the list (of criminals) is revealed

[Snapolit1]

I'm not trying to excuse anyone's crappy wrongdoing, but is there really anyone here who didn't know shill bidding goes on in auctions? Really? I've known people asking friends to bid on their ebay auctions for 25 years. I'm not excusing anything, and the fact that the principles of auction houses were doing this is despicable, but the level of professed shock is really kind of stunning.

PS. Restaurant us lousy fish and put it in the stew; cops write a lot of tickets to meet quotas at the end of the month; doctors prescribe crap to get a commission; teachers play with the grades when their pay is dependent on it; bartenders give lousy vodka and lousy pours when you are not looking; and the guy in the sneaker store is going to try to talk you into the most expensive ones he sells.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

I'm not trying to excuse anyone's crappy wrongdoing, but is there really anyone here who didn't know shill bidding goes on in auctions? Really? I've known people asking friends to bid on their ebay auctions for 25 years. I'm not excusing anything, and the fact that the principles of auction houses were doing this is despicable, but the level of professed shock is really kind of stunning.

PS. Restaurant us lousy fish and put it in the stew; cops write a lot of tickets to meet quotas at the end of the month; doctors prescribe crap to get a commission; teachers play with the grades when their pay is dependent on it; bartenders give lousy vodka and lousy pours when you are not looking; and the guy in the sneaker store is going to try to talk you into the most expensive ones he sells.

Dear Son:

Two wrongs don't make a right.

Love,

Mom.

[earlywynnfan]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

I'm not trying to excuse anyone's crappy wrongdoing, but is there really anyone here who didn't know shill bidding goes on in auctions? Really? I've known people asking friends to bid on their ebay auctions for 25 years. I'm not excusing anything, and the fact that the principles of auction houses were doing this is despicable, but the level of professed shock is really kind of stunning.

PS. Restaurant us lousy fish and put it in the stew; cops write a lot of tickets to meet quotas at the end of the month; doctors prescribe crap to get a commission; teachers play with the grades when their pay is dependent on it; bartenders give lousy vodka and lousy pours when you are not looking; and the guy in the sneaker store is going to try to talk you into the most expensive ones he sells.

I find your "teachers play with the grades when their pay is dependent on it" statement really damn offensive.

[mark evans]

Double-crossing the FBI and DOJ on his cooperation agreement was about the dumbest thing Allen could have done, short of the underlying crimes. The Justice Dep't takes obstruction very seriously and Allen, accordingly, got what he deserved.

[wrapperguy]

Had some time tonight to catch up on the latest hobby happenings and saw the list of Mastro shill bids and their victims. Oddly enough, I saw my name on this list:
45 Oct‐07 1713 Mastro Auctions, Inc. Edward (Josh) Petrie Jeff Schwarz Jeff Schwarz $630.00 $390.00 $ 390.00

Wow!! I apparently overpaid by $390 because of the shill bids. I know it does not make it right, but I have no record of what the item was, and I apparently had no trouble paying the higher dollar amount because I must have wanted the item badly enough. Many victims were taken for far more, and it was a shame that guys who I called my "hobby friends" (we are all Chicago area guys and Mastro actually invited me to his house once to see his collection - AMAZING!) would do that type of activity.

Guys just getting too greedy. They were the leaders in the field and wanted more. Sad.

[autograf]

Originally Posted by wrapperguy

Had some time tonight to catch up on the latest hobby happenings and saw the list of Mastro shill bids and their victims. Oddly enough, I saw my name on this list:
45 Oct‐07 1713 Mastro Auctions, Inc. Edward (Josh) Petrie Jeff Schwarz Jeff Schwarz $630.00 $390.00 $ 390.00

Wow!! I apparently overpaid by $390 because of the shill bids. I know it does not make it right, but I have no record of what the item was, and I apparently had no trouble paying the higher dollar amount because I must have wanted the item badly enough. Many victims were taken for far more, and it was a shame that guys who I called my "hobby friends" (we are all Chicago area guys and Mastro actually invited me to his house once to see his collection - AMAZING!) would do that type of activity.

Guys just getting too greedy. They were the leaders in the field and wanted more. Sad.

Jeff.........that appears to be a Topps Battle wrapper..........

http://www.legendaryauctions.com/Lot...entoryid=76298

[timn1]

Originally Posted by earlywynnfan

I find your "teachers play with the grades when their pay is dependent on it" statement really damn offensive.

Indeed. I have taught college since I was 23 (33 years) and not only have I never "played with a grade" to make or save money, I have even never heard of such a thing happening.

[1880nonsports]

and never gave or changed a grade for any reason nor was I ever asked to. Of course I taught mainly kinder and first grade :-0 - but did teach up to the 8th. I would have to agree it's bit insulting to disparage the profession - one in which legislators and supervisory staff are paid well in excess of a teacher's salary coupled with too large class sizes (especially in the poorest areas) and inadequate funding for books and a full well rounded curriculum. There are always individuals looking to get something for nothing but I would suggest that happens far less often within the teaching community than many other avocations in which an opinion carries some weight relative to the subject.

[Snapolit1]

I apologize for my comment. I was not trying to insult anyone but made a dumb comment. My brother is a lifelong teacher and I believe it is the most important job in the world. And terribly underpaid and under appreciated.
On the east coast we have had numerous scandals in the last few years where principals and teachers have cooked grades where raises and promotions were tied to scores on standardized testing. Examples where principles have erased grades and changed them where they felt their job was on the line. This obviously reflects the efforts of a minimal amount of people.
I am truly sorry that I made such a dumb comment.

[begsu1013]

easy guys, i knew what he was talking about.

and i can understand why any teachers would get offended about it, because ya should!

it's happening in the middle / high school public systems here. basically, the teachers are under a quota for a certain percentage to pass a standardized test or they lose their job. several caught red handed and even found guilty of racketeering. yes, racketeering!

you teachers should be appalled, as well as any parents. it's disgusting, but i don't think his comment was directed at all teachers and certainly not college professors.

it is happening though.

edit: http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-...401-story.html

[earlywynnfan]

I am appalled, trust me. I'm also appalled at the constant legislation that states we have to meet nearly-random set scores or, in the end, the entire school gets shut down.

IMHO, I also disagree with the shoe sales comparison, too. I think it's a salesperson's JOB to try to get you to buy stuff, the more the better.

But enough of this, let's get back to the main point.

[HRBAKER]

Same thing was a huge deal in Atlanta city schools in the last 10 years, reaching to highest levels of administrators as well. A very few bad apples just like any other profession.