Strip Card Find

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

I will say that based on geography and a couple other factors I believe "a representative" of Auction Monthly is registered with us. Obviously not going to share his info, but on a whim I dug through our bidders and I think I found him.

EDIT: They've been "outed" on Blow Out https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?p=19207176

[Peter_Spaeth]

Per Blowout.

For reference their names are Ty Baisden and Brandon Baisden. Brandon graduated high school two years ago.

They have a “Sales and Marketing Associate” named Ryan Verdult who is a Junior at UCLA.

[AMPduppp]

Pure speculation, but I wonder if the lack of transparency is a generational thing. Speaking as a comparatively newer and younger collector, I don’t often see sellers on social media use their full name or contact info. It’s all Twitter handles and “shop” names. Knowing that this group does a lot of business on social media, I don’t think it’s a stretch to think they’re carrying that mindset into this new venture. Makes it less of a “purposefully being shady” thing and more of a “new kid on the block,” if that makes sense

-Andrew Parks

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by AMPduppp

Pure speculation, but I wonder if the lack of transparency is a generational thing. Speaking as a comparatively newer and younger collector, I don’t often see sellers on social media use their full name or contact info. It’s all Twitter handles and “shop” names. Knowing that this group does a lot of business on social media, I don’t think it’s a stretch to think they’re carrying that mindset into this new venture. Makes it less of a “purposefully being shady” thing and more of a “new kid on the block,” if that makes sense

-Andrew Parks

That is a plausible explanation seeing that at least two of the three involved in this business are probably in their early 20's.

But if you are dealing with vintage cards, you should also realize that you might be expected to operate (or at least be willing to, upon request) in a more traditional fashion, being that our age demographic skews a little more aggressively around the speed limit on major thoroughfares.

Having said that, I bet many on this board wish their knees/backs etc. were 20-something again.


Brian

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by AMPduppp

Pure speculation, but I wonder if the lack of transparency is a generational thing. Speaking as a comparatively newer and younger collector, I don’t often see sellers on social media use their full name or contact info. It’s all Twitter handles and “shop” names. Knowing that this group does a lot of business on social media, I don’t think it’s a stretch to think they’re carrying that mindset into this new venture. Makes it less of a “purposefully being shady” thing and more of a “new kid on the block,” if that makes sense

-Andrew Parks

Doesn't address the fact that they are an auction that has never run one (and are in violation of numerous California regulations if they are indeed an auction)

[AMPduppp]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Doesn't address the fact that they are an auction that has never run one (and are in violation of numerous California regulations if they are indeed an auction)

Of course, all of that is true. I just think this is a case of a couple guys in over their heads. Hanlon’s Razor and all that.

[gunboat82]

For anyone curious, their California LLC is "West Coast Vintage, LLC" (#202135410682).

I have no clue whether "Auction Monthly" is a DBA or something completely different, or why they're being so secretive about it.

[pawpawdiv9]

I exchange phone texts and a PM with Ty.
Here is some info on their site on their background:
https://auctionmonthly.com/about/
From what i read so far: That they are a sports card shop and help clients sell their items.
I dont know for the auction aspect or where or how to buy, perhaps direct from them.
But seems they send stuff to auction house or other venues to sell.
Otherwise, sit and wait till the cards come back from PSA.
@Gunboat: Yeah that LLC seems right, as they gave me their emails.

[powerty1]

Here is all of the information you are looking for:

1. The only reason that we keep as confidential as we can is to protect the privacy of our customers. However, we will consider all of the comments being made as we continue to grow.

2. Our business model is very clear on our website. We help customers sell sports cards and collectibles to our private customers and select auction houses that we have partnered with.

3. We are not a new company. We have been selling sports cards for many years. However, we are now marketing online, and we have big plans for the future. We love sports cards and helping our customers.

4. Our main goal is to provide the best customer service possible for our customers.

5. We are always open to any questions you may have. We are always buying and selling.

Thanks,
Brandon

[EddieP]

Originally Posted by powerty1

Here is all of the information you are looking for:

1. The only reason that we keep as confidential as we can is to protect the privacy of our customers. However, we will consider all of the comments being made as we continue to grow.

2. Our business model is very clear on our website. We help customers sell sports cards and collectibles to our private customers and select auction houses that we have partnered with.

3. We are not a new company. We have been selling sports cards for many years. However, we are now marketing online, and we have big plans for the future. We love sports cards and helping our customers.

4. Our main goal is to provide the best customer service possible for our customers.

5. We are always open to any questions you may have. We are always buying and selling.

Thanks,
Brandon

So your business model is like the guys on Chasing Cardboard minus the eBay store and YouTube Channel, podcast etc

[gunboat82]

Originally Posted by powerty1

Here is all of the information you are looking for:

1. The only reason that we keep as confidential as we can is to protect the privacy of our customers. However, we will consider all of the comments being made as we continue to grow.

...

3. We are not a new company. We have been selling sports cards for many years. However, we are now marketing online, and we have big plans for the future. We love sports cards and helping our customers.

...

Thanks,
Brandon

Just some follow-up questions:

1. How does keeping your own last names out of press releases protect the privacy of your customers? Couldn't you be completely transparent about who you are and how you're rebranding while also keeping your clientele under wraps?

3. If you're an established company and just now starting to market your services online, why isn't there a clear link between "Auction Monthly" and your other ventures? Is Auction Monthly a separate LLC, or is it all part and parcel of West Coast Vintage?

[raulus]

Originally Posted by powerty1

Here is all of the information you are looking for:

2. Our business model is very clear on our website. We help customers sell sports cards and collectibles to our private customers and select auction houses that we have partnered with.

Welcome to the party, Brandon!

I think a lot of the excitement and confusion was a misunderstanding based on the naming of at least one of your entities. Because it has the word "auction" in it, we all assumed that your entity was itself actually hosting an auction.

But it sounds like you don't actually run your own auction like most other conventional auction houses. But you instead "partner with" other existing auction houses, and they are the ones to host the auction.

So it seems like a bit of a misunderstanding all around. I guess we can put down the pitchforks. At least for now, until another hobby monster comes into our view.

[powerty1]

Originally Posted by gunboat82

For anyone curious, their California LLC is "West Coast Vintage, LLC" (#202135410682).

I have no clue whether "Auction Monthly" is a DBA or something completely different, or why they're being so secretive about it.

No secrets. Auction Monthly is our National company.