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DJNo one will come clean because it will effect the way they create income...in one way or another. If I knew that John Doe was clipping caramel cards and was the premier doctor, would I tell? John Doe may have enough loot to have my knee caps shattered.
Take for instance the autograph business. Before that grand daddy of all Babe Ruth baseballs brought in $36,000 some 8-10 years ago, you never saw clean, white ball signatures of "The Bambino" in such a high grade condition. Today, you see ones that are of that condition or nicer 20-25 times a year. Where were all these Babe signatures BEFORE? Something tells me someone is better at the Babe's signature than the Babe himself.
I stay clear away from top dollar singles in high condition (can't afford it, nor would I want to buy) as every PSA9 that appears pre-war, I tilt my head with suspicion the way a dog acts when he hears a sharp pitch. It's true...where were these cards before they were slabbed? Before the market exploded? I never saw cards of this quality out there in the early 1980's or 1990's.
Whereever there is money to be made, you will have shisters lurking, attempting to ruin. That's simply the truth that we all have to live with. ALl you have to do is trick one kid in the backroom and you are awarded. Bring out that black marker to the Mayo's! What's the worst thing that can happen? The item gets a rejection ticket. Simply try again in a later date!
The bigger this business gets (it seems to grow by the months), the more you have to worry about.
DJ