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Posted By: <b>Dave Haas</b><p>In the now locked GAI-CTD thread I mentioned I was waiting for the return of several cards I sent GAI on Oct 9. One of the 5 cards was a very nice '48/49 Leaf Babe Ruth. Several days after GAI received the cards a person named "Darren" called me and said he was handling my order and wanted to know if I was interested in selling the Ruth card. He said that one of their customers had a want list on file and one of the cards on it was a '48/'49 Ruth. After some negotiating we arrived at a price and he said he would encapsulate the card and upon receipt of a check from the Buyer, send my remaining cards and a GAI check for the amount to me. Well, I received the package today and my remaining 4 cards were there but no Ruth card and no check.<br />Since GAI's phone and website are down and with multiple rumors as to their future, how do you think I should handle this situation? Darren had given me his cell phone number and I have left a message, but since he hasn't responded to previous messages I am not holding my breath for his call. They might have "accidently" forgot to include the check or have I just been scammed. I do have copies of my original submission form and also of the Pregrade results that were on their website. Does anyone have any suggestions. Thanks.

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Posted By: <b>Jay</b><p>Why would a grading site be brokering deals on cards? If I were you I would contact the CA Attorney Generals office.

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Posted By: <b>boxingcardman</b><p>Forget the AG's office. You need to file an embezzlement report with the local police department for the city where Global is located.

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Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>I was thinking the same thing. If I sent cards in to be graded and someone from the company called asking to buy them, I would ask for my cards back and never do business with them again.

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Posted By: <b>Matt</b><p>Wow - just incredible. Where are the GAI homers that were defending them in the other thread? Come try and defend this...

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Posted By: <b>Dave Haas</b><p>I should have been tipped off when I was told by Darren that GAI didn't want a cut of the deal. That I would get all of the sales price. But I was dealing with a nationally recognized grading company who I had dealt with before. Who would know?

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Posted By: <b>Paul Kaufman</b><p>I don't know of any grading services that keep "want lists". You need the services of WARSHAWLAW for this scam !!!

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Posted By: <b>Marty</b><p>"Forget the AG's office. You need to file an embezzlement report with the local police department for the city where Global is located."<br /><br />Which city are they now located in?

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Posted By: <b>Bob</b><p>Dave- I'd suggest that you call Steve Rocchi or Mike Baker and ask them about this. You want to establish first that this "Darren" is actually a GAI employee and if he is, Steve and Mike need to know about this. I had a recent situation with GAI in which 9 of the 10 cards I paid to have graded at the National came back graded but one didn't. It was apparently lost and I received full reimbursement from GAI for it from Steve although the card is one which is rarely offered for sale on ebay or elsewhere. Call them first and give them your complaint. If you don't get any satisfaction there, call the California Attorney General's office, consumer fraud division and/or the District Attorney's office in the county in which GAI is located.<br />Bob

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Posted By: <b>Matt</b><p>Bob - how do you propose he get a hold of them when no one is answering their phones?

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Posted By: <b>Dave Haas</b><p>How do I reach Steve or Mike? Does anyone have their cell phone numbers? <br />About 2 weeks ago I had called to check on my order and the female who answered the phone put me on hold while checked with this Darren about my order so I assume he worked there.

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Posted By: <b>Frank Wakefield</b><p>Dave,<br /><br />Find the address where you mailed the cards. Contact the police there. Try to find an officer who works internet or computer crimes. That is where to start, try and file a report soon, once you figure out who to file with.<br /><br />That would be a good first step.<br /><br />FW

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Posted By: <b>Matt</b><p>Even if "Darren" didn't work there, GAI is still responsible, since you certainly did not give them permission to give your card to a non-GAI employee.

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Posted By: <b>Jay</b><p>Get Attorney Involved

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Posted By: <b>Steve Murray</b><p>well over 200 posts on various theads regarding the GAI matter and not one word from them. Boys, I think the ship done sunk. <img src="/images/sad.gif" height=14 width=14>

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Posted By: <b>Dan Bretta</b><p>I'm finding the "moving" story a lot harder to swallow at this point...after 2-3 days of people panicking on the net about GAI's whereabouts you would think one of the principals of GAI would come on here and allay any fears people were having. There's also a reason why people don't answer their cell phones too.<br /><br />This sucks for those who have outstanding transactions with GAI and if the moving story is true I would NEVER do business with them again.

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Posted By: <b>leon</b><p>I spoke with someone today who spoke with Mike Baker yesterday. GAI, I am told, is done...cooked. There is no other office and no move. I am told no one is answering their phones or cell phones. I have left 2 v-mails for Mike on his cell but don't expect a call back. I am no lawyer but I would guess that in the long run it will be decided what was owned by Global and what wasn't. I don't think creditors would be entitled to stuff GAI didn't own...again, I am no lawyer. This is truly sad.....I hope the good folks that were/are employed by GAI will do the right thing and come out with a personal statement and save some face and integrity over this whole matter....best regards<br /><br />edited typo's

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Posted By: <b>Bob</b><p>Wow, this is beginning to feel more and more like one of those car accidents where you feel terrible but can't look away. I've stuck with GAI through the loss of my e98 set by UPS on the way back after grading and the loss of my card at National this year, but this is just too much. The ramblings and ascerbic pen of the guy who attacked Jon Canfield is too much. If he is connected with GAI as a distribution head in the Midwest I'll really have to just finally cut ties and send everything in the future to SGC. <br />I will try to find Baker's cell phone number and email it to you, Dave H.

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Posted By: <b>Dave Haas</b><p>I guess I should be happy that my other 4 cards were returned. Unfortunately all four of them didn't equal the value of the Ruth card.

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Posted By: <b>Bob</b><p>Dave- I can honestly say the best thing I ever did was take $400 for my T207 Cycle Moriarty which GAI lost and not the $800 in slabbing services which they alternatively offered a few weeks ago <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14> Whew! I would have had a ton of cards collecting dust at their vault and would be worried sick. <br />tbob

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Posted By: <b>Brian</b><p>&lt;&lt;my T207 Cycle Moriarty which GAI lost&gt;&gt;<br /><br /><br />Hopefully you can buy your card back when it hits ebay and maybe for less than the cash you received.

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Posted By: <b>brian</b><p>I noticed others on the CU group who have high dollar card submissions in limbo also. Hope they didn't parachute out of the country with all the vintage gems in tow.

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Posted By: <b>Bob</b><p>Brian- Yes that would be nice but I saw the only other Cycle back Moriarty which I have spotted in the last couple of years sell on ebay around 30-45 days ago for over $600 (as I recall) and it wasn't nearly as nice as mine so I doubt it <img src="/images/sad.gif" height=14 width=14><br />tbob

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Posted By: <b>David B</b><p>Does this mean the prices of slabbed GAI cards will go down in value now that they are cooked?

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Posted By: <b>Dave F</b><p>David<br /><br />I think the prices of GAI slabbed cards had been going down in value...but yes at this point imo I would be breaking any out and sending them somewhere else.

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Posted By: <b>Al Simeone</b><p>Well I guess it will remain to be seen how these TOP NOTCH gentleman handle the dirty laundry! Doesnt look good when you cant even get them on the phone!!! Looks like there is going to be major fall out. I guess SKYDASH can thank his lucky stars that his collection didnt go the route of GAI !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>GAI cards were always selling for a little below market, as their grading was too loose. I imagine over time all their cards will be crossed over to PSA and SGC.<br /><br />I guess those two companies will pick up GAI's market share. Good for them.

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Posted By: <b>Paul Krause</b><p><img src="http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/2307/gaibw7.jpg"><br />

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Posted By: <b>Brian</b><p>Bob,<br /><br />You might not get the price you want, but I bet 2 bits you will see your card at auction in the next 12 months.

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Posted By: <b>Joe S.</b><p>I have a 1956 GAI Robin Roberts graded 8 NM/MT that I'm afraid would cross-over as EXMT, at the best.

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Posted By: <b>leon</b><p>Hmmmm...how to put this. I just heard from a source that is closer than anyone, including the person I mentioned in my previous post, to this situation and here is the up to the minute low down. GAI is NOT over at this particular moment. I am not saying they will not go out of business but at this very moment (5 minutes ago) they aren't. There are things trying to be worked out but it is a very, very fluid situation and could change by the minute/hour. They were evicted as some monies that were supposed to come in, didn't, and rent couldn't be made. All of the submissions are in a secured storage, I am told. NO one at this moment can get to them. This could change very quickly depending on what happens in the next hours. I am told they are trying to work details out to be able to STAY in business AND secure a new lease. I know they are very saddened about their customers having to go through this and no one wanted this to happen, obviously. I was told that this board will be made aware of the situation as soon as something is firm. My guess is we will know more in the next 24-48 hours.....I am sorry I can't tell who my sources are on this but I promised.....

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Posted By: <b>Dave Haas</b><p>Why would they keep one card of mine and return the other four. Makes no sense.

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Posted By: <b>John Basilone</b><p><br />Leon-<br /><br />Did you ask your "source" why he or anyone that he is associated with has not bothered to post an official update on your message board?<br /><br />Another question.....are the cards in Van Nuys?<br /><br /><br /><br />

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Posted By: <b>dstudeba</b><p>Which rent wasn't paid?<br /><br />My guess is the August, September, October, and November.

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Posted By: <b>leon</b><p>I did ask that question. The answer was that since no one actually knows what will develop they are not making an official statement yet. It's that fluid. If they get financing worked out they will stay in business....obviously if they don't then then won't. Personally, I would have handled it differently. Also, my source is not one of the principals in the company.....I think it would be their place to make a statement. If I were them I certainly would have already made one. I didn't ask where the cards are right now but, from our conversation, I would assume they are with other GAI possessions....in a storage close to their closed office...again, that is a guess. I was absolutely told that they are very concerned about the property that is not theirs....but in their possession.

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Posted By: <b>Todd Schultz</b><p>Let's see, they can't pay their rent, and who knows how much/long it's in arrears. Who's to say they could pay it next month?<br /><br />They don't attend shows where they could earn at least exposure or market presence, possibly even revenue, and they don't tell anyone why they are not attending--shows they've regularly attended before.<br /><br />They are "moving", yet can't so much as leave a recording on a voice mail or answering machine, nor park their website while this tumultuous undertaking runs its course. Like it's tough to get phone lines transferred and add a line or two of text on the webpage to notify customers of changes.<br /><br />Customer service is non-existent, and customer orders are being lost or possibly stolen.<br /><br />Yeah, I believe it's a fluid situation all right, and the fluid is swirling around the bowl.

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Posted By: <b>Bob</b><p>If they DO open back again for business they might try slabbing cards for $7 each and giving great customer service to rebuild their business image. If they don't offer reduced prices compared to SGC and PSA I think the damage will be irreparable, but that's just my opinion.

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Posted By: <b>Al C.risafulli</b><p>"If they get financing worked out they will stay in business"<br /><br />Not for nothing, but they're already out of business, whether they get financing or not.<br /><br />Would anyone here submit anything to them after this?<br /><br />-Al

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Posted By: <b>Marc S.</b><p>this time, I swear it's true <img src="/images/wink.gif" height=14 width=14>

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Posted By: <b>JimCrandell</b><p>I sincerely wish the best for Mike and Steve and Danny who are nice people.<br /><br />But, sometimes the best deals are the ones you don't make.<br /><br />At one time, I was prepared if PSA went to half grades to flip my 25,000 graded card collection to GAI and have them grade 25,000 more raw. They would have done it in my card room.<br /><br />Thank goodness PSA did not go to half grades.

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Posted By: <b>boxingbaseballgolf33</b><p>What ever the case, this is kind of disturbing for the hobby to hear a story like this. If PSA or SGC ever offered to buy a high end card from me - I would question it right away<br /><br />Jimmy<br />

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Posted By: <b>Dave F</b><p>Jimmy...would also explain why alot of their cards seem overgraded...if they have deals on the side for cards in submissions....who's to say they wouldn't slab something EX instead of VG-EX?

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Posted By: <b>Jay</b><p>Even if they make it through this situation I can't figure out why anyone would submit cards to them in the future. Why would someone take a risk on a valuable card to save a few dollars on grading? It seems to me that this business is all based on credibility and, once lost, it cannot be replaced.

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Posted By: <b>Jimmy</b><p>Dave,<br /><br />I looked at a GAI graded 1953 Topps Mantle at the Boston Show - the grade was a GAI 7. This is a very tough card and the card was still there at the end of the show. Never been an account holder with GAI, but I have dealers that work with me that used them before and I have seen some crazy grades<br /><br />Jimmy<br />

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Posted By: <b>Dan Bretta</b><p>Exactly Jay...they're done now. Would anyone here send a card to GAI tomorrow if they said "Everything is A-Okay we're back up and running"?

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Posted By: <b>Bryan Long</b><p>I would have to say that if they make it out of this still in business they have a tough road ahead of them. It is not impossible to stay in business after such a thing happens, but, like others have said, they will need to seriously change things around. A very strict marketing plan would be a great start. Tons of businesses have marketing plans, but few actually stick to them. Everyone here that is any type of business at all knows that customer service drives any business. With most businesses, people will put up with an average product for great customer service and a decent price. Cards on the other hand are a different bag altogether. <br /><br />If they do get back in business then I suggest that they find themselves a marketing professional that knows what he/she is doing. Of course, other changes will need to happen as well.<br /><br />They can come back, but damn it will be tough.<br /><br />.<br /><br />Dan: It can be done, but not in a day that is for sure.

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Posted By: <b>leon</b><p>Personally, I agree.......I am but the messenger......

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Posted By: <b>Dave F</b><p>If they do manage to get out of this and stay in business...the best thing to do before a major marketing effort IMO is a name change...make it out to be a completely new business at this point.

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Posted By: <b>Dave F</b><p>It doesn't make much sense to me...of course I know nothing about the business...but how much overhead can a grading company actually have? They don't have that much money tied up in equipment I wouldn't think...besides staff...what is there? How does one go bankrupt running a grading outfit??

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Posted By: <b>JimB</b><p>THey are done. I can't imagine that anyone who was considering financing them would do so now.<br />JimB

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Posted By: <b>peter chao</b><p>Leon,<br /><br />How do you get a new lease when you have an eviction on your credit history?<br /><br />Peter C.

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Posted By: <b>leon</b><p>Dave- going out of business is very simple. I know.....(unfortunately). All you have to do is have more expenses than income. I am pretty sure the biggest costs GAI has/had were employees, rent, technology (including the encapsulating machines)...maybe in that order........and without enough submissions that would be enough..

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Posted By: <b>Jon Canfield</b><p>We (being Net54) should purchase them with banner ad revenue and then start a Pre-WWII only grading service. <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14>

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Posted By: <b>Dan Bretta</b><p>-Employees<br />-Rent<br />-Technology<br />-Advertising on Net54 <img src="/images/wink.gif" height=14 width=14>

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Posted By: <b>leon</b><p>You get a new lease by paying off your current bills in arrears, giving a hefty deposit, and signing another lease....I don't see how they can do it....but I have seen crazier stuff....They would have to have some really good marketing and PR folks, to make a come back, and they have never shown they had those things...

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Posted By: <b>leon</b><p>You guys are killing me <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14>.....

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Posted By: <b>Frank Evanov</b><p><I>"If they don't offer reduced prices compared to SGC and PSA I think the damage will be irreparable"</I><br /><br />Sorry, but they could offer free grading in the future and no one would use them.<br><br>Frank

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Posted By: <b>Todd Schultz</b><p>"Sorry, but they could offer free grading in the future and no one would use them"<br /><br />So Frank, you're saying that if they offered free grading, they couldn't make it up in volume? <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14><br /><br />Actually, the rent issue could probably be handled. Depending on the economy and location, you can often find accommodating landlords who prefer a risky tenant to empty space. Problem is, eventually it's time to pay, and you become more of a headache than it's worth. So tenants can bounce from space to space, but that doesn't help the revenue side, and doesn't bode well when such a basic expense cannot be met.

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Posted By: <b>Dave F</b><p>Well it sounds like instead of exploring every avenue to take out another big loan...that maybe these guys should seperately be calling SGC or PSA about job opps.<br /><br />And while this may be good for PSA and SGC...they should probably be on the horn with a couple folks to. Wouldn't it do a world of good if PSA coaxed Mike Baker back if he is in fact the "top grader" in the business? And obviously put him in a role of GRADING instead of help run a company??

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Posted By: <b>peter chao</b><p>Leon,<br /><br />Jon and Dan had a good idea. I'll be the first employee and start by grading my own cards. In a totally unbiased manner, of course. <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14><br /><br />Peter C.

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Posted By: <b>Anonymous</b><p>-Employees: Too many<br /><br />-Rent: Too high<br /><br />-Technology: $20 a month for web hosting? huh? Everything else, fixed<br /><br />-Advertising on Net54: There's the straw that broke the camel's back!

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Posted By: <b>Marty</b><p>The way that this industy has gone, an auction company should look at him.

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Posted By: <b>David Smith</b><p>One expense you guys are leaving out is paying for "lost" cards. If some employees have sticky fingers and GAI had to pay for the "lost" cards, that could get expensive pretty quickly.<br /><br />David

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Posted By: <b>Sean C</b><p><a href="http://www.beckett.com/estore/news/?eskin=beckett&a=8942&s=1" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://www.beckett.com/estore/news/?eskin=beckett&a=8942&s=1</a><br /><br />What happened to moving 6 doors down?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.beckett.com/estore/news/?A=8931" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://www.beckett.com/estore/news/?A=8931</a><br /><br />Does anyone believe them at this point?

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Posted By: <b>Todd Schultz</b><p>the first five doors down are suites, and the sixth one says "Exit".

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Posted By: <b>JimB</b><p>"I'm just trying to help people understand that [GAI] is not going anywhere and that they're stuff is fine," he said. "The company's still there, it just had to move. Otherwise, I would let you know. Hopefully, by tomorrow, this will all be a passing moment."<br /><br />Barry,<br />I hear GAI is hiring an editor for their press releases. <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14><br />JimB

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Posted By: <b>Ricky Y</b><p>I agree with Frank E. Even with free grading..I don't know that there will be enough interst to recover. At this point right or wrong it maybe too late to regain the trust again as their current trouble is sure to be embedded into the conscience of the customer base that GAI is not a trusted brand. PSA for all its criticism (many deserved) has established itself as the "brand" into the conscience of the collectors. As the posting at CSU shows, many posters often show total faith and loyalty to PSA. They can do no wrong..or if they do, its explained away..that everyone makes mistakes but they are still the best and most trusted. SGC has also established its nitche in the vintage category. GAI did have a head start with their pack grading, but it never took off in the card grading area...and its problems with slow turnaround times and things being lost was too much to overcome. PSA and SGC can lose things and ship things slow and not suffer as much because of its established foothold into the minds of the collecting public. <br /><br />I guess you could say PSA and SGC are like Coke and Pepsi...and GAI is like Cleo Cola.<br /><br />P.S. to get back on topic...I would also try to contact the head honchos there to see what they can do. It sounds very fishy that they would take the Ruth card and sell it. Ethically that doesn't sound too good at all. Good Luck!<br /><br />Ricky Y

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Posted By: <b>Dave Haas</b><p>I called Mike Baker this afternoon and left a detailed message regarding my cards and he returned my call within 45 minutes. He said he had talked to Darren and that a check would be issued Monday for the agreed price for the card (I know, "the checks in the mail"). He said he would personally call me Monday when it was sent overnite mail. I asked him if GAI would survive and he said that as an "employee" he surely wanted it to but it was in the hands of GAI's board of directors who were trying to make things work. He said that he was returning all calls made to him and that all cards in their possession were secure and all customers will be made whole for their submissions. He seemed honestly upset about the situation and how things had progressed, but it appears some of it is out of his hands. I'll let you know if the check is actually in the mail Monday. Thanks for all your advice.

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Posted By: <b>Joe D.</b><p>That was great!<br /><br />LOL

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Posted By: <b>JimCrandell</b><p>Dave,<br /><br />I would trust him to come through.

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Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>Jim- I think an editor would be pretty low on their list of priorities. Perhaps a banker and an attorney would serve them better <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14>

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Posted By: <b>Anonymous</b><p>I have spoke to several people in this issue<br /><br />Steve Coontz:Attorney for the Landlord,GAI was evicted for not paying rent for the entire time the lease was signed for...Thats about 8 months...He stated that company has changed hands from the paper work he has had...He gave me the name of a lawyer and he was not helpful and told me to mind my own business......<br /><br /><br />Debbie Ocoha:She works for the ciy of San Clemente,She states GAI has left 3 other locations in the same manner...They also do not have proper licenses to operate in the state of California..She has pics of the evciton notice and states that the wall partitions were torn down and thrown in the rear of the building.....They also moved in the middle of the nite,And tore the walls down so they could get out with anyone seeing....She also states 3 pod units were in front and were just removed today.....She needs to hear from people who sent into GAI<br /><br /><br />The church:They did not ask GAI for there suite to make more room....They stated also that the PODs were out front and were loaded with what they thought was helmets and other memrobilia....<br /><br /><br />I called and talked to alot of people today,If you have sent into GAI contact an attorney and file a lien agaisnt them for the fair market value of your Items.....My post on Beckett.com caused them to give this response.....There is a Sports radio station involved and a few local papers....They are thinking about getting NBC or someone to give this national exposure....That will get alot of answers for us all..

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Posted By: <b>john/z28jd</b><p> Did anyone else notice that Jim said he was glad that GAI didnt grade 50,000 cards of his? Is it just me,or does anyone else not think that grading that many cards mightve kept them in business and then he wouldnt have to worry,and especially if they did good,it wouldve brought in more business thru word of mouth. I think we can single-handedly blame Jim for them going out of business <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14>

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Posted By: <b>Al C.risafulli</b><p>""The company is not going out of business," Sipe said adamantly."<br /><br /><br />It's not dead, it's just stunned.<br /><br />-Al

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Posted By: <b>JimCrandell</b><p>John--50,000 cards-$50,000--seemed like a compelling deal at the time.

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Posted By: <b>john/z28jd</b><p> They probably thought the same thing as i said,the exposure they would get would result in much more business. That many cards would be a big deal to them. That wouldve been a great price too. I dont get cards graded and off the top of my head i can only think of one GAI card i have,but i really liked their holders,especially for Old Judge cards

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Posted By: <b>Al C.risafulli</b><p>They were going to fly out to New Jersey, bring their slabbing equipment and inventory, and grade your cards for a dollar a card?<br /><br />No wonder they're out of business.<br /><br />-Al

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Posted By: <b>JimCrandell</b><p>At the time, I felt almost certain that they would succeed--primarily because of Mike.

Need advice for a GAI problem.
 

Posted By: <b>JimCrandell</b><p>Al,<br /><br />You think thats a bad deal??--especially if I got out there and aggressively promoted GAI and proactively called other major collectors and attempted to convince them to switch??<br /><br />I thought it was win/win.<br /><br />As I recall, your client flew a bunch of graders to Chad's museum to grade a fair number of cards--probably for a bit more than that.<br /><br />I have had serious conversations with Dave when I was really down on PSA to reslab 25,000 graded cards and I would throw in a few thousand more.

Need advice for a GAI problem.
 

Posted By: <b>Al C.risafulli</b><p>Jim:<br /><br />One customer does not a company make, regardless of how large. The cost is likely to be in the five figures just to get all the equipment across the country, plus time, lodging, and meals. There's more than a dollar's worth of material in each slab. To grade 50,000 cards would probably have taken them weeks unless they brought a huge crew. Plus, at a buck a card they would have been setting an ugly precedent for every other large job that came their way.<br /><br />I think it's safe to say that with the money that deal would have cost them, they could have afforded a few months' rent. Hell, they probably could have afforded six or nine months' marketing expenses.<br /><br />Just my opinion, of course.<br /><br />-Al