Posted By:
AnonymousSteve, no offense, but the only "first hand" info you've provided is:
1. Brian bought a card from you that you thought would get a PSA7 that apparently got a PSA8.
2. Brian allegedly bought a lot of cards, including some mid grade Mantles, at a show as he made the highest offer on the group.
That's literally all the info that you've provided. The rest was just insinuations and allegations of unethical activity, with no support for it.
I don't have anything against you - I don't think I've ever bought anything from you in the past. I also have no opinion about Brian - never bought anything from him either. The fact is, however, that you made some potentially very damaging allegations about someone's professional ethics with absolutely nothing to support what you're stating.
Brian may very well have altered the '52 Topps card you described, as well as the 19th century card from Mastro, and he may be planning major surgery on a group of 50s Mantle cards. However, based on the "FIRST HAND direct information" you provided it's quite possible that he got lucky on the grade of a 52 Topps card; had someone buy a card in Mastro, get it graded, then consign it to his auction; and had some buyers interested in some mid grade Mantle cards so he knew he could flip the lot. Which is more plausable? Without proof of misconduct, I'd be hard pressed to go with the conspiracy theory.
You may very well have some legitimate opinions about the ethics of this seller, but before you publish them on a public forum you should really consider how this would look in a court of law. Brian could certainly argue that your allegations hurt his business financially, and that could leave you in a very precarious position with a jury. Of course, if what you say is true then your speach is legally protected and he has no recourse. But based on your most recent response, I sincerely doubt you can provide the necessary proof.
Again, I have nothing for or against either of these individuals. I just don't like seeing someone's professional reputation get tarnished by unsupported innuendo.
Jeff