Mastro Auction Descriptions

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Posted By: Doug Allen

Hey Guys,

I have read with interest many of your comments about our write-ups. Additionally, a good customer of ours provided some very credible feedback of certain lots where the write-ups in his estimation crossed the line. I don't choose to debate it here but I would like ot offer some comments.

First, it is important to note that when these comments were brought to my attention earlier this year much of the June Classic was pretty much put to bed so any reaction would not show in full force until this summer.

Second, this body in in the minority. Many of our customers who admittedly are not as advanced in their knowledge as the collectors on this formum love the detailed historical write-ups. A number have even indicated it is what draws them to the auctions and makes them take things to the next level. You guys are great customers whom I value but you do not represent a majority of the spend in this great hobby of ours. It is my job to ascertain the needs of all our customers when deciding how to produce catalogs. If it was just you guys it would save us a ton of money as a large image and short desciption would suffice.

Third, we have listened. I agree that when detailed even flamboyant write-ups cloud condition descriptions that is problematic. It is not appropriate to let the positive attributes of a particular lot cloud specific problems with cards that need to be disclosed. Case in point "vintage remnants of album removal" is "back damage" no matter how you slice it.

In short we will still differenctiate ourselves with supperior artistic design, images and historical write-ups when assembling our event catalogs...on the other hand we will work diligently to ensure that is seperate and destinct from describing the condition of individual cards and card lots.

Hope this helps clarify our position.

All the best,
Doug