Posted By:
TONYMy only hope is that the industry/hobby can reform itself on it's own ?????
A good question but
Not in my lifetime unless the FBI or a similar entity cracks down big time on the industry
As a collector since 1957, a dealer back to 1972 I'm no newbie to the industry
I tried to get a dealer association started back in the early 80's
Dealers almost laughed me out of the hobby
soon after Kit Young did get such a animal up & running
Is it still in business ?????
I'm kidding, it slowly died without doing anything meaningful that I'm aware of
I suggested a card grading service around 1983
boy did that get dealers nervous......
How dare a 3rd party grade THEIR cards ???
I started a grading service a few yrs later with lou costanzo & a group of other non-hobby individuals
Speaking of Costanzo he ended fkuing me on a deal, guess that's what good friends do to each other in this business
But of course it failed.........just a few too years ahead of the time it would be embraced by the hobby & some dealers like SGC & PSA are
Even today some dealers still fight the concept of graded cards or authenticated memorabilia
There is too much $$$$$ in this industry & the $$$$$ get bigger yearly
didn't i just read the buyers premium by some firms will be 25%
Are u freaking kidding me????
what is the max for a buyers premium?
Is there no limit to the Greed?
Unless something drastic happens in the industry to drive out all the charlatans it will continue "business as usual" & the small gagel of scoundrels will keep getting rich ripping off the hobby
Who will stop it?
I have no idea but sure hope it happens soon & they come down hard on the "lowlifes" who are destroying our great hobby
Tony Galovich