Ball goes for $200,000 on Ebay?!?!!?!?!?!!

[Shoeless Moe]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Babe-Ruth-Signed...item45fa235633

No way?

Way?

[bobbyw8469]

Good day Mr Ruth!

[novakjr]

Buyer immediately left scammer feedback. Don't know why, but for some reason, I've got the feeling it was a legit auction though..

[ChrisGalbreath]

Check the feedback for the seller - it doesn't appear this baseball actually traded for the sale price.

hofautos4 was the buyer and has a couple of really weird purchases on the same day. Just my thoughts...

[Shoeless Moe]

Is this the Gem Mint 10 that is now advertising on this Site? Perhaps they can enlighten us as to what happened.

Not sure why the buyer would leave that feedback.

[ChrisGalbreath]

The buyer spent $400,000 in an 18 second time span on May 4th. Nothing seems right about this transaction.

Too bad for the seller...

[TONY-III]

Hello everyone,
This is Tony Garcia III, President of Gem Mint Auctions, Inc. The buyer, who has only 12 total feedbacks and has never purchased anything over $40, bought the ball at the buy-it-now price of $200K. We pretty much knew right away it was not a legitimate sale, however we are forced to play by Ebay's rules and wait 4 days for him to pay. We sent the invoice and a couple of emails requesting payment and, of course, never heard from the buyer. We filed the non-paying bidder with Ebay and meanwhile, the buyer left bad feedback. Ebay has assured us that the feedback will be removed once the non-paying bidder request is processed - we'll see! Unfortunately, this is sometimes the type of people you run into on Ebay. We will relist the ball soon.

Meanwhile, feel free to check out our "Sneak Peak" for our upcoming auction at GemMintAuctions.com We've got some great consignments already. Check back often as new items are being added weekly!

[David Atkatz]

I suppose, in this great country of ours, Tony, one is free to ask any price one chooses--no matter how absurd.

But--my well-nurtured cynicism notwithstanding--I find it hard to believe that even those with "more money than brains" would bite at this.

[Matthew H]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

I suppose, in this great country of ours, Tony, one is free to ask any price one chooses--no matter how absurd.

But--my well-nurtured cynicism notwithstanding--I find it hard to believe that even those with "more money than brains" would bite at this.

I think he's using eBay for free advertising for his auction. I don't think he expects a sale.

[benjulmag]

Just curious...what's a ball like that reasonably worth?

[RichardSimon]

In this great world we live in, where a grilled cheese sandwich can sell for $25,000 or so (true story) , why would we be surprised by something like this?
The owner of this website has never posted here before, where else can he get free publicity like he is now getting?
And he owns an auction website,,, doesn't the hobby need one of those?

[Big Dave]

For what ebay/paypal charge now, if you can get alittle extra for your money, as in advertising, go for it.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by RichardSimon

In this great world we live in, where a grilled cheese sandwich can sell for $25,000 or so (true story) , why would we be surprised by something like this?
The owner of this website has never posted here before, where else can he get free publicity like he is now getting?
And he owns an auction website,,, doesn't the hobby need one of those?

Well, he (Gem Mint Auctions) IS a PAID advertiser on this board so is playing by the rules imo.....I do appreciate the patronage with the advertising banner too.

I have seen ebay used for advertising many times, very recently too. The way ebay has evolved it's not surprise either. regards

[RichardSimon]

Sorry for speaking out of turn about Gem Mint.
It appeared they were here to just shill their auction.
Sorry for jumping to conclusions.

[TONY-III]

Thanks Leon for stating the facts. I appreciate your support and your site. I have personally been a member for about 2 years. I use this site alot for insight, opinions and also for some really great information. I haven't posted more than a handful of times, because I just haven't had the need to say much hence the quote "Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference". By Mark Twain (Posted above by RichardSimon).

However, I would like to state one very important fact regarding my experience on Ebay. I have picked up some very fine items via what I felt were extremely high BINs. The title says "Buy It Now - OR Best Offer" for a reason. This means that someone is willing to sell an item at the RIGHT price. I find it very challenging and fun to be able to negotiate for an item and get it at a fair price, or as I have often done, at a better-than-fair price. To me this is part of the enjoyment I get out of collecting. The fact that a seller puts an item on Ebay means to me that they do want to sell, but you just have to find their "Sweet Spot". Often, they are just not super motivated or maybe they just need to be able to say that they've tried to get the highest price possible. It was only when I stopped reacting emotionally to their redicilously high BIN price, that I was able to have some fun with it, and negotiate some great deals.Because to me I have no issues with free trade - That's what our counrty was founded on - and if someone actually GETS the price they are asking, good for them! I only get hurt myself IF I CHOOSE to overpay.

Yes, I am doing everything I can to promote my auction company - paid for or otherwise - I would be a fool not to...

Best regards,

Tony Garcia III
Gem Mint Auctiuons, Inc.

[David Atkatz]

You're absolutely right, Tony. How silly of me to think otherwise. Asking ten times the market value for an item, in the hope that a fool with deep pockets will fall for the hype, is what made our country great (and makes "collecting" so much fun.)

[TONY-III]

Thanks Richard for the apology. I too have been guilty of jumping to conclusions, so no worries.

[benjulmag]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

You're absolutely right, Tony. How silly of me to think otherwise. Asking ten times the market value for an item, in the hope that a fool with deep pockets will fall for the hype, is what made our country great (and makes "collecting" so much fun.)

Touche. And to go further, it is BINs such as that that is trashing eBay.

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by benjulmag

Touche. And to go further, it is BINs such as that that is trashing eBay.

You can filter the BIN's out...it's really sad though when your search goes from 4,000+ hits to less than 100 when you do that.