Candiman Auctions Explained

[Peter_Spaeth]

David, TPG is far from perfect, but it's a hell of a lot better than buying raw from Battlefield's inventory. And at least theoretically if a TPG grades an altered card in error there is recourse. There is NONE here if a card from Battlefield that these guys with no known hobby credentials grade NM MT is in fact EX. And sorry I am not going to put my faith in a scan from relatives of the master of the photoshopped scan.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

David, TPG is far from perfect, but it's a hell of a lot better than buying raw from Battlefield's inventory. And at least theoretically if a TPG grades an altered card in error there is recourse. There is NONE here if a card from Battlefield that these guys with no known hobby credentials grade NM MT is in fact EX. And sorry I am not going to put my faith in a scan from relatives of the master of the photoshopped scan.

I understand. But I think the OP has been honest and upfront at this point. If he does things the way Battlefield did, he won't last long. Likewise, if he runs a clean auction, his business will succeed.

Also, I don't think it's fair to judge them based on their relatives past wrong doings. Look at Ben. That took a lot of courage to say that publically about his dad. But do you not deal with Ben just because of his dad? I have an uncle the same way. Do you want to deal with me too?

I understand being leery. I am too. That's why I said I was just going to sit back for a while and just observe the auctions. But to keep talking about it at this point isn't productive. You're not going to accomplish anything.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by vintagetoppsguy

I understand. But I think the OP has been honest and upfront at this point. If he does things the way Battlefield did, he won't last long. Likewise, if he runs a clean auction, his business will succeed.

Also, I don't think it's fair to judge them based on their relatives past wrong doings. Look at Ben. That took a lot of courage to say that publically about his dad. But do you not deal with Ben just because of his dad? I have an uncle the same way. Do you want to deal with me too?

I understand being leery. I am too. That's why I said I was just going to sit back for a while and just observe the auctions. But to keep talking about it at this point isn't productive. You're not going to accomplish anything.

I haven't judged them, David. It's just a red flag, which to my mind they haven't dispelled. And after all, despite trashing Battlefield, they took all their inventory. Seems a bit inconsistent, to me. Not the most persuasive way to put distance between them?

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

And after all, despite trashing Battlefield, they took all their inventory.

What's wrong with that? If Battlefield offered you their inventory, you wouldn't take it either? I would. Then I would do exactly as Candiman did. I would go through it, and re-sell it, listing anything I believed to be altered as such.

What should have been done with their inventory? Do we just burn it all? I don't collect altered or trimmed cards, but they DO have their place in the hobby.

You're really complaining about taking their inventory? Seriously? You're really grasping for straws at this point.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by vintagetoppsguy

What's wrong with that? If Battlefield offered you their inventory, you wouldn't take it either? I would. Then I would do exactly as Candiman did. I would go through it, and re-sell it, listing anything I believed to be altered as such.

What should have been done with their inventory? Do we just burn it all? I don't collect altered or trimmed cards, but they DO have their place in the hobby.

You're really complaining about taking their inventory? Seriously? You're really grasping for straws at this point.

How many times do I have to say it, David? If there are legitimate high grade cards in there, send them in to one of the TPGs. If I am really grasping at straws, why is your POV so clearly in the minority here?

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

How many times do I have to say it, David? If there are legitimate high grade cards in there, send them in to one of the TPGs. If I am really grasping at straws, why is your POV so clearly in the minority here?

I think what David is saying is, if you DO NOT think they will get the high numeric grade, then bid on them what they are worth TO YOU!! Me personally, I don't mind trimmed cards that look mint. I won't be bidding "8" prices though...I will be bidding "A" prices...

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

How many times do I have to say it, David? If there are legitimate high grade cards in there, send them in to one of the TPGs.

I once spent 10K on two raw Detroit Free Press PCs (Jennings and Cobb) from a Lipset auction. Lew was no thief bit he didn't care about grading cards. In addition, the DFP cards were not registry cards and not widely collected, i.e. very rare. I spent about 10 seconds thinking before pulling the trigger.

That being said, anyone who buys raw Mantles and Robinsons in "high grade" from this or any auction or even from eBay, expecting the cards to grade, needs to have his head examined. This issue has been discussed many times and there's no good reason to do so. Any auctioneer who is hoping to maximize returns would get the cards graded -- unless they expect an A grade. If the auction house advertises the cards as possibly altered then that's all anyone can and should expect from them and the risk is on the buyer.

[Batpig]

I'm keeping an open mind. While I do think the cards that aren't known to be altered should be graded, the explanation is plausible. The biggest factor for me is the fact that Daniel came here, and has stuck around to take a beating. There was very little reason for him to do so. If their intentions were nefarious, they would have been better off just ignoring the board.

I do believe that a lot of the cards will come back altered for reasons that they didn't plan on. Screw down compression being the big one that is often overlooked. Also measuring ok doesn't mean a card isn't trimmed. The bottom line is I think they probably aren't well versed in identifying all of the possibilities of alterations, and that might bite them.

I also would like to see higher resolution pictures.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

How many times do I have to say it, David? If there are legitimate high grade cards in there, send them in to one of the TPGs. If I am really grasping at straws, why is your POV so clearly in the minority here?

Slow day at the office, Peter? Answer my question. What was Battlefield supposed to do with their inventory?

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by vintagetoppsguy

Slow day at the office, Peter? Answer my question. What was Battlefield supposed to do with their inventory?

Burn it at the stake.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by vintagetoppsguy

Slow day at the office, Peter? Answer my question. What was Battlefield supposed to do with their inventory?

Asked and answered. Once more: anyone acquiring Battlefield's inventory should, in light of their history and reputation, send in any high dollar card they think is legit to a TPG for grading. I have no problem selling altered cards as altered.