Adding To America's Toughest Want List

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Posted By: Paul Moss

To say that I am shocked over what has transpired would be an understatement.

This certainly is an unfortunate situation. I believe that we just witnessed a million dollars worth of self-promotion and carefully mastered image destroyed over the inability to cough up 1600 bucks. It's all very well to have "America's Toughest Wantlist", but it will remain just that, an unfulfilled list of "wants" if the ability to maintain this image is lacking. I'm from the old school, a deal is a deal, and a man's word is his bond. Where is the rest of the "Group" to bail Mr. Dorskind out of this position? Are they illusionary? Is this "We" business a sort of royal "We", where kings and queens always refer to themselves in the plural? I am indeed confused.

Those of us who know King Yao, are aware that he is held in great respect among the collecting community, and there is absolutely no reason to doubt anything he has stated on this board as being anything but 100% accurate and truthful.

Mr. Dorskin stated that the card market is thin and illiquid. It is certainly thin in comparison to trading on the NYSE, but not so thin as to cause a collector to scratch his head and wonder how he'll ever sell his cards. A couple of phone calls or emails, and I'd have half a dozen people banging at my front door waving cash to get in. The same could be said for very many here on this board in regard to their holdings. The dinosaur days of waiting for SCD to appear in the mailbox and writing to the dealers begging them to take an interest in one's humble collection have gone with the wind. We live in a new world, the internet has relegated that world to the trash heap, thank God! Ebay, oh yes! Who needs the brick and mortar dealer anymore? Who needs the vultures waving bundles of cash waiting to descend on the unsuspecting? We have liquidity in the market through this venue and other internet options. We have chatrooms where information is exchanged and broadcast to many at speeds incomprehensible just a few years ago. Cards can be exchanged and payment can be made within microseconds. That does not translate to being illiquid, au contraire, it reinforces the strength of the market and makes it healthy for all participants. Sure, there will be variances in pricing in such a dynamic market, but so what, that is what a truly free market is all about.

Of course, in a similar fashion, information regarding inappropriate practices of businesses and individuals is also shared at lightening speed, and it is wise to always keep this in mind for those who are inclined to cross the line. If this market is so thin, then the only thing thinner is a reputation, and if one chooses to interact in the business on an ongoing basis, you'd better be like Caesar's wife....beyond reproach.

Mr Dorskind was quick to respond to the post of Tony Andea regarding his "unsolicited" offer of the E92, yet I see that the E92s are specifically mentioned in the wantlist above, so how can this be considered unsolicited? I fail to comprehend. Nevertheless, the delay in responding to Mr. Yao's posts only add greater mystery to this unfolding drama.

As my title stated, a few observations, and all I can say is that when one wants to run with the big dogs, you'd better have the balls to match. If you want to play the bigshot, that's fine, more power to you and I wish you well, but you don't worry about what has transpired in the market in the past, you MAKE the market by stepping up to the plate by paying record prices. Never get outbid on ebay, that is the greatest advertizing you could possibly get and your rep as bigshot would blossom in short order. Do that, and there's no need to promote yourself, I mean your "group", Still, after this episode, it's a moot point. The illusion is shattered.