Zanebats on eBay

[mwbosoxfan]

Does anyone know anything about this guy? He sells quite a few items on eBay and has a tremendous amount of positive feedback, but (*RE-WRITTEN BY MODERATOR TO REMOVE STATEMENT NOT BACKED UP BY PROOF*)- I HAVE A QUESTION. If a game model bat hits the rack, is it now technically considered game used? I also realize that the amount of use can influence the value. I was just curious why a majority of the bats that he sells are very "clean".

[trsent]

Re: Zanebats on eBay

Did you email the seller to ask him your questions?

[BaseballGM]

Re: Zanebats on eBay

Zane has been around for a long time. He is knowledgable about bats but some items I have seen offered by him in the past have had "light use" that appear to me to be "really really light use." IMO. - Kevin

[Eric]

Re: Zanebats on eBay

You should address Zane personally if you have specific questions about the items he is selling and his criteria for "game used." He is good about answering emails in a timely manner.
Eric

[Calrima]

Re: Zanebats on eBay

Friends,

Eric brings up a great point. Always ask the questions before you start bidding.

I once asked Mr. Burns about a bat, and what he meant by light game on this particular item, and he honestly replied, " basically from the rack".


I respect the honesty, as it makes for a happy seller and a happy bidder when you understand what your bidding on.

My best to all,
Den

[island_style]

Re: Zanebats on eBay

Agreed. Ask questions on any questionable items before you bid. Most sellers are good about responding in a timely manner. However, if they don't respond, it's a no-go for me. It's not good business-sense if you're trying to sell an item (eBay or not) and don't take the time to answer any inquiries.

I realize some of Zane's bats are advertised as "rack bats," but if you are comfortable with that, and you have already contacted him, then go for it.

That being said, I've purchased from Zane before. Most recently, I picked up a Steve Garvey 71-79 H&B gamer that had some key signatures from the '78 squad. This bat had Garvey's #6 on the knob and some hit marks on the barrel. I collect Garvey, but was especially interested in this bat because of the signatures (including Johnny Oates, who has since passed away). Even if it was just a game-issued Garvey, I would have bid because of the signatures.

[Swoboda4]

Re: Zanebats on eBay

It makes for a stronger post when you're able to include what his response was (to your question).

[byergo]

Re: Zanebats on eBay

Good honest dealer. Quickly delivers what he promises. Offers tons of good inventory (I wonder how he gets so much!).

[Eric]

Re: Zanebats on eBay

By the way, I spoke to Zane over email. He said if anyone has questions for him, he can be reached at zanebats@comcast.net

Thanks
Eric

[mwbosoxfan]

Re: Zanebats on eBay

Greetings and thanks for the responses to my question. Very good advice given by all and I appreciate the responses for those of you that passed on your personal experiences with Mr. Burns. That was actually my sole intent. However, I should have been more careful in my choice of words. After re-reading my original post, the tone in which it may have read was not my original intent and I apologize for that.

I have purchased a few bats from Mr. Burns, and was pleased with the transactions. I did inquire about the details of a bat in which I did not purchase, as the e-mail reply I received simply stated, “I don’t Know”.

Mr. Burn’s customers from the eBay community obviously have a high degree of satisfaction. I figured some within this forum community would have had some dealings with him and I wondered what your opinions were. He lists many very desirable, hard-to-find bats, that I would consider purchasing if they showed more game use. That is just my personal preference.

However, this brings me to my next question and maybe a topic for a new thread. I am hesitant to purchase bats off of eBay, not because I believe they’re not legitimate, but because most lack traceability or information about origin. If the use characteristics are good, but the source or origin is that “I bought it off of eBay from a guy who says he got it from a clubhouse attendant”. How much will that affect the grade and overall value? If anyone would like to discuss this topic, let me know and I’ll post it as a new thread. Thanks!

[Swoboda4]

Re: Zanebats on eBay

For what's it's worth I've noticed the following over the years. Zanebats has himself purchased bats on ebay as well as selling(check feedback). So-in his inventory he has bats from the same decent enough sellers that we also bid from. There are(albeit buyer beware)very good items for sale on ebay and everyone has their eyes open for good game used items when replenishing their supply for future sale. Zanebats is on my "favorites" list on AOL even though he is currently selling Tommie Agee autographed cards signed 'Tommy" instead of "Tommie"(I'll get to the bottom of this mystery yet). Has anyone ever witnessed Agee signing "Tommy"? I'm beginning to think it may have happened early on.

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-Tommie-Agee-Autographed-Topps-Cards-New-York-Mets_W0QQitemZ8782253278QQcategoryZ73396QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Yankwood]

Re: Zanebats on eBay

Nobody would take the time to copy his signature that well and then make such a glaring spelling error. That's how Tommy (Tommie) signed it.

[metsbats]

Re: Zanebats on eBay

I've dealt w/ Zane Burns many times over the last 14 years. He has been a SCD advertiser and I have save many of his ads from SCD in my collection. Yes I collect GU baseball bat advertisements (from BPH, Zane Burns, John Taube, etc) and they come in handy when I wanted to see what the prices of a particular player's bats were years ago. I have several great bats I acquired from Zane in my collection include a 76 Gary Carter Bicent. bat w/ tons of use and a 86 Mets Black WS bat. I've alway found Zane to be honest and up front to deal with.

David Louie

[trsent]

Re: Zanebats on eBay

Nobody would take the time to copy his signature that well and then make such a glaring spelling error. That's how Tommy (Tommie) signed it.

Not that is matters, but how do you know?

Back in the day that card was made, the player may have not signed his mail, the ball boy may have. Also, think about your name - How many times do you mis-spell it?

Now, did they try to change Tommie's name, sort of like David Ortiz changed his name to be more popular with the kiddies?

[Yankwood]

Re: Zanebats on eBay

Well, I don't really know, but my logic tells me if I practiced long and hard to copy, say, Babe Ruth's signature, for instance, I would then not be so sloppy as to sign it "Baby" Ruth. I mean, we probably should give a forger some credit. Whatever-maybe I'm wrong, but I keep coming back to this logic thing.