Autographs America Sold me fake albums, guitar, and guitar case Maple Valley Washington

First off, Autographs America, Inc. does not ship its guitar cases through the U.S. Postal Service simply because it is to big to ship. U.S. Postal Service will not ship anything of those dimensions and also because if Autographs America, Inc. ships through U.S. Postal Service, the feds would be on his track already. Shipping through UPS and FED EX do not have much in the way of legality as the U.S. Postal Service. They are backed by Federal guidlines and UPS and FED EX are not. 

There is a great article written by Steve Cyrkin at Autograph Magazine.  I suggest anyone even contemplating purchasing something from Autographs America read what Steve has to say about not buying forgeries. 

Article can be found at http://autographmagazine.com/tabid/74/itemid/347/Rock--Roll-Autographs--How-to-Avoid-Forgeries.aspx

Read the article and then decide if you what you want to purchase is the real deal.

I would also suggest that any prospective purchaser Look at the fineprint on the Autographs America website when you register:

Authentication Guarantee

Every item purchased from us comes with a Certificate of Authenticity guaranteeing it to be authentic. Each item has been authenticated by American Autograph Authentication Services, and the user of the web site accepts the validity of the authentication at the time of purchase, and no other opinion of the validity of the autograph's authentication is acceptable.

Returns - Resolution of Disputes

Returned items are only acceptable, if they meet the Authentication Guarantee requirements for such a return. First, an agreement must be made by Autographs America that an item, or items, has, or have met the scope of proof to constitute a return, i.e., that the item, or items are, or, were absolutely not signed, or autographed by the artist, or artists in question, and that the purchaser can provide the burden of proof, other than an opinion of another authentication service that the item is not authentic. Otherwise, said items are not returnable, or refundable for any other reason. 
 

In plain English - you buy from our website you agree that OUR OWN authentication service (operated by Brian Burkel as well) says the item is real - we don't care what anyone else says.  What sort of authentication is that???  What sort of guarantee is that??  It means that if you take the item to a third party (as I have) and they say the item is fake, we don't care because you agreed to OUR terms when you bought from us.  Absolute rubbish!!!  Stand behind your product - if its real it will pass the test from any authentication service, or do you have something to hide???

Thanks for listening to our site of this complaint! 

First, this person bought one guitar, and display case for the item.  No other items were purchased from our business.  The case was damaged by the postal service, and the customer was given the choice to pay for insurance, or not.  They chose to not buy insurance, and when it was damaged they wanted to have it replaced, or fixed.  We could not do so because they chose not to buy the insurance. 

Next, they threatened us, to refund their money or they would post lies on this web site.  We refused to refund their money, so now you get to read what they posted.  Consider this:  They say they bought '40 various autographed albums $50,000.' 

Wow, check out our web site, and look at our prices.  Could they have paid over $1000 for each autographed album?  Anyone whose ever visited our site, or bought from us know this could not be true.  Our prices are never that high!  If part of this statement is not true, what is the chance the rest of it is not true. 

This is simply the case of a unsatisfied customer getting mad and finding some way to vent their frustration over not getting what they wanted!  Lesson learned:  If you worry about the post office mishandling your package: Purchase the insurance!

Yes, the case was made in China.  What isn't?  Again, thanks for listening to our rebuttal of this case.

Mr. Burkel keeps his interprise alive via strong-arm tactics provided by his legal counsel. Heres his personal phone number and legal counsel info:

Brian: 253-737-0848

Aric Bomsztyk
Attorney At Law
Martin & Tomlinson
1422 Bellevue Avenue
Seattle, WA98122
P: 206.621.1871
F: 206.621.9907

You also wish to contact this gentleman, he is a reporter:

steve.cyrkin@autographmagazine.com

I have also been ripped off by these guys. Although it has done me absolutely no good please contact the relevant authorities. The FBI cyber crime unit - http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx , The district attorney in Washington State - TacCRC@atg.wa.gov, the US postal service - https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/forms/MailFraudComplaint.aspx
If they get enough complaints maybe someone, somewhere will take notice and do something to get rid of Mr Burkel.
My story here: http://members.ozemail.com.au/~tekdesk/