(08-26-2012, 06:22 PM)uvaspina Wrote: I think this is an interesting thread. I respect the OP's (and others') viewpoint, but the thing to keep in mind is that card collecting attracts different people for different reasons. Not everyone is interested in spending $25-$500 on cards of players they've never seen play, that they've never had the chance to pull or collect as kids, and that has little fluctuation in value. Some people just like collecting modern cards because these are the players they watch and root for. Whether prospects, rookies, or stars. As far as the genuineness of GU cards goes, I get the OP's point about the ultra high end items (Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, etc.) But I don't spend too much time worrying about where my '11 Clubhouse Collection Adrian Gonzalez GU came from. Topps certifies that it's "game used" or "event used," which is good enough for me. If I wanted an actual jersey, I'd buy one. Most of the GU I collect is just to fill in the gaps in my PC collections for the sake of completeness. Or I use it for trade bait. Maybe I'm not in the same realm as some of the other guys here who drop big money on GU cards. Maybe if I did I'd share the same concern about ensuring the genuineness of GU items.
Rest assured, I do not believen there's any problem with your Adrian Gonzalez relic. Topps has an agreement with MLB and receives their game used items directly from them.
It's the 'legendary' player items that bother me.
An example of this is the 2012 Topps game used bat knob of Babe Ruth. It's currently being offered for sale for $20,000. It is my understanding they are looking for an offer of $7,500+.
You may shake your head and say something is 'wrong' with whomever would spend that much on a baseball card, but I believe they will get it in time.
However, the Topps 'guarantee' just isn't enough for me anymore. I'd want to know who authenticated it, what authentic grade it received, when it was dated to, etc. But that's just me.