Example 2
This one might be a trick example. You tell me? It was on sale for $85. There were no closeups of the stitching or tags. The sleeves taper more like an AUTHENTIC, but the squared (pointy) shoulders give this one away as a fake. On this example, the numbers are even done right, which is really unusual. Can't tell if their is an elastic cuff. Note how the jersey material under the Bolt curves nicely into the chest area. Also very unusual for a fake.
SO, is it real or fake? It breaks a couple typical rules, and especially the "it seems too good to be true" rule. Well, it turns out I think it's real.
This was a "one of a kind" from a very reputable seller. The seller usually sells only replicas and other closeout items purchased from Reebok. Many have flaws, all of which he thoroughly disclaims. I have purchased many times from the seller without a problem. After dealing with another seller that does the same, I ended up with one of these (dark blue, Tomlinson). After inquiring about it frankly, they told me it is the '04 - '05 Authentic (may cover other earlier years, too). I am still not sure why it doesn't have a cuffed sleeve, but you can see that the spandex DOES extend along the bottom of the sleeve. The numbers and Bolts are constructed a bit differently. If you go back to the main page and link to the page on AUTHENTICS, you will see a bunch of pictures of the other one I got.
I THINK THIS IS AUTHENTIC! After knowing it's a couple years old, the price becomes a bit more believable, just a single piece of old stock. It's also now an old Charger jersey design, with the new ones out for '07. If the seller were throwing out hundreds of these at a time, it would be a bit tip off. So, this was one of those once in a while opportunities to get lucky with a well-priced authentic.