NY Times-Fraud in the online art market and it mirrors our problems in autogs.

[travrosty]

I help people find autographs on their want list for boxing, and also give a free opinion when they email me asking if an autograph is good or not because they are considering buying it.

Some people are only looking for "deals" or inexpensive autographs, even of the old, vintage champions, and I usually tell them there are no "deals" regarding those names on the want list.

But some persist and only will buy a good "deal" or only show me autographs that they are considering buying that are cheap. and almost all instances the autographs are no good, but they still swim in that pond because they think good deals exist.

I tell them that collectors and dealers are constantly, searching auction houses big and small, and constantly searching ebay, so a true deal is very very rare. They think they are capable of sniffing out the great deals. Muhammad Ali for cheap, and Joe Louis and John L. Sullivan for cheaper.

It's a disaster waiting to happen, but sometimes there just is no educating some of the buyers.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by travrosty

...

and also give a free opinion when they email me asking if an autograph is good or not because they are considering buying it.

Yep, they wouldn't ask you if they didn't respect your opinion - might as well share it and help out fellow hobbyists.

Oddly, I get sporadic contacts with similar questions, and always respond to the best of my ability. Giving my opinion doesn't seem out of the ordinary and can only result in future business in other areas. Not sure why dealers here have such a hard time sharing useful, non-confrontational autograph thoughts, but I think it's bad for their business.

[alexautographs]

There's an ass for every seat:

http://www.myccsa.com/lot/236/pablo-...0-artwork.aspx