Looks like a dead-set fake if you ask me, especially the letter 'g' in Waugh - it is never usually a sharp point at the bottom like that. Unfortunately Steve Waugh's shortened signature is a fairly easy one to copy but this attempt looks nothing like it for mine. Also a Steve Waugh signed mini bat should be worth more that $35.
I would steer well clear - all his feedback is private, and in his other items he is trying to sell a cheap imitation baggy green cap for $125 that isn't even baggy!! Clearly a super-cheap copy in my books and not worth $5.
Great thread Liam.... A belated reply to threat but well worth while.
Its a dead set fake.... any Steve diehard fan would laugh at that signature... I did.. and I bet quite a few of you fellow collectors did also !
I have some simple advice, ask plenty of questions ! Ask the sellers if they have other items signed by the same individual and if so, show some interest and ask for images.. if they are too alike, signature same colour pen, on same place on items, then you make the asumptions for yourself. If someone cant send you a big bold image of any item you show interest in, then they are hiding something ! Mobile pictures or blurry pictures I would avoid full stop!
No player will ever give you much more than one signature when you hit them up face to face.. 25 years of asking for signatures leads me to that conclusion.
I just grabbed a couple of the Waugh minis I had, refer picture, all but one were signed in person. You will see that there are differences on them all. The bottom smaller GM was a bat obtained through redemption. Players will sign many different ways depending on moods but also what there signing on.. bats are different to balls which are different to cards... and all can look a little different.. however they all have the same fundamentals.... I dont see any loop or "J" on the G's on my bats....
Suggestion to anyone that reads this thread, if you are unsure, ask your fellow trusted collectors, start a thread on Ozcardtrader or simply dont bid!