A quick note about our Buy/Sell/Trade area and deadbeat Korey Whitmore

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Posted By: leon

Hey guys and girls,
I have recently noticed a ton of folks listing stuff in the BST area that I have never heard of. That is fine and dandy and no issue there. Please remember NOT TO SHIP anything until it's paid for, especially if you don't know the person. Very recently a few folks have said they will take something but then disappeared. It's not too bad when no one gets burned as it's only a little bit of a frustration. On that issue I am slow to make known a person that just backs out of a deal, as long as I don't get a lot of folks telling me about the same person doing it. On other issues like the Korey Whitmore one, where he is known deadbeat and thief, their name needs to be known to everyone and we can handle that too. If you don't know who someone is you can always email me and I will give my knowledge, or lack of, of that person. On any given day there are quite a few more new threads over there than even on the front page....which, again, is fine by me. Happy collecting and remember it is Caveat Emptor on our Buy/Sell/Trade pages and I do want to at least be made aware of issues over there.....take care

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Posted By: Jimmy

Leon,



Thanks for pointing this issue out. This is one reason I do not use the B/S/T often. I would like to use it more and more, but I have had mixed results. I will keep trying, knowing I have someone I can contact, if I have questions



Thanks Jimmy

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Posted By: Fred C

The BST has been a great resource for me. Leon's going to cringe at this and I'm sure he's been asked about this before - it would be nice to have a "feedback" section for the BST, but that would be a bit difficult to manage. I was thinking of a basic section (called BST Feedback) that could be added to the BST. People could leave comments about their experience with a buyer/seller. The only problem would be keeping it limited to one ID per person so that the ID could be easily researched by potential buyers/sellers.

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Posted By: leon

Unfortunately I have to give my standard answer that our s/w is not a very up to date one and we are maxing out our capabilities. I will talk with Brian M about a new place to possibly have some kind of feedback system....but it would be similar to other forums/indexes we have and we would have to make it work....I will look into it but am not real hopeful...honestly.

Overall, we have had great success with that side of our board and I do encourage folks to try it....best regards

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Posted By: Fred C

I wouldn't implement it unless it was fairly easy to create and manage. Overall, I think that a seller/buyer could easily provide references if necessary. If not, then it's buyer beware.

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Posted By: Jim Thierfelder

I have done quite a few deals on the BST and have never had even the slightest problem with any of them. Most of the time I recognize the names of long time board members who have a good reputation on the board.

Maybe instead of a feedback system, which could be complicated, implement a list of A rated BST users. It could be simply a list of people who meet certain qualifications:
Board member for a certain period of time.
Respected or recomended by other board members.
Have long been known to complete smooth BST transactions.

Just a thought.

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Posted By: barrysloate

Leon will disagree with me about this, but I will throw it out anyway: the BST is not only a good venue to sell cards, but it is also a free one. A part of me thinks that people who sell there but never otherwise post may be taking advantage of the system. It should really be a community board instead of a public one.

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Posted By: leon

I sort of agree with you....but managing that would take an extraordinary amount of time. At that point it wouldn't be free anymore as it would be a freakin' full time job. So it will definitely stay the way it is and everyone should be normally cautious.....I have already had one person that wanted a reference today and the person he was dealing with was good as gold...and I said so...best regards

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Posted By: barrysloate

I know it would be hard to police, and not worth the trouble. I just like the idea of give and take... contribute something to the board, and one of the perks is you get to sell whatever you want at no cost.

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Posted By: Anthony S.

I've had nothing but smooth transactions, both buying and selling on the BST, and think it's a wonderful resource, but I've always figured that if I wanted to buy a card of any value from an individual I'd never heard of, I'd simply ask him for hobby references, like the auction houses do. It's not foolproof, but it's a start.

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Posted By: Jim Thierfelder

I justed wanted to add one more comment about the buy/sell/TRADE section. I actually completed a couple trades a few weeks ago. I haven't traded a baseball card in probably 20 years and it reminded me of my hobby roots. It was a lot of fun. Can't do that on EBay.

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Posted By: Dave Hornish

I've had great success with the BST and have done all three activities that it is known for and have picked up some nice stuff from sellers. You need to do due diligence though before making a deal.

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Posted By: Tim Kindler

Although I don't contribute much to many of the threads, I have done my share of business on the BST, both as a seller and as a buyer. I really enjoy the fact that it is a place, for the most part, that is filled with both buyers and sellers who have integrity and complete deals in a fair way. Many times I have stated in an email during a transaction that it is a pleasure doing business with someone on our BST because it is a place where we can truct each other instead of dealing with some bozos over on ebay. (NOT that all ebayers are Bozos, MOST aren't!) I also enjoy the fact that Leon and the powers that be enforce this integrity with an iron fist. I have absolutely no problem with grilling and raking over the coals anyone who disturbs the integrity of this community. Thanks to all who keep it an enjoyable and safe place (AND FREE TOO!)to do business and enjoy our hobby.

Tim Kindler

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Posted By: Lance

I wish I had great news about Korey being arrested, but the law seems to be in his favor. Apparently, crime does pay in Ohio.

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Posted By: Andrew

I have only had smooth transactions on the B/S/T. I will echo the sentiment that trading is a refreshing alternative to selling on eBay.

Andrew

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Posted By: Rob

Same here, I have had nothing but good experiences dealing with the sellers on this site.

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Posted By: Bob Pomilla

A pleasant experience, every time. Also, a noteworthy absence of attitude - wit, yes - attitude, no. I'm grateful for this resource.

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Posted By: David R

I've bought, sold and traded lots of cards on BST and have never had a single problem. Thanks everyone.

David R

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Posted By: Eric S.

I am one of the new posters to the B/S/T and have been out of the collecting game for many years and just now getting back in. I worked in a card shop as a kid in Ohio in the mid eighties when everything was booming and collected pre war the entire time. People still brought Goudey's in the shop back then and they weren't in holders and sometimes actually still in a shoe box. Those days are very rare and virtually gone. It was fun to collect back then but things have changed with the internet, grading and many more dealers that seem to have no care in the history of the cards or game, just the value they cary and the multiple applied to them. Most dealers are experts and love the game so I'm not busting on you guys.

I suppose to make a long story shorter: B/S/T gave me an opportunity to post some cards that hadn't seen the market ever. Never passed hands and ultimately helped a collector further complete a set. There were a few guys bidding back and forth via email but I excluded one higher offer to sell to a collector at a lesser amount. Ebay doesn't give the opportunity to have fun in the process or select who you choose to deal with. Also, I received many emails educating me on the ethics of posting here and what is expected as well as what I should expect out of todays market.

What's wrong with an old fashion trader journal? People can decide whether they want to buy or trust a seller on their own. For some of us this is a hobby and part of the excitement is maybe catching a good deal at a bit of a risk. I learned a long time ago that cards are worth what someone else is willing to pay, not what a book tells you. Sure it's "safer" to buy a card in a ridiculously hideous cheap plastic case with a label at the top but just look at what happened to the coin market when grading took it over.

I fully appreciate the knowledge available through you guys and the ability to buy and sell on B/S/T without all the ebay drama so if my newbie vote counts at all I say you've done a great job and don't try and fix it. Keep it fun.