All members, listen up...(MUST read)...

[trsent]

Re: All members, listen up...(MUST read)...

You should STILL continue to identify items that are not legit.

If what you are posting is the truth, you have nothing to fear.

No one can sue you for posting the truth.

As far as the intimidation factor, don't sweat it. I doubt anyone will try anything stupid that will land them in jail.

If someone is trying to scare you, don't let them.

Mind control!

Sure all questionable items should be posted after the seller replies to your questions or a 24 hour period of time has elapsed since you questioned the seller about your concerns. This gives the seller a chance to reply before being questioned when they may or may not be in the wrong.

Too many people post: "FAKE" before asking the seller about their item because they can't match the item up with a picture from Getty Images (or whatever image site) and they may miss something the seller could use to help them before scaring away people. Many times the questioner is correct, but why have rules if some people follow them and other's don't?

Eric is right - We should not ignore the items or be intimidated by any items that appear questionable for whatever reason.

What many wish to ignore is a policy of Game Used Universe that has been ignored and abused time and time again.

[suicide_squeeze]

Re: All members, listen up...(MUST read)...

Nuff said!! lol lol

You know what really pisses me off?

I come on this site, and I read and see some really enlightening stuff. Great for all to read as it helps us all and teaches us a lot about our hobby.

And then there's the posts that make you laugh. Always a pleasure, because who doesn't need a laugh.


But sometimes, you get to the ignorant stuff that makes you shake your head. Like sylbry and suave1477's cute little comments here.

I come here to try to help educate you f'ing people, and you have the balls to come up with your little chickens#!t stabs at calling me a drama queen.

suave1477.....I've read a lot of what you posted, so keep laughing, dude. My only suggestion to you is to review your collection. Your "confidence" in the places you buy your stuff from shows your level of intellect. I hope you aren't collecting with the goal of reselling for your retirement, because by that time you just may find you're stuck with a lot of garbage. Good luck to you in your collecting endeavors, and as far as I'm concerned, don't bother reading anything I have to post. It doesn't do guys like you any good anyways.

You pissants who sit behind your computers and throw out darts at people who are seriously interested in cleaning up this hobby are a dissappointment to the rest.

Call me what you want, I could care less. But when the day comes someone's knocking on your door of your residence when you're at work, you may just feel a little different.

But I guess you hero's don't have to worry about that. Hell, what threat are you to ANYONE?

"lol lol"

[trsent]

Re: All members, listen up...(MUST read)...

Nuff said!! lol lol

I don't get it - If there is a joke here, please elaborate.

[camarokids]

Re: All members, listen up...(MUST read)...

You should STILL continue to identify items that are not legit.

If what you are posting is the truth, you have nothing to fear.

No one can sue you for posting the truth.

As far as the intimidation factor, don't sweat it. I doubt anyone will try anything stupid that will land them in jail.

If someone is trying to scare you, don't let them.

Mind control!

[Eric]

Re: All members, listen up...(MUST read)...

Eric - that is why issues about item (s) should be brought up AFTER the fact. Why?

1) No-one could say that comments on this site affected their auction;
2) FBI agents ARE NOT collectors so if issues are pointed out, they can understand what the issue (s) are;
3) Agents could care less about a single item but rather follow a "pattern" of behavior;
4) After a pattern is established and a money threshold is reached, then it MAY warrant an investigation (RICO).
5) I keep hearing about Letters of Opinion. How about the term Fiduciary relationship?

Jim

Jim
Issues should be brought up when they come up. They should definitely not wait until after the fact. I am tired of seeing people get burned on items that have been pointed out to the auction houses as being questionable.

American Memorabilia banned me from their auctions because I was pointing out too many bad items certified by their mysterious 100% Authentic Team. It's a joke.

And if an auction house is dumb enough to ignore the proof that an item is bad AND is dumber enough to try to intimidate someone into not questioning their items, it at least makes me feel better that people in law enforcement are already reading these posts.

Jim, I think you and I agree on these things. Perhaps I didn't word my previous post properly.
Eric

[suicide_squeeze]

Re: All members, listen up...(MUST read)...

Mr. 3000, I was thinking of Texas, but apparantly in Virginia you can also shoot an intruder. I wish California would have that law as well

They do....If you state that "you feared for your life" and have reasonable evidence to support that.


To anyone possibly thinking of paying me an unannounced visit at my home......

........be on notice that I'm pretty fearful these days.

[suicide_squeeze]

Re: All members, listen up...(MUST read)...

I agree. Following the rules by contacting the auction house and following the forum rules will certainly help avoid issues. It adds alot of legitimacy to the questions and opens the dialogue to resolution verses confrontation. Additionally we get all emotional when we see things we believe are not correct and may add a little colour into our posts. That does not help either.

The same applies on the other side: GFA's response via the letter is appropriate (if the rule was not followed) however stalking someone at their home is not.

Metsbat,

That the point. If you want to bring light to something you question, for whatever reason, do it by the rules.

Okay, I got it.

Am I going to clam up like a little girl and go away? No. But I will use quite a bit of discretion before I place a post....no insults, no joking around in personal terms, etc. "Just the facts, maam".

It's funny, but the deeper you dig into this business, you find out the spider web spreads out a lot further than you would have ever thought. Everyone knows everyone. They hate eachother, and they scratch eachothers backs. It's all about getting what they want out of the moment.

Christ, what an unhealthy environment.

But it all ends up in the same place: The responsibility of letting your $$$'s out of your posession to buy an item begins and ends with YOU. It's nice to have a place to help us all become our own "authenticator's". Just be safe about it.

Nice picture and post metsbats.....brought a big smile to my face, this morning. We're all still alive, and my house isn't rubble and ash. But the funny thing is it may not be so far off from the truth.

What is said here matters. Be responsible and safe people.

[metsbats]

Re: All members, listen up...(MUST read)...

I would guess Grey Flannel would send a letter of such nature when they see people questioning items on this forum, but the forum rules were not followed. I believe there is a Sticky on a new post by Chris Cavalier about the forum policies that have not been followed.

I personally have been in contact with Grey Flannel with concern why there have been 10-15 items (of an 800 plus item auction) so openly questioned on this forum from the preview alone that has made people question Grey Flannel's authentication process for this auction.

This number of questioned items is much higher than I have seen in past Grey Flannel auctions (maybe a couple of items here or there, but not so many so quickly) and I was concerned what changes were made in the process that there are so many questions.

They appear to be attempting to correct the items of issue, but at the same time they appeared concerned that Game Used Universe has a policy of the auction house (or any seller) being questioned before accused of wrong-doing, often accused of intent, without first being contacted to address the issues brought up.

I asked in a few threads what Grey Flannel's response was when questioned as a few items the posts were made just hours (less than 24 per forum policy) after the preview went online. The posts never mentioned a reply about their concerns, and as it turns out the auction house was not contacted before the posts took place. Once the accuser admitted they were going to contact the auction house later that day after already stating an item is not genuine.

The forum rules are simple but people attack me time and time again when I question if they are following the forum rules so maybe an error can be explained or corrected before someone makes a post about it since maybe there is more to the item than the questioner knows. I am also concerned with the issues posted about items that have been questioned but I also am concerned when the seller is not first contacted time and time again and no one stands up for what is listed as a rule.

There is a way to post concerns without accusing an auction house of fraud and without stating an item is not genuine. It would make things so much similar.

I agree. Following the rules by contacting the auction house and following the forum rules will certainly help avoid issues. It adds alot of legitimacy to the questions and opens the dialogue to resolution verses confrontation. Additionally we get all emotional when we see things we believe are not correct and may add a little colour into our posts. That does not help either.

The same applies on the other side: GFA's response via the letter is appropriate (if the rule was not followed) however stalking someone at their home is not.

[cohibasmoker]

Re: All members, listen up...(MUST read)...

Meanwhile back at the auction house meeting place..

Hey metsbats - Awesome

[metsbats]

Re: All members, listen up...(MUST read)...

Meanwhile back at the auction house meeting place..

[cohibasmoker]

Re: All members, listen up...(MUST read)...

As long as we deal with facts then there's nothing wrong with asking questions about items these auction houses are selling. This site has been instrumental in making some of these companies accountable for the first time. I would hate to think they are using intimidation tactics to get people here to stop talking.

Oh, and hey auction house geniuses- the FBI reads this site!

Eric

Eric - that is why issues about item (s) should be brought up AFTER the fact. Why?

1) No-one could say that comments on this site affected their auction;
2) FBI agents ARE NOT collectors so if issues are pointed out, they can understand what the issue (s) are;
3) Agents could care less about a single item but rather follow a "pattern" of behavior;
4) After a pattern is established and a money threshold is reached, then it MAY warrant an investigation (RICO).
5) I keep hearing about Letters of Opinion. How about the term Fiduciary relationship?

Jim

[Capital-Sports]

Re: All members, listen up...(MUST read)...

I thin GFC needs some good ol' Marine Corps lovin!!!! (which isn't a good thing)

[trsent]

Re: All members, listen up...(MUST read)...

I would guess Grey Flannel would send a letter of such nature when they see people questioning items on this forum, but the forum rules were not followed. I believe there is a Sticky on a new post by Chris Cavalier about the forum policies that have not been followed.

I personally have been in contact with Grey Flannel with concern why there have been 10-15 items (of an 800 plus item auction) so openly questioned on this forum from the preview alone that has made people question Grey Flannel's authentication process for this auction.

This number of questioned items is much higher than I have seen in past Grey Flannel auctions (maybe a couple of items here or there, but not so many so quickly) and I was concerned what changes were made in the process that there are so many questions.

They appear to be attempting to correct the items of issue, but at the same time they appeared concerned that Game Used Universe has a policy of the auction house (or any seller) being questioned before accused of wrong-doing, often accused of intent, without first being contacted to address the issues brought up.

I asked in a few threads what Grey Flannel's response was when questioned as a few items the posts were made just hours (less than 24 per forum policy) after the preview went online. The posts never mentioned a reply about their concerns, and as it turns out the auction house was not contacted before the posts took place. Once the accuser admitted they were going to contact the auction house later that day after already stating an item is not genuine.

The forum rules are simple but people attack me time and time again when I question if they are following the forum rules so maybe an error can be explained or corrected before someone makes a post about it since maybe there is more to the item than the questioner knows. I am also concerned with the issues posted about items that have been questioned but I also am concerned when the seller is not first contacted time and time again and no one stands up for what is listed as a rule.

There is a way to post concerns without accusing an auction house of fraud and without stating an item is not genuine. It would make things so much similar.

[kingjammy24]

Re: All members, listen up...(MUST read)...

"This all made me stop and think....times are tough. People are stressed. They're pissed. The news is horrendous. Shootings every day. Bad times everywhere. I think that is something to be considered."

yeah times are tough and people are stressed and it's going to make them even more stressed if they get ripped off by an auction house.

"And we've all heard the old addage "Don't mess with a man's means of making a living..."

and if that man's living entails ripping others off? sorry i have no sympathy. you know the great thing about a market economy? natural selection. if you offer a lousy product with lousy customer service then you're probably not going to last long and that's a good thing for consumers. am i not supposed to discuss bad items because johnny auctionhouseowner mismanaged his negligent auction house and is now suffering because of it? if you run your business a certain way, if you let your employees play stickball in the backroom with consignments, have horrendous customer service, hire the worst authenticator in the business, hire the girls from the local gentleman's club to model jerseys, then don't whine at the consequences. good riddance. i can think of a few auction houses the hobby would be better off without.

as for posting, learn what constitutes libel and don't do it. it's really very easy. ever since the forum was created in 2005, i don't recall anyone being killed over a post and i don't even recall any lawsuits.

"I'm 6'4", 240 and athletic to this day."

you sound dreamy! no wonder your neighbor was peeking in your windows.

rudy.

[thrush29]

Re: All members, listen up...(MUST read)...

Squeeze,

1st of all sorry for all of the stress your going through.....As for the Grey Flannel letter, IMO its just a letter and it costs next to nothing to send one. I think King Jammy hit it on the head "anyway, common sense and an understanding of what constitutes libel (and how difficult it is to win a libel case) should keep most people out of trouble." if you're never going to make a negative statement against GFC again then richie probably wishes they were all so easy.
as for the ami call could it be just coincidence..call them back. As for the guy showing up at your door.....I've had so many solicitors approach my residence I've had to put a no soliciting sign on the door.....and that doesnt even work. I have found that cussing them out and telling them to get the hell off my property does.....

GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS TEXAS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thrush29