Delusional sellers

[Howe’s Hunter]

There is a gentleman who recently started listing a lot of T206s on eBay, none ever having a scan of the back. Since what I am interested in only shows up on the back, I contacted him to ask if he had any that might have Howe's stamp on the back. Right away, I hear back that yes, he has one left with the stamp after having sold at least 20 or 30 on eBay in the last couple of days that I must have missed. I asked for a scan, just to make sure it was what I was looking for, and asked if he would be listing or wanted to sell direct. He sent the scan, and asked for my best offer. Humm, common card, rounded corners, off center and with a rubber stamp on the back. I offered $50 and waited to hear back. I waited three weeks until today, when he responds that I must be crazy, they are selling in much worse condition on eBay right now for over $200. He provides a link and sure enough, there is one, with a BIN at $199, that has gone unsold for several listings. He claims his card is at least better than a 3, and there is no way he can sell for less than $200. Looking at completed listings, there was a SGC 7 that sold for $150 about a month ago, and none of any grade that have sold for over $60 in the last 90 days.

Reminds me of a young gentleman who contacted me about four years ago who had a Howe stamped card. He originally asked for $75, and I countered with $35. Then the stories started. He had gotten the card from an elderly gentleman in his apartment complex who was the son of Howe McCormick, and he couldn't part with it for less than $400. Then I was told he was the grandson of Howe McCormick, and he had two complete sets of T206s that his grandfather had collected, one with the ultra rare Red Hindu-backed Demmitt/St. Louis variation. He would only sell if I bought both sets for a total of $1.4 million.

Sent him several website addresses detailing fakes in the set, such as a Red Hindu backed Demmitt that couldn't exist, and PDFs including Howe's birth records, marriage license and listing of his only child from various census reports. Showed him that his mother died in 1981, which would mean if he was born the year she died at age 55, he was eight years older than he claimed to be and since Howe's daughter had never married, asked if he was indeed the bastard grandson of Howe.

About a week later, I got an email offering to sell the card for $20. Took a chance, and he did send it after about a four month wait.

I can't believe it is just me, so please share any stories of people who have a card you would like to purchase, but are just too nuts to deal with.