Colossal Auctions?

thecatspajamas · #1 11-10-2011, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vintagedegu

http://www.colossalauctions.net/Certification.html

This makes no sense whatsoever. The whole thing is goofy, but here's a sample-

"These authenticators may certify only 5% to 10% of all high end items that are submitted to them by customers. That means that on the other hand, between 90 to 95% of all high end items that are submitted to them are forgeries. Even if the odds were substancially lower, it would be highly unlikely that the large volume of items that pass through these authenticator's hands are forgeries. Surely these so called forgeries would have to be done on an assembly line by experts. There are not that many expert forgers around that could produce such a high volume of individual and unique forgeries anyway. It can't be that lucrative of a business nowadays, to forge items that wouldn't pass close examination, it just doesn't make sense. Maybe at one time in the past it was lucrative, but now there is a much better quality of reputable authentication services that can detect these forgeries."

I don't like the good-ol-boy autograph network with the big auction houses and alphabet soup companies, but pointing out the other guys' faults doesn't say anything about your own position.

Out of curiosity I clicked through to their "Certification and Authenticity" page, and aside from the many grammatical errors and laughable statements like "it can't be that lucrative of a business nowadays," I find it odd that in the 4 hours or so since the quote above was made, as of 5:28 PM CST, the percentages were changed in that paragraph to:

"These authenticators may only certify up to 20% of all high end items that are submitted to them by individuals. So in their mind, the other 80% are forgeries."

Are they re-writing their in-house CoA rant in response to postings on this board? Or is the timing of that re-write merely a coincidence? Makes me wonder what else changed in the meantime, but since that was the only paragraph quoted, I'll never know.

RichardSimon · #2 11-10-2011, 08:01 PM

These people at Colossal are very aware of this board.
After they removed their pictures from their last auction I wrote to them, under a pseudonym, requesting pictures of a few lots.
After figuring out that it was me, one of their principals started writing to me.
Along with other statements he has mentioned in his correspondence that he "gets a kick out of my blogger friends and finds them entertaining."
I guess that means you guys

.
He also said that putting photos of his items on the internet drew too much negative attention.
Wonder what he meant by that?

mighty bombjack · #3 11-10-2011, 08:06 PM

It was very soon after this thread started that the photos started coming down. Seems it was a response to some of the obvious criticism that was being lobbed.

In the end, if you're going to pay 150 bucks for a Hughie Jennings autograph, why would you need a photo before doing so?

Mr. Zipper · #4 11-10-2011, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardSimon

"gets a kick out of my blogger friends and finds them entertaining." I guess that means you guys

.

When will some people learn that posting on a message board is not the same as "blogging"?!?!?

Some knuckleheads on another dubious site consistently refer to message board participants as "bloggers" as well.

Quote:

He also said that putting photos of his items on the internet drew too much negative attention.

With a defense like that, who needs a prosecution?

RichardSimon · #5 11-11-2011, 10:07 AM

This is now on the Colossal website:

"Many bloggers believe most everything is a forgery, and everyone is a forger or conspirator unless proven otherwise. Many of these same people, whom are collectors and sellers themselves, also believe everything they have is 100% authentic and everything you have is not. Some are independant authenticators who think they know everything and may have worked for some of these authentication companies or auction houses in the past. They consider themselves autograph experts and continuously disperage authenticators, sellers, and collectors alike. These bloggers are self proclaimed experts who regularly post on forums because they have nothing better to do. They don't have a real job.

But excuuse me, they don't like the term "Bloggers", they like to be called "Posters"....because they're so special. We'll just call them 'Poster Boys" for lack of a better term. These poster boys will try to do anything in their power to stir up controversy and discredit anyone who doesn't agree with there narrow minded way of thinking. On their forums, they will try to discredit, and refute everything written on this web page. Their attitude also helps perpetuate the status of the most well known authenticators, and the notion that if these well known authenticators authenticate anything it's got to be real, whether it is or not. It's like wrestling with an 800 pound gorilla, you can't win. So if you choose to use a 3rd party authenticator, consider their reputation, your options, and choose wisely."

thetruthisoutthere · #6 11-11-2011, 10:31 AM

If "Colossal Auctions" are so confident that their vintage cut autographs are authentic, then why aren't they listing them under their Ebay account (Americard)?

What's the deal there, Colossal Auctions?

Runscott · #7 11-11-2011, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thetruthisoutthere

If "Colossal Auctions" are so confident that their vintage cut autographs are authentic, then why aren't they listing them under their Ebay account (Americard)?

What's the deal there, Colossal Auctions?

I'm confused.

These guys are thieves - they are making a living stealing from people. They have the absolute stupidest website on the planet, and the most ridiculous authentication policies. Their strategy is all designed for theft...period. Rather than trying to get them to prove they are legit (which is impossible), why don't you guys actually do something about them?

Seriously, you are all into collecting vintage autographs and I guess preserving the integrity of the autograph-collecting hobby - so go get him nailed. That's really the only solution to this.

Isn't there some procedure that leads to the authorities tossing them in jail?

thetruthisoutthere · #8 11-11-2011, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Runscott

I'm confused.

These guys are thieves - they are making a living stealing from people. They have the absolute stupidest website on the planet, and the most ridiculous authentication policies. Their strategy is all designed for theft...period. Rather than trying to get them to prove they are legit (which is impossible), why don't you guys actually do something about them?

Seriously, you are all into collecting vintage autographs and I guess preserving the integrity of the autograph-collecting hobby - so go get him nailed. That's really the only solution to this.

Isn't there some procedure that leads to the authorities tossing them in jail?

What would you propose that "we" do, Scott?

Scott Garner · #9 11-11-2011, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Runscott

I'm confused.

These guys are thieves - they are making a living stealing from people. They have the absolute stupidest website on the planet, and the most ridiculous authentication policies. Their strategy is all designed for theft...period. Rather than trying to get them to prove they are legit (which is impossible), why don't you guys actually do something about them?

Seriously, you are all into collecting vintage autographs and I guess preserving the integrity of the autograph-collecting hobby - so go get him nailed. That's really the only solution to this.

Isn't there some procedure that leads to the authorities tossing them in jail?

As poster boys, we're only interested in discrediting and blogging. We're not into really taking any real action. LOL

CW · #10 11-11-2011, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardSimon

This is now on the Colossal website:

"Many bloggers believe most everything is a forgery, and everyone is a forger or conspirator unless proven otherwise. Many of these same people, whom are collectors and sellers themselves, also believe everything they have is 100% authentic and everything you have is not. Some are independant authenticators who think they know everything and may have worked for some of these authentication companies or auction houses in the past. They consider themselves autograph experts and continuously disperage authenticators, sellers, and collectors alike. These bloggers are self proclaimed experts who regularly post on forums because they have nothing better to do. They don't have a real job.

But excuuse me, they don't like the term "Bloggers", they like to be called "Posters"....because they're so special. We'll just call them 'Poster Boys" for lack of a better term. These poster boys will try to do anything in their power to stir up controversy and discredit anyone who doesn't agree with there narrow minded way of thinking. On their forums, they will try to discredit, and refute everything written on this web page. Their attitude also helps perpetuate the status of the most well known authenticators, and the notion that if these well known authenticators authenticate anything it's got to be real, whether it is or not. It's like wrestling with an 800 pound gorilla, you can't win. So if you choose to use a 3rd party authenticator, consider their reputation, your options, and choose wisely."

If is funny to watch them scramble around, trying to cover all the bases so that no potential buyer will have any doubts or hesitations. In the long run this will only hurt their cause, though, as it will make potential buyers ask the question, "Who are these 'bloggers' and where do they discuss this stuff?" As these potential buyers are alerted to the fact that other experts do exist in the field, they will seek more knowledge and hopefully discover the truth about these crooks.

Of course, after reading this logic, they may remove those last couple paragraphs now...

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