Question about clean sweep auctions

[Joe Hunter]

This is not a knock on Clean Sweep or Steve in any way; just a strange story regarding an item I consigned a few years ago. I had an unopened 1959 Topps cello pack with Roger Maris on the back that I consigned to Clean Sweep Auctions. The pack was ungraded. It eventually sold for a very good price. Before I received payment for the pack, Steve contacted me to say that the winning bidder was having it graded and I would not get payment until the winner received the results of the grade. I really wasn't that concerned, because I was confident the pack was good. Well, the pack came back "resealed" from GAI. The winning bidder sent the pack back to Steve who, in turn, returned it to me, along with the documentation from GAI (I believe the pack had sold for around $700). Later, I took the pack to a major card show and had a national dealer take a look at it. It was his opinion that the pack WAS good and he was so sure that he offered me about $300 for it. I ended up selling him the pack for just over that amount. Lo-and-behold, about 6 months later I see that very pack in the dealer's catalog auction IN a GAI holder. The pack ended up selling for around $800. In other dealings with Steve and Clean Sweep, I have found them to be friendly and upfront.

[bobbyw8469]

[Steve contacted me to say that the winning bidder was having it graded and I would not get payment until the winner received the results of the grade

That is the most CRAZIEST thing I have ever heard of!!! That is like me buying some local property, BUT I only want it if the proposed plans to build a shopping mall come true for it. If the plans are scrapped, I fully expect to get my money back, PLUS a 10% penalty for my troubles!
-Robert Williams

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

That is the most CRAZIEST thing I have ever heard of!!! That is like me buying some local property, BUT I only want it if the proposed plans to build a shopping mall come true for it. If the plans are scrapped, I fully expect to get my money back, PLUS a 10% penalty for my troubles!
-Robert Williams

Doesn't seem that crazy to me if a question of authenticity arises.

The auction house is on the hook for the entire amount if the pack comes back in-authentic. They have already paid the consignor. Now they have to refund for the full price of the pack.

That would be a pretty big loss for an auction house to take.

I don't know about this particular pack or the accuracy of GAI, but I'm not sure why a consignor should profit on an in-authentic item while the auction house basically takes a loss for nearly twice the value of the final bid.

It's a business decision, not a real estate lottery.

[bobbyw8469]

I don't know about this particular pack or the accuracy of GAI, but I'm not sure why a consignor should profit on an in-authentic item while the auction house basically takes a loss for nearly twice the value of the final bid.

I understand what you are saying. The problem I have however, is that people are submitting an item one time and taking one graders opinion as gospel. Everyone knows how BS is that!! I have had items come back, "TRIMMED", "ALTERED" whatever else from one grading company, that I knew were good, come back graded from another grading company. In this particular instance, the grading company that said the item was no good later said it was perfectly fine!! What kind of baloney is that???? Carry on....
Bobby Williams

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

I understand what you are saying. The problem I have however, is that people are submitting an item one time and taking one graders opinion as gospel. Everyone knows how BS is that!! I have had items come back, "TRIMMED", "ALTERED" whatever else from one grading company, that I knew were good, come back graded from another grading company. In this particular instance, the grading company that said the item was no good later said it was perfectly fine!! What kind of baloney is that???? Carry on....
Bobby Williams

That's the rub I guess, and I don't disagree with that side of your argument.

[Sterling Sports Auctions]

Not a positive experience here.

What other auction houses accept credit cards?

Lee

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by Joe Hunter

This is not a knock on Clean Sweep or Steve in any way; just a strange story regarding an item I consigned a few years ago. I had an unopened 1959 Topps cello pack with Roger Maris on the back that I consigned to Clean Sweep Auctions. The pack was ungraded. It eventually sold for a very good price. Before I received payment for the pack, Steve contacted me to say that the winning bidder was having it graded and I would not get payment until the winner received the results of the grade. I really wasn't that concerned, because I was confident the pack was good. Well, the pack came back "resealed" from GAI. The winning bidder sent the pack back to Steve who, in turn, returned it to me, along with the documentation from GAI (I believe the pack had sold for around $700). Later, I took the pack to a major card show and had a national dealer take a look at it. It was his opinion that the pack WAS good and he was so sure that he offered me about $300 for it. I ended up selling him the pack for just over that amount. Lo-and-behold, about 6 months later I see that very pack in the dealer's catalog auction IN a GAI holder. The pack ended up selling for around $800. In other dealings with Steve and Clean Sweep, I have found them to be friendly and upfront.

This is odd to me. If the buyer wanted a graded pack, he should have bid on a graded pack. Holding money hostage until the pack is graded sounds very odd to me. Next thing you know, people won't get paid for raw cards unless it grades "7 or above" and they paid around a '5' price for it.

[ls7plus]

As I said earlier in this very thread, I have had many, many interactions with Steve and Clean Sweep over more than 15 years with no problem whatsoever. Whenever I have had questions about any item, either Steve or one of the staff has always answered them completely and honestly. This included at least two purchases in the last 3 months or less.

Happy collecting,

Larry

[supraman84]

Originally Posted by ls7plus

As I said earlier in this very thread, I have had many, many interactions with Steve and Clean Sweep over more than 15 years with no problem whatsoever. Whenever I have had questions about any item, either Steve or one of the staff has always answered them completely and honestly. This included at least two purchases in the last 3 months or less.

Happy collecting,

Larry

I, nor anyone, should have to ask by contacting a company what the "real" LOA is that you are getting and no one should have to "assume" what it is. Be truthful and put it in your listing or rules...plain and simple and truthful.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by supraman84

I, nor anyone, should have to ask by contacting a company what the "real" LOA is that you are getting and no one should have to "assume" what it is. Be truthful and put it in your listing or rules...plain and simple and truthful.

Per our rules your name needs to be in your posts if you are questioning folks or making comments about them, so your name is Dav.id Patt.erson. It is now under your user id in all of your posts. Nothing personal, carry on.

[supraman84]

Thanks Leon... Nothing to hide but I did not read the rules. Thank you!

[bobbyw8469]

I have never had a bad dealing with Clean Sweep. Sorry you have.