[Archive]

Posted By: <b>Bill Panagopulos</b><p>Re: Ted Taylor and STAT Authentics, I copied the following off theyneedglasses.com:<br /><br />What hat will Ted Taylor wear today?<br /><br />In their March 2, 2007 issue, Sports Collectors Digest published an article titled "Coach's [Corner] auction business thriving 23 years later" under the banner: "2007 Show and Auction Guide".<br /><br />The flattering article also had a photograph of "Coach's public relations director", Mr. Ted Taylor...that's nice...distinguished looking guy...<br /><br />WHAT?!? Ted Taylor?!? I know that name from somewhere...<br /><br />Better do a little looking to refresh my memory! Hmmmm.....<br /><br />We'll start at the Coach's Corner web site. Here he is - well whadayaknow, he gave a testimonial to his own company! That's a little sneaky. Look:<br /><br />"They are my number one choice for buying and consigning."<br /> Ted Taylor -- Former VP of Fleer, Scoreboard, and Hobby Pioneer (visit <a href="http://www.tedtaylor.com/" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://www.tedtaylor.com/</a>) <br /><br />How about Taylor's site, www.tedtaylor.com? If you look at his "Collector's Corner" column there, you can't help but notice that there's a large, loud link direct to...Coach's Corner Auction. And his column sets forth a whole bunch of prices realized at CC's last auction. <br /><br />Well, isn't that what a "public relations director" is supposed to do? Well, there's just one problem.<br /><br />Ted Taylor is a principle of STAT Authentics. And he's also part of STAT's "authentication team". STAT Authentics "authenticates" a great deal of material for Coach's Corner auctions. <br /><br />I think I'm going to barf...<br /><br />That being said, can somebody please tell us...<br /><br />HOW CAN AN INDEPENDENT AUTHENTICATOR "BUY AND CONSIGN" AT THE SAME AUCTION AT WHICH HE IS EMPLOYED AS AN AUTHENTICATOR, OR FOR THAT MATTER, AT ANY AUCTION?<br /><br />IS IT ETHICAL FOR AN INDEPENDENT AUTHENTICATOR TO PROMOTE ANY AUCTION, ESPECIALLY ONE AT WHICH HE IS ADMITTEDLY "BUYING AND CONSIGNING"?<br /><br />WHY HASN'T MR. TAYLOR MORE PUBLICLY DISCLOSED THE FACT THAT HE IS AN EMPLOYEE OF COACH'S CORNER, AND THEREFORE HAS A VESTED INTEREST IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THAT AUTION HOUSE?<br /><br />IS MR. TAYLOR AN AUCTION HOUSE EMPLOYEE, AN INDEPENDENT AUTHENTICATOR, BOTH..OR NEITHER?<br /><br />Mr. Taylor, I'm sure thousands of card collectors out there are proud of, and thankful for the efforts you have made over your many years in the business to promote this hobby that you and they love so much. Nobody can dispute the contributions you have made. However, you must be aware that your reputation is being destroyed through your involvement in a field in which it is clear you are not qualified to practice. So that your legacy is not further diminished, we urge you to return to the field you know best and leave the authentication of autographs to those with the knowledge and experience to practice it. <br /><br />