CSC COLLECTIBLES Full Page Ad In SCD Magazine

[RichardSimon]

Originally Posted by thetruthisoutthere

You can all read the above comment where Tom Bartsch, editor of SCD magazine writes to James "The running of such an ad was due to poor
communication to say the least and won't be happening again. Thank you."

Well guess what, it did happen again. On page 57 of the SCD issue dated August 10, 2012, Volume 40, NO. 17, is another full page ad from CSC Collectibles.

Attachment 70324

Attachment 70325

Do you mean to say that the "leading" publication in the hobby actually lied??
OMG,,, what a shock, shocked to find SCD shilling for their very few advertisers.

[thetruthisoutthere]

Originally Posted by RichardSimon

Do you mean to say that the "leading" publication in the hobby actually lied??
OMG,,, what a shock, shocked to find SCD shilling for their very few advertisers.

I actually extended an olive branch to Tom Bartsch last year hoping for some peaceful communication. I even went a little further to show my sincerity and purchased a 6-month subscription to SCD magazine.

Mr. Bartsch never replied. Then earlier this year I noticed the CSC Collectibles full-page ad. I emailed Mr. Bartsch about the CSC Collectibles ad and never got a reply. James Graham, a Net54 member, did receive a reply.

Yes, I bashed SCD fervently during my days of my YouTube videos. They deserved every bit of bashing they received by myself and others.

Mr. Bartsch replied to James Graham with The running of such an ad was due to poor communication to say the least and won't be happening again.

Well, Mr. Bartsch, it did happen again. Poor communication again? Are we to really believe that?

[earlywynnfan]

I talked with a former staffer at SCD recently, and he told me how draining it was to check his values at the door and watch CC get so much advertising. He realized his paychecks depended on garbage. He said the whole feeling at the place was depressing.

Ken

[earlywynnfan]

I just spoke with Tom, and I hope he doesn't mind me coming on here to share. I get the feeling he likes these ads just about as much as we do, but he's locked in a battle with the advertising department (which does pay the bills.) I don't know the business enough to say which department has more power, but I'm sure a hefty check makes a strong point.

Ken

[thetruthisoutthere]

Originally Posted by earlywynnfan

I just spoke with Tom, and I hope he doesn't mind me coming on here to share. I get the feeling he likes these ads just about as much as we do, but he's locked in a battle with the advertising department (which does pay the bills.) I don't know the business enough to say which department has more power, but I'm sure a hefty check makes a strong point.

Ken

Ken, I appreciate your efforts to try to get Mr. Bartsch to comment here on Net54 about the recent CSC Collectibles ads.

If Mr. Bartsch hates those CSC Collectibles ads as much as we do, he's certainly not going to post that here. I just can't picture him coming over to explain those full-page CSC Collectibles advertisements.

I will also state that SCD Magazine has the right to accept any advertising they wish, but in the eyes of collectors, it doesn't make them look good.

Sad.

[RichardSimon]

Originally Posted by earlywynnfan

I just spoke with Tom, and I hope he doesn't mind me coming on here to share. I get the feeling he likes these ads just about as much as we do, but he's locked in a battle with the advertising department (which does pay the bills.) I don't know the business enough to say which department has more power, but I'm sure a hefty check makes a strong point.

Ken

So doing the right thing, doing something good for their readers, once again takes second place to making a meager profit.
With the circulation of SCD their ad rates should be about $50 for the back cover.

[Wymers Auction]

Originally Posted by earlywynnfan

I just spoke with Tom, and I hope he doesn't mind me coming on here to share. I get the feeling he likes these ads just about as much as we do, but he's locked in a battle with the advertising department (which does pay the bills.) I don't know the business enough to say which department has more power, but I'm sure a hefty check makes a strong point.

Ken

If he hated these ads like we do they would disappear.

[RobertGT]

This publication lost whatever credibility it had in the hobby many years ago during the Coaches Corner fiasco.

It's unfortunate that Mr. Bartsch seems to be caught in a no-win situation here. If the advertising department refuses to drop the CSC ads, then the only thing he can do is resign or risk compromising his own integrity. CSC is banned from eBay and eBay is KING, like it or not. It's pretty hard for a legitimate business to justify this on any level. It's like the New York Times running an ad for Bernie Madoff investment services after he was convicted.

I never understood why any publication would put a short-term gain ahead of the long-term brand viability. Most collectors aren't stupid (at least that stupid) and will figure it out - maybe after they were burned on that Koufax sig. The result? More dropped subscriptions = fewer readers = smaller subscription base = lower ad rates = less money.

I do believe there is still a market for SCD if they could get past these issues, bring back quality content and serve as a Watchdog in a hobby that desperately needs one.

[ibuysportsephemera]

I just received the 2nd issue of my "new" SCD subscription (I was a subscriber for at least 15 or 20 years until around 2010) and I am happy to be back. I agree that it is a shame that CSC is allowed to advertise, but I actually have found myself looking forward to going through each issue so far. I will introduce myself to Mr. Bartsch tomorrow at the National and say nice things as well so that maybe the publication can continue to get better and grow again.

BTW, how can anyone at all think that a genuine Koufax autograph ball can be had for $95? Anyone who is willing to pay $95 for anything should have a little bit of knowledge about what they are buying IMO.

Jeff