. NO ONE has any exclusive anything as far as astronaut autographs.As a child, I met Ed Sullivan. One of the bullies in my school did his best to convince the other children that I never met Ed Sullivan. My uncle was a fight announcer and I helped by setting up records. Mr. Sullivan signed one of the records for me because I had nothing else for him to sign. I met quite a few famous people at the fights. I recall being ridiculed in school because a bully convinced some of my school mates that my meeting of Ed Sullivan never happened. Mr. Zarelli seems to fall into a similar category as the bully. Mr. Zarelli is not a bully, but his actions have the same psychological platform because his mistake was an effort to exclude and dismiss me. Sometimes making others appear small is a way for an immature person to make himself appear larger. In my opinion, Mr. Zarelli is NOT the expert that some consider him to be. QUESTION: Do I think Mr. Zarelli is dishonest ? NO. He just needs more life experience . QUESTION: Is Mr Zarelli ripping off people ? Abolutely NOT, he has knowledge and I truly believe that he either knew that my James Lovell book was signed for real, but he was hasty in his opinion, or he found it difficult to admit that someone else , closer to Jims age, could be capable. Mr. Zarelli is actually quite young. He will continue to grow and he is quite intelligent. As an authenticator, in my opinion, he has not yet arrived.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
juanita
jamaica,New York,
United States
3rd Party Authentication is just an Opinion it ia Fad and the Opinionators are Good Salesmen who Lack Real Knowledge
#2Consumer 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.
airforceforlife
Sheppard AFB,Texas,
I Agree
#3Consumer Comment
Sun, May 11, 2014
I have seen many really bad examples and when amature collectors suddendly decide they are experts , they try an(often suceed) to convince others. The calamidy of ego driven experts is that innocent folks are misled . You "In Person" signed books are labeled as fake, wrongfully. People gravitate toward forged or secretarial signed pieces for the simple reason that they have a Certificate of authenticity . Amature Experts are bound to wreal havock on autograph collecting.
An "Amature Expert" is someone who posesses very limited knowledge, but compensates with the ability to self promote themselves. That person might write articles (the articles can ne hogwash) and the articles are designed to impress others and often they sound true. These articles are usually very well written.
It is my opinion that Mr. Zarelli is an amature expert. Please don't let his comments stop you from selling your books. You saw these books signed right in front of you. Mr Zarelli was not there. How dare he form an opinion on your signed books. Books are usually the least likely autographed item to be forged. Forgers ad signatures to mor valuable display pieces and books are usually a safe bet. Your books were signed directly in front of you, so this man can not be that good if he has formed an opinion that they are not real.
