Two hour interview with.... Bill Mastro

[Snowman]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Sort of an unlikely interviewer, no? A guy firmly in the world of shiny stuff.

https://www.sportscollectorsdaily.co...y-leaves-leaf/

Brian Gray is hands down my favorite person to listen to in the hobby. He always gives great interviews and has wealth of insight. This is the first time I've seen him as the one conducting the interview though, rather than the other way around. He always seems to have his finger on the pulse.

[tjisonline]

Originally Posted by Snowman

Brian Gray is hands down my favorite person to listen to in the hobby. He always gives great interviews and has wealth of insight. This is the first time I've seen him as the one conducting the interview though, rather than the other way around. He always seems to have his finger on the pulse.

Surprised no one brought up Brian's quick jab at auction houses in specific states when it comes to houses bidding against customers.

https://youtu.be/Omp0P5kJ9Cs?si=LDJLz_WIZ1BYNHol&t=2754

Others such as Dave also brought this up.

[Brian Van Horn]

My apologies for my ignorance, but given his criminal behavior I will not watch the interview.

[Section103]

Originally Posted by Brian Van Horn

My apologies for my ignorance, but given his criminal behavior I will not watch the interview.

When I first read Brian's comment, I thought his reaction was "odd" or a little "off base." I was able to watch 1:25 and then I had to turn it off. I feel like I need a shower. That was, frankly, disgusting not only in terms of what they were celebrating and normalizing, but in terms of things they never even addressed (conveniently). Frankly, at the end of 85 minutes, I have far less respect for "the interviewer" than I do for Mastro.

Its a real god damn shame that professionalism and expertise have gone by the wayside and any clown with a platform can host with the same weight and credentials as someone who.......knows what they're doing. That was an intense disservice to the entire industry.

[Snowman]

Originally Posted by Brian Van Horn

My apologies for my ignorance, but given his criminal behavior I will not watch the interview.

Ignorance is bliss

[bleeckerstreetcards]

Originally Posted by tjisonline

Surprised no one brought up Brian's quick jab at auction houses in specific states when it comes to houses bidding against customers.

https://youtu.be/Omp0P5kJ9Cs?si=LDJLz_WIZ1BYNHol&t=2754

Others such as Dave also brought this up.

Agreed, TJ. I had a weird experience with Iconic Auctions recently where there was a bid against me on a Babe Ruth cut auto in or right before extended, so it looked to me like I lost as the underbidder. Then they contacted me in the morning saying that I could purchase it for my high (under)bid, because the seller decided that they would lower the reserve. I didn't see anything on the listing about it having a reserve and when I inquired more, they dodged my questions and just pressed to know if I'd buy it or not. I wonder if Arizona is one of these states Brian was referring to where AH's can be a fake bidder with up to the reserve... which I, of course, did not know about and do not like.

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by tjisonline

Surprised no one brought up Brian's quick jab at auction houses in specific states when it comes to houses bidding against customers.

https://youtu.be/Omp0P5kJ9Cs?si=LDJLz_WIZ1BYNHol&t=2754

Others such as Dave also brought this up.

Was Brian somehow, someway unaware that much of Bill’s criminal behavior running Mastro Auctions was his creation of fake accounts to run up his customers’ bids while knowing what their ceiling bids were? And his telling Mastro employees to secretly hit lots over and over to run up the prices, creating hidden reserves?

I feel like I’ve just taken crazy pills and somehow no one recalls who and what Bill Mastro is.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by calvindog

Was Brian somehow, someway unaware that much of Bill’s criminal behavior running Mastro Auctions was his creation of fake accounts to run up his customers’ bids while knowing what their ceiling bids were? And his telling Mastro employees to secretly hit lots over and over to run up the prices, creating hidden reserves?

I feel like I’ve just taken crazy pills and somehow no one recalls who and what Bill Mastro is.

I feel that way about several in the hobby. On the flip side I heard Bill sent out some nice gift baskets to those that said good things about him before he done his time.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by bnorth

I feel that way about several in the hobby. On the flip side I heard Bill sent out some nice gift baskets to those that said good things about him before he done his time.

The hobby has, IMO, handed out an insane number of free passes. Nothing surprises.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by calvindog

I feel like I’ve just taken crazy pills and somehow no one recalls who and what Bill Mastro is.

+1

[tjisonline]

Originally Posted by calvindog

Was Brian somehow, someway unaware that much of Bill’s criminal behavior running Mastro Auctions was his creation of fake accounts to run up his customers’ bids while knowing what their ceiling bids were? And his telling Mastro employees to secretly hit lots over and over to run up the prices, creating hidden reserves?

I feel like I’ve just taken crazy pills and somehow no one recalls who and what Bill Mastro is.

100% agree. Too many people in get hobby are easily forgiven for fraud. A few even made a comeback this summer. It’s BS.

[Lorewalker]

Originally Posted by tjisonline

100% agree. Too many people in get hobby are easily forgiven for fraud. A few even made a comeback this summer. It’s BS.

Most collectors today turn a blind eye to the fraud that is and has been committed and are enablers. It shocks me sometimes that some of the worst in the hobby get as much support as they do.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by calvindog

I feel like I’ve just taken crazy pills and somehow no one recalls who and what Bill Mastro is.

Ditto. People: Bill - Mastro - Is - A - Crook!

[JollyElm]

Mastroenteritis
The mental and bodily agita making you want to puke that comes each time you encounter someone pretending Bill Mastro isn’t what he is, an out-and-out crook.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

Mastroenteritis
The mental and bodily agita making you want to puke that comes each time you encounter someone pretending Bill Mastro isn’t what he is, an out-and-out crook.

Mastrophilia -- strong feelings of love for Mastro causing people to ignore or downplay his record.

[tycobb]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Mastrophilia -- strong feelings of love for Mastro causing people to ignore or downplay his record.

+1


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[tycobb]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

Mastroenteritis
The mental and bodily agita making you want to puke that comes each time you encounter someone pretending Bill Mastro isn’t what he is, an out-and-out crook.

Indeed


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Ditto. People: Bill - Mastro - Is - A - Crook!

Just ask Doug Allen.

[slightlyrounded]

Originally Posted by Snowman

Brian Gray is hands down my favorite person to listen to in the hobby. He always gives great interviews and has wealth of insight. This is the first time I've seen him as the one conducting the interview though, rather than the other way around. He always seems to have his finger on the pulse.

Out of all of Travis's hotly contested takes in the thread, this is the one that gives me most concern.

[Directly]

I brought and sold a Ty Cobb graded 3.5 due to the fact the card had 4 smashed corners, done on purpose or was strewed down tight in a holder, the problem I found later was very obvious using a Black Light-the card was overall nice, but I didn't want it---its issue showed strong on the reverse--you might want to check yours--if it doesn't brother you, that's okay, but the card was not for me--

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by Directly

I brought and sold a Ty Cobb graded 3.5 due to the fact the card had 4 smashed corners, done on purpose or was strewed down tight in a holder, the problem I found later was very obvious using a Black Light-the card was overall nice, but I didn't want it---its issue showed strong on the reverse--you might want to check yours--if it doesn't brother you, that's okay, but the card was not for me--

What was the issue with the card that made you not want it? And why would anyone smash the corners on purpose?

[Rich Klein]

Originally Posted by slightlyrounded

Out of all of Travis's hotly contested takes in the thread, this is the one that gives me most concern.

Brian Gray will always tell what he thinks at any point in time. If you really listen to Brian, you will get a pulse of what is happening at that point in time. And Brian does bring a very original perspective as he has owned and managed stores/been a distributor/owned and ran a card company/been a show dealer and even been a collector. That's quite the breadth of experience.

On this point (and this point specifically) I agree with Travis.

Rich

[jchcollins]

I am assuming that the change in PSA's language was / is a direct result of Kurt's products, but can anyone confirm that?

Can it also be confirmed that only one (what I first heard) of Kurt's subs was invalidated by PSA? Or did they blackball him completely?

[parkplace33]

Darn, of all the times to be on vacation, I missed all the fun. My favorite topic! Peter, thanks for referencing the post from last year.

Yes Peter, you can charge someone with whatever the hell charges you want in an indictment. Obviously, some threshold has to be met, but just because something is listed on an indictment doesn't mean they are guilty of said charges. Hence in a trial, the jury gives verdicts for each charge.

One of my favorite quotes "You could indict a ham sandwich".

How about your garden variety card, let's just arbitrarily say a 1956 Mantle PSA 6. Let's say I have two very similar examples. Both are trimmed, but it isn't obvious to most. I sell one with no disclosure. I sell the other in the same venue, but disclose prominently that I lightly trimmed it. Same price?


Sadly, as long as they are in slabs, I think a large percentage of buyers wouldn't care.

Lastly, I thoroughly enjoyed the interview and would recommend watching it in its entirety.

[slightlyrounded]

Originally Posted by Rich Klein

Brian Gray will always tell what he thinks at any point in time. If you really listen to Brian, you will get a pulse of what is happening at that point in time. And Brian does bring a very original perspective as he has owned and managed stores/been a distributor/owned and ran a card company/been a show dealer and even been a collector. That's quite the breadth of experience.

On this point (and this point specifically) I agree with Travis.

Rich

I personally couldn’t get through an hour.