Rogue REA employee on eBay?

[DJR]

I was initially sent an unsolicited email via the PSA Set Registry from "dean faragi" asking me about my interest level in some Allen & Ginter N9 Flag cards, since my set is listed. I replied yes and asked about other items for sale. He replied these were the only items he had for sale and to make an offer. I offered $75 and $50. Within under 10 minutes, these exact bids were placed on eBay by hobbyguynj on smgsmg1968. I immediately thought to myself what a turd burglar and lowered my snipes ironically ending up costing him money / reputation.

Mr. Lifson, what facts have I characterized improperly? I have attempted to only post facts (not opinions) and let others judge for themselves. You stated, ''Dean did not do anything whatsoever relating to shill bidding''. This statement is crazy! You also state, ''It is also the first and only time Dean Faragi has done this'', however, this also happened with the Moran hockey card. Furthermore, feedback shows this type of activity has been habitual taking place going back months and years. The hobbyguynj feedback also mentions the name Dean.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by DJR

I was initially sent an unsolicited email via the PSA Set Registry from "dean faragi" asking me about my interest level in some Allen & Ginter N9 Flag cards, since my set is listed. I replied yes and asked about other items for sale. He replied these were the only items he had for sale and to make an offer. I offered $75 and $50. Within under 10 minutes, these exact bids were placed on eBay by hobbyguynj on smgsmg1968. I immediately thought to myself what a turd burglar and lowered my snipes ironically ending up costing him money / reputation.

Mr. Lifson, what facts have I characterized improperly? I have attempted to only post facts (not opinions) and let others judge for themselves. You stated, ''Dean did not do anything whatsoever relating to shill bidding''. This statement is crazy! You also state, ''It is also the first and only time Dean Faragi has done this'', however, this also happened with the Moran hockey card. Furthermore, feedback shows this type of activity has been habitual taking place going back months and years. The hobbyguynj feedback also mentions the name Dean.

This does not answer why you think smgsmg1968 is Dean unless I missed it.

[B O'Brien]

Will there be a TPS report filed to summarize this topic?
Bob

[Robextend]

Originally Posted by B O'Brien

Will there be a TPS report filed to summarize this topic?
Bob

I will work on the cover sheet...I DID get the memo.

[White Borders]

Originally Posted by B O'Brien

Will there be a TPS report filed to summarize this topic?
Bob

Bob Slydell: Well, just a second there, professor. We, uh, we fixed the *glitch*. So he won't be receiving a paycheck anymore, so it'll just work itself out naturally.
Bob Porter: We always like to avoid confrontation, whenever possible. Problem is solved from your end.

[Dean Faragi]

I don’t know who Craig is. Six years is a long time ago but I just do not remember communicating with Craig or anyone about any Kalamazoo Bats card on eBay. I suppose it’s possible I bid on a Kalamazoo Bat card because I do like them but don’t remember ever actually doing so. If I bid on a card I liked that I didn’t win but after was kicking myself for not bidding higher, there were times I would ask the buyer if he would sell it to me at a small profit (years ago all buyer handles were available to see, making this possible). There is nothing wrong with this. There is also nothing wrong with telling a seller that if the buyer doesn’t pay, you are still there to honor your bid. That is what Craig is saying as I understand his post. But I don’t remember the communications Craig is claiming, or any similar communications with anyone on eBay that could have possibly been interpreted in a negative light. If I did have any communication as an underbidder with Craig about any card that he interpreted in a negative light, there is no doubt there was a miscommunication about my intent. Craig, if it was me, you could have called me or written me at any time to discuss the perceived indiscretion. Obviously, if I had been trying to get the seller to sell a card to me that was won by another bidder (something I would never do), it wouldn’t even make sense to contact the rightful buyer to discuss this. Something must have been lost in the communications, but I’m really at a great disadvantage in discussing as I don’t remember the incident. Craig, if we communicated about a card (perhaps it was a different card?) that I was an underbidder on and as the underbidder was expressing interest in buying at a profit from you, no harm was intended.

Sincerely,
Dean Faragi

[benchod]

Dean,
That is a pathetic attempt at an apology. You must have learned how to apologize from Mark Mcgwire.
Why don't you just man up, apologize and I'll consider it over?
email me privately if you wish.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Without seeing the emails themselves, a textbook, he said, he said.

[Leon]

As a matter of policy names are to be known in these kinds of threads. Craig is Craig Lipman. I have known Craig for quite some time and would vouch for him. I am not getting involved in this situation as I have enough of my own situations to keep me going. This is a very open forum and people can always defend themselves if they want to, or not, if they don't want to. There won't be any kind of anonymity allowed, which again, is the general rule. best regards

[Jim VB]

So... If no one else is going to say it...

Welcome to Net54 Dean! How did your first day go?

As far as REA is concerned the only thing they have to do with this is it was an employee of theirs. It would be a dream for me to work at a Major Grading company (SGC REALLY) or Major Sports Auction House. Why does this mean I have to give up collecting?? Who gives a crap if I grade and collect. If I send a submission in it should go through anonymously and be graded on my day off unknown to me. For that matter I would think it would not be possible for any employee to be able to have cards graded or auctioned from/by their place of employement. So I guess I need to work for PSA. May have a bright future there. I know enough to get by, but not enough to matter. May have a good shot at that senior graders position after all

Back to the thread though. Dean from what I gather has really not done anything wrong. I think this whole thing is stupid but this is JMO.

[JP]

Originally Posted by Pup6913

Same paragraph a few sentences apart. A bit contradictory

Not at all contradictory.

In one case, he doesn't win the auction, but contacts the winner of the auction to try and get the card. (fine)

In the other case, he doesn't win an auction, but then contacts the seller to try and get the card instead of the rightful winner. (not fine)

Dean sounds like he has his ducks in a row....welcome, Dean!

[barrysloate]

I agree with other posters that there is nothing wrong with working for a major auction company and at the same time buying cards or memorabilia for one's own collection. It's a benign activity, and if done discretely will cause no problems at all.

But selling cards on ebay, when invariably some of the people you sell to could be important customers of the firm you work for, is probably not so good. If anyone doubts that, just reread this thread.

If I were Dean, and he should listen to Rob before he listens to me, I would quit selling on ebay while working for REA. This has created a public relations mess for both REA and Dean, and never should have happened.

Originally Posted by JP

Not at all contradictory.

In one case, he doesn't win the auction, but contacts the winner of the auction to try and get the card. (fine)

In the other case, he doesn't win an auction, but then contacts the seller to try and get the card instead of the rightful winner. (not fine)

Dean sounds like he has his ducks in a row....welcome, Dean!

I just reread this and you are right JP. I will edit that out. Sorry for that.