Even the so called good guys...ugly hobby?

ullmandds · #1 05-12-2009, 04:57 PM

Eek gads...here we go!

This hobby...like the game it's modeled after...has always been great...and has always had an ugly side...and always will when large amounts of money...and ego are involved.

pu

slidekellyslide · #2 05-12-2009, 05:03 PM

An ugly situation turns much uglier. This is definitely a buyer beware hobby and if anything the last few weeks/months has taught us that it's far more important to do your own homework and not rely on the grading companies. I think it's time to assume a good number of cards in this hobby have been altered and are already residing in holders. The obvious fakes (to those with knowledge) ie the black OM overprints and the T206 Doyle PSA have to mean that many other not so obvious cards have also slipped past the graders. That's an ugly admission from Kevin and I sure hope it was said in bravado and there's not truth to it.

ugh.

prewarsports · #3 05-12-2009, 05:08 PM

And you guys are always knocking memorabilia and autographs for their shadyness. This is crazy stuff. I think the sad truth is that it permeates all area of the hobby and probably all hobbies where money is involved.

I was talking on the phone to a former major leaguer that collects the other day (not cards) and he had no idea there was even all this stuff going on because he had never been on the forum. It blew him away that there was so much corruption in the hobby.

Rhys

V117collector · #4 05-12-2009, 06:40 PM

Wow... that's sure is a lot of information

slantycouch · #5 05-12-2009, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prewarsports

And you guys are always knocking memorabilia and autographs for their shadyness. This is crazy stuff. I think the sad truth is that it permeates all area of the hobby and probably all hobbies where money is involved.

Great point and so true. It's everywhere. Sadly.

HRBAKER · #6 05-12-2009, 07:02 PM

"Great point and so true. It's everywhere. Sadly."

Anywhere money is (and great amounts of it), "it" is too. I fear a much higher % of graded cards are altered than any of us would like to believe. It is sort of like the "steroids" of card collecting.

Peter_Spaeth · #7 05-12-2009, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HRBAKER

" I fear a much higher % of graded cards are altered than any of us would like to believe. It is sort of like the "steroids" of card collecting.

And yet we keep buying, don't we? Perhaps addiction enhances the capacity for self-deception (e.g., "I'm careful, it won't happen to ME")

barrysloate · #8 05-12-2009, 07:17 PM

I also believe that there are a greater number of altered cards in holders than most collectors wish to admit. I think this will come out over time. As others have posted, there is too much easy money to be made here.

Doug · #9 05-12-2009, 07:27 PM

The really scary thing is that as the scammers technology and skill get better the problem will only get worse.

calvindog · #10 05-12-2009, 07:37 PM

Kevin, an admission of fraud in a private email is hardly a "white lie" especially when it reflects behavior that you've publicly claimed you believe to be so wrong.

Additionally, you might be the only person in the history of civilization who felt the need to "lie" to impress a bottom-feeder like Elkins.

While it's a little disturbing to read of your disappointment at not being able to alter one of my cards, at least we all got to see you and Elkins in flagrante delicto, laughing it up as you both took joy in the thought of secretly altering cards and releasing them into our hobby.