GUU and the Collecting Community

[both-teams-played-hard]

What constitutes a "dealer"? I have a bunch of jerseys in my closet, which is, I guess, could be called my inventory. I also have a website. I collect jerseys, but I also sell some to make ends meet. The term dealer is often used as a dirty word, like "pusher". Extra punishment for dealing that game worn junk around the Junior High. If anyone reading has ever sold a jersey, and still has more than one jersey in their "stockroom", then by definition, they are a dealer. I usually start off by giving a low priced jersey away. You seem to like the durene knit and the tackle twill. You say to yourself: "I could see myself paying for this." It is a good experience. You learn about heat-pressed numerals and nylon mesh. You are now a dyed-in-the-wool collector. Forget about taking your girl to the movies. You got a game-worn jones, way down deep in your bones.
Donruss, Fleer and Topps are gateways to the hard stuff.

[geoff]

I like it.And I am looking forward to the New Section so I can Buy.Sell.And Trade some Game Used Items that I am looking to move.

[ham1963]

I know what you mean geoff I have some game-used hats I would like to sell of trade
John
baseball3000@bellouth.net

[ChrisCavalier]

Hello Everyone,

Thanks again for the feedback and let me address some of the responses here:

1) Let me first clarify what GUU is providing to the collecting community. Collectors have the ability to post on the GUU forum for free and also have the ability to post items for sale up to $500 in the GUU collector to collector classified sections for free as well. We are doing this to help our members as well as the collecting community at large and the rationale behind the price limits has been stated in my previous post. If other sites wish to assume the potential risks of allowing anyone and everyone to sell high priced items for free without their evaluation than that is certainly their choice. It is simply not something we are interested in doing.

2) Someone brought up the reference to the fact that many collectors here will use eBay in addition to the GUU Collector to Collector Classified section and they don’t see a huge advantage between dealing with each other here and using eBay. I would say the main difference is probably that in the GUU Collector to Collector Classified section collectors will be able to sell their items without a fee.

3) We will also be opening another selling platform soon where the protocols will be similar to the ones used in our consignment auctions. That is, potential sellers will send GUU their items and we will do the evaluations, write-ups and general selling. The platform will also have the same mechanisms where collectors can publicly ask questions and anyone with substantiated information can provide responses to those questions. It is a model we believe goes to unprecedented lengths to make sure items are properly represented and fully understood before they are purchased.

Items that are sold that have been sent to GUU before listing will have a GUU certification so that buyers know the process the item went through prior to being purchased. If someone acquires an item through the Collector to Collector Classified section the item will not come with a GUU certification. That is, we will only allow the GUU name to be associated with items we have helped evaluate (along with the overall system) to help assure collectors know what they are getting. We are not becoming an authentication company and we will not be doing independent authentications. We will use the certification program simply to help collectors understand the process that was used for items sold through GUU.

4) In regard to the “dealer” versus “collector” question, the “Collector to Collector Classified” section is, as its name suggests, being set up for collectors. If an entity is making a living in the hobby and carries huge inventories or consignments, they would likely fall in the “dealer” category. Again, this forum is being set up for collectors and we trust others will not try to abuse the privileges we are extending.

I hope that provides some clarification on some of the posts made here. We are in the midst of following up on a number of things after getting back from the National Convention and Cowboy’s Training Camp but we should have the Collector to Collector Classified forum up either later tonight or tomorrow.

[Birdbats]

I had the chance to meet Chris in person at the National on Saturday, and we talked at length about this subject. It's obvious to me that Chris has thought long and hard about the best way to approach a sale section.

I tried to put myself in his shoes, thinking whether I'd want anybody to be able to sell items on my Web site. Knowing all the shady characters we've encountered in this hobby and remembering all the nasty transactions we've had on eBay and via other avenues, I simply can't imagine opening my site to the masses. It's about more than liability -- it's about reputation, and in the end, that's what defines us. If somebody used my site to sell fake items, that would reflect on the Birdbats name whether I had anything to do with the sale or not. I know I wouldn't be comfortable with that, which is why I can appreciate Chris' dilemma.

His solution is fair and thought out well... and I look forward to participating. Thanks, Chris.

[frikativ54]

Hello Everyone,

Thanks again for the feedback and let me address some of the responses here:

1) Let me first clarify what GUU is providing to the collecting community. Collectors have the ability to post on the GUU forum for free and also have the ability to post items for sale up to $500 in the GUU collector to collector classified sections for free as well. We are doing this to help our members as well as the collecting community at large and the rationale behind the price limits has been stated in my previous post. If other sites wish to assume the potential risks of allowing anyone and everyone to sell high priced items for free without their evaluation than that is certainly their choice. It is simply not something we are interested in doing.

Thanks for being amenable to our feedback about price limits. We appreciate your willingness to be a voice for the collecting community as a whole.

Items that are sold that have been sent to GUU before listing will have a GUU certification so that buyers know the process the item went through prior to being purchased. If someone acquires an item through the Collector to Collector Classified section the item will not come with a GUU certification. That is, we will only allow the GUU name to be associated with items we have helped evaluate (along with the overall system) to help assure collectors know what they are getting. We are not becoming an authentication company and we will not be doing independent authentications. We will use the certification program simply to help collectors understand the process that was used for items sold through GUU.

GUU certification, huh? You guys are doing your best job to to make this site into a wannabe auction house. This was the same criticism leveled by the sellers of the Albert Pujols jersey on eBay. Honestly, I don't think you guys are capable of certifying items that are sent in for authentication. This is not a knock on you personally; I wouldn't be up to the task either. How are you expecting to have enough knowledge of player use characteristics, jersey sizes, etc. for thousands of players? What will that do for your reputation if you certify fake gamers? Isn't it a conflict of interest to be an informational site and at the same time be certifying gamers?

This was supposed to be an informational site. You are running the forum into the ground, and I don't like it.

[Fnazxc0114]

frik you know i was joking when i made that comment. my politics really are irrelevant. but i did figure the comment would get both laughs and might open a few eyes as well. so since you are nominating it for the quote of the year does that mean i get a g/u jersey with a lou loa.

[5kRunner]

Chris, thanks for the site and all the free stuff it has and continues to offer.

In my opinion, I find it a little rude and disrepectful that even though Chris has offered this compromise, some of you still want to complain.

[BIGSTIG]

I have made NO comments about any of this until now. It has nothing to do with Chris and the way the GUU staff wants to run this site. It is their site and they can do as they choose. They already go above and beyond for us.

My comment is for Frik - STOP YOUR BIT**ING. Every other post I read is you complaining about something. If you don't like the site LEAVE!! Start your own www.fricksworld.com then you can make all the rules and be king.

Saying GUU won't have the knowledge to authenticate items, who are you to judge what they are and are not capable of? I have met some of the staff and they are VERY VERY good at what they do. Will it be a tough task for them to do...yes. Almost as tough of a task as it is for some of us to put up with your constent whining!!

Do me a favor, go grab a dicktionary keep reading it and continue being the grammar police, and stop annoying us with your negative attitude.

[both-teams-played-hard]

Do me a favor, go grab a dicktionary keep reading it and continue being the grammar police, and stop annoying us with your negative attitude.

Dicktionary? Now, that's just plain assinine.