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Posted By: jverri01

Lee asked for more information on the whole NASA graded Wagner issue. I am happy to accomadate, to a point.

First, I have no affiliation of ANY kind with NASA or any of "its people" (which I think is really jujst the owner, Guy Stopard).

Second, I have NEVER purchased a card that was graded by NASA. EVER.

The details: I have a client-base of about 2500 people, worldwide. One of these people, a man in Vermont, is often buying higher-end merchandise, and either selling it outright to me, or asking me to sell it for him, under a consignment arrangement. I have worked with this person for FIVE years, and we have trasacted several hundred items, all without incident. Our relationship is such that, we are trusting and loyal to one another. Often, he will send me a note, briefly describe a piece, and I will agree to terms with him without even seeing the piece. His assessment of condition and value are very much in synch with my own. We have established a very rote method. When he notified me that he had a graded Wagner, it did not surprise me. This guy has worked with me on an authentic Lajoie Goudey, several rare T216 pieces, a Magie error card, a Plank card, etc. When he has something for me - it is typically very high-end. We do so much business together that, we work under the terms of a general contract, which is binding, once we agree to terms on any given piece. When he notified me of the NASA Wagner, I had not seen it. I simply accepted the terms he presented me, and he specified which variation of our contract he wanted to use (each variation is slightly different. The differences are in the amount and types of advertising, the commitment levels, the time period, exclusion factors, appropriate language, etc.). This is where everything started to break down. What he did not tell me was that he had not yet seen the piece. So, before either of us had seen it (I was unaware of him not having seen it), we had agreed to terms. I was obligated to list the piece x number of times, which I did. Before the final listing had occured, and the contract ceased, I had already secured a fraud attorney and compiled a complaint through the Attorney General's office. My client had been deceived by NASA, and the result was a significant financial loss. There is not alot to say beyond that. The law suit went forward, and there was never a time that any court it was presented in did not favor my petition. Once it was established that fraud had indeed been committed, NASA did very little to try and dispute the claim. The entire suit is now in process in Canada, and U.S. legislation is being applied.

I do not hold my client accountable, although we now do not transact very frequently, and when we do, it is always in person, and the terms are considerably more air-tight. The more I learned about NASA, the angrier I got. This guy spends half of his time grading clippings from magazines. Based on the evidence, the history, the business practice, and a number of liabilities that I faced personally, I felt that the right thing to do was bring suit, and attempt to shed light on his disreputable practices.

Clearly, I am not perfect. I am the first to admit this. I have learned a great deal from this experience. And, although it is still an ongoing matter, I feel confident in saying that it is a very severe blow to NASA.

jverri01