Rogue REA employee on eBay?

[benchod]

Sorry Perter the beginning of the thread was too convoluted for me to follow but when I saw Faragi's name I wanted the board to know what kind of person they are dealing with. Hobbyguynj is Dean Faragi and I have saved the emails I received from him

[HRBAKER]

Lord, I love this hobby.

[Wesley]

Maybe that was a one time incident as well.

[Doug]

Originally Posted by HRBAKER

Lord, I love this hobby.

Hobby? I thought this was a reality show...

[botn]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

So both of these IDs are Dean's and he is "buying" his own cards and leaving feedback for himself?

Not sure. We know based on feedback which was left for hobbyguynj, in which he was addressed as Dean and now an account Craig that hobbyguynj is Dean. I am unclear whether or not smgsmg1968 is also Dean. Rob L has posted saying there was absolutely no shill bidding on ebay involving Dean and he has emailed Jim saying the same thing. So who is smgsmg1968? Maybe David, who started this post can come back out from hiding and tell us one way or another if smgsmg1968 is also Dean.

Then I would like to know why Rob would come on here and post there was no shill bidding prior to fully investigating. Dean has put Rob in a bad spot.

[Peter_Spaeth]

The C56 Moran (no pun intended) was sold by smgsmg1968 (Dean responds to emails at this account) and the winning bidder was none other then hobbyguynj if you are still following along with this tangled web.

[botn]

Yeah I read that but I wanted to make sure as Rob L was adamant that no shill bidding was involved and stated so 3 times, at least. So what info does Rob have or what info was he relying on when he made that pronouncement?

[Matt]

[HRBAKER]

Originally Posted by Matt

Make mine buttered, hold the salt.

[Jim VB]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

The C56 Moran (no pun intended) was sold by smgsmg1968 (Dean responds to emails at this account) and the winning bidder was none other then hobbyguynj if you are still following along with this tangled web.

David will have to explain his initial statement that Dean responds to emails at the smgsmg1968 account.

Rob was pretty adamant (and convincing) that Dean's account is hobbyguynj and smgsmg1968 is someone else. (Rob knows who it is, and used his first name in emailing me.)

The Cardtarget explanation is believable, at least to me. Dean used to own the C56 Moran card AND the M116 Clarke card. Dean sent both in to PSA, hence they are on the same submission. Dean subsequently sold Moran to smgsmg1968 in a private sale. He also sold the Clarke on Ebay.

At a later date, smgsmg1968 decided to sell the Moran. It was less than Dean had sold it for, so he was a bidder to buy it back. He did not win this card, but they have had other deals together, both on and off Ebay, and therefore there is some feedback between them.

I'm still in the camp that doesn't see this reflecting on REA, but I realize that others can be more skeptical. What a mess for a small issue.

[andybecker]

Originally Posted by FUBAR

Leon

for some reason, my wife took one step back.... i think most wives did!

that may be the best one-liner in net54 history

[JP]

I've read this thread 3 times trying to track everything. Don't smgsmg1968 and hobbyguynj have to be the same guy? Both have cards on the same PSA submission form and yet they are bidding on eachother's auctions? I'm lost....

[botn]

JP they do not HAVE to be the same person but it is certainly sounding like it. DJR, David stated on the Net54 Non Sports site that smgsmg1968 was absolutely Dean. He has not come back here to tell us how he knows that. Rob L is adamant that is not Dean. Someone is either wrong or not telling the truth.

[Jim VB]

Originally Posted by JP

I've read this thread 3 times trying to track everything. Don't smgsmg1968 and hobbyguynj have to be the same guy? Both have cards on the same PSA submission form and yet they are bidding on eachother's auctions? I'm lost....

Re-read my last post. Both cards were owned by Dean and submitted, at the same time, to PSA. One was sold to smgsmg1968. One was sold on Ebay. smgsmg1968 then tried to sell the one he bought on ebay and Dean (hobbyguynj) was the underbidder.

If this doesn't clear it up for you, go back and read the exchange between you, me, and several others from last week. You used EXACTLY the same explanation. It was plausible to you then and unthinkable now????

Here's the link: http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=121221

[DJR]

I was initially sent an unsolicited email via the PSA Set Registry from "dean faragi" asking me about my interest level in some Allen & Ginter N9 Flag cards, since my set is listed. I replied yes and asked about other items for sale. He replied these were the only items he had for sale and to make an offer. I offered $75 and $50. Within under 10 minutes, these exact bids were placed on eBay by hobbyguynj on smgsmg1968. I immediately thought to myself what a turd burglar and lowered my snipes ironically ending up costing him money / reputation.

Mr. Lifson, what facts have I characterized improperly? I have attempted to only post facts (not opinions) and let others judge for themselves. You stated, ''Dean did not do anything whatsoever relating to shill bidding''. This statement is crazy! You also state, ''It is also the first and only time Dean Faragi has done this'', however, this also happened with the Moran hockey card. Furthermore, feedback shows this type of activity has been habitual taking place going back months and years. The hobbyguynj feedback also mentions the name Dean.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by DJR

I was initially sent an unsolicited email via the PSA Set Registry from "dean faragi" asking me about my interest level in some Allen & Ginter N9 Flag cards, since my set is listed. I replied yes and asked about other items for sale. He replied these were the only items he had for sale and to make an offer. I offered $75 and $50. Within under 10 minutes, these exact bids were placed on eBay by hobbyguynj on smgsmg1968. I immediately thought to myself what a turd burglar and lowered my snipes ironically ending up costing him money / reputation.

Mr. Lifson, what facts have I characterized improperly? I have attempted to only post facts (not opinions) and let others judge for themselves. You stated, ''Dean did not do anything whatsoever relating to shill bidding''. This statement is crazy! You also state, ''It is also the first and only time Dean Faragi has done this'', however, this also happened with the Moran hockey card. Furthermore, feedback shows this type of activity has been habitual taking place going back months and years. The hobbyguynj feedback also mentions the name Dean.

This does not answer why you think smgsmg1968 is Dean unless I missed it.

[B O'Brien]

Will there be a TPS report filed to summarize this topic?
Bob

[Robextend]

Originally Posted by B O'Brien

Will there be a TPS report filed to summarize this topic?
Bob

I will work on the cover sheet...I DID get the memo.

[Rich Klein]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

The bottom line is this has nothing to do with the honesty or integrity of Rob Lifson or REA. Rob still runs the best auction around, period.

I could make the counter point that the employees you hire are a reflection upon yourself and apparently Dean has done this or similar transgessions in the past.

Now I'm NOT saying there is anything wrong with Rob or REA in any way; but, if your employees are acting badly when they are on their own, then what is to stop them from doing something while working for you. After all, you don't want to be monitoring their activities on a 24/7 basis. And you have to have trust in them. I don't know if I saw this, if I could in the future trust one of my employees that did that. My next thought would be, what if he does something like that to my business to mess up the works.

Regards
Rich

[joeadcock]

Excellent point Rich

[mintacular]

Now I'm NOT saying there is anything wrong with Rob or REA in any way;--But isn't that exactly what you are doing with everything else you wrote?

[botn]

Ummmm...We still have differing OPINIONS as to who smgsmg1968 is. Rob has privately explained (to at least 1 person) how this is not Dean and David has publicly stated, without telling us the basis for his conclusion, that it is Dean.

If it is Dean than Rich has made a valid point. You cannot possibly know where someone will draw the line and shill bidding, just ask Jeff Lichtman, is a major concern in the hobby.

It wouldn't sit so comfortably with me if Rob was so quick to defend Dean if in fact it turns out both ebay ids are the same person. Sure the auctions were small potatoes but perception is everything.

[DanP]

Could it be possible that Rob/REA has to believe Dean and Dean can't be fired because ??why?? Maybe there's stuff happening at REA that Dean knows about and could be exposed if he were fired?

You never know ..


Dan

[Dean Faragi]

I would like to come on the board for the first time (not my idea of a great first entrance) to explain my end of the situation. My eBay handle is hobbyguynj since 2001. My friend (smgsmg1968) is a collector who I introduced to collecting, and who has been buying cards from me for the last three years as an investment. He has recently lost interest and decided he wanted to sell them on eBay with my assistance. I was not interested in selling his cards for him on eBay but was interested in buying them back at some level, and because I sold them to him, was also happy to help him with information; smgsmg1968’s name is Scott, by the way). I have bid and won some items he has offered on eBay (which I originally submitted for grading and later sold to him). I have bid on the items he is selling for two reasons: 1) because I liked the cards I sold him (I originally owned them, I bought them because I liked them), and 2) if the current bid was less than what the card was worth (in my opinion) I was interested in buying them back at some level. With reference to DJR’s questions:

DJR writes:
“You stated, ''Dean did not do anything whatsoever relating to shill bidding''. This statement is crazy! You also state, ''It is also the first and only time Dean Faragi has done this'', however, this also happened with the Moran hockey card. Furthermore, feedback shows this type of activity has been habitual taking place going back months and years. The hobbyguynj feedback also mentions the name Dean.”

DJR, the bidding that has occurred by me on eBay or anywhere else is not shill bidding. The statement that this is “the first and only time Dean Faragi has done this” refers to this (as accurately summarized above): “What he did do, and this is not a practice condoned or tolerated at REA, is represent to a PSA registry set owner that the two A&G flag cards he was offering privately (that were actually up for auction on eBay and closing that night) were his (when in fact they were not, they were just on eBay) and soliciting an offer which he intended (and actually did) use to bid on the cards, with the intention of selling them to the PSA registry collector if his bids were successful.” I did this. It was stupid. It will never happen again. But I have never shill bid and was not shill bidding on the A&G flag cards or any other cards ever. The reason that hobbyguynj feedback mentions the name Dean is because that is my name. I can see how someone could misinterpret the information about the PSA submissions and bidding and without additional facts suspect that bids are not on the up and up, but they are totally legitimate bids on my part, and so all I can do is explain this clearly. I hope I have done that here.

Sincerely,
Dean Faragi

[autograf]

wow.....that seems a stretch.....

My stretch comment is to Dan, not Dean

[bijoem]

Dean,

Thank you for taking the time to come here and explain things.

When I first heard about this.... I had a sinking feeling about you and REA. Honestly, Rob's "defense" post did not do much of anything to help the sinking feeling.

But.... you sound very sincere in your post - and personally, I will give you the benefit of the doubt.

Everyone makes mistakes.
Its nice to see someone who stands up, explains things, takes responsibility. and promises better going forward.


Again - thank you for the post.

[DanP]

Originally Posted by autograf

wow.....that seems a stretch.....

My stretch comment is to Dan, not Dean

Stretch?? You're kidding right?


Dan

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by botn

If it is Dean than Rich has made a valid point. You cannot possibly know where someone will draw the line and shill bidding, just ask Jeff Lichtman, is a major concern in the hobby.

I actually am more concerned about alterations and the such. Shill bidding is bad but in the end you still get your true, unaltered card. Altering cards for profit is just plain evil.

[botn]

Hey Jeff,

Sometimes you hit the jackpot and you get both!

Greg

[calvindog]

LOL true. What a hobby.

[Peter_Spaeth]

?? Dean did not address this, I don't think, but Craig seemed pretty clear as to what he was charging.

[FUBAR]

this needs more then popcorn, this needs beer! this one is making my head hurt!!!! We could get Michael Moore to do a documentary.... We could call it "Dizzy Dean"

It also wouldnt be the first time someone has bid on their own items and won. What better way then to throw off anyone questioning this!

[White Borders]

Originally Posted by B O'Brien

Will there be a TPS report filed to summarize this topic?
Bob

Bob Slydell: Well, just a second there, professor. We, uh, we fixed the *glitch*. So he won't be receiving a paycheck anymore, so it'll just work itself out naturally.
Bob Porter: We always like to avoid confrontation, whenever possible. Problem is solved from your end.

[Dean Faragi]

I don’t know who Craig is. Six years is a long time ago but I just do not remember communicating with Craig or anyone about any Kalamazoo Bats card on eBay. I suppose it’s possible I bid on a Kalamazoo Bat card because I do like them but don’t remember ever actually doing so. If I bid on a card I liked that I didn’t win but after was kicking myself for not bidding higher, there were times I would ask the buyer if he would sell it to me at a small profit (years ago all buyer handles were available to see, making this possible). There is nothing wrong with this. There is also nothing wrong with telling a seller that if the buyer doesn’t pay, you are still there to honor your bid. That is what Craig is saying as I understand his post. But I don’t remember the communications Craig is claiming, or any similar communications with anyone on eBay that could have possibly been interpreted in a negative light. If I did have any communication as an underbidder with Craig about any card that he interpreted in a negative light, there is no doubt there was a miscommunication about my intent. Craig, if it was me, you could have called me or written me at any time to discuss the perceived indiscretion. Obviously, if I had been trying to get the seller to sell a card to me that was won by another bidder (something I would never do), it wouldn’t even make sense to contact the rightful buyer to discuss this. Something must have been lost in the communications, but I’m really at a great disadvantage in discussing as I don’t remember the incident. Craig, if we communicated about a card (perhaps it was a different card?) that I was an underbidder on and as the underbidder was expressing interest in buying at a profit from you, no harm was intended.

Sincerely,
Dean Faragi

[benchod]

Dean,
That is a pathetic attempt at an apology. You must have learned how to apologize from Mark Mcgwire.
Why don't you just man up, apologize and I'll consider it over?
email me privately if you wish.

[Jim VB]

So... If no one else is going to say it...

Welcome to Net54 Dean! How did your first day go?

[mightyq]

dan p- i agree with tom b 100%. tom was a little more ho hum with what he said. but you can take his point as a "stretch" a little further, like making an "acusation" about something you have no proof of whatsoever! if i am wrong by all means post some proof. if not dont post any ol "b**ls**t you feel. if it feels like i am coming to rob's defense i am. he is a friend, and runs a great not good great auction(s).

[Peter_Spaeth]

Without seeing the emails themselves, a textbook, he said, he said.

[Leon]

As a matter of policy names are to be known in these kinds of threads. Craig is Craig Lipman. I have known Craig for quite some time and would vouch for him. I am not getting involved in this situation as I have enough of my own situations to keep me going. This is a very open forum and people can always defend themselves if they want to, or not, if they don't want to. There won't be any kind of anonymity allowed, which again, is the general rule. best regards

[glynparson]

I don't know anything about the K-bat situation, but as to the other part, I have sold cards off of ebay to people and then been able to buy them back for less when the people decided to sell them on ebay. It hasn't happend a lot maybe 3-4 times but it still has happend.

[thekingofclout]

I'm going back to the memorabilia side where I belong.

[Jim VB]

Originally Posted by thekingofclout

I'm going back to the memorabilia side where I belong.

LOL! Yeah, cause that stuff desn't ever have a stink to it!

[Dean Faragi]

JIM VB: "So... If no one else is going to say it...

Welcome to Net54 Dean! How did your first day go?"



Wow...tough crowd Jim.

[FUBAR]

DId you notice we have a "buy, sell, and trade" section....


I know, bad joke.. but i had to do it, just had to.....

[Dean Faragi]

Craig:

I just sent you a private message and email through the Net 54 board. I do not know if you received it because this is my first time using the system. Please let me know. Thanks.

[benchod]

Hi Dean,
I did receive it and emailed you back. I appreciate you trying to make this right.
I think it's best if we resolve this off line.
As I stated in my email in the grand scheme of things this was a minor transgression and not worth a flame war. That being said I don't think anyone appreciates third party interference in a completed auction but I will accept your apology

As far as REA is concerned the only thing they have to do with this is it was an employee of theirs. It would be a dream for me to work at a Major Grading company (SGC REALLY) or Major Sports Auction House. Why does this mean I have to give up collecting?? Who gives a crap if I grade and collect. If I send a submission in it should go through anonymously and be graded on my day off unknown to me. For that matter I would think it would not be possible for any employee to be able to have cards graded or auctioned from/by their place of employement. So I guess I need to work for PSA. May have a bright future there. I know enough to get by, but not enough to matter. May have a good shot at that senior graders position after all

Back to the thread though. Dean from what I gather has really not done anything wrong. I think this whole thing is stupid but this is JMO.

[JP]

Originally Posted by Pup6913

Same paragraph a few sentences apart. A bit contradictory

Not at all contradictory.

In one case, he doesn't win the auction, but contacts the winner of the auction to try and get the card. (fine)

In the other case, he doesn't win an auction, but then contacts the seller to try and get the card instead of the rightful winner. (not fine)

Dean sounds like he has his ducks in a row....welcome, Dean!

[barrysloate]

I agree with other posters that there is nothing wrong with working for a major auction company and at the same time buying cards or memorabilia for one's own collection. It's a benign activity, and if done discretely will cause no problems at all.

But selling cards on ebay, when invariably some of the people you sell to could be important customers of the firm you work for, is probably not so good. If anyone doubts that, just reread this thread.

If I were Dean, and he should listen to Rob before he listens to me, I would quit selling on ebay while working for REA. This has created a public relations mess for both REA and Dean, and never should have happened.

Originally Posted by JP

Not at all contradictory.

In one case, he doesn't win the auction, but contacts the winner of the auction to try and get the card. (fine)

In the other case, he doesn't win an auction, but then contacts the seller to try and get the card instead of the rightful winner. (not fine)

Dean sounds like he has his ducks in a row....welcome, Dean!

I just reread this and you are right JP. I will edit that out. Sorry for that.