SUBJECT: BEWARE Steve Verkman, Keith Vari, Leland’s, Clean Sweep & Paragon auctions

[joeb]

My name is Joe Borozny. I have been collecting cards and memorabilia for almost 40 years. I am posting to share a situation with the hobby community to ask for any advice (lawyers – is there any legal course of action here?) and help prevent others from falling victim to what I did by Steve Verkman and Keith Vari of Clean Sweep, Lelands and Paragon auctions.

I am in an exceptionally challenging life situation involving my health and the health of my family and feel forced by that to sell my collection. I have not been very active in the hobby the last few years, but knew of Lelands as I had purchased from them in the past. I reached out to discuss the possible sale of my collection through Lelands. I explained my life situation to them – they were verbally very sympathetic. Keith Vari called me up on November 30th, said he was in Staten Island and was on his way over to look at my collection. Keith did not communicate that Steve Verkman was with him or that they intended to take anything that day. They came with a 2 trucks. Steve told me that he would take my entire collection for a 60% (me) -40%(them) split. I questioned that 40% sounded like too much on top of the 20% buyers premium - to which Steve in part replied “it’s a lot of work”. There are numerous items in my collection worth thousands of dollars individually (Tom Seaver contracts, Nolan Ryan contract, Rusty Staub Game used Jersey’s, rare Topps Test issues to name a few). I estimate the whole collection is worth well into six figures. I feel stupid for signing the contract (see attached) and letting them take so much of my collection without checking in with other hobby contacts first (they DID NOT take it all as discussed, but cherry picked all of the more expensive items), but felt pressure both from them as well as my life situation.

I checked in with a couple of old hobby friends a few days later and was told that an auction house taking 40% of the hammer + the buyers premium was anywhere from gouging to criminal. I desperately need the funds to pay off debt and medical expenses. When I reached out to both Keith and Steve to discuss and attempt to renegotiate or get my collection returned, I was told I was in a binding contract and there would be no renegotiation. I am attaching a copy of the contract.

1) If you are an attorney and believe you can be of any help please reach out to me

2) If you find yourself ready to sell your lifelong collection – think twice before contacting Clean Sweep auctions, Lelands auctions, Paragon Auctions, Steve Verkman or Keith Vari.