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PASJDJeff has put his finger on the issue. There are two types of misrepresentations. The more obvious one is saying something is true when you know that it is false, or you don't really know one way or another. The more subtle, but equally insidious, one is failing to disclose a fact that would be material to the buyer's decision. Surely the fact that the same guy who has "authenticated" a bat has an ownership interest in it is material. Surely the fact that a card has been "cleaned" or "stabilized" to the point that it looks completely different from the card that was consigned to the auction house is material. Surely the fact that a prominent auction house has an ongoing relationship with an "outside conservator" is material. I suspect the outright lies still occur, but what has become increasingly apparent to me is that fraud is being committed via the non-disclosure/"omission" route as well. And I don't expect it to change either. Power, and money, corrupt. Deny, deny, deny. Oh, and when someone stands up to you? Sue them.