Did we lose anyone on this forum?

[metsbats]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Cristian-Guzman-Game-Used-Bat-Zinger-With-Autograph_W0QQitemZ320191681872QQihZ011QQcategoryZ60596QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

There are some current auction on ebay by someone in CA.

She's notes her husband just died and collection is being sold. Check out the photo of the nice display room with tons of bats.

Does anyone know who this collector was?

David

[staindsox]

Re: Did we lose anyone on this forum?

I hate to be a cynic, but the hands in all those photos seem to be a man. I also wonder if a wife would start dumping her husband's collection as soon as he dies, let alone knowing about numbering and taping and pinetar habits. I hope I'm wrong, but something seems off to me.

[metsbats]

Re: Did we lose anyone on this forum?

ManHands from the Bizarro Jerry episode?

[3arod13]

Re: Did we lose anyone on this forum?

Unfortuanately, just another seller using a death story to get people to feel sorry for them; buy their stuff; and/oror justify why they have so much nice stuff to sell.

I emailed the seller and of course I got a defensive rude response because I asked questions. The seller said selling my dead husband's collection. Yet, I check their purchases on ebay and they're still buying sportscards and stuff.

I hate these type scams (if it is one). I think it's sad. Even if it's true, by even mention the death of somone. Just list the items for sale. Makes me hesitate everytime I see these type auctions.

[suave1477]

Re: Did we lose anyone on this forum?

I thought the same exact thing as staindsox said, those are mans hands in the picture not to mention I find it very interesting how a wife of a collector as pretty accurately listed starting prices and can describe in pretty good detail each bat.

Even a wife of a collector will have an idea on there husbands collection but chances are they are not gonna have an understanding of value for each bat and more then basic detail of each bat. Unless your the collector!!!

Here is something I would more expect from a wife of a collector.
Example:
Manny Ramirez Game Used bat shows good use.
NOT
This aution is for a Manny Ramirez Game Used Boston Red Sox Bat. This is an X bat. Has ASI hologram #24528. Outstanding ball marks, cleat, rack marks, and lots of pine tar. His trade mark tape on handle. All proper markings,

[3arod13]

Re: Did we lose anyone on this forum?

Agree 100%.

Here's the response I received:

A cynic isn't the name I would call you. However, it is my fathers hands(see age of hand) and I don't believe I stated when or how my husband died. Or even why I'm selling, looking at the collection every day, let alone selling is very hard. As far as me knowing about the collection; my husband collected for twenty+ years during our marriage and I learned some. Also, I'm blessed that there are many people helping when needed. The pieces are what they are. I just said that he died becaues people are curious why so many pieces are being sold, and why I have to find out about some of the questions being asked. Now, if you want to inquire about a item please feel free to write; if you just want to be absolutley rude keep your questions to yourself... I hope you understand now, even though it is none of your business.

I checked the sellers purchased. Seller bought this bat 13 October 2007"

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200159263541

Now this means her husband had to buy this bat in Oct 07 and then died. Here it is 6 Dec and the widowing wife is already selling his stuff. I just don't think it's something one would be doing.

Again, sad that people pull this kind of crap.




document.write(''+hidelink+'');

[aeneas01]

Re: Did we lose anyone on this forum?

I hate these type scams (if it is one). I think it's sad. Even if it's true, by even mention the death of somone. Just list the items for sale. Makes me hesitate everytime I see these type auctions.

i don't think there's anything wrong with a seller stating why he/she has chosen to sell an item - even if that reason includes sickness or death. a very reputable forum member recently listed some very rare, beautiful vintage football helmets and mentioned that the sale was necessary in order to help offset medical expenses due to a serious illness he was combating. sure, he could have simply listed the items without mentioning his illness but if he had i'm also sure he would have probably had to explain the reason for the sale to everyone that emailed him about why he was selling such a great collection....

[both-teams-played-hard]

Re: Did we lose anyone on this forum?

Either the person's lying or telling the truth. It doesn't prove one way or another if the items are real and game used. Why would anybody try to email this seller and attempt to "call them out"? The risk of looking like a jackass doesn't equal the reward of uncovering a scam. In the words of Sadam: "Aren't we all Men?"

[3arod13]

Re: Did we lose anyone on this forum?

Either the person's lying or telling the truth. It doesn't prove one way or another if the items are real and game used. Why would anybody try to email this seller and attempt to "call them out"? The risk of looking like a jackass doesn't equal the reward of uncovering a scam. In the words of Sadam: "Aren't we all Men?"

In no way does anyone look like a jackass by doing this. As we always say in this forum..."do you homework." If there are questions and/or concerns about the items...story doesn't make sense...etc., it's common practice to ask sellers questions. How they respond tells you a lot.

Many scams have been uncovered on ebay and shared in this forum. Remember...keeping the hobby safe! Looking out for each other.

Based on my two responses from this seller, I will stay far away for their auctions. But sharing information and concerns is what we do to help either out.

Regards, Tony (a.k. jackass)

[both-teams-played-hard]

Re: Did we lose anyone on this forum?

Tony
By no means am I calling you a jackass. If, and only if, it turns out this woman lost her husband and her story is true, then whoever emailed her and questioned her story, is indeed a "jackass".
If some dude tried to use sympathy to sell baseball bats on eBay, there is a special place for him in the hot place.
And yes, asking questions is part of the homework thing. Sorry for my salty post, but researching the use on the bats is far different than researching a seller's death story.

[metsbats]

Re: Did we lose anyone on this forum?

Gentlemen,

My original intent was to find out if anyone knew who this deceased collector was or if he a member of the forum. My man hands post surely didn't help steer this thread into the write direction and i apologize for that.

Judging from the responses or lack of, I guess it's someone who is not/ or was not a member and not anyone who any of us knows/ or knew.

In any case the person is/was a big collector judging by the display room.

-David

[3arod13]

Re: Did we lose anyone on this forum?

i don't think there's anything wrong with a seller stating why he/she has chosen to sell an item - even if that reason includes sickness or death. a very reputable forum member recently listed some very rare, beautiful vintage football helmets and mentioned that the sale was necessary in order to help offset medical expenses due to a serious illness he was combating. sure, he could have simply listed the items without mentioning his illness but if he had i'm also sure he would have probably had to explain the reason for the sale to everyone that emailed him about why he was selling such a great collection....

I agree! I take back that statement. Thanks for the wake up call.

Regards, Tony

[3arod13]

Re: Did we lose anyone on this forum?

Tony
By no means am I calling you a jackass. If, and only if, it turns out this woman lost her husband and her story is true, then whoever emailed her and questioned her story, is indeed a "jackass".
If some dude tried to use sympathy to sell baseball bats on eBay, there is a special place for him in the hot place.
And yes, asking questions is part of the homework thing. Sorry for my salty post, but researching the use on the bats is far different than researching a seller's death story.

Your comment: If, and only if, it turns out this woman lost her husband and her story is true, then whoever emailed her and questioned her story, is indeed a "jackass".

My response: Not true. There's nothing wrong with asking questions. If something doesn't look right or make sense, then asking questions is the right thing to do. Yes, this situation is a sensitive one; however, I will say it's all in how you ask those questions. Don't accuse...be tactful and respectful.

Your comment: researching the use on the bats is far different than researching a seller's death story.

My response: No different. Researching both is just as important. If a seller's story/description turns out not to be true, then that will tell you a lot about the seller's honesty, character, and integrity, and also now will have you questioning if the bats are legit.

Speaking for myself: When I first came upon this auction, I first read the description. Well, actually, my jaw dropped and the drool poured out as I looked at that amazing bat collection. Anyway, as I read the description, I thought to myself, sad, but is this true. Based on my past experiences, and with the many scams out there, I decided to check the seller’s purchases to see if they are still buying sports cards and memorabilia. My thought was, if this was the seller’s husband’s collection (who passed away), then I wouldn't expect to see any purchases being made. Well, purchases are still being made. So now I have to ask myself, why and who would be making these purchases, if it was her husband who was the collector.

I emailed the seller, bringing this question to their attention. I also made them aware that I was questioning this due to the many scams out there, and that we all need to be careful.
The seller emails me back, stating: “I have a business that must go on without the owner.” Wait a minute! The seller’s description reads: “Husband died, entire collection to be sold.”

Entire collection to be sold? Then why continue to make purchases and say that she must continue the business without the owner? Again, doesn’t make sense and raised a red flag in my eyes.

This communication between myself and the seller definitely made me question their honesty, integrity, and character. Without asking questions, whether the matter is a sensitive one or not, I wouldn’t have had my questions answered and been able to make the proper decision to bid or not.

For all I know, this could be a person who does have an extensive bat collection (or a picture of someone else’s bat collection). However, they also may have many bats that aren’t legit that they are trying to sell. Adding a nice picture of an extensive bat collection, a nice story to go along with it, definitely will gain many peoples trust. Especially those who aren’t as knowledgeable as many of you are.

The seller may be legit. The story may be true. However, based on my questions to the seller, and their responses, I’m not comfortable, so I will stay away.

I’m not going to get into a war of words with anyone about this seller. I was only passing on information, as we all do in this forum. Take it for what it’s worth. I have nothing against this seller. However, as stated in this thread by someone else, “hope I'm wrong, but something seems off to me.” Same goes for me.

There have been many occasions where I was planning on bidding on something on eBay. However, due to comments made in this forum about the items, I didn’t. It worked out, because the person(s) in this forum were correct.

Regards, Tony (a.k.a. possible jackass)

[suave1477]

Re: Did we lose anyone on this forum?

LOOK................

Whether the story is true or not it is still fishy regardless I am not judging by the time frame in which the collection was chosen to be sold but by there are mans hands in one of the pics ( which seems a bit odd) and how she so accurately describes an item, that normally a direct collecotr, dealer, seller, buyer would understand.

My mother is into depression glass, all I would be able to describe is the color and condition nothing more, as I do not collect it.

My girlfriend collects shoes prada, gucci, and others.
The most I could tell you is who made the shoes, the color, and the amount of wear on them.

My point is even if your a wife of a collector chances are your not going to know detailed information about the specific uses from each player.

[bigjimsguitars]

Re: Did we lose anyone on this forum?

Who cares what the seller says if the item is the real deal. There is no premium because of the circumstances for the person selling and any questions regarding the death of the husband are rude and uncaring to the seller, unless you are going to pay more because it comes from a dead collector.

As for the widow having used the correct terms in the auction, well if she was with a guy who collected for 20 odd years, I'm certain that he spoke about his collection if not to her, but to his men friends....

The legitimate questions would be only to the legitimacy of the items being offered and not to the circumstances of them being sold/auctioned and yes anyone who asked if her husband really died and why is there a man's hand in some of the pictures is clearly an uncaring baboon of the first degree, as it doesn't matter.

I'm also not seeing the scam angle....I'm not going to pay more because someone died and the widow or spouse is selling off the collection. Actually, it would tend to go the other way, all of the pond scum, bottom feeding sharks would be surrounding the poor victim in an attempt to low ball buying....