Eastern Members - How would you react in this situation

I will propose to you a hypothetical situation, and would like to see how you would respond/feel if it happend to you.

Hypothetical:

This may be hard to fallow lol

Imagine you have a sports star you enjoy watching on TV of at the stadium.

One day, through an innocent enough conversation between a someone you know well and their acquaintance [who you have never met or heard of] it is discovered that this acquaintance has connections to the organisation the sports star works for. In this conversation the casual acquaintance also notes to the person who is close to you that he/she can have an object autographed for you by your "idol." You send off a UPS package with this object and wait. During the wait, because of this acquaintance's connections to the organisation the sports star works for, he/she came across some team apperal which is not by any means cheap, and sends it to you at no cost. Brand new, with tags, official murchendice.

A few weeks later, the item you sent off is returned to you via UPS [you did NOT pay return shipping]

However, when you open it, the autoghraph does not looks like what you have expected, having seen it through photo's on the internet.

Do you think that this must be real, why would someone go through all this trouble to fake something, spend money on murchendise, spend money on return shipping only to mess with you by faking a signature?

or

Do you think its fake and make up some consperacy theory as to why it was done?

I know this is a bit odd, but I would like to see an oppinion from someone outside the situation.

Thanks!

Depending if the person was standing, sitting, walking, signing on someones back, in a rush, busy or whatever the signature can look different. There are places you can take the item and for 10.00 - 25.00 they will look at it and if the signature is legit they will approve it and give you some sort of certification. Doing that will make you know for sure that it's legit or not. Also......if a ball is worth 1,000.00 if someone signed it doesnt meant it's actually worth that yet. It's probably worth 250.00 until someone looks at it and approves the signature.

It's probably legit if they went through the trouble and even sent you the free shirts, they wouldnt waste their time. If it was me and I couldnt do it I'd just send your stuff back and let you know the plans fell through.

Would someone really go through all that trouble and lying just to impress/satisfy someone?

if i couldnt come through i would just say "guy I couldnt get it done for you...im sorry, you know how pro athletes are" and any other guy would say aw thanks for trying, i appreciate it. Thanks for the official jersey you sent us

I am being told to think the same thing you guys are saying... but the problem is the signature looks nothing like what is to be expected.

A note to the "sports star" was enclosed, and a personal messege was returned on the item in question. If it is real, it is worth more to me than it would be to anyone else since the messege is addressed to me. There would be no thought of ever selling it, therefore there is no thought of having it appraised and certified. It is simply something that means a lot to me if it is real but I am having a hard time believeing that it is because the autoghraph does not look like what is seend online, for instance.

I appreciate your opinions guys.

Any more?

Spend the cash and get it inspected.... it'll always be on your mind otherwise.

^ yep thats the only way to know for sure

^ yep thats the only way to know for sure

Problem is, this is not a typical American sports hero and anyone around here will more than likely have no experience with this person's signature.

Send a hypothetical pipe bomb to be signed, then watch the news to find out if it was the actual sports star...

Send a hypothetical pipe bomb to be signed, then watch the news to find out if it was the actual sports star...

speaking hypotheticaly right?

of course

Post up pics of the signature and tell us who it is. Maybe we a few other sets of eyes on it might change your mind.

If it is not the real one I would say who cares and move on. No need to question it. You never know if that athelete signed 2000 other things before yours and just got messy in writing.

this sounds like a sienfeld episode hahaha

Send a hypothetical pipe bomb to be signed, then watch the news to find out if it was the actual sports star...

I busted out laughing..

Who is the star?

this sounds like a sienfeld episode hahaha



it does

I busted out laughing..

Who is the star?

Kimi Raikkonen

NO GOOGLE ALLOWED! :D

My mother's acquaintance is friends with his wife Jenni

I took a photo of him at the US Grand Prix in 2007 in Indy, send away the photo I took of him. Picture was sent for Jenni to pick up and take to him in Brazil 2 weeks ago.

My thinking is that it's very possible that it's truly authentic and that the images/style of the publicized versions of his signature might just be cleaned/neatened up for the mass market?

As someone who signs a lot of official documents, CofA's, logbooks, instrument documention etc etc for FDA purposes, I can tell you that my signature can change day by day. Sometimes it's just first initial and full last name, sometimes full last name and first initial, sometimes I reverse them. We keep on hand and official signature logbook that you have to sign 10 ways to Sunday to be able to use that as an official signature on documents later.

Sometimes it's something you think about, sometimes it just is a flip of the wrist and you're done. I would just enjoy it as if it were real as this wasn't supposed to be an investment item or something you purchased from someone expecting it to be authentic.

Kimi Raikkonen

NO GOOGLE ALLOWED! :D

My mother's acquaintance is friends with his wife Jenni

I took a photo of him at the US Grand Prix in 2007 in Indy, send away the photo I took of him. Picture was sent for Jenni to pick up and take to him in Brazil 2 weeks ago.

Just look at the watch with his signature (I forget the brand)

These folks often have underlings sign for them.

When I was in the Army, I remember seeing this device which duplicated the signature of a high-ranking Officer (kind of like a stylus device) but who knows...

http://i10.ebayimg.com/06/i/001/33/f5/b54a_12.JPG

No way to know for sure but WHY? would it be fake?
You could send a thank you letter to the shipping address or maybe Kimmi is on twitter and you can thank him and see if you get a response?

http://i10.ebayimg.com/06/i/001/33/f5/b54a_12.JPGNo offense to anyone but that bottom middle pic of him just screams: 'flaming homosexual, :wrist: pouting underwear model, pretty boy wannabe' LOL...not that there is anything wrong with being a gay model or anything of course. ;)
But he's quite wealthy (understatement of the week LOL) and can certainly get more chicks than any of us if he wants so more power to him. :thumb:

No offense to anyone but that bottom middle pic of him just screams: 'flaming homosexual, :wrist: pouting underwear model, pretty boy wannabe' LOL...not that there is anything wrong with being a gay model or anything of course. ;)
But he's quite wealthy (understatement of the week LOL) and can certainly get more chicks than any of us if he wants so more power to him. :thumb:

That pic is part of a Tag Heuer add, he is a spokesperson for the Formula 1 series of Tags.

Im sure he can get a shit ton of poon, but he is Married to Jenni Dahlman-Raikkonen, who is a model. LOL

I highly doubt its fake. Its not like its Michael Jordan or something.

I highly doubt its fake. Its not like its Michael Jordan or something.

that guy is probably worth more than MJ. F1 guys are huge over there and make tons of cash and the good racers have very long careers unlike those in contact sports. How much you think Mario Andretti is worth?

that guy is probably worth more than MJ. F1 guys are huge over there and make tons of cash and the good racers have very long careers unlike those in contact sports. How much you think Mario Andretti is worth?

Actually the richest athlete is Tiger Woods, he's the first billionaire athlete. Actually I think Jordan is second considering he actually owns the right to the Air Jordan logo and apparel business. I just googled it, and back in 2007, they said that Schumacher was on par with Jordan for net worth. Who knows about today. Here's the Forbes acticle about the richest athletes.
http://www.forbes.com/2009/09/29/tiger-woods-billion-business-sports-tiger.html

according to Forbes:

as of 2008, he is listed as the 26th highest paid celebrity overall and the 5th highest paid sportsman behind Tiger Woods, David Beckham, Michael Jordan and Phil Mickelson. In 2009, Räikkönen is listed as the 2nd highest paid athlete in the world, still behind Woods

His contract was $51Mil/year for 3 years. This does not include bonuses for winning races, winning the Driver's World Championship (2007) and helping Ferrari win the Constructor's World Championship in 2007 and 2008. After that come the endorsements like Tag Heuer.

As for the Michael Jordon comment; outside the US, and especially in Europe, Kimi Raikkonen is far more well known than Michael Jordan.

As of the late 90's Formula 1 has been the most watched sport world wide, which means his name is exposed to far more people than players in the NBA. Not to mention that there are at any one time several hundred active players in the NBA [though Jordan is a one and only type] but there are only 20 active Formula 1 drivers in the world, a far more exclusive club.

according to Forbes:

as of 2008, he is listed as the 26th highest paid celebrity overall and the 5th highest paid sportsman behind Tiger Woods, David Beckham, Michael Jordan and Phil Mickelson. In 2009, Räikkönen is listed as the 2nd highest paid athlete in the world, still behind Woods

His contract was $51Mil/year for 3 years. This does not include bonuses for winning races, winning the Driver's World Championship (2007) and helping Ferrari win the Constructor's World Championship in 2007 and 2008. After that come the endorsements like Tag Heuer.

As for the Michael Jordon comment; outside the US, and especially in Europe, Kimi Raikkonen is far more well known than Michael Jordan.

As of the late 90's Formula 1 has been the most watched sport world wide, which means his name is exposed to far more people than players in the NBA. Not to mention that there are at any one time several hundred active players in the NBA [though Jordan is a one and only type] but there are only 20 active Formula 1 drivers in the world, a far more exclusive club.

There is absolutely ZERO CHANCE that Kimi Raikkonen is a more recognizable name than Michael Jordan. Anywhere.

There is absolutely ZERO CHANCE that Kimi Raikkonen is a more recognizable name than Michael Jordan. Anywhere.

ignorance is bliss. :jest:

There is absolutely ZERO CHANCE that Kimi Raikkonen is a more recognizable name than Michael Jordan. Anywhere.

You're kidding me right?

Have you ever been outside the United States? In Europe? How many French people do you see walking around in a "23" Bulls Jersey? How many will you see with a red Ferrari had and a Finish [as in the country not the end of the race] flag on it?

-Jordan has not played in what, close to a decade? Kimi was a Driver for Ferrari F1.
-The NBA hosts games in the US/Canada Formula 1 has 18+ races in 17+ countries on 5 out of 7 continents.

Formula 1 just had their first race in Abu Dhabi [UAE], Kimi was everywhere, opening up a Tag store, at the opening of the Ferrari World amusement park. If you ask someone in Abu Dhabi to pick out a picture of Michael Jordan from a line up and a picture of Kimi in a line up, so you realy think they will have a harder time picking out Kimi over Jordan?

You are very delusional my friend.

In the US, sure. No one would know who the hell Raikkonen is. That is why he can go to NYC, walk around the streets and not be bothered. Michael Schumacher does the same. I am sure Jordan can go to Valancia Spain and walk around as just another American turist. But put Kimi on the street there and you will have a riot!

As Mark said, ignorace is blis dude.

http://www.google.com/trends?q=kimi+raikkonen%2C+michael+jordan&ctab=0&geo=all&date=all&sort=0

Its not even close according to google. Use the drop down bar to change countries. The gap does get smaller in Europe. Kimi has more news stories, yet still is searched less. Pretty good judge of worldwide popularity especially with only approximately 13% of the worlds internet users being from the US. 15% from N. America.

http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm


Google:
kimi raikkonen about 3.92m pages
michael jordon about 45m pages
tiger woods about 23.8m pages
derek jeter about 3.52m pages

http://www.google.com/trends?q=kimi+raikkonen%2C+michael+jordan&ctab=0&geo=all&date=all&sort=0

Its not even close according to google. Use the drop down bar to change countries. The gap does get smaller in Europe. Kimi has more news stories, yet still is searched less. Pretty good judge of worldwide popularity especially with only approximately 13% of the worlds internet users being from the US. 15% from N. America.

http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm


Google:
kimi raikkonen about 3.92m pages
michael jordon about 45m pages
tiger woods about 23.8m pages
derek jeter about 3.52m pages

Search trend does not equal popularity overall.

Think about it, is anyone in Singapore realy Google-ing Derek Jeter? Even though only 13% of the world's internet conections are in the US, I am sure that there is a disproportionaly larger amount of bandwidth used in the US than in other locations.

If you listen to the Howard Stern who, quite a few times a gues they had on that day will be Googles number one search that day or week. Does that mean that that person is more famous that Jordan? Doubt it, especialy when half the time its a porn star.

Just because more poeople search for MJ on google, does not mean he is more recognisable in all parts of the world than Kimi. In the US, yes w/o a doubt. But in Europe, Asia, Middle East... I doubt it. Especialy in countries like Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Brazil where Formula 1 and Soccer far ourpace American Basketball from 10 years ago.

http://www.google.com/trends?q=kimi+raikkonen%2C+michael+jordan&ctab=0&geo=all&date=all&sort=0

Its not even close according to google. Use the drop down bar to change countries. The gap does get smaller in Europe. Kimi has more news stories, yet still is searched less. Pretty good judge of worldwide popularity especially with only approximately 13% of the worlds internet users being from the US. 15% from N. America.

http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm


Google:
kimi raikkonen about 3.92m pages
michael jordon about 45m pages
tiger woods about 23.8m pages
derek jeter about 3.52m pages


the world according to google?? :confused:

What?! Your basing someone's popularity based on a google search?

More countires on earth know what F1 racing is then basketball. Basketball isnt even that big outside of the USA. F1 races are held everywhere around the world and the best racers travel to all of the different countries.

You either stubborn and even though you know your wrong you wont admit it or you are that far off your rocker that you actually think a tiny sport like basketball has more popularity then a world wide sport like F1 racing. Whatever man, arguing the fact is like talking to a brick wall.

I can find you a google article to prove that big foot, ufo's, vampires, werewolves, the lochness monster and a half man half goat are real..........that must be correct then right? Common sense can answer alot of questions.

What?! Your basing someone's popularity based on a google search?

More countires on earth know what F1 racing is then basketball. Basketball isnt even that big outside of the USA. F1 races are held everywhere around the world and the best racers travel to all of the different countries.

You either stubborn and even though you know your wrong you wont admit it or you are that far off your rocker that you actually think a tiny sport like basketball has more popularity then a world wide sport like F1 racing. Whatever man, arguing the fact is like talking to a brick wall.

I can find you a google article to prove that big foot, ufo's, vampires, werewolves, the lochness monster and a half man half goat are real..........that must be correct then right? Common sense can answer alot of questions.

Damn... I did not think anyone would support me when it came to saying something as "Un-American" as F1 is more pupular than Basketball lol

Siriosly though, I did not think anyone would take my side on this. Thank you!

How much you think Mario Andretti is worth?Mario probably isn't worth quite as much as one might think, he was in F1 during a different era where the money was strong but not at all like it is today (as would be the case with most sports/athletes).
Mario's money probably came more from endorsements, ads and team ownership after he'd retired then while he was actually driving.





What?! Your basing someone's popularity based on a google search?
More countires on earth know what F1 racing is then basketball. Basketball isnt even that big outside of the USA. F1 races are held everywhere around the world and the best racers travel to all of the different countries.I see your points and do agree for the most part but I believe what some might be talking about is not so much 'F1 versus NBA' but the visible recognition of an actual single person/individual walking down the street in public.
MJ is known around the world as well because 1) ads involving/including him are in fact shown/displayed in Europe and Asia and 2) popular American culture (which he is a part of) is strewn all around the world through new technology/satellite/cable TV etc and 3) he's a really really tall African American dude ;) and he simply stands out (especially if there is already a big crowd around (which again is obviously more likely here than it would be over there))
Worldwide/globally speaking yes, I would still say that Kimi might be more popular than MJ....though I'm betting that Tiger Woods still might have them both covered in that department. :nod:
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I'll bet there are more people in attendance of ONE F1 race than ALL the games in the NBA played on any given week and I'd bet that same SINGLE race has MORE home viewers than ALL the viewers for NBA games for THE WHOLE SEASON. It's WORLDWIDE, NBA is just basically in the USA.
Open your eyes Jerky!! :)

Worldwide/globally speaking yes, I would still say that Kimi might be more popular than MJ....though I'm betting that Tiger Woods still might have them both covered in that department. :nod:


Agreed! Golf is Worldwide though, unlike Bball so it makes sense.

If you guys think NBA is just the USA, you're an idiot. Simple as that. China (you know the largest country in the world?) has a HUGE nba following. Absolutely huge. More people in China play basketball (300m) than the entire population of the United States. 34m viewers a week, just for NBA games in China. over a billion viewers per season.

since you quoted wikipedia (as a credible source even though google as not HAHA) Ill quote the formula one page: Formula One is a massive television event, with a global audience of 600 million people per season

China has a larger NBA viewing population per season that formula f1 globally. Just China. Maybe if you said "in europe" instead of "outside of the US" I wouldnt jump on you but facts are facts.

I'll bet there are more people in attendance of ONE F1 race than ALL the games in the NBA played on any given week and I'd bet that same SINGLE race has MORE home viewers than ALL the viewers for NBA games for THE WHOLE SEASON. It's WORLDWIDE, NBA is just basically in the USA.
Open your eyes Jerky!! :)

British GP has 120k, 3 day event 310k

Abu dhabi had 50k in attendance

"This is a dispiriting trend among most of F1’s newest venues. Istanbul had 32,000 fans on race day this year, Sepang had 30,000 – and they only got to see half a race."

No NBA team averages less than 12k fans a game (small arenas, not huge outdoor venues but alas) -- average of 10 games a day...70 game a week, 750K++ people a week in the US attend an NBA game.

British GP has 120k, 3 day event 310k

Abu dhabi had 50k in attendance

"This is a dispiriting trend among most of F1’s newest venues. Istanbul had 32,000 fans on race day this year, Sepang had 30,000 – and they only got to see half a race."

No NBA team averages less than 12k fans a game (small arenas, not huge outdoor venues but alas) -- average of 10 games a day...70 game a week, 750K++ people a week in the US attend an NBA game.

You are talking about new tracks that no one likes... look up the atendance for Circuit de Catalunya, Nurburgring, Susuka, Interlagos and so on. Not to mention that when I was at Indy in 05-07 there was not a single open seat to be had.

China? I did not even think they could watch American television over there. And as far as people playing a sport; I think its somewhat cheaper to buy a basketball and throw it through a fruit basket nailed to a wall with the bottom cut out then it is to drive a F1 car. Just because people in China play basketball [because it is a cheap sport to get into] does not mean a basketball star who ended his career 10 years ago and does undershirt commertials now is more popular than the highest paid Formula1 driver, who drives for the most famous name in all of motor racing.

does not mean a basketball star who ended his career 10 years ago and does undershirt commertials now is more popular than the highest paid Formula1 driver, who drives for the most famous name in all of motor racing.Kimi drives for Porsche?:huh: :confused: :P ;)

Not to send this 'already off on a tangent' thread further off on yet another tangent :D but it is truly debatable as to whether or not Ferrari is the most famous name in motor racing.
In F1, absolutely, but in motor racing overall it could (but not necessarily) very well be considered Porsche (ie: LeMans, International GT racing, IMSA, Daytona, Sebring etc.)

I thought Mazda (sorry, I'm laughing already) claimed to have more of it's cars raced every weekend than any other make.

Sorry, I just had to laugh... I need a good laugh today.

Who is quoting Wikipedia? If you want to quote numbers then quote numbers, F1 has generated billions more in revenue then the NBA. F1 racing does this while have 90% less events then the NBA. For the 100’s of games and all the people they bring it they sure aren’t showing the revenue. Asia? Yea exactly, Asia is where ALL of the F1 growth is, that part of the WORLD is catering to F1 racing hand and foot because it brings in so much money.

Basketball, give me a break. Yea they're making tons of money.....you believe that while they endorse cereal, PowerAde and 3.00 t-shirts and let F1 keep playing with Ferrari's and wrist watches that cost more than both of your cars combined.

The last Fuji race had to limit how many people could attend from 140,000 to 110,000.

Yea Jordan could of def got 140,000 people to come to a game.........................

Who is quoting Wikipedia? If you want to quote numbers then quote numbers, F1 has generated billions more in revenue then the NBA. F1 racing does this while have 90% less events then the NBA. For the 100’s of games and all the people they bring it they sure aren’t showing the revenue. Asia? Yea exactly, Asia is where ALL of the F1 growth is, that part of the WORLD is catering to F1 racing hand and foot because it brings in so much money.

Basketball, give me a break. Yea they're making tons of money.....you believe that while they endorse cereal, PowerAde and 3.00 t-shirts and let F1 keep playing with Ferrari's and wrist watches that cost more than both of your cars combined.

We were talking about popularity, not dollars and cents. But the highest paid nba player (lebron) is right on par with the highest paid f1 driver, atleast according to forbes.

But this wasn't a convo about $

Ps - you guys get butthurt easy as hell. Lol

We were talking about popularity, not dollars and cents. But the highest paid nba player (lebron) is right on par with the highest paid f1 driver, atleast according to forbes.

But this wasn't a convo about $

How is $38Mil on par with $51Mil?

Ps - you guys get butthurt easy as hell. Lol

No one is but hurt, if anything most of these guys bust on me non stop when I argue in favor of Formula1.

This time, they are on my side because you are simply wrong sir.

Kimi drives for Porsche?:huh: :confused: :P ;)

Not to send this 'already off on a tangent' thread further off on yet another tangent :D but it is truly debatable as to whether or not Ferrari is the most famous name in motor racing.
In F1, absolutely, but in motor racing overall it could (but not necessarily) very well be considered Porsche (ie: LeMans, International GT racing, IMSA, Daytona, Sebring etc.)

I think its safe to say Ferrari is the most famous sname im motor racing. Ferrari won plenty of GT races, many LeMans races and so on.

Porche is a great name, sure. But so is Auto-Union. I would even place Auto-Union above Porche when it comes to famous names in racing.

The word alone send douche-chills down my spine lol F-R-R-A-R-I ooooooooooooooooo

I want to go to Maranello more than a muslim wants to go to Mecca lol

I
The word alone send douche-chills down my spine lol F-R-R-A-R-I ooooooooooooooooo


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4j5m2FuFC48&feature=fvw

Sorry I had to!! I'm just laughing through this whole thread! :jest:

you tube blocked at work

you tube blocked at work

Aww! It was just the Ferrari scene from Fast and the Furious. I figured the way he says "Ferrari" would give you a good dose of douche-chills! :jest:

Aww! It was just the Ferrari scene from Fast and the Furious. I figured the way he says "Ferrari" would give you a good dose of douche-chills! :jest:

not when that douche bag says it lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4j5m2FuFC48&feature=fvwExactly! LOL, that guy in 'Fast and Furious' is exactly what many think of when they picture the stereotypical (American) Ferrari, or even high dollar Porsche, owner. :nod:
Though in all fairness, that's not really a proper assumption for one to make as some people's image of the stereotypical F-body owner is very often far from the truth as well. :)

We were talking about popularity, not dollars and cents. But the highest paid nba player (lebron) is right on par with the highest paid f1 driver, atleast according to forbes.

But this wasn't a convo about $

The losing side of an argument tends to move off the original subject to something more favorable to them. Take it as a compliment.