So A Friend of Mine Got This Bat in Vegas....
 

A friend of mine got this bat in vegas...it's a youth bat. Evidently he traded two gold coins for this bat and the guy generously knocked off $1000 for him to make the trade. My friend told me on the phone that I didn't need to worry because it's certed by the guy who authenticates for the Pawn Stars. I said "Steve Grad?" and he said he couldn't remember but he'd send me a pic of the COA. As soon as I saw the pics I told him to undo the trade, he did not take my advice.

What do you guys think?

Not a Cobb expert but that looks pretty bad.


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Oh my freaking God no.

Your friend has five days from the date of purchase to get it back to the thieves shop in LV. I suggest he do so posthaste.

Tom C

The seller wants a statement from a "board certified document examiner" that the signature is not authentic. And in five days no less. A five day money back guarantee, wow.
BINGO,,, warning sign #1 and #2, right at the top of the warning sign list.
And since when does Betty Barbee authenticate for Pawn Stars? She is no Steve Grad, that is for sure.
And the COA has a notary stamp, wow, double wow,, that certainly makes the autograph authentic.
"Sign here authentication lady," "ok, I signed," "bang, stamp."

I didn't know Ty Cobb had changed his name to 'Toy'.

Don't know if it's the same Betty Barbee, but....

https://www.azag.gov/press-release/w...l-estate-fraud

When your friend goes back for the refund, good luck with that, he should ask Ms. Barbee if she is one and the same as the lady in that news story.

What do we think of your friend?

He has issues. Military veteran with some disorders. It's very hard to keep him on track with this stuff, even though I try my best.

Sorry for being a bit sarcastic, had no idea of the situation with your friend.
Good luck to him, he will need it to get a refund.

The "certificate" states he can return it in 5 days no question. Only needs a professional grader after the 5 days. I really hope he can return it.

Thanks Chris.
I was blinded by the words "board certified document examiner" and read it too quickly. Those words always make me giddy :).
Hope this one actually works out for this guy.
Dan, when did your friend buy this?

As soon as I saw "Got this in Vegas", I knew it was probably bad. probably from either Field of Dreams or The Art of Music.

If you don't mind paying about 5000% above normal retail :) you can try History for Sale in Vegas. From what I have seen the autographs are at least authentic.
I remember selling an item for $20-25 to a fellow dealer/friend who put it on ebay for $40 or so.
historydirect (their ebay name) bought it and put it in their store for $1900.

He returned the bat to them today via UPS. He won't get his gold coins back, but they have agreed to give him $1000 back. I'll update when/if they actually come through for him.

Ok, so they wont give him back what he paid, but will give him the 1000 that they they discounted the price? Something just ain't right here. I hope for his sake that I am misunderstanding something here. If not, he is taking one up the butt here.

I guess they sold the gold coins for 3-4k and graciously let him have 1k of it back...better call jimmy mcgill esq.

Chaddurbin -
ROFL,,,, I love that show.

Can we get this guy's phone number out in Las Vegas we will all give him a call. He's being ripped off

It's on the COA shown in the pics above

I think he means your friend's phone number Dan.

Call him and tell him to send your coins and other money you spent. If not he will be reported to the nearest FBI. Don=t play games just do it.

What is the spot value of the two coins. If it's $800, but the on the collectible market they are worth $1500 that's one thing. If the spot is $2400 and they're refunding $1000 he should refuse the payment and report to the authorities.

It sounds to me like they already sold the coins.

My friend was just visiting Las Vegas, he's already home.

I wouldn't be content with losing the value of my gold coins just because they say so. Your friend got taken for a ride, if he returned it within the 5 days stated on the COA then he should have gotten the FULL refund; if he did not then he needs to involve the authorities.

I would be HOT if I were in this situation. talk about shady.

I would give the bat to slippin' Jimmy and have him go down there and beat the guy with the bat. Feel terrible for your friend that he fell for that horrible scam.

Or, I would give a 3rd gold coin to John Wick and make the thief that sold the bat disappear.

This insanity will never end, will it? :cool:

I agree 100% with those who said to give the local FBI a call.