Crazy uncles

[marzoumanian]

First, Dave, I want to say I am very sorry you went through this.
If it is any comfort, remember these four words: This too shall pass. Don't let this affect your physical OR mental health. Life is too precious.
Now to the point. Every week I listen to PSA's Great American Collectibles Show. The June 17, 2020 show (Podcast 189) featured none other than Aaron from Crazy Uncles. It is hard to pinpoint but I heard something in his voice, perhaps it was the hesitancy in it, the slight pauses, that signaled to me that I'll stick with who I currently use. There was also a bit of hype in his talk, but that's understandable; he's pumping up his June 15-27 auction.
Bottom line, you be the judge. I'm 64 so maybe my age also has something to do with planning to stick with the REAs of the auction world.
Somewhat ironically (if that's the right word!) I just wrote on my website, www.markearzoumanian.com, a two part blog (under "Love of the Hobby") on having a plan when selling your cards and sets and choosing the best auction house. I know this sounds like I'm trying to hype the website. Sorry. But if you can cull a nugget or two from what I wrote, it might be worth a few minutes of your time.
Enough said. When things go wrong for me, I always ask myself: What lesson did I learn from this?
Peace and stay healthy.

[CJDave]

Originally Posted by marzoumanian

First, Dave, I want to say I am very sorry you went through this.
If it is any comfort, remember these four words: This too shall pass. Don't let this affect your physical OR mental health. Life is too precious.
Now to the point. Every week I listen to PSA's Great American Collectibles Show. The June 17, 2020 show (Podcast 189) featured none other than Aaron from Crazy Uncles. It is hard to pinpoint but I heard something in his voice, perhaps it was the hesitancy in it, the slight pauses, that signaled to me that I'll stick with who I currently use. There was also a bit of hype in his talk, but that's understandable; he's pumping up his June 15-27 auction.
Bottom line, you be the judge. I'm 64 so maybe my age also has something to do with planning to stick with the REAs of the auction world.
Somewhat ironically (if that's the right word!) I just wrote on my website, www.markearzoumanian.com, a two part blog (under "Love of the Hobby") on having a plan when selling your cards and sets and choosing the best auction house. I know this sounds like I'm trying to hype the website. Sorry. But if you can cull a nugget or two from what I wrote, it might be worth a few minutes of your time.
Enough said. When things go wrong for me, I always ask myself: What lesson did I learn from this?
Peace and stay healthy.

Thank you Mark for the words and the insight. Very expensive lesson learned. I just hope others read my post and decide for themselves if this is a company to work with. Not saying they should or shouldn't before Aaron threatens to sue me again........just saying weigh all your options and decide for yourselves !!!

[Bicem]

Do you have the written/signed contract detailing the reserves/details?

Sorry this happened to you, unreal.

[bigfish]

Originally Posted by CJDave

Thank you Mark for the words and the insight. Very expensive lesson learned. I just hope others read my post and decide for themselves if this is a company to work with. Not saying they should or shouldn't before Aaron threatens to sue me again........just saying weigh all your options and decide for yourselves !!!

Dave, sorry you had to deal with this disaster. I have bought several nice cards from you and remember you’re meticulous spreadsheets and pricing.

Thank you for sharing this on the board. It will help us make informed decisions moving forward.

[Arazi4442]

Sorry this happened to you Dave. It's a genuine shame how some people conduct business in this hobby.

[CJDave]

Originally Posted by Arazi4442

Sorry this happened to you Dave. It's a genuine shame how some people conduct business in this hobby.

Amen

[CJDave]

Originally Posted by bigfish

Dave, sorry you had to deal with this disaster. I have bought several nice cards from you and remember you’re meticulous spreadsheets and pricing.

Thank you for sharing this on the board. It will help us make informed decisions moving forward.

Many thanks. I am honest with people, just hoping people would give me the same courtesy.

[MikeKam]

Originally Posted by CJDave

Many thanks. I am honest with people, just hoping people would give me the same courtesy.

Did you consign the Al Capone piece to this auction?

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by marzoumanian

First, Dave, I want to say I am very sorry you went through this.
If it is any comfort, remember these four words: This too shall pass. Don't let this affect your physical OR mental health. Life is too precious.
Now to the point. Every week I listen to PSA's Great American Collectibles Show. The June 17, 2020 show (Podcast 189) featured none other than Aaron from Crazy Uncles. It is hard to pinpoint but I heard something in his voice, perhaps it was the hesitancy in it, the slight pauses, that signaled to me that I'll stick with who I currently use. There was also a bit of hype in his talk, but that's understandable; he's pumping up his June 15-27 auction.
Bottom line, you be the judge. I'm 64 so maybe my age also has something to do with planning to stick with the REAs of the auction world.
Somewhat ironically (if that's the right word!) I just wrote on my website, www.markearzoumanian.com, a two part blog (under "Love of the Hobby") on having a plan when selling your cards and sets and choosing the best auction house. I know this sounds like I'm trying to hype the website. Sorry. But if you can cull a nugget or two from what I wrote, it might be worth a few minutes of your time.
Enough said. When things go wrong for me, I always ask myself: What lesson did I learn from this?
Peace and stay healthy.

Mark...I ready your blog about what Dean at REA did for your 1968 Set!!! That is awesome!!! Most sellers wouldn't even go to that much trouble and would just sell the set as is. The fact that he was skilled enough to know what to look for speaks volumes.

[marzoumanian]

Glad you enjoyed the piece.

Dean is the man.

You know, none of us choose our parents. I will always be thankful that my late mom and dad provided me with a moral code to live by, NOT by the words they spoke to me BUT in their actions day in and day out, year in and year out.

Glad to see that Dean's parents provided him with a solid moral code, which I am sure he is passing on to HIS children.

It was a pleasure to tell the story.

Peace and stay healthy!

[hcv123]

Really sorry you are going through this. I hope it is speedily resolved at least somewhat to your satisfaction. I have a couple of questions.

1) There is supposed to be a consignment contract when you consign material to an auction house - Reserves if any are written in as part of the contract (the sheets you reference attached and referenced would I believe have a similar binding effect). Do you have this paperwork? If so, I believe you would have significant grounds for a lawsuit. If not, why not?

2) I totally understand (and support) your desire to help out a new business - That accounts for the first auction experience. I am perplexed after the details of your first experience with them why there was a 2nd?

[CJDave]

Originally Posted by hcv123

Really sorry you are going through this. I hope it is speedily resolved at least somewhat to your satisfaction. I have a couple of questions.

1) There is supposed to be a consignment contract when you consign material to an auction house - Reserves if any are written in as part of the contract (the sheets you reference attached and referenced would I believe have a similar binding effect). Do you have this paperwork? If so, I believe you would have significant grounds for a lawsuit. If not, why not?

2) I totally understand (and support) your desire to help out a new business - That accounts for the first auction experience. I am perplexed after the details of your first experience with them why there was a 2nd?

Hi and thank you for the positive wishes, but I doubt they will resolve this matter amicably.

I do have email and text correspondences back and forth detailing the reserves he agreed to place and the understanding from Aaron that I would be perfectly protected. Many of these items were left over from the first auction which we have a written agreement on with respect to reserves......that written agreement on the same items would carry to the second auction.

In respect to your other question, Aaron admitted he screwed up on the first auction with this glitch in the system and promised to make it up to me on the second auction by going the extra mile and giving me a higher return to make up for the losses his error caused me. Perhaps this is a foolish philosophy but I believe everyone deserves a second chance to prove themselves. I've made mistakes in my youth but I have proven myself in my adulthood. He was a startup company and there were bound to be bugs and flaws in his procedures. Perhaps I am too trusting of people and believe there is more good than bad in the world. Maybe not so much a foolish philosophy, but a foolish person I dealt with. I just hope other read my post and decide for themselves if this is someone to do business with.

Thank you.

[Orioles1954]

Originally Posted by marzoumanian

Glad you enjoyed the piece.

Dean is the man.

You know, none of us choose our parents. I will always be thankful that my late mom and dad proved me with a moral code to live by, NOT by the words they spoke to me BUT in their actions day in and day out, year in and year out.

Glad to see that Dean's parents provided him with a solid moral code, which I am sure he is passing on to HIS children.

It was a pleasure to tell the story.

Peace and stay healthy!

Good auction houses will go through each set and seek out those variations. It's really a win-win for both consignor/auction house and usually leads to repeat consignments. As someone who works for an auction house and has gone through thousands of 1950s-1970s sets, we typically have these sets memorized every which way and know what to look for. For instance, today I wrote a 1952 Topps partial set and went through my mental checklist of weird variations to search out. Nothing came of it but a good auction house will go the extra mile. It's always great when a company under promises and over performs. Glad it worked out for you!

[Rhotchkiss]

Dave, thank you for telling your story. Sounds like some real bad stuff went down. I’m sorry.

[CJDave]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

Dave, thank you for telling your story. Sounds like some real bad stuff went down. I’m sorry.

Thank you. This is very unfortunate. It really ruins my belief in people and more and more I am understanding that greed conquers good.

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by CJDave

Thank you. This is very unfortunate. It really ruins my belief in people and more and more I am understanding that greed conquers good.

I wouldn't let it ruin your belief in people. But people should definitely PROVE themselves before they are to be trusted. Be it with past reviews, or the simple fact of being able to find their LLC.

[cannonballsun]

Originally Posted by marzoumanian

First, Dave, I want to say I am very sorry you went through this.
If it is any comfort, remember these four words: This too shall pass. Don't let this affect your physical OR mental health. Life is too precious.
Now to the point. Every week I listen to PSA's Great American Collectibles Show. The June 17, 2020 show (Podcast 189) featured none other than Aaron from Crazy Uncles. It is hard to pinpoint but I heard something in his voice, perhaps it was the hesitancy in it, the slight pauses, that signaled to me that I'll stick with who I currently use. There was also a bit of hype in his talk, but that's understandable; he's pumping up his June 15-27 auction.
Bottom line, you be the judge. I'm 64 so maybe my age also has something to do with planning to stick with the REAs of the auction world.
Somewhat ironically (if that's the right word!) I just wrote on my website, www.markearzoumanian.com, a two part blog (under "Love of the Hobby") on having a plan when selling your cards and sets and choosing the best auction house. I know this sounds like I'm trying to hype the website. Sorry. But if you can cull a nugget or two from what I wrote, it might be worth a few minutes of your time.
Enough said. When things go wrong for me, I always ask myself: What lesson did I learn from this?
Peace and stay healthy.

I read your blog. I found it very interesting and enjoyable. I especially like what you said about customer service should be the deciding factor in choosing an auction house. When an item goes to an auction, many factors decide how much it will sell for, most which are out of the control of the auction house.
I would say that this very pertinent to this discussion.

[chalupacollects]

Question:

Why would a district attorney be involved in what would be considered a civil case and not criminal??

Answer:

They wouldn't...

[CJDave]

Originally Posted by chalupacollects

Question:

Why would a district attorney be involved in what would be considered a civil case and not criminal??

Answer:

They wouldn't...

I imagine he tried using it as a scare tactic that he has friends in high places and he is above the law. But I don't get intimated that easily......or in fact at all.