To The Vulcan Who Banned Alberto

[otismalibu]

I really don't know how anyone could miss the fact that Alberto was clearly joking when he stated that his warmup was now for sale at the same price that the GFC auction ended at. Maybe you just don't have a sense of humor. Maybe you had a bad experience at Olive Garden.

The Admins on a game used forum should know better than anyone that if you don't do your research first, you could end up looking foolish.

I realize basketball lags behind baseball and football on this board, so maybe only a few of us are familiar with Alberto and his collection. So, in an attempt to educate...

Alberto is a collector in the purest sense. He has an amazing basketball collection that is massive. He's taken the time to photograph every item and construct a website to share it. He doesn't have items boxed in his basement, but rather takes the collection on tour.

I've not ONCE seen Alberto offer an item for sale on this forum or anywhere else. I've asked and so have many others. Always the same response - not for sale. He doesn't buy and flip like so many on this board. If he asks for help finding photo it's because he's legitimately researching an item, not because he wants to use the photo in his eBay auction. There are no prices on his website. There are no items marked SOLD.

There is no such thing as impeccable sources in this hobby, but there are still a handful of people in the hobby with impeccable character. Alberto is on that list.

Ban the crooks. Don't ban a respected collector, simply because you missed the joke.

[both-teams-played-hard]

Before I make a comment, I need to know the facts. Was Alberto banned? If so, why?

[otismalibu]

I think the original thread was deleted. Alberto was comparing the patch placement on one of his pieces, with one that had sold at an auction house. The warmup sold at auction had the patch in a different location than his.

There were also some game images posted that showed a patch location comparable to Alberto's jersey.

He then jokingly posted that his item was for sale for the same price the auction realized, less buyer's premium. It seemed painfully obvious that his sale comment was in jest.

Humor...it's not for everyone.

[Canseco44]

Was this the only reason he was banned?! I read the post and thought nothing of it. I took it as humor and was grateful for him pointing it out. I wonder if a moderator could comment on this ban. I've always wished that when someone was banned, there would be a thread started on it by the moderators on why they were banned. I know it's there decision and I respect that, but it would be nice to know. I don't visit the forum everyday, so sometimes I come on here after a few days away, and someone is just gone!

[Dewey2007]

I completely agree with all of the OP's original comments about Alberto/LEGEND 33. Alberto is a respected collector who should have been given the benefit of the doubt. As far as I know, he has never attacked anyone on this forum, tried to sell bogus items, cheated anyone out of their money, etc. All he does is enjoy collecting basketball memorabilia and sharing his passion with the rest of the forum. I've never met him personally but have exchanged e-mails with him as recent as yesterday and he's as nice as they come.

I could see GFC possibly banning him from bidding in their auctions for his comments but not from GUU. I hope the moderators can offer up their rationale for this one...Not trying to sound overly dramatic but GUU is a little bit lesser of a place today then it was yesterday.

[ChrisCavalier]

I think the original thread was deleted. Alberto was comparing the patch placement on one of his pieces, with one that had sold at an auction house. The warmup sold at auction had the patch in a different location than his.

Actually, his original post was deleted because of the comment that his item was for sale for the same price as the one that sold in Grey Flannel, without the buyer's premium. He reposted without the comment (it was left up at that point) and then made the same comment again later in the thread that his item was for sale at the same price as Grey Flannel, without the buyer's premium. While it may have been in jest, it didn't seem that way given the comment had already been deleted.

We deleted the post the second time and issued a short suspension for the rule violation. The system does not show 'suspension' so it reads as 'banned' even though it was temporary. An email was also sent to Alberto to explain this immediately after the action was taken.

Ironcially, this reminds me almost exactly of the time I was in my car with a bunch of friends. We were sitting at a red light with a police officer right behind us. I thought it would be funny to run the red light right in front of the officer and that my friends would get a kick out of the irony of doing it right in front of him. I couldn't believe it when the officer pulled me over and gave me a ticket. I told the officer I was only joking but, unbelievably, he gave me the ticket anyway. I guess he thought rules were there for a reason.

Btw, Alberto's suspension will end in a few days.

-Chris

[otismalibu]

My mistake. I typed banned instead of suspended. I knew it was a suspension, but Alberto's email stated "banned for a week" so I guess I just had the incorrect term in my head.

[Dewey2007]

Greg, after reading your post I looked Alberto up on the members list and it had "Banned" under his name so I assumed the worst. I didn't know that GUU issued temporary suspensions.

In NBA terms I guess we can say that Alberto left the bench during a fight!!

My mistake. I typed banned instead of suspended. I knew it was a suspension, but Alberto's email stated "banned for a week" so I guess I just had the incorrect term in my head.

[Canseco44]

Thanks Chris for posting the whole story and explanation. Funny story about the cop and the red light. Sounds a lot like the story of the cop and me in my 69 camaro. We were at a red-light side by side and he revved his car up and was acting like he wanted to race. Of course the light turns green and I pull the front tires off of the ground. He immediately pulls me over! Lol. Gave me a warning and had a laugh with me. Man I miss the old days!

[both-teams-played-hard]

Ironcially, this reminds me almost exactly of the time I was in my car with a bunch of friends. We were sitting at a red light with a police officer right behind us. I thought it would be funny to run the red light right in front of the officer and that my friends would get a kick out of the irony of doing it right in front of him. I couldn't believe it when the officer pulled me over and gave me a ticket. I told the officer I was only joking but, unbelievably, he gave me the ticket anyway. I guess he thought rules were there for a reason.

I find this very hard to believe. So we are to believe that Chris Cavalier has a bunch of friends. Yes, Chris. That is an ironic story dripping with irony.
I inserted the smiley face to show that I was just joking. Please don't throw me in the briar patch or suspend/ban me for my weak attempt at humor.