Issue with Probstein (and nothing to do with Shill Bidding)

[AddieJoss]

I have purchased from and consigned with Probstein many times over the past couple of years.

Over 9 weeks ago I consigned several graded T3s, a couple dozen graded T206s, and about 80 near mint and mint cards from the 50s and 60s. The 50s and 60s were raw and had higher than .99 minimum bids (most $9.99), and many did not sell (roughly 40-50). Shortly after the auctions ended, I won a couple of his auctions and asked him to include these unsold cards in the package. He did not.

Now 7 weeks later, I still have not received the cards back and Probstein has not replied to my last 2 emails. Initially, there was excuse that he was moving locations, then it was the National is coming up and he didn't have time, and then it was the National and he was too busy, and then he actually asked me to go to his location and sort through things until I find the cards. And he wants me to give him all the item numbers. I actually had several of the item numbers, but not all and that still hasn't helped. I've previously spoken to him twice and he dismisses my inquiries.

In summary, my cards are missing and I can not get a reply from Probstein, and he has made it clear he has no intention of making good on said lost cards. I mention this as a precautionary tale (and I have purchased dozens of cards and consigned many thousands of dollars of cards to Probstein).
Cory Weiser

[Mike Roche]

I don't know what's going on, but Probstien's name has been all over every forum every forum lately. I've never bought or sold with him but I've been hearing a lot of complaints about him in the last few days.

[AddieJoss]

I don't think I'm being harsh like other folks, or have consipacy theories. He has a large business going on, but there is a clear lack of organization and customer service as of late. I won't speak to the other posts about other issues unrelated but I just want to get my cards back and I'm not sure how to do so.
Cory

[Duluth Eskimo]

Well, if you're an active member on here and you've read the many Probstein threads I'm not sure what to tell you. When you deal with the devil, sometimes you get burnt. It might be harsh in the reference, but when you get in bed with a thief you shouldn't expect him play fair.

[Duluth Eskimo]

I don't want you to think I don't feel for you. That sucks big time and I would be extremely pissed off too. I just think you should have known better. Hopefully you will get them back one way or another. Good luck

[Peter_Spaeth]

Why should he have known better? I don't think to date anyone has questioned Rick's customer service.

[Rollingstone206]

...

[AddieJoss]

Update and clarification:

Clarification portion: Over the last 7+ weeks! before posting on here! I did call Rick twice and sent several messages and I was being dismissed. I realized I was not getting my cards back unless I went there (I didn't want to and found the suggestion lunacy). I did provide some of the auction numbers (and he didn't seem to have an internal system), but that doesn't help because it does not seem like they are in that type of order and became commingled with other cards. For the record, I never felt Rick was "stealing the cards", he just didn't know which were mine anymore and didn't try to figure it out. I/he assumed he would eventually make good, but that was too long for my liking, especially without replies to the most recent emails.

Update:
After posting, a fellow board member reached out to Rick to inform him that until this was resolved he would not bid on more of Rick's auctions. I thank this board member for this because this motivated Rick to resolve this. The resolution was: he sent me the 1963 cards that were mine, the 1967 cards that were mine and some extra 1967 cards that initially weren't mine, in lieu of the other years cards that were mine which he didn't/couldn't find.


Conclusion: I am content that I get back close to what was mine (maybe better, maybe worse (I'm selling anyway)). I am glad another board member assisted. I don't feel Rick is stealing cards, but has a large room for improvement with customer service and organization. This is simply my tale, others have better and worse.

[Duluth Eskimo]

I am glad you got your cards back and kudos to the person who reached out for you. The troubling thing I still don't understand is why you would reach out to the board to alert others to your problem then defend him in the end. To me, it sounds like without the help of a big brother nothing would have happened and your cards would have been gone (or not stolen as you say). Bottom line I guess is I am glad you have your cards back.

[AddieJoss]

Jason, I appreciate the reply. I don't think I am "defending" him. The board absolutely helped me get closure. I just feel it was not "criminal" and more "mess-up" combined with poor customer service. I'm just being fair in my assessment. And at the end of the day I did get approx value back and most were my original cards (although with frustration and aggravation).

[1880nonsports]

used in a sentence before. Well done.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by AddieJoss

The resolution was: he sent me the 1963 cards that were mine, the 1967 cards that were mine and some extra 1967 cards that initially weren't mine, in lieu of the other years cards that were mine which he didn't/couldn't find.

Doesn't it make you wonder where he got the "extra" 1967 cards though? Did he rob Peter to pay Paul?

[jhs5120]

Originally Posted by vintagetoppsguy

Doesn't it make you wonder where he got the "extra" 1967 cards though? Did he rob Peter to pay Paul?

Let's go hunt some witches.

[Runscott]

...how many ostriches does it take to find a witch?

[Deertick]

Originally Posted by jhs5120

Let's go hunt some witches.

That's a fat duck.

[Runscott]

Peter - your pic perfectly illustrates the 'ostrich-witch conundrum. I love it.

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