Where is Rudy Giuliani When We Need Him?

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Posted By: Bruce Dorskind

One of the recurring themes on this (and other) chat boards is the fraud, misrepresentation,
manipulation and mistrust that permeates this hobby and the baseball memorabilia business.

Whilst this phenomena is not unique to baseball, or to the collectibles industry in general, it is
clear that we as collectors and investors have done very little to correct the situation.

Certainly, we can call attention to those who violate the rules, and certainly we can report the
most egregious offenses to the police or FBI. However we are then depending on a third party or the
government to act upon our interest.

Whilst we are great believers in capitalism and the power of the market to set prices, it is clear
that the playing field needs to be leveled.

We understand that there have been limited attempts in the past to form
National Collectors Associationsand other such groups but, our view is
that the 25,000+ collectors who invest $10,000 or more in baseball
memorabilia as well as the millions of fans and people who collect
something baseball need something more.

Background

It is in the interest of all of the hobbyists to have a market which is as clean
and authentic as possible
It is in the interest of the players and Major League Baseball
to have an industry which is not infected with counterfeit items.
It is in E Bay's interest to stop fraud.
It is clearly in the interest of the FBI to ensure that the public is protected.

Those who invest large sums of money need to be protected. Whilst it is fine
to suggest that one buy the card or the coin rather than the grade,
not everyone can, not everyone will.
The insurance companies don't want to insure fakes.

And regardless of how much you spend, you want to know in your
heart of hearts that what you bought was
bought fairly and that it is "as advertised."

Monitoring a $500 M industry may cost $1 million a year or more.
There needs to be a full time, albeit small regulatory body.
There need to be rules that everyone agrees to and there needs to be some
sort of license that enables dealers and auctioneers to sell.


The Plan

1. Form a committee of well respected hobbyists, investors, attorneys to work with
organizations that will support our efforts.

2. Have the committee set a limited number of objectives.

3. Make contact with the most senior executives at SEC, E Bay. Major League Baseball,
Chubb (and other insurance firms) and ask for their guidance in establishing
a regulatory body and their support in funding it

4. Leverage the power and influence of the most influential hobbyists-
some of whom are athletes,,broadasters, politicians and Fortune 100 Senior executives.

5. Once funding is in place, hire a staff of 3-5 people whose full time job will be to establish operating guidelines and monitor the industry.

6. Ask collectors and investors to pay token dues ($100 a year) to support the organization


The Committee

We are more than open to suggestions. Here is who we would like to see on it

1. Keith Olbermann
2. Jeff Lichtman
3. Corey Shanus
4, Dan Ganntt
5. Jim Blumenthal


We believe these five gentleman have the integrity, knowledge, understanding of the law,
and investment in the hobby that they can make a difference. There are two long-time
highly respected retired gentleman who are quite private (and below the radar) but
we are sure that if they wish to they could play an invaluable role.

We can help through some very senior access to Major League Baseball and Chubb.

Regardless of how we as a group (collectors and investors) attack this problem, we
can not afford to sit by.The Wall Street Melt down is a terrible. and for many,
a life changing event. The event never had to happen

If we fail to learn from itt...we are doomed to repeat it.


Bruce Dorskind
America's Toughest Want List