Even the so called good guys...ugly hobby?

Leon · #1 05-13-2009, 09:13 AM

I respectfully disagree with your last statement. Not even close. I can think of a thousand things that are less worrisome. I don't know if Kevin was talking tongue in cheek in his email but it doesn't appear that way. This puts a nail in that coffin as far as any respect there was on my part....it's completely gone and probably always will be. How could anyone ever trust that person to look at a card and give an unbiased opinion given the statements made? And no, just like our dear Mr.Chan....I ain't buying the "it was just a joke".

Jim VB · #2 05-13-2009, 10:11 AM

Was anyone but me "offended" by the pics of "Joann as Wonder Woman"? (But at the same time, I kind of liked the Lichtman pic!)

Peter_Spaeth · #3 05-13-2009, 10:11 AM

In my opinion, we should be worried about the numerous people who are altering cards for commercial purposes and the numerous people who are knowingly selling them (and thereby facilitating the card doctors) -- not Kevin, as to whom there is no suggestion that he has done that.

jmk59 · #4 05-13-2009, 10:47 AM

I still think there is something worse about targeting individuals as a revenge kind of thing. I understand that card doctors that put bad cards out there for commercial purposes on a generic basis are an issue. But the idea that someone would do it in a targeted way really sets me all wrong on this.

I can't articulate why it is that targeting people for bad cards seems worse, but it does.

And as to the pictures, I think it's hilarious. He's trying to imitate Wonka's great use of photos and photoshopping, but it's a pretty superficial imitation.

J

Jim VB · #5 05-13-2009, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmk59

And as to the pictures, I think it's hilarious. J

He, at the very least, should have used the correct picture.

mightyq · #6 05-13-2009, 10:52 AM

"a joke my a$$" great job jon, and for making it public, now the whole collecting world knows of kevin, "alert" the grading co.'s, that is a joke, unreal is a good word......leon please take down his link for his website....btw if it were a joke why not say so next sentence or email??????? answer we that riddler....i always felt someone that alters cards for the hell of it were a little shady.....now we know why.......imagine what we dont know?????? very very scary....again great job jon.....like always...

drdduet · #7 05-13-2009, 10:59 AM

Often, the easiest way to hide is right out in the open.

barrysloate · #8 05-13-2009, 11:05 AM

Even I'm pictured on that other thread...hey, I've been called worse.

calvindog · #9 05-13-2009, 11:09 AM

As a wise friend of mine said, I'm sure the grading companies are kicking themselves now about not taking Kevin up on his offer to work with them.

calvindog · #10 05-13-2009, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Even I'm pictured on that other thread...hey, I've been called worse.

Barry, it's like being in the killer's shrine in Silence of the Lambs.

barrysloate · #11 05-13-2009, 11:20 AM

It's something like that...I think I'm guilty by association...you know, part of that mythical Net54 clique. That's okay, I'm in a good mood today, I can take it (and I've been called Sloth before, in the schoolyard).

Leon · #12 05-13-2009, 11:21 AM

I guess we will agree to disagree on this one. I have precedence for the way I feel. I think, as Joann so eloquently stated, there is something different and much, much worse about doing something and targeting a group or person as opposed to a situation done
indiscriminately.

A while back I was asked how I could be friendly with Mastro Auctions IF (and that is still an "if" so far) they shill bid on a lot I won. My answer was the same as it is now. If they did it and targeted me then I would not be friendly with them anymore. If they did it across the board then it's not so personal. It's still bad, and should be punished (again, if they did it) but not like it was done to me personally. All members of Net54 should have a big problem with what Kevin said, imo. Or you can just stick your head in the sand like an ostrich (another bird pun)....and make believe it never happened.

slidekellyslide · #13 05-13-2009, 11:31 AM

Doug Allen came right on this forum and said that Mastro auctions "prepares" cards for grading which included removing creases.

Peter_Spaeth · #14 05-13-2009, 11:43 AM

Wouldn't it be interesting if they disclosed who their consignors were.

Leon · #15 05-13-2009, 11:47 AM

He also came back on the board and said they quit doing that. I think to true collectors there are mixed feelings on removing a crease or wrinkle. I am sort of undecided on it myself but I might also be the large minority and most might have an issue with it....At any rate, if I am not mistaking, they said it wasn't worth the benefit for the grief (or perception) and they quit doing it. I am pretty sure they aren't the only auction house that was doing it.....For the record Scott B and I made it a rule not to touch a card, from day 1. best regards

wonkaticket · #16 05-13-2009, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

Doug Allen came right on this forum and said that Mastro auctions "prepares" cards for grading which included removing creases.

Very true Dan, and Doug has also been called out before for shady stuff.

http://www.network54.com/Forum/15365...+Beloved+Hobby

grandslamcardscria · #17 05-13-2009, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

Doug Allen came right on this forum and said that Mastro auctions "prepares" cards for grading which included removing creases.

Thank goodness Mastro isnt around anymore.

As a casual highend cardbuyer all this talk of altering, doctering etc,,, is rather disturbing. Im really glad I dont collect oddities, seems like to me this is the biggest area to fraud someone. After reading this the so called experts of detecting this type of behaviour may in fact be the ones to worry about.
Very disturbing.

tbob · #18 05-14-2009, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leon

I respectfully disagree with your last statement. Not even close. I can think of a thousand things that are less worrisome. I don't know if Kevin was talking tongue in cheek in his email but it doesn't appear that way. This puts a nail in that coffin as far as any respect there was on my part....it's completely gone and probably always will be. How could anyone ever trust that person to look at a card and give an unbiased opinion given the statements made? And no, just like our dear Mr.Chan....I ain't buying the "it was just a joke".

When I was reading this thread I came to the very same conclusion as leon.