1952 Topps Mickey Mantle PSA 8 in PWCC Auction

[Rhotchkiss]

Originally Posted by CuriousGeorge

I tried to buy it. The transaction was legit. Probably just a rich guy who doesn’t use eBay but sure knew how to snipe it in the last few seconds.

I know what that's like.....

But just because you got outbid does not mean it was legit; it just means you were outbid, by who we dont know, unless you know something more (and I am guessing you may). Either way, I think it is "nuts" (because I dont if they are stupid, greedy, insane, cockey, cavalier, following a game plan, etc), to publicly log a $500k purchase of a very high impact and visual card/sale to a bidder with Zero feedback, especially under the current climate.

Thanks for the Pic Peter. Its actually a lyric from a U2 song" "A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle".

[Peter_Spaeth]

Ryan, I'm looking for a better image, but I still haven't found what I'm looking for.

[111gecko]

I guess one theory is with so many eyes on this auction; the real buyer may not have wanted anyone to know who they are so they created a new account and was approved by Brent. Bad optics true; but if they wanted the card; that's the way to do it.

[Griffins]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Ryan, I'm looking for a better image, but I still haven't found what I'm looking for.

Dammit, trashed another keyboard laughing and drinking at the same time. Well played Peter.

[CuriousGeorge]

If the guy was vetted and showed the assets able to pay for it, should he be excluded because he has zero feedback which makes the optics bad? I would think a lot of non traditional ebay buyers and PWCC customers would have come out of the woodwork to purchase this card.

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

I know what that's like.....

But just because you got outbid does not mean it was legit; it just means you were outbid, by who we dont know, unless you know something more (and I am guessing you may). Either way, I think it is "nuts" (because I dont if they are stupid, greedy, insane, cockey, cavalier, following a game plan, etc), to publicly log a $500k purchase of a very high impact and visual card/sale to a bidder with Zero feedback, especially under the current climate.

Thanks for the Pic Peter. Its actually a lyric from a U2 song" "A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle".

[benjulmag]

There's dumb, dumber, dumbest and then there's something beyond even that. With law enforcement presumably watching PWCC's every move, coupled with them being advised by astute defense counsel, for PWCC to even contemplate doing anything not entirely kosher with this sale would fall into the "beyond even that" category.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by benjulmag

There's dumb, dumber, dumbest and then there's something beyond even that. With law enforcement presumably watching PWCC's every move, coupled with them being advised by astute defense counsel, for PWCC to even contemplate doing anything not entirely kosher with this sale would fall into the "beyond even that" category.

Like trying to sell an altered T3 Cobb in a PSA 2 slab with a bullshit addendum buried at the bottom, and claiming the numerical grade was appropriate? And trying to convince Jesse it was ok, and only taking it down when he insisted?

That said, on a sale of this magnitude, I would hope he walked the line.

[Johnny630]

What are the odds on this; Back in the vault will be relisted down the road

[BeanTown]

Originally Posted by Johnny630

What are the odds on this; Back in the vault will be relisted down the road

Wonder if the winning bidder is a member or a new member of the famed "buying group".

[Lorewalker]

Impressive appreciation in the asset. Maybe back in Feb had Heritage been involved in a massive hobby scandal the card would have sold for more.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by benjulmag

There's dumb, dumber, dumbest and then there's something beyond even that. With law enforcement presumably watching PWCC's every move, coupled with them being advised by astute defense counsel, for PWCC to even contemplate doing anything not entirely kosher with this sale would fall into the "beyond even that" category.

Paging Mark Allen...

[drcy]

It's best to accuse PWCC when there are facts (and there a many cases where there are facts).

It is plausible that someone who doesn't ordinarily use eBay, or wants to make sure he purchases a half a million-dollar item anonymously, signed up just to buy this card.

[Santo10Fan]

Originally Posted by drcy

It's best to accuse PWCC when there are facts (and there a many cases where there are facts).

It is plausible that someone who doesn't ordinarily use eBay, or wants to make sure he purchases a half a million-dollar item anonymously, signed up just to buy this card.

I deal with the former frequently when I sell current concert posters/prints. Normally they are non-ebay conertgoers scrambling to get a print they just missed since designs change in each city.

Considering PWCC circumstances and the final price, the Mantle buyer hit a good price point. The consigner's ROI was likely not as good as would be expected from PWCC pre-scandal imo, although it was a short turnaround (flip). The buyer has a 14-day NQA return window to examine the card personally and potentially have one or more third parties weigh in. He/she has the backing of ebay, paypal, and PSA. The buyer could choose to challenge PSA directly on its guarantee.

Under those circumstances, I don't find the purchase to be much of a risk, on the contrary it seems a perfect time for an astute buyer to get a nice Mantle.

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by Santo10Fan

I deal with the former frequently when I sell current concert posters/prints. Normally they are non-ebay conertgoers scrambling to get a print they just missed since designs change in each city.

Considering PWCC circumstances and the final price, the Mantle buyer hit a good price point. The consigner's ROI was likely not as good as would be expected from PWCC pre-scandal imo, although it was a short turnaround (flip). The buyer has a 14-day NQA return window to examine the card personally and potentially have one or more third parties weigh in. He/she has the backing of ebay, paypal, and PSA. The buyer could choose to challenge PSA directly on its guarantee.

Under those circumstances, I don't find the purchase to be much of a risk, on the contrary it seems a perfect time for an astute buyer to get a nice Mantle.

I could be mistaken, but didn't PSA claim to have $700K in reserves for their potential "Guarantee" payout?

If that figure is correct, this one card would wipe out 71.4% of their total reserves. Not that they'd ever actually pay out, but that would be a hoot, if it happened.

[Rhotchkiss]

Originally Posted by CuriousGeorge

If the guy was vetted and showed the assets able to pay for it, should he be excluded because he has zero feedback which makes the optics bad? I would think a lot of non traditional ebay buyers and PWCC customers would have come out of the woodwork to purchase this card.

Steven, I hear you, and in most normal cases I totally agree with you. However, this is a unique time for PWCC and I would just think prudence dictates that the optics of all transactions, especially the high profile ones, look normal/proper.

Peter - very nice! But I am going to keep posting Without or Without a better avatar.