Candiman Auctions Explained

[ZiggerZagger]

Brothers Battles--

Full credit for coming on to state your case. I think this is understandably fascinating to a lot of us on Net54, as Battlefield/War_Eagle_Vintage had become a bit of a punchline on here and elsewhere.

Although I won't consider bidding in the auction, I'm interested to see how the first round goes for folks on here who will hopefully report back their experiences.

Couple of points here, and that's it:

--Ungraded cards of the caliber you have up for auction are very unusual to see these days. We're well past the advent of TPG's, and grading is now the standard way for collectors to protect themselves.
I think it's jarring for most of us to see this caliber of raw cards at auction, and understandably would make us suspicious even a neutral situation.

--However, we are not in a neutral situation. You not only have a good amount of Battlefield's inventory in your auction, but they are your *Family*.
You couldn't have disavowed Battlefield's actions any more strongly but, in the end, those are words. And they are words from an interested party who presumably has tens of thousands of dollars on the line with a current auction running.
And the counterpoint to that is that your direct Family members operated Battlefield for years, the most notorious vintage card operation on eBay.

I genuinely am not trying to be personal, but why persist in the vintage sports collectibles arena with this sort of history??

--Although there were certainly issues with Battlefield's product being trimmed, the bigger issue was the truly impressive manipulation and photoshopping of cards.
Ultimately a buyer ended up with a lesser card than expected, and then had to weigh the trouble of returning once in-hand, or simply just take the path of least resistance and keep it.
Would you be willing to guarantee that no scans have been enhanced or altered in any of your listings, now and in future? That and a return policy for ungradeable cards via TPG's would go a long way.

--Finally, just out of curiosity, with both of your experience in the collecting world, are there maybe some Dealers/Buyers you've had great associations with in the past? Feel free to name-drop.
It's a small community, and for folks who are deeply involved it's hard not to meet others in that circle and make an impression, one way or the other.

If you are truly trying to correct the wrongs of your Family, then I think that's extraordinarily commendable and I will wish you luck.
If this is something less honorable, then it won't escape criticism. Misbehavior with an Auction House doesn't offer the eBay remediation route, just the regular old Court system.

And again, I honestly wish you a lot of luck if things are 100% as you say. I try to be an optimist wherever possible, and hope for the good sense to stop just short of being a fool.

[cardsnstuff]

Originally Posted by ZiggerZagger

Brothers Battles--

Would you be willing to guarantee that no scans have been enhanced or altered in any of your listings, now and in future? That and a return policy for ungradeable cards via TPG's would go a long way.

.

Agreed. Because the problem is their reputation was among the worst in the industry.

I saw you amended your returns as suggested. I think that was a good start.

[Beastmode]

I'm a little late to the party on the "battlefield" threads, but help me out here.

Is Battlefield your last name? Or is that an alias?

Most importantly, what is the full names of ebay users battlefield0516, so I run away from them in the real world?

[horzverti]

Thoughts:

-you started this thread to defend yourself only AFTER a Net54 user posted proof that your last name matches Battlefield’s name. That wasn’t being “upfront and honest.” That was you being reactive. Being “upfront and honest” would have been proactive, but it is too late for that.

-your parents taught you love the hobby. Did they also teach you how to deceive potential buyers?

-what about War Eagle on eBay? You didn’t mention that War Eagle was most likely the same seller as Battlefield. It seems that Candiman is your third attempt to con under a similar format. What will your next name be?....just so we know.

-you wrote, “we advised them to shut down their business.” I read that Battlefield was booted from eBay and that they didn’t voluntarily close their business. Are saying that they weren’t booted from eBay for fraud?

-it seems like you have a huge inventory of altered/trimmed cards to sell. Since you have so much $ and time invested in this ongoing con, you have no choice but to sell these cards to recoup $ = newly created auction house.

-it is interesting that you repeatedly referred to your parents as “Battlefield”, “them” or “they.” I encourage readers here to re-read the original post and substitute those words with the phrase “our parents.” I feel that you are just trying distract us into forgetting that you are “related” to con artists. I’d like to remind potential buyers here that they may be taking on too much of a risk of fraud at its worst and just a headache at its best.

-I feel that there may not be a Daniel or Justin at all. Just the same people trying to deceive collectors by using a slightly different format. Maybe Daniel/Justin were the original culprits all along. If so, then why would they start being honest now?

-I was never ripped off by Battlefield, but they tried their best to try to rip me off. I bought some cards which turned out to be heavily photoshopped. I contacted Battlefield twice through eBay and didn’t receive a response. I returned the cards through eBay and eBay had to force them to refund $. A few weeks later the same cards were sold again using the same photos. Deception, attempted fraud, zero customer service, then more deception.

If you become an honest seller(s), then I wish you luck.

[cardsnstuff]

Brothers Battle:

If you are sincere about starting over and undoing so many wrongs; which, if true, I think is admirable; how about accepting paypal? I saw on your on rules page that specifically you do not; Paypal has built in buyer protections, at least until you have demonstrated good faith. That way us buyers have protection, in case "family" history repeats itself.

[bbcardzman]

Can't believe these guys are starting an auction house and using their real names. Smart business move!! I agree with many on this forum. Carol tried to scam me a few years ago also and only thanks to paypal and not eBay was I able to get my money back. I, for one, don't buy into any of this crap. If I was a betting man, my money would be on - different forum - same old crap. Can't wait to see all the feedback on this auction, if anyone here would even participate. Although now that they are not protected by eBay, guess they had better be on the up-and-up. Mail fraud is a serious offense.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Even if you believed it, who would go on a public forum and call their parents' actions "despicable"? The same parents who are supplying them with most of their material. This whole thing seems odd to me.

[ullmandds]

I was duped by battlefield...with deceptive scans and inaccurate descriptions. I DID get my money back and after that steared far clear of them. With their history...in my opinion your endeavor is doomed and i will not be doing business with you. Id consider changing the name too..sounds like a drugdealer!

[Beastmode]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Even if you believed it, who would go on a public forum and call their parents' actions "despicable"? The same parents who are supplying them with most of their material. This whole thing seems odd to me.

Exactly. Looks like his name is Daniel Battles. He's had Candiman, Inc. since 2011. I'm guessing Candiman Auctions is rolled into his vast conglomerate, similar to Berkshire. Smoke and mirrors. This whole story is hard to believe, IMO. If you're buying anything in this auction, you're begging to be screwed.

[111gecko]

Just a quick question. Has anyone confirmed it was actually the parents and not the brothers running the EBay account?

[DJR]

Mason Cole Battles - Are you related?

http://www.dothaneagle.com/news/crim...7a43b2370.html

[Jason]

My parents would have to do way more than be bad eBay sellers for me to "disavow" them. Best of luck with the auction house guys.

[OriolesHOF]

Originally Posted by horzverti

Thoughts:

-you started this thread to defend yourself only AFTER a Net54 user posted proof that your last name matches Battlefield’s name. That wasn’t being “upfront and honest.” That was you being reactive. Being “upfront and honest” would have been proactive, but it is too late for that.

-your parents taught you love the hobby. Did they also teach you how to deceive potential buyers?

-what about War Eagle on eBay? You didn’t mention that War Eagle was most likely the same seller as Battlefield. It seems that Candiman is your third attempt to con under a similar format. What will your next name be?....just so we know.

-you wrote, “we advised them to shut down their business.” I read that Battlefield was booted from eBay and that they didn’t voluntarily close their business. Are saying that they weren’t booted from eBay for fraud?

-it seems like you have a huge inventory of altered/trimmed cards to sell. Since you have so much $ and time invested in this ongoing con, you have no choice but to sell these cards to recoup $ = newly created auction house.

-it is interesting that you repeatedly referred to your parents as “Battlefield”, “them” or “they.” I encourage readers here to re-read the original post and substitute those words with the phrase “our parents.” I feel that you are just trying distract us into forgetting that you are “related” to con artists. I’d like to remind potential buyers here that they may be taking on too much of a risk of fraud at its worst and just a headache at its best.

-I feel that there may not be a Daniel or Justin at all. Just the same people trying to deceive collectors by using a slightly different format. Maybe Daniel/Justin were the original culprits all along. If so, then why would they start being honest now?

-I was never ripped off by Battlefield, but they tried their best to try to rip me off. I bought some cards which turned out to be heavily photoshopped. I contacted Battlefield twice through eBay and didn’t receive a response. I returned the cards through eBay and eBay had to force them to refund $. A few weeks later the same cards were sold again using the same photos. Deception, attempted fraud, zero customer service, then more deception.

If you become an honest seller(s), then I wish you luck.

Curt, I believe your assessment of the situation to be spot on. Master manipulation by the Ebay first family of photoshopped, altered cards in an attempt to sell NET54 members a bag of dog $hit in hopes they'll be happy they bought it.

[Peter_Spaeth]

yep, buy a raw high end expensive card, that we didn't submit for grading and won't say why, from battlefield's relatives, from battlefield's inventory, with a smallish scan, no recourse if you or a tpg disagree with our grade, we have no hobby experience or reputation, but trust us

sorry hope I am wrong but that's where I am despite the pitch

[irv]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

with all the smooth talk and reassurances and self-promoting narrative, I am still waiting for the explanation why you would choose not to grade cards that obviously would be worth substantially more if in fact they are in the condition you claim.

I'm beginning to think these guys like "dodgeball" more than they like Baseball.


Guys, (Candiman) I think it's too late now anyways as you lost anything you had with me by dodging this question, repeatedly.

[egbeachley]

If I was a consignor for a group of $100 - $500 cards, I would not want to spend roughly $25 per card for grading which I probably wouldn't recoup with higher sales. And that's on top of waiting another 4 months to get paid since that's how long it is taking to get back cards from PSA.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by egbeachley

If I was a consignor for a group of $100 - $500 cards, I would not want to spend roughly $25 per card for grading which I probably wouldn't recoup with higher sales. And that's on top of waiting another 4 months to get paid since that's how long it is taking to get back cards from PSA.

And yet countless dealers find it profitable to grade their cards in this range.

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by egbeachley

If I was a consignor for a group of $100 - $500 cards, I would not want to spend roughly $25 per card for grading which I probably wouldn't recoup with higher sales. And that's on top of waiting another 4 months to get paid since that's how long it is taking to get back cards from PSA.

The group sub was entered in Nov 11th....we are still waiting as of March 6th.

[CandimanAuctions]

Originally Posted by egbeachley

If I was a consignor for a group of $100 - $500 cards, I would not want to spend roughly $25 per card for grading which I probably wouldn't recoup with higher sales. And that's on top of waiting another 4 months to get paid since that's how long it is taking to get back cards from PSA.

Thank you for pointing this out Eric. Almost every item in the auction falls into the category you are talking about. The consignor wants everything sold. They don't want to spend a lot of money on grading fees and have to wait months to get them back from PSA.

Thanks,

Daniel

[CandimanAuctions]

Originally Posted by irv

I'm beginning to think these guys like "dodgeball" more than they like Baseball.


Guys, (Candiman) I think it's too late now anyways as you lost anything you had with me by dodging this question, repeatedly.

We haven't dodged any questions Dale. We have nothing to hide. Please see my response to Peter in an earlier post.

Thanks,

Daniel

[pokerplyr80]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

yep, buy a raw high end expensive card, that we didn't submit for grading and won't say why, from battlefield's relatives, from battlefield's inventory, with a smallish scan, no recourse if you or a tpg disagree with our grade, we have no hobby experience or reputation, but trust us

sorry hope I am wrong but that's where I am despite the pitch

That about sums it up. I'm having a hard time understanding why everyone doesn't see this. I get that less educates buyers will bid thinking they can buy, grade, and flip these cards for a profit. Guys on this site should know better. Caveat emptor.

[BeanTown]

Why would any consignor give you cards when you tell potential buyers good luck, and I hope you win the card at a cheap price?

There are many old skool collections out there that have not been slabbed yet. So, why would any consignor give a new auction house some nice cards and not worry about grading or trying to maximize their investment????

[111gecko]

Didn't look, but I assume the buyer premium is +/- 20%.
Auction houses are in this to make money:
Sell a questionable 52T Jackie raw for $1,500 and make a $300 fee.
Sell a NM graded 52T Jackie for $7,000 and make a $1,400 fee.
Why grade them???..maybe they are in it for the love of the hobby only?

[egbeachley]

I said $100 - $500 cards which seems to be the range of most cards in this auction. Not the exceptional few.

[slidekellyslide]

Wow...just wow. What are two young guys with accounting degrees doing getting into the baseball card business when their parents are known as two of the most notorious scammers in hobby history?

Starting off by selling what appears to be a NM-M Mantle in RAW form???

If they were honestly trying to prove they are not chips off the old block then all of those high end looking cards would be encapsulated or described as altered.

No way is this business on the up and up.

[CandimanAuctions]

Originally Posted by OriolesHOF

Curt, I believe your assessment of the situation to be spot on. Master manipulation by the Ebay first family of photoshopped, altered cards in an attempt to sell NET54 members a bag of dog $hit in hopes they'll be happy they bought it.

Hal,

You couldn't be more mistaken. I look forward to proving you wrong.

Thanks,

Daniel