Another Probstein LOL

[CW]

Originally Posted by CMIZ5290

Oh my God, here we go again. Forget the belly aching, what can be done about it? Has anyone notified Ebay from the past 50- 60 threads that have been started here over the past 2 years?? I highly doubt it... Why does this always happen every 2-3 weeks, but not a freaking thing gets done? What's the point? It's almost like being in the Twilight zone......Oh, and here comes something about Brent and PWCC.....Rick is laughing his ass off all the way to the bank....People are always responding to these threads, "well, it's good for every one to be warned, and know who the bad guys are in the hobby..." But yet, it evidently keeps on happening.... At the end of the day, not a damn thing gets done, so why the wasted energy?

On one hand I can see what you're saying, in that nothing will ultimately be done by Ebay or Rick to put a stop to this.

However, one way that these types of posts could possibly help is by educating the consumer so he or she can make the choice on their own to put an end to it by not bidding on Rick's auctions, or on a broader scale, not bidding on Ebay auctions in general.

Avoiding Ebay altogether is the better solution, imo, since I put the majority of the blame for shill bidding on the shill bidders themselves and Ebay for creating an environment where it can run rampant. I don't put much of the blame, if any, for shill bidding on Probstein or PWCC, as I trust that they do not shill their own auctions.

So while the seller may not have the tools to monitor 1000s of auctions, and while Ebay could give a shit since more bids means more money to their bottom line, these threads can educate consumers to avoid blatant shill bidding.

For the record, I will still occasionally bid on an Ebay auction, as I am addicted to the hobby and it's a necessary evil at times. Still, they've lost A LOT of my business over the years.

[CMIZ5290]

Originally Posted by CW

On one hand I can see what you're saying, in that nothing will ultimately be done by Ebay or Rick to put a stop to this.

However, one way that these types of posts could possibly help is by educating the consumer so he or she can make the choice on their own to put an end to it by not bidding on Rick's auctions, or on a broader scale, not bidding on Ebay auctions in general.

Avoiding Ebay altogether is the better solution, imo, since I put the majority of the blame for shill bidding on the shill bidders themselves and Ebay for creating an environment where it can run rampant. I don't put much of the blame, if any, for shill bidding on Probstein or PWCC, as I trust that they do not shill their own auctions.

So while the seller may not have the tools to monitor 1000s of auctions, and while Ebay could give a shit since more bids means more money to their bottom line, these threads can educate consumers to avoid blatant shill bidding.

For the record, I will still occasionally bid on an Ebay auction, as I am addicted to the hobby and it's a necessary evil at times. Still, they've lost A LOT of my business over the years.

Chuck- I hear you. But again going back to my earlier post, avoiding these auctions where there is particular concern has not worked, definitely not worked. People keep coming to the trough to drink as far as these auctions go. My biggest frustration is that if nothing can in fact be done, why in the hell keep harping on it?? Why do we insist on coming back for more and more punishment??

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by CMIZ5290

Chuck- I hear you. But again going back to my earlier post, avoiding these auctions where there is particular concern has not worked, definitely not worked. People keep coming to the trough to drink as far as these auctions go. My biggest frustration is that if nothing can in fact be done, why in the hell keep harping on it?? Why do we insist on coming back for more and more punishment??

Every time one of these posts about Probstein pop up you post more than most, and it's almost always complaining that people are wasting their time. This seems ironic to me.

[autograf]

Hmm....maybe it'll be sold to the underbidder on a second chance.....fishy stuff at best.....

[hangman62]

I agree..it is a waste of time...nothing gets resolved..sour grapes..all that...but if you add this simple phrase at the end of any complaint or bitch

- " IM JUST SAYIN "

....it makes it all acceptable and right

[Pythonfactory]

Aren't new people joining this forum every day? Aren't there members who visit infrequently? Is it a bad decision to educate them on what to look out for when bidding on Ebay?

I've, *gasp*, bid with Brent and watched some items from Probstein since these revelations but you can be damn sure that I've watched the bidder's history on them all, tried to find any previous sales history, and backed away at the first sign of anything fishy. If it weren't for these threads, I would have never known to look and wouldn't have walked away from some items.

To summarize, I completely disagree with you Kevin. Sure, as an individual buyer, I cannot completely change the system but pointing these things out does make a difference, even if its only a small one.

[Sean1125]

Do any single one of you people bashing Rick actually try and send him an E-mail?

He was pretty quick to act when I did.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Sean1125

Do any single one of you people bashing Rick actually try and send him an E-mail?

He was pretty quick to act when I did.

Yes he probably did act pretty quick for you, you consign a ton of cards through him. Yes members on here have emailed Rick. He was told about a Bill Russell auto he was selling as basketball HOFer Bill Russell when it was really Bill Russell the baseball player who has little to no value. He said thank you for the info but left the auction listing the same.

[CMIZ5290]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

Every time one of these posts about Probstein pop up you post more than most, and it's almost always complaining that people are wasting their time. This seems ironic to me.

Delete....not worth it..

[ullmandds]

convincing retort, Kevin?!

[jlehma13]

Almost pulled the trigger on a lot of t206's but the high bidder and eventual winner had near 20 bid retractions in 6 months. Still went for a reasonable price but I have to say, after all the chatter here, I was turned off. Perhaps I will see them again...

[drcy]

Those who don't mind being shilled haven't yet sold their collection. I have yet to hear of a collector who was pleased to learn his item sells for 40% less than what he paid.

[markf31]

Originally Posted by CMIZ5290

Chuck- I hear you. But again going back to my earlier post, avoiding these auctions where there is particular concern has not worked, definitely not worked. People keep coming to the trough to drink as far as these auctions go. My biggest frustration is that if nothing can in fact be done, why in the hell keep harping on it?? Why do we insist on coming back for more and more punishment??

No one is forcing you to read or reply to these threads. If you don't care for them and think they are a waste of time, then don't waste your own time in reading or replying to the threads, let those of us who believe they are worthwhile, devote our time to them.