Brian Cataquet (tobeeecat)

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Posted By: Jason L

Agreed, although I would have to say it is still pretty tough for me to tell from a scan whether or not a card is trimmed...my own personal struggle, anyway...

Jason L

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Posted By: davidcycleback

I was talking about when you have the card in person, after receiving it in the
mail. Being able to check it yourself if it's not practical to send it to a
grader.

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Posted By: chris nealis

About 2 years ago I was putting together a 1962 Topps set when I won $24 worth of cards from him. He wanted to charge me $9.60 for shipping uninsured. I sent him a private e-mail asking that the lots be combined and he sent me a nasty e-mail threatening to leave me negative feedback if I did not pay. Being only $9.60 I paid immediately but left him a neutral feedback the only time I have ever done so. Guess what the jerk did he retaliated by posting a negative feedback which I disputed and finally got removed.

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Posted By: Edacra

This is all good for a discussion on ethics and business, but there's really nothing left to say about a Seller who agreed to take a refund and then refuses the package. Who cares what his refund policy is if he doesn't honor his own word.

The biggest issue here is he refused the USPS return once he already authorized it.

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Posted By: Cobby33

That happened to me too. I left neutral for a similar reason (oh- and he put tape all over the slab) and the jackass left me negative.

No offense intended to anyone on the Board who practices this, but why wait until the buyer posts feedback, to post seller's feedback? The seller should post feedback immediately after timely payment. That's how I do it, becuase (1) I think it's right; and (2) I simply don't have time to monitor feedback. I do it when I ship and then I'm done with it.

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Posted By: leon

Most sellers that wait to leave feedback are afraid they don't give good service (and are usually correct) and are afraid of bad feedback and no way to retaliate.

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Posted By: John

A lot of you may not know the true story of Brian and how he made his gigantic mark on the card-collecting hobby. But I will tell you………..


It all started innocently enough when Brian was paid by his local Macy’s department store $800 dollars for taking the “electric blue” sport coat and bad tie out of the store due to the fact that on one had bought the items in over 12 yrs. Lucky for Brian it was just his size, and the extra $800 bucks allowed him to snag up that 58 Topps set in the picture!



Who’s laughing now Macy’s!!!

Brian ever the sharp businessman spent the profits wisely enrolling himself in ARU to learn from the master of card sharking, after graduating “Magnum Screw Laude”.



Brian was able to obtain a position on the starship “Type Card Collector” where he worked along side our very own Captain Luckey.



During his voyages into the far reaches of space and Trenton NJ, he was able to obtain the world famous Vulcan find which highlights consisted of a T206 Bugs Raymond & a 1958 Topps common in VGEX.



However his time on the starship “Type Card Collector” did have its drawbacks due the enormous sex appeal of Capt Luckey, Ensign Brian was forced to take most of Capt. Luckey’s leftovers or pass offs. Ever the trooper Brian took it with stride and made the best of what was given to him.



So I say to you Brian “My Space” no, absolutely no sir, more like “My Hero’!

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Posted By: Cobby33

Hey Leon-
Good point- guess there's nothing we can do about sellers reserving their right to leave retaliatory feedback, so I suppose as a buyer, the moral is to not leave any feedback if you have a bad transaction (unless of course the seller has already left pos. feedback)!

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Posted By: Jason L

on the right side of the picture...
man, those pics are good work...

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Posted By: Judge Dred (Fred)

hahahahahahahahahahahaha ---- Wonka, Wonka, Wonka, Wonka~~~!!!

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Posted By: warshawlaw

I've dealt with Brian in the past without problems. I've also dealt with Dave in the past and also have had positive experiences. I've even had nice visits (separately) with them at various Nationals. It is a shame that two guys who I think are among the good guys had this dispute, but that's how it goes. As far as this dispute goes, I think Edacra hit the nail on the nose: "The biggest issue here is he refused the USPS return once he already authorized it." That's definitely not right and Brian has apparently set it right now. If there is no question that the card is the same card and was not altered by Dave, it is stupid business to let someone be angry over a small deal that will generate a thread like this one. Brian got torched way worse than it was worth over this card, and now is out the card, the money and the reputation among several potential customers. I was at a party recently with a retail "mogul" who told me that his policy in his stores is to refund the buyer's money, no questions asked, even if he knows they are wrong, because the damage to his chain's reputation isn't worth a couple of bucks.

As far as Brian's overall issues, policies, etc., go, I think some of the criticism of Brian's business is inappropriate. So what if he decides to use terse descriptions and less than stellar images, and doesn't give you the warm fuzzies with his customer service? It only hurts him in the long run since his cards sell for less than they might otherwise sell for. He's been around long enough and is well enough known by people who scour ebay for vintage stuff so that we know he sells decent material and often for less than market value.

I also don't think the criticisms of David's motives for buying a raw card are correct. It doesn't matter what he wanted to do with a card that anyone perusing ebay had a shot at buying. Once the card is sold, the buyer is free to do as he pleases with it. We ALL buy and flip cards.

Finally, and I know we've been down this road before, there is no good answer as to how long is too long to return an item. Like porn, I know it when I see it. For and among known people and friends, there is no limitations period. For a stranger in light of a clearly stated policy, any exception might be too long.

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Posted By: andy becker

agree with edacra. 100%.

wonka, you made my day!

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Posted By: Cy

My comments are stated not to take sides with David or Brian. I am just posting this to give food for thought.

You cannot expect the card to be a graded card when you buy it raw. If you are buying a raw card, that is what you get. How many of you have bought a raw card graded VG then sent it in for grading and got back a grade that raised the value significantly? Did you then "do the right thing" and send the seller his cut of the increased value? If you aren't going to give up the extra value if it grades higher, then don't expect anything else if it grades lower.

I am one of the few people here who actually likes raw cards. I read on the board where people stated "Why buy a raw card when you can get one graded?" Well, you buy a raw card because you may get a gem that is missed by collectors who only buy graded cards. I am lucky enough to have had Brian Weisner assist me in buying quite a few raw cards a few years back and we got some great deals. But I have also bought cards that were not as nice on other buys. You take the bitter with the sweet when you chance a raw card on ebay.

If you think I am totally wrong, I understand. That is a valid judgement. But the next time you buy a raw card and you send it in for grading and it jumps two grades, do the right thing, send the seller his cut. Or don't complain when it comes back two grades lower.

Sincerely,

Cy

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Posted By: leon

I don't think, or I didn't see anyone, have a problem with buying a raw card and having it not be the grade advertised. That is one thing. Buying a raw card, without mention of alteration, and it being altered, is another thing....Thanks for chiming in...haven't seen you around for a while....best regards

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Posted By: Anonymous

Vargie.

man o man.....where's that bottle when you need one?

ebay 101 my friend...you want graded cards...buy graded cards....it's not 1998 anymore.

dredge the bottom of the barrell...buy from a seller that never offers graded cards or anything high grade...don't expect much bang for your buck.

edited to add : glad you kids were able to work things out.

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Posted By: Larry

This was the funniest my space I have seen, I really cried from laughter when I see this serious guy behind a stack of garbage cards holding up a common T206 and 58 T vg/ex with the subcaptions...This made my night so much more enjoyable! My hats off to those that made this possible!

This was entertainment!

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Posted By: Cat

The 58 Topps looks trimmed to me. Top to bottom there just isn't enough border.

________________

http://www.audiocomedy.net/soundboards/jacket.shtml

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Posted By: Frank Evanov

EBAY 102..David wants unaltered cards and he deserves a prompt refund if he receives doctored cards.

Frank

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Posted By: JimCrandell

I have sent many altered cards back to dealers that I bought raw in the late 80s-early 90s that would not grade--many times years after I bought the card. Not once has a dealer(who is still in business) not taken the card back and given me a full refund.

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Posted By: runscott

Tobeecat is no secret to David or anyone else on this board. Sure, he does cards for a living, but as someone pointed out, it's a flea-market mentality. Most on the board, as evidenced by this thread, have dealt with him and understand his personality and just deal with it. It's amazing that some of you are trying to impart your values on Tobeecat - the great deals with him are there for a reason!

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Posted By: Jason L

Hasn't this thread reminded anyone of Smellycat?
maybe it's just me....that happens alot.

I will resist the temptation and stop short of drafting new lyrics...

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Posted By: kyle lentin3e

Same thing happened to me with steve verkman a few years back. Sent in a t205 chase to sgc and it came back trimmed. I had the card a few months and he would not take it back either. He said he had no scan of the card to verify it was the same one or not.
This is not an uncommon practice

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Posted By: David Vargha

Actually, I expected the card to grade a "10" which was how it looked in the auction scan and how it looked when I got it. So the conspiracy theorists that are thinking that I somehow was trying to buy a card really cheaply are badly mistaken. Did I hope to make a few bucks on it? YES! But only because I knew that as creased as the card is, it would sell for more in an SGC holder, even with a "10" grade. The wear looked honest and there was no evidence of trimming. Plus it was described as being from the "CATAQUET PERSONAL ARCHIVE COLLECTION". How was I to know that his own cards were altered?

He additionally advertises the following;

FIRST AND FOREMOST, BRIAN CATAQUET WANTS THE EBAY WORLD TO BUY FROM HIM w/CONFIDENCE.

and

I HAVE BEEN REGARDED & CALLED AN EXPERT IN PRE-WORLD WAR 2 BASEBALL CARDS BY EDITORS IN OUR INDUSTRY's PUBLICATIONS AND HAVE BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED MANY OF TIMES IN THE HOBBY PUBLICATIONS & IN THE PRICE GUIDE OF BASEBALL CARDS.

and

I HAVE BEEN REGARDED & CALLED AN EXPERT IN PRE-WORLD WAR 2 BASEBALL CARDS BY EDITORS IN OUR INDUSTRY's PUBLICATIONS AND HAVE BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED MANY OF TIMES IN THE HOBBY PUBLICATIONS & IN THE PRICE GUIDE OF BASEBALL CARDS.

I simply figured that a card from an expert's collection would be unaltered. I also figured that if it somehow were, that he would stand behind it, him being the expert and all.

You see, if one tries to go through life only looking for what he or she can legally get away with, then that person has established his or her morality consists of what they can get away with. I believe that the higher standard is to treat others as you would want to be treated.

That is why when I sold a raw 1952 Bowman Mantle that was well over a year later discovered to be a counterfeit, I offered a full refund with no questions asked to the buyer who had brought it to my attention. I still had the scan and was easily able to verify that it was the same card. After I got it back, I then contacted the person who originally sold it to me. He apologized and gave me a full refund as well. To me, that is a better standard. And even though I have been ripped off a few times in the baseball card game, I would rather keep to the higher standard.


DavidVargha@hotmail.com

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Posted By: BcD

The quotes you posted are typical Festberg commentaries. Cat-rat used to work and learned these advertising ploys from uncle festberg,the man who claimed to have created the grading scale.Hmmmm,wonder if he rerlated to Al Gore,the man who invented the internet?

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Posted By: Anonymous

Hey Guys, This is all very flattering. I love it. Happy collecting to all!!

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Posted By: walkscott

I have to add that this thread is really a hoot, especially given that Mr. Cataquet is reading it and doesn't even seem displeased about it!

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Posted By: Dan Koteles

I have read his b.s for yrs and couldnt buy from some who adorns
himself so much. But, if you realize that his highest would be grade of card would be a 2 and the baseball ones are usually cut
in half (this is why you get 1/2 off on his deals) or the best ones are "birds and bees"....you'll be just fine in purchasing.

GOod luck !

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Posted By: T206Collector

"[E]ven though I have been ripped off a few times in the baseball card game, I would rather keep to the higher standard."

That's fine, but I don't think it's particularly fair to (a) expect others to live up to such standards; and then (b) publicly criticize those not willing to live up to these standards. It kind of makes your interest in behaving at a higher standard a little, well, ironic.

"You should treat me like I would treat you." Okay, fine, but there is a reason we have laws setting the standard as opposed to nebulous personal and subjective beliefs about how individuals would like to be treated. Sometimes the law reflects these beliefs, sometimes it doesn't. But if we don't have an objective standard to live our lives, then we're just talking about anarchy here.

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Posted By: Al C.risafulli

T206, I think you're forgetting that the seller agreed to take back the card and then he refused the package.

Anyone questioning the motives of the buyer clearly hasn't had the pleasure of knowing the buyer. I realize the hobby is full of good, ethical people, but none moreso than David. On the other side we have a seller with weak feedback and a history of unsatisfied customers, who ignored emails and refused to live up to his word until he got pressure in this thread.

-Al

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Posted By: T206Collector

...I am really just referring to the expectation of a return under these circumstances when nothing was ever mentioned in the listing about such a policy. A subsequent request to return the card for a reimbursement that was inappropriately botched is certainly not beyond reproach.

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Posted By: Brian

Expectation or not -- there is absolutely nothing wrong with asking for a return.

Certainly after arrangements are suggested and agreed -- there is absolutely nothing wrong with expecting someone to keep their word.

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Posted By: BcD

" he is a pedestrian dealer!"

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Posted By: Dan Koteles

we all can miss one here or there, but when you constantly boast
that you are one of the "MAIN" pricers in the price guides ,how is it that you can price a card when you cant even tell the
problem with the card.

I just can imagine the phone call- hey Brian ,we urgently need
you to price this card ,OKAY, Iam here for you, "oh wee". iam
needed again !

Here goes

McQUillen nm 1500
McQUillen em 875
McQuillen e+ 695
McQUillen e 500
McQUillen vgx 365
McQuillen vg 270
McQuillen g+ 190
McQUillen g 100
McQUillen f+ 42
McQuillen f 32
McQuillen p+ 27
McQuillen p 19
McQuillen ca 2..............ca, means COLOR ADDED !

You are more then enough expierienced to know these differences
on cards. You should just say, buy ungraded at your own risk, I
will not be responsible, and that should be good enough.

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Posted By: joe

David Vargha. I sure wish you were my seller. I bought a counterfeit T205 Ty Cobb from ebay id TXSM, Brooks Newell, San Antonio Texas in 2001.
I sent it to SGC and it came back counterfeit, took about 1 month. He would not return my money said 1 month was to long. I called him on the phone and he told me I probably switched the card. He also told me he submitted the card to SGC and he was not satisfied with the grade and removed it from the holder.
This is his description:
The card offered is the T205 Gold Border of Tyrus cobb with Piedmont back. The card has **no creases**no pinholes** or paper loss. Top two corners are sharp the bottom two are lightly touched but come to points as seen on back of scan there is a small amount of border chipping on the bottom of card or it would grade much higher, the back is clean but has age toning. I will furnish larger scanson request as I know these tend to be hazy. Please email questions. buyer to pay S&H in SCD 2000 is $4250 my reserve is less than SCD ex which is $1800. Good Luck.

I contacted EBAY, United States Post Office for fraud, nothing. Don't laugh but I contacted the Judge Judy show as a last resort, no result.

This was an expensive lesson $1185.00. I made a mistake and posted positive feedback when I received the card. I still have the card, and the ebay listings and any other correspondense from this disaster.

Anyway lots of venting, but great pitching for the Tigers today again.

Joe


Ty Cobb, Spikes flying!

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Posted By: DR

Unless the terms 'sold as is' are stipulated waiting 2 or 3 months for a return is not something I would request but not as unreasonable as granting a refund and then refusing to accept via USPS. This is unconscinable and for this reason alone will NEVER buy from Brian Cataquet. eBay sellers, dealers and collectors should be responsible for their own written words. This hobby at times really bums me out. I just recently had to file a FBI hate crimes report on a frequent poster.

If we must buy ungraded cards at our own risk (taking the word of opportunists - concealing information for ones own gain), card prices will plummet. This scenario is why PSA is a profitable publicly traded company. Not everyone is a card expert and to some degree must accept someone else's opinion of the condition of cards. I would not say PSA is the always trustworthy but after reading this thread, I would much rather trust them over Brian and his supporters.

Thanks,
David

BUY / SELL / TRADE -> 1878 TO 1911 NON & MULTI SPORTS N28, N29, N43, N162, N165 & N184

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Posted By: DJ

I have learned one thing and that some people aren't cut out for retail. They talk a good game and have a big briefcase full of cash, but when it comes to customer service, they don't know how to treat people in the right light.

They would rather ruin their reputation with this kind of behavior instead of doing what's right.

Very funny myspace page and Wonka is the Lichtenstein of the VBCForum! Keep up the good work artiste'!

More importantly, why is David's font constantly in blue?

DJ

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Posted By: Dylan

I didnt read every post but I think that when selling a raw vintage card of value you have to state some refund conditions. If i were selling it i would guarantee the card is authentic but perhaps go no further then that. Card is sold "as is" unless found to be counterfeit. Or state that card is authentic and gradeable and state that refund will be given if its deemed not by a legit 3rd party grader. Either sell as is and risk taking a lower profit or offer a refund under reasonable conditions and get higher bids. Its up to the seller, but most of all be clear in your refund policy. And obviously if you are going to offer a refund dependent on graders opinion you must give the buyer a reasonable amount of time to submit the card to a grading company. I think by being clear about your selling policy these types of disputes, for the most part, can be avoided

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Posted By: David Vargha

DJ, the color of my posts is determined by what computer I post from. I am now posting from my kids' computer. That means that the post should be red.

I just wanted to check what the settings are if I post from my wife's computer.

I'm back at my computer now. This is all very interesting indeed.

DavidVargha@hotmail.com

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Posted By: Al C.risafulli

Don't eat the brown acid.

-Al