Sometimes I am speechless,,, you got to read this one

[Rob D.]

Originally Posted by RichardSimon

And to Barry : you are not the only one who got a headache after reading the e mail.

Hope you're feeling better.

[FUBAR]

Personally, i think this is buyer beware on all cases... the auction house is as guilty for buying it from her as she is from the charity auction. I am sure the charity didnt know it was a forgery and neither did she.

I think what is happening is the auction house is trying to strong arm her! and she is merely looking for help because she doesn't no what to do. She is in panic mode. The auction house is trying to convince her she is liable. I guess it would depend on what paperwork she signed and what it said.

The only advice i would give her is to take her paperwork to a laywer, tell them what happened and see what they say.... do not cave to the auction house unless you signed something saying it was authentic. She came to you because you are an expert in the field and might know better then she what to do, she is very very scared. Out yourself in her shoes, imagine losing the chance at owning your dream home because a charity had a bogus item.

About her needing the money to buy a house.... no one knows her situation. She may have bought the ball 2-3 years ago and now has decided she wants a house with prices being a little lower and more favorable. She has a ball and figures why not sell the ball to obtain a house.. makes sense to me. Peoples finances can change drastically from year to year.

my two cents, just sayin'

[J.McMurry]

I can't shake the feeling that the email is not legit. I think someone may be jerking Richard's chain, for whatever reason, but if it's legit I agree that it was a bit harsh to call her stupid.

As far as the Phd stuff goes, I have several of them,and I utilize them often,in my case they are known as Post Hole Diggers

[ctownboy]

My first thought is that since she is a PH.D, she is used to doing research IN HER FIELD. When something is out of her field of knowlege or discipline, is she going to take the time to research it? No, she is going to LOOK FOR an expert IN THAT OTHER FIELD.

She finds Richard and reaches out to him for his EXPERTISE.

Now Richard, having seen this type of situation before and knowing it is OUT OF HIS FIELD OF EXPERTISE, recommends she find an attorney.

Look, my Mom doesn't know much about baseball but she DOES know the names of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. So, I am sure if she had the chance to buy an autographed baseball at a charity auction or church function for an amount she could afford (and she couldn't get me there to make sure it wasn't a fake) she would do so.

I think the blame should be spread out as follows: 1) to the person who donated the ball for doing so (if they knew it was fake). 2) to the charity auction for saying it was authentic (if they had no proof to back up this claim). 3) Most importantly, to the "sports auction house" who bought and paid for the ball without it having been authenticated first.

If there was no claim of authenticity given by the PH.D lady and the "sports auction house" bought the ball thinking they were getting a good deal and could make a profit on it, then they should take the hit for NOT KNOWING what they were buying.

I mean, isn't THAT what happens in the real world all the time? Businesses that know what they are doing stay in business while those that don't, fail?

[jimthorpe]

Since this came in the form of an email who knows if it is not totally bogus. Could even be a chance Tyler Grady wrote it.

[D. Bergin]

I can't shake the concept she bought the ball at a charity auction just "a few months ago".............and now needs the money for a new house.

How much did she spend at the "charity" event?