The Fake Ted Williams Nightmare

[TyrusRCobb]

Originally Posted by thecatspajamas

Sorry, on the long, slow process I was thinking more of the various claims I've dealt with in the past, typically involving packages that were actually lost or delayed. I think you are correct in that, if you show definite proof (online tracking) that the package was delivered back to him, the decision (and refund) is much quicker.

The other stuff I said about them siding with the buyer 99.9% of the time and the tracking showing "delivered" being about the only "proof" they will look at is still accurate, from my experience.

For what it's worth, I've been on the seller's side of these complaints much more often than the buyer's, and from my experience, if the buyer complains about anything that cannot be disproven with tracking information, the buyer WILL get their money back. In my experience, whether it's a valid or believable claim has very little bearing on eBay's decision if the complaint is from the buyer.

Thanks for the response. The deeper I read into many of the threads the more I understand the seller's frustration regarding refunds. I would hate to think that, as a seller, there would be very little I could do in challenging a buyer who simply doesn't like the item they purchased and desires a refund. However, it is nice to know (assuming the outcome will be in my favor) that eBay will refund an item that is shown to be a forgery. From here on out I'm going to be far more diligent in researching not only the ball under consideration but the seller as well. I'm going to seek opinions about authenticity [I]before[I]I make a purchase and not after! Again, thanks for the response.

[JimStinson]

As a new collector welcome, I've posted this before but there is a very simple formula to avoid these kinds of mistakes when it comes to autographs. As in any occupation there are people that are good at what they do , some are bad at what they do and some just don't give a damn.
So in "the information age" and especially with forums like this one, ASK questions !
There are plenty of GOOD autograph sellers to go around. So take a pen and a piece of paper and ask around for the names of ...oh Ten reputable autograph sellers, make 10 lists, then find the FIVE names that overlap the most from those lists and just deal with them, How tough is that ?????
Between the five names you end up with they will ALWAYS have more stuff to sell you than you have money to spend. Unless your last name happens to be Trump or Gates, then you can expand the list to maybe 10.
________________________
Vintage autographs for sale daily
stinsonsports.com

[TyrusRCobb]

Originally Posted by JimStinson

As a new collector welcome, I've posted this before but there is a very simple formula to avoid these kinds of mistakes when it comes to autographs. As in any occupation there are people that are good at what they do , some are bad at what they do and some just don't give a damn.
So in "the information age" and especially with forums like this one, ASK questions !
There are plenty of GOOD autograph sellers to go around. So take a pen and a piece of paper and ask around for the names of ...oh Ten reputable autograph sellers, make 10 lists, then find the FIVE names that overlap the most from those lists and just deal with them, How tough is that ?????
Between the five names you end up with they will ALWAYS have more stuff to sell you than you have money to spend. Unless your last name happens to be Trump or Gates, then you can expand the list to maybe 10.
________________________
Vintage autographs for sale daily
stinsonsports.com

Great advice Mr. Stinson! It's greatly appreciated.

[Lordstan]

Very well said Jim!!

[JimStinson]

Its not rocket science ...the GOOD dealers have been around for 20 years or so for A REASON !!!!! its because they do a good job and know their stuff. It is when a collector armed with what my late father used to call "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing" that they get burned. And then say What happened ??? What happened is that you did not stay close to the "herd" you went off into the wilderness thinking that you KNEW it ALL. You got too cocky too quick. So share the blame.
Bogus dealers and legit authenticators have become RICH because of this. Some millionaires .............why ?
Let me put it real simple ...If one of the best mechanics in the world just overhauled your transmission on your car, THE BEST , A MASTER AUTO MACHANIC WITH 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE would you then pay $150.00 to some 25 year old kid that works under an oak tree in his yard to double check the other mechanics work ?????

[TyrusRCobb]

Originally Posted by JimStinson

Its not rocket science ...the GOOD dealers have been around for 20 years or so for A REASON !!!!! its because they do a good job and know their stuff. It is when a collector armed with what my late father used to call "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing" that they get burned. And then say What happened ??? What happened is that you did not stay close to the "herd" you went off into the wilderness thinking that you KNEW it ALL. You got too cocky too quick. So share the blame.
Bogus dealers and legit authenticators have become RICH because of this. Some millionaires .............why ?
Let me put it real simple ...If one of the best mechanics in the world just overhauled your transmission on your car, THE BEST , A MASTER AUTO MACHANIC WITH 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE would you then pay $150.00 to some 25 year old kid that works under an oak tree in his yard to double check the other mechanics work ?????

Point taken Jim. As my quote states I know that I know nothing. I've never taken the stance that I "KNEW IT ALL." Quite the opposite. I'm doing my best to locate "the herd." I completely "share the blame." The seller posted the fake which I purchased. As my quote further states, I'm learning. Again, as always, thanks for the advice.
Adam

[Deertick]

Originally Posted by JimStinson

As a new collector welcome, I've posted this before but there is a very simple formula to avoid these kinds of mistakes when it comes to autographs. As in any occupation there are people that are good at what they do , some are bad at what they do and some just don't give a damn.
So in "the information age" and especially with forums like this one, ASK questions !
There are plenty of GOOD autograph sellers to go around. So take a pen and a piece of paper and ask around for the names of ...oh Ten reputable autograph sellers, make 10 lists, then find the FIVE names that overlap the most from those lists and just deal with them, How tough is that ?????
Between the five names you end up with they will ALWAYS have more stuff to sell you than you have money to spend. Unless your last name happens to be Trump or Gates, then you can expand the list to maybe 10.
________________________
Vintage autographs for sale daily
stinsonsports.com

Jim just says this because his name is pre-printed on all the lists!

[JimStinson]

What the HECK does that mean ????

[JimStinson]

Oh...OK Sorry I get it now...I'm slow (smile), yes my name will be on all the lists I agree , but thats not because I paid anyone to do it or had a multi-million dollar ad campaign to sell the "sizzle and not the steak" its because I busted my arse over half my life to do the right thing. Even when my plane was flying WAY CLOSE TO THE GROUND I never compromised , it IS what it IS and WAS what it was .....So like Rosenanne Rosa Anna Danna used to say.....NEVERMIND

[Deertick]

Originally Posted by JimStinson

Oh...OK Sorry I get it now...I'm slow (smile), yes my name will be on all the lists I agree , but thats not because I paid anyone to do it or had a multi-million dollar ad campaign to sell the "sizzle and not the steak" its because I busted my arse over half my life to do the right thing. Even when my plane was flying WAY CLOSE TO THE GROUND I never compromised , it IS what it IS and WAS what it was .....So like Rosenanne Rosa Anna Danna used to say.....NEVERMIND

I notice that you haven't explicity denied that you have subversively pre-printed your name on these "lists".

[JimStinson]

Yes I have with the help of "THE AMAZING KESKIN"