Arguably so
 

New favorite auction house word is arguably. Arguably the nicest signed Gehrig photo . . .arguably the nicest Matty photo . . . arguably the finest Ruth ball . . . . usually followed by a modifier like "that we have ever seen...." or "that we have ever handled. . . ."

I am going to start using that a lot. Arguably I have the nicest 2017 Prius on the road today. Well, at least it's the best one I've ever seen. And arguably my home is the nicest one of the street. And don't argue with me about it, dammit.

My favorite is "extant".

Sounds like it commands attention.

INVEST$$$$$$

We've arguably done this thread before.

OK
 

Thanks

Sorry, but I have the nicest 2017 Prius on the road today, 57mpg

This is arguably the best thread ever posted on Net54.

That's arguably not true.

Literally!

Unprecedented


Literally makes me I'll every time I hear it

This could arguably become the finest thread extant. Great eye appeal, better than the grade, a worthwhile investment that will only appreciate. The first time we have seen one in ___ years. The only other example known is in a private collection/museum.

You forgot the sticker.

The first time I saw an AH use the "that we have ever handled" it struck me as a boastful and self-serving comment. They are saying they handle so much good stuff, including (presumably) many of this item, and this one is the finest.

However, it would be even more truthful coming from a start-up AH, where it might be the first, the only, and therefore the nicest (and worst) one they've handled.

It means nothing.

And my pet peeve, not to veer too far astray, is when they have an item from a major star, like DiMaggio, and they spend lots of words in the description telling us how fabulous Joe's career was. We know, and it tells us nothing about the item offered.

Our tenets dictate that we only handle pieces rarely offered and seldom seen.

Yes, and no doubt arguable that this is one of the finest of this issue we have ever handled.

argue
 

Yea, some of the writers for these auction items really know how to " paint poetically "

LOL reminds me of one I'm hearing in advertising in general right now "Up to 100% effective!"

Well 0% effective would be covered by that statement.

“The first time I saw an AH use the "that we have ever handled" it struck me as a boastful and self-serving comment. They are saying they handle so much good stuff, including (presumably) many of this item, and this one is the finest.“

Actually (another overused word), the AH could arguably be the worst and only handle the arguably poorest condition examples of cardboard and they were fortunate enough to beat out the arguably better AH’s for the consignment.

I resemble that remark :)

I personally love how every series is the most collectable ever. I was just reading through some Heritage books they sent me for their upcoming sports auction, and it seems that depending on the item T206, Topps 1952, Goudey 1933 or Bowman 1951 holds the title as the most cherished and collectable issue of all time :D

Actually those are "arguably" the 4 most cherished and collectible sets.

And just a reminder to the community, in memorium:

"Thank you for the many inquiries. Still available..."

Well, the job of the AH is to get their consignors the highest price.....

So long as the description is not false or inaccurate, I chalk the salesmanship up to doing their best by consignors. And as an aside, when Brian Dwyer/REA says something is nice or rare, I take note. Similarly, there are certain items that I know Joe at memory lane knows very well, and a stamp of approval is noteworthy. (Those are merely two examples). However, when PWCC effuses praise, it’s like a drink guy at bar time telling every girl he loves her. My point, it’s the auction house’s job to sell the card/item and some descriptions and/or adjectives mean more than others, depending on who is doing the talking.

All that said “arguably” is absurd, and I do agree it means nothing.

Make sure you check the verso too.

Honestly, who speaks like that? I mean, you say "verso" or "extant" in Jr. High and you will end up stuffed into arguably the smelliest locker extant.

Or perhaps, this is arguably the worst thread ever posted on Net54! :D

Arguably
 

While this thread is arguably the best but may arguably be the worst, it could be considered high-end, perhaps even superior or worthy of a purple sticker. :o

Hope no one at any AH takes offense to the gentle chop busting. It's just funny to see the same verbiage show up again and again. And I agree it's the AH's job to promote. That's what you are engaging them for.

George Carlin was the best with pointing out the absurdity of language and how we use it.

Definitely not offended! I'm an AH writer and often receive requests from consignors to make my descriptions more wordy. I like to keep my descriptions short and sweet, especially after days like I had recently where I went through a half dozen mid-grade '71 Topps sets.

I'll take "exceedingly rare" for $500 Alex.

That's beyond deserving of attention. It commands attention.

Adam,

I actually use recto/verso on occasion. Big among booksellers and manuscript dealers. I also use liber/folio in my job every day - legal research in property.

Trimming
 

Arguably my biggest auction peeve is the constant usage of the phrase "slightly trimmed"...can't they just say its trimmed?

They all do it, as if the "slightly" somehow diminishes the effect of the trimming. Either the card is trimmed or its not.

Of course, if they aren't sure, there might be "evidence of trimming".

“Arguably the highest buyers premium in the online auction space”

I saw “uncirculated “ in an eBay description today. That just makes no sense when describing a card that some random person is selling. It was sold at a store or shop, so hence, circulated.

Speaking of which, I’ve been bidding on records from an European auction house. Seems like 30% is pretty standard over there.

But was it freshly graded, new to the hobby?

auction
 

How about this often used word in auction descriptions -

a very " important " card !

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

It doesn't happen as often, but anyone who uses any qualifier at all before the word "unique" should be beaten with sticks. Something is either unique or it isn't.

Never mess with an English major! We may be unemployable, but we're feisty!

Alan

I prefer when they start talking about planets and the universe in their descriptions. :)

This isn't the best looking card on the planet or universe. But every thread should have a card and this is definitely the best one of these in Lucas, TX....

https://luckeycards.com/weaver.jpg

A "partially blocked" punt.

Hailing from just their 11th year of operation as the world's greatest online baseball collectors forum and posted during the record-setting Covid season of 2020, we have a Net54 thread entitled "Arguably so", with over 30 important comments posted thus far including from veteran collectors and hobby icons Mark Satterstrom, Pete Ullman, David Kathman and Adam Warshaw as well commander-in-chief Leon Luckey, along with many additional notables.

Rarely seen or read, many of the comments featured are impromptu and border on hobby cruciality, with most unique; never to be spoken or written IN THE EXACT SAME MANNER EVER AGAIN. Marvelous, thought-provoking content is included and we should point out the use of improper grammar is present at times, with this only adding a dash of charm and authenticity to the plethora of insightful comments posted. Further augmented by the fact that it is an open thread that can be greatly added to, intelligent collectors can seek out the hobby cognoscenti to furnish additional value through commenting, with the likelihood of this thread being one of the most read throughout the complete existence of Net54 baseball ARGUABLY if not entirely plausible. Please comment accordingly, as this is the only thread of it's type we have ever read or seen, and we cannot state with certainty that the hobby will be blessed by another thread of this enormous magnitude!


Minimum bid - your sanity :D

belch!!!

Take a shot of a nice whiskey or a nice drag off something and smile. If reading this thread was the worst thing that happened to you in 2020, and it appears that it may have been, you've had a better year than many of us.

Worst thing that happened to me? I was poking fun at auction descriptions, like other comments. I'm not sure why this wasn't obvious?

I'm guessing your response was specifically for advanced collectors

"This Mike Trout rookie card is generally considered to be the finest example extant, with particular attention to the exhilarating verso. Exceedingly rare and certainly the only one in this holder. Of all the Mike Trout rookie cards, this one is definitively preferred by those who like it best."

Can I be an auction writer??

Would you grade this thread 8 O/C?

Can I be an auction writer??
 

yes, adam, as well as, perhaps even an outstanding landscaper [meant to read "fertilizer spreader]! :D

Winner.

Many years ago my company marketed an insurance program as "the most unique product of its kind". Still my all time favorite.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Do they sometimes put multiple cards in a single holder? :rolleyes: