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Posted By: Michael James

I must say that I have enjoyed reading this thread and appreciate the knowledge and concern that many of you have in regards to the issue in question. Two words that were mentioned in this thread earlier "honesty" and "integrity" have stuck out. I have been a collector for 35 years which is the majority of my life and in that time I have firsthand witnessed what "integrity" and "honesty" is or should be in the sports card/collectible field. "Honesty" and Integrity" are strong words and in a perfect world are the basis and foundation of each and every one of us. It is quite obvious and ever so apparent in todays society that the words "honesty" and "integrity" take a back seat when it comes to generating the ever so desired "green back". There was a time in the hobby when things were simple, affordable, and for the most part fun. Then greed came along and mass production went forward full speed ahead literally ruining the hobby and devaluing it. Things were no longer simple and new ideas had to be consumated in order to "revive" the hobby and "reinvent" it and bring it to where it is today. Of course things change in time for the better or for the worse but "integrity" and "honesty" remain as elusive as ever in this, should I say, once wonderful hobby. Fake autographs, trimmed/doctored trading cards, questionable practices, a constent recycling of people working for the card or auction companies fired for unethical practices and rehired elswhere within the buisness contributes to a "No-Vote" of Confidance. It has always amazed me how the "ethical" people are usually the ones who have the hardest time moving forward while the "unethicals" continue to move forward at their expense and others. Honesty? Integrity? Confidence? where has it all gone? Was it really there in the first place? I really don't know but from one who loves collecting, the sport of baseball, and the way it magically takes us back to our youth, I sure hope so! If one can look in the mirror and be happy with what they see then I guess it's a good day.