Ethics on asking for photo match help....do you agree?

[gameused]

I'm just curious as a number of GUU forum members ask for "free" help on photo matching a particular game used item they own, either a bat, jersey, helmet and so forth and then shortly after they get a unquestionable video or photo match the item ends up for sale on eBay or here on the forum.

Personally, I feel that if the seller uses those photo matches that were obtained for "free" and makes a profit selling that particular item, that he or she should send some compensation to the person who found the match as they spent their time and put some effort into helping that person out.

Interested in hearing your thoughts.

Thanks,
Bobby

[freddiefreeman5]

'Tis better to give than to receive.

[woody1351]

if i ever find a photomatch and dont get compensated for it, thats fine with me. i did it to be nice in the first place not get paid.

[Titans74]

If I make a random thread asking for photomatch help, and someone helps me out of kindness they are thanked. The person could also ask for small compensation. I wouldn't be offended. They are doing the work.

If I seek someone out specifically, like Kyle, I expect to pay that person going into it. Same thing, they are doing the work. You don't seek someone out and expect them not to be compensated.

[dcgreg25]

Bobby, first let me say you are one of the best at photomatching items...I speak from experience on the Martinez items I purchased from you. I can certainly understand your frustration trying to help other collectors with photomatches only to have them turn and sell the item immediately.

Personally if I was going to ask someone to help with a photomatch to help me sell an item, I would like to think I would send them something as a "thank you". It is difficult to guess someone's intentions but it sounds like this has happened to you more than once. The bottom line is that people who feel taken advantage of are less likely to help another collector in the future which is unfortunate.

[gameused]

Bobby, first let me say you are one of the best at photomatching items...I speak from experience on the Martinez items I purchased from you. I can certainly understand your frustration trying to help other collectors with photomatches only to have them turn and sell the item immediately.

Personally if I was going to ask someone to help with a photomatch to help me sell an item, I would like to think I would send them something as a "thank you". It is difficult to guess someone's intentions but it sounds like this has happened to you more than once. The bottom line is that people who feel taken advantage of are less likely to help another collector in the future which is unfortunate.

Hi Greg,

Thank's for the compliments! Actually when I posted the thread I was not referring to anything that happened to me in particular.

I have helped a number of members with photo matches in the past and they always ask if they can pay me through paypal, if it's something simple and for their personal collection I say I dont need anything. If it's something where I spend hours searching and they intend to sell the item we come to an agreement on the amount on compensation for the work.

I'm referring to the person that comes on the forum, asking for help and just wants to sell his or her item to increase his profit with a solid photo match. I feel that these people should be upfront and honest with their intentions before they ask for help.

Thanks,
Bobby

[yankees506]

I can vouch for Bobby as he has helped me many times in my purchases including his area if collecting aka manny with no expectation of compensation. I do see how a person asking for "help" for lets say a "holy grail" to only turn around and flip an item can be frustrating. I've seen this numerous times on the forum and it is truly disappointing.

[sox83cubs84]

Bobby:

I am 100% in agreement with you. That's one of the reasons I stopped setting up at shows...I got tired of sellers and collectors refusing to even look at my sales items but coming by for my "blessing" on an item they bought from someone else. Hell, around 1990, I actually had some troll follow me into the men's room at the old St. Louis Holiday Inn show to ask me what I thought of his purchase. I can chuckle about it now, but at the time, it angered and frustrated me enough to consider leaving the hobby.

Dave Miedema

[frikativ54]

Bobby:

I am 100% in agreement with you. That's one of the reasons I stopped setting up at shows...I got tired of sellers and collectors refusing to even look at my sales items but coming by for my "blessing" on an item they bought from someone else. Hell, around 1990, I actually had some troll follow me into the men's room at the old St. Louis Holiday Inn show to ask me what I thought of his purchase. I can chuckle about it now, but at the time, it angered and frustrated me enough to consider leaving the hobby.

Dave Miedema

Instead of becoming angry, just charge a fee for your advice. All you have to do is say $50 per hour - or whatever your price may be - for jersey authentication. Make a sign and put it at your table.

Otherwise, people might just assume that you like giving the advice, and therefore, they feel free to ask you to "give your blessing" on, say, a jersey. Even if it is in the men's room.

[legaleagle92481]

I don't know much about photo-matching. In my collecting career the only jersey I have matched is an Adrian Peterson that had such huge dirt stains on the numbers that a five year old could have matched it. If I were to ask one of you guys for help I would expect to pay you for it. When I do work I don't do it for free nor do I expect anyone else to. Everyone's time is valuable and they deserve to be compensated for it. My feelings are the same whether the jersey is going to be flipped or held because eventually everyone's stuff will be sold be it next week or 50 years from now.