Colossal Auctions?

[RichardSimon]

These people at Colossal are very aware of this board.
After they removed their pictures from their last auction I wrote to them, under a pseudonym, requesting pictures of a few lots.
After figuring out that it was me, one of their principals started writing to me.
Along with other statements he has mentioned in his correspondence that he "gets a kick out of my blogger friends and finds them entertaining."
I guess that means you guys .
He also said that putting photos of his items on the internet drew too much negative attention.
Wonder what he meant by that?

[mighty bombjack]

It was very soon after this thread started that the photos started coming down. Seems it was a response to some of the obvious criticism that was being lobbed.

In the end, if you're going to pay 150 bucks for a Hughie Jennings autograph, why would you need a photo before doing so?

[Mr. Zipper]

Originally Posted by RichardSimon

"gets a kick out of my blogger friends and finds them entertaining." I guess that means you guys .

When will some people learn that posting on a message board is not the same as "blogging"?!?!? Some knuckleheads on another dubious site consistently refer to message board participants as "bloggers" as well.

He also said that putting photos of his items on the internet drew too much negative attention.

With a defense like that, who needs a prosecution?

[RichardSimon]

This is now on the Colossal website:

"Many bloggers believe most everything is a forgery, and everyone is a forger or conspirator unless proven otherwise. Many of these same people, whom are collectors and sellers themselves, also believe everything they have is 100% authentic and everything you have is not. Some are independant authenticators who think they know everything and may have worked for some of these authentication companies or auction houses in the past. They consider themselves autograph experts and continuously disperage authenticators, sellers, and collectors alike. These bloggers are self proclaimed experts who regularly post on forums because they have nothing better to do. They don't have a real job.

But excuuse me, they don't like the term "Bloggers", they like to be called "Posters"....because they're so special. We'll just call them 'Poster Boys" for lack of a better term. These poster boys will try to do anything in their power to stir up controversy and discredit anyone who doesn't agree with there narrow minded way of thinking. On their forums, they will try to discredit, and refute everything written on this web page. Their attitude also helps perpetuate the status of the most well known authenticators, and the notion that if these well known authenticators authenticate anything it's got to be real, whether it is or not. It's like wrestling with an 800 pound gorilla, you can't win. So if you choose to use a 3rd party authenticator, consider their reputation, your options, and choose wisely."

[thetruthisoutthere]

If "Colossal Auctions" are so confident that their vintage cut autographs are authentic, then why aren't they listing them under their Ebay account (Americard)?

What's the deal there, Colossal Auctions?

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by thetruthisoutthere

If "Colossal Auctions" are so confident that their vintage cut autographs are authentic, then why aren't they listing them under their Ebay account (Americard)?

What's the deal there, Colossal Auctions?

I'm confused.

These guys are thieves - they are making a living stealing from people. They have the absolute stupidest website on the planet, and the most ridiculous authentication policies. Their strategy is all designed for theft...period. Rather than trying to get them to prove they are legit (which is impossible), why don't you guys actually do something about them?

Seriously, you are all into collecting vintage autographs and I guess preserving the integrity of the autograph-collecting hobby - so go get him nailed. That's really the only solution to this.

Isn't there some procedure that leads to the authorities tossing them in jail?

[thetruthisoutthere]

Originally Posted by Runscott

I'm confused.

These guys are thieves - they are making a living stealing from people. They have the absolute stupidest website on the planet, and the most ridiculous authentication policies. Their strategy is all designed for theft...period. Rather than trying to get them to prove they are legit (which is impossible), why don't you guys actually do something about them?

Seriously, you are all into collecting vintage autographs and I guess preserving the integrity of the autograph-collecting hobby - so go get him nailed. That's really the only solution to this.

Isn't there some procedure that leads to the authorities tossing them in jail?

What would you propose that "we" do, Scott?

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by thetruthisoutthere

What would you propose that "we" do, Scott?

I have no idea - perhaps the answer is that there is nothing that can be done. If that's the case, then I'm really sorry for the autograph-collecting hobby.

But I do know that thieves HAVE been caught, and there must be a process that led to that occurring. Was it just accidental? Did someone who got ripped off get really pissed and grab hold like a pit bull until justice was served?

I don't see an issue with Colossal ripping off idiots - not being cold-hearted, but I don't trust autographs anyway, and buying from someone like Colossal is the stupidest of stupid ways to go about collecting. But to me the bigger issue is that these items will end up back in the market under a different name, and someone legit will put their stamp of approval on them (accidentally, of course). I know from reading this thread that that is a big worry of everyone. Can nothing be done to stop it?

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by Runscott

I'm confused.

These guys are thieves - they are making a living stealing from people. They have the absolute stupidest website on the planet, and the most ridiculous authentication policies. Their strategy is all designed for theft...period. Rather than trying to get them to prove they are legit (which is impossible), why don't you guys actually do something about them?

Seriously, you are all into collecting vintage autographs and I guess preserving the integrity of the autograph-collecting hobby - so go get him nailed. That's really the only solution to this.

Isn't there some procedure that leads to the authorities tossing them in jail?

As poster boys, we're only interested in discrediting and blogging. We're not into really taking any real action. LOL

[RichardSimon]

Originally Posted by Scott Garner

As poster boys, we're only interested in discrediting and blogging. We're not into really taking any real action. LOL

Or you could try 1-800-catch-them-now and file a report.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Scott Garner

As poster boys, we're only interested in discrediting and blogging. We're not into really taking any real action. LOL

I have to admit, his coining of the term 'poster boys' was pretty funny. He's kind of laughing at our inability to take any real action. I'd love to see someone here prove him wrong.

[CW]

Originally Posted by RichardSimon

This is now on the Colossal website:

"Many bloggers believe most everything is a forgery, and everyone is a forger or conspirator unless proven otherwise. Many of these same people, whom are collectors and sellers themselves, also believe everything they have is 100% authentic and everything you have is not. Some are independant authenticators who think they know everything and may have worked for some of these authentication companies or auction houses in the past. They consider themselves autograph experts and continuously disperage authenticators, sellers, and collectors alike. These bloggers are self proclaimed experts who regularly post on forums because they have nothing better to do. They don't have a real job.

But excuuse me, they don't like the term "Bloggers", they like to be called "Posters"....because they're so special. We'll just call them 'Poster Boys" for lack of a better term. These poster boys will try to do anything in their power to stir up controversy and discredit anyone who doesn't agree with there narrow minded way of thinking. On their forums, they will try to discredit, and refute everything written on this web page. Their attitude also helps perpetuate the status of the most well known authenticators, and the notion that if these well known authenticators authenticate anything it's got to be real, whether it is or not. It's like wrestling with an 800 pound gorilla, you can't win. So if you choose to use a 3rd party authenticator, consider their reputation, your options, and choose wisely."

If is funny to watch them scramble around, trying to cover all the bases so that no potential buyer will have any doubts or hesitations. In the long run this will only hurt their cause, though, as it will make potential buyers ask the question, "Who are these 'bloggers' and where do they discuss this stuff?" As these potential buyers are alerted to the fact that other experts do exist in the field, they will seek more knowledge and hopefully discover the truth about these crooks.

Of course, after reading this logic, they may remove those last couple paragraphs now...