6 charged with fraud

[SkubeBats]

Re: 6 charged with fraud

Mittchell Schumacher goes by the EBAY username masauction.

[ChrisCavalier]

Re: 6 charged with fraud

I called Jarrod to see exactly what was going on regarding the article. He was busy but I was told that a JO Sports would be issuing a press release shortly on the matter.

I am guessing the release will address any questions for the members on the forum.

Hope that helps,
Chris

[short84]

Re: 6 charged with fraud

Wow. I was starting to get suspicious about the business practices involving their auctions. Many of you know I collect Patrick Crayton game used items. In their last auction, there was a Chargers Crayton Jersey offered. I have purchased several of his items through Steiner Sports -- mostly through their auctions. I have never felt Steiner's auctions were dishonest -- they make all bids visible and let you know if a reserve is set. Every Crayton game used jersey sold through Steiner auctions has been under $350. I have several and the most I ever paid was $250. But in the last JO Sports auction, the Crayton jersey had a final bid of $931 -- ran up by several hidden bids. Needless to say, it turned out to be a no sale and is still listed on their website as available. Because the bidding information is hidden, it is very easy for them to bid their own items up to a certain price hoping someone from the outside will place the final bid so they can sell it for a high price -- much higher than the item is actually worth. This has always bothered me about their auctions and why I have never purchased anything from them this way.

[sammy]

Re: 6 charged with fraud

This is from the old site. Check the May 11, 2001 issue of SCD.





Re: MASAUCTION - Mitchell Schumaker

May 11 2005 at 2:05 PM

Response to MASAUCTION - Mitchell Schumaker

You are correct in your assumption regarding Mitch Schumacher of MS Auctions. There was an article in the May 11, 2001, issue of SCD regarding Mitch.

In that article, it states he was arrested in the FBI's Operation Foul Ball. He admitted using an east coast authenticating firm to authenticate his game-model jerseys as game used. The east coast firm was Grey Flannel.

Most of the "game used" items he sold on ebay before being arrested by the FBI, had Grey Flannel letters. He plead guilty.

[Lokee]

Re: 6 charged with fraud

JO's jerseys are good. I'm going to guess this was stuff was when he was in the business prior to him opening JO sports.

Dave

Dave,

not sure why it matters if current or before.

[xpress34]

Re: 6 charged with fraud

I would suggest everyone read the MASAUCTION thread that Skube has resurrected in this section...

There were a lot of people back then defending Mitch and saying maybe Mitch had changed and seen the errors of his ways, etc, etc and that he should be given a break to prove himself...

Those that brought up his past were vilified for mentioning it...

What's the old saying:

Fool me once - Shame on You.
Foll me twice - Shame on Me.

Just goes to show that tigers truly can't change their stripes...

- Smitty

[jhunt28]

Re: 6 charged with fraud

Dave,

not sure why it matters if current or before.

I think we should all reserve judgement on this until we know what the facts are. First of all, people are complaining about JO and how they run their auctions...they are free to run their auctions how they please. There is nothing "illegal" about how they run their auctions.

I also think that if you want to vent about JO's prices, you should make a seperate thread about this. If you want to complain about an item that was not game worn, in your opinion, you should have taken that up with the people who work for JO.

This thread should be kept to the topic at hand. I have nothing to gain or lose by defending JO Sports Co, but I think some time should be given in order for people to let their stories come out.

[mikey68]

Re: 6 charged with fraud

I really hope that JO is not involved in any of this, whether intentional or not. I've dealt with them on a few occasions and have been able to photo match a jersey purchased from them. Having said that, I've always doubted the game used or "player-worn" jersey cards that have flooded the market. At least some of the card companies do say "player-worn", so you know what it is, even if it's a replica jersey or one from Wal-Mart.

[Ozric]

Re: 6 charged with fraud

I think we should all reserve judgement on this until we know what the facts are. First of all, people are complaining about JO and how they run their auctions...they are free to run their auctions how they please. There is nothing "illegal" about how they run their auctions.

I also think that if you want to vent about JO's prices, you should make a seperate thread about this. If you want to complain about an item that was not game worn, in your opinion, you should have taken that up with the people who work for JO.

This thread should be kept to the topic at hand. I have nothing to gain or lose by defending JO Sports Co, but I think some time should be given in order for people to let their stories come out.

Great in theory, but I did exactly that and it did no good. There was jersey I wanted that was listed as game worn from a specific game. The problem was that the player was on the DL from a week earlier, was out for the rest of the season with an injury, and could not have played in that game. I advised of such and was offered the jersey at a cheaper rate. I declined the offer, but the description was never changed from worn to issued. It eventually was sold as game worn.

[Shipp_96]

Re: 6 charged with fraud

I only own one JO jersey (LJ Skins) and thankfully I have photo matched it, due to he only wore it for two games before being cut.

It is a real shame that they are involved in this report. I am one that would also like to give them a chance to come on here and defend themselves, but it has got to be a real downer in consumer confidence from this point on.

Hopefully for all who have purchased from them and for JO's sake, there is a logical explanation.

[jppopma]

Re: 6 charged with fraud

I think we should all reserve judgement on this until we know what the facts are. First of all, people are complaining about JO and how they run their auctions...they are free to run their auctions how they please. There is nothing "illegal" about how they run their auctions.

I would disagree with this completely. A federal indictment is not a minor thing and should not be overlooked. Yes, they can be innocent until proven guilty...but are you willing to take that chance with your money?

Additionally, there most certainly are many illegal aspects in how they run their auctions. The shill bidding and selling of jerseys under false pretenses would constitute fraud in most any state. If they chose to "run their auctions how they please".....let them face the criminal charges that result.

Kudos to the feds for taking action and I am sure we have not seen the last of these charges! Pleas agreement = working with the feds to help them continue their investigations.

[Gridiron Heroes]

Re: 6 charged with fraud

We've purchased around 2 dozen items from JO and have been happy w/ each item we bought. I will say that that IMO the only reasons most people are willing to pay what they do with JO is that they have or had;

-unquestioned team relationships

-unquestioned authenticity

If the above two are questioned, will people pay their prices? I am holding out judgement until I hear more, but this is disconcerting to say the least.

Shawn Kennedy
gridironheroes22@yahoo.com
GridironHeroes.net

[masp3392]

Re: 6 charged with fraud

We've purchased around 2 dozen items from JO and have been happy w/ each item we bought. I will say that that IMO the only reasons most people are willing to pay what they do with JO is that they have or had;

-unquestioned team relationships

-unquestioned authenticity

If the above two are questioned, will people pay their prices? I am holding out judgement until I hear more, but this is disconcerting to say the least.

Shawn Kennedy
gridironheroes22@yahoo.com
GridironHeroes.net

exactly, im with everyone on this, in that this is very disappointing to hear especially for a company like JO but like the above poster said, we should wait to hear the presser from JO and more information regarding this.

I myself was a card collector before going into game used, and i am highly dissapointed in these companies, especially when they charge up to $500 for 1 box of cards.

[ivo610]

Re: 6 charged with fraud

its not just collectors they are selling jerseys to....

[SaintsGeaux]

Re: 6 charged with fraud

Dave,

not sure why it matters if current or before.

I can only tell you about my recent inquiry. Had been looking for a Justin Tryon game used jersey. JO had one from 2010 regular season only it was a Redskins jersey and not a Colts. I spoke to Lance. It had to be preseason as Tryon was traded before the first game. I told him that. The jersey also showed no use. Sure, preseason is game used but don't convince me it is regular season. Later I talked to a big Skins collector Kevin who got shipped his Skins jerseys. Several had no use.

Can JO come on here and defend that?

By the way, I called up to talk to Rob at JO and he resigned yesterday.