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

[trsent]

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

I just don't understand why this discussion keeps going on and on as it can be summed up with a brief synopsis:

A member of the forum used poor taste in describing an executive of an auction house and that executive sent them a letter from their attorney asking them to stop slander. Then that person's neighbor knocked on their door and the member and his wife were rattled over the fact that a neighbor stopped by concerned it was more to do with the letter and finally the member has been attempting to personally contact the executive to clear the air.

Where does this discussion have to go from here?

[mariner_gamers]

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

I guess I don't understand why folks feel auction houses would think this is funny. Thousands of hardcore, big spending collectors read this daily. I doubt seriously any auction house wants anything to do with this type of issue. If anything concrete comes out of this the said auction house would be done. I wish we focused more on getting to the bottom of this instead of focusing on someone who made a statement and has been baited by a few folks. If in fact there is any truth to someone affiliated with an auction house showing up at a forum members house than that is where we need to start. If this was me and it had happened to me as stated in the original post and I had been taunted by forum members I would have been much less civil. If you don't believe it than work towards proving it false. I live in The Heart of the Hood South Phoenix so I think it is sad and tired to hear all the talk about chest puffing and being a "man". Clearly many forum members have never had a real confrontation occur on their front porch. I assure you it is one of the last things you want and after it happens it is the last thing you ask for going forward. So instead of banging on this guy anymore does anyone else have other experience with being intimitated by auction houses???

[bigtruck260]

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

Everyone
Stop the name calling. Stop the threats. On both sides. I don't care who said what. Break the forum rules and you get suspended.
Respect each other and move on...
Eric

Wow - my eyes are blurry...finally had some time to read this whole thread.

Suicide - I agree about a few things. A letter with an attorney letterhead would upset me (not scare me)...as it would anyone. Who likes to be told to "quiet down" or else...but what can you really do but quiet down and move on with life...re-arrange your priorities. There are plenty of other folks at GUU who have no problem giving the auction houses greif. Take a break for a while.

Second, if someone (other than the mailperson) was wandering on my property, I would leave work and come home. I have a wife and 2 little kids. After that - I'd ask the cops to drive by a few times a day...which should not be hard for you since you said your connections at the police department were at your door relatively quickly. Again, a little scary - but are you going to let it stop you from working?

The first post of this thread read like you were on the brink of being whacked over some comments made here. If that was the case, a few major posters at this forum would be wiped out...maybe it was a little storybook - but hey, 4000 people were drawn to it. I wish I had some advertising space within it.

Bottom line is, before you post something like that, realize that there are some folks who will make fun of it...no matter how serious the TONE might be to you, it comes off a little dramatic. I honestly thought you playing some sort of joke. I realize you were not - but at the same time...I don't know you personally.

The two guys who have been arguing with you (Suave and Sylbry) are both good guys. So are you - the arguments could have probably been contained mostly to emails or PM's...all they do is bring out the worst in everyone.

Finally - the auction houses have already read this thread...and it's probably been circulated around the offices. As Sarahsdad mentioned earlier, they are likely laughing. With all of the good stuff that is posted here - we give them a thread like this that makes the whole forum seem like a bunch of undereducated sheep posting just to post.

Suicide - you are a good guy, but this thread was over the top from the beginning.

[gingi79]

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

Suicide has an opinion on everything and frankly he showed real character admitting he was wrong about a certain item. Some collectors may feel he is brash or caustic but I believe he is coming from a place where he is protecting collectors. Maybe he isn't the most tactful person but I'll take his strong willed comments from the right place over dancing around the facts. I don't always agree with him but I do think he is speaking from an overly protective of collectors viewpoint.

No one ever knocked on my door or sent a C&D letter. I'd be rattled too. Perhaps we should be concentrating more on the fact GF became angry and got their lawyers involved in a GUU member's life after posting here. Am I the only one who lost interest in GF auctions because of their strong arm tactics against a collector who called them on their crap?

Never forget our hobby is a close knit group. Just ask other boards about certain people and see the fur fly. Love him or hate him, Suicide got shafted by an auction house and that's messed up.

I hope you and your family can get passed this Suicide. NOT cool that your wife was rattled by someone because of a post here. Peace Brother.

[R. C. Walker]

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

Yesterday, by pure chance, I was home from work. First day off I've taken in over 6 months. So the mail comes, and I see a letter addressed to me, return address is that of a law firm locally.

I open it, and it's addressed to me. Not suicide_squeeze....my user name here.....MY real name.

It was a cease and desist letter. I called the attorney, had a brief and cordial conversation, and informed him I would not make any more "over-the-top" comments about Grey Flannel, their client, going forward.


Steve Mears......remember the name

Is it possible to see a scan of the letter?

[Eric]

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

Everyone
Stop the name calling. Stop the threats. On both sides. I don't care who said what. Break the forum rules and you get suspended.
Respect each other and move on...
Eric

[Eric]

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

Maybe you could get them back onto the People's Court...

[GoTigers]

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

The most amazing thing to me about this situation, is the one thing that is getting overlooked... An auction house sent a C&D letter to a member here for expressing his opinion, an opinion that sounds like it is based on facts.

First of all, I highly doubt any auction house will ever take a forum member to court over these issues. Any lawyer can tell you, if a business/person takes someone to court for Defamation of Character, or anything along those lines, its the business/ person who instigated the suite that is really put on trial.

What I mean by that is, the auction house would be taking a well informed collector into court.. which gives the collector an opportunity to show/ prove in a court of law that the auction house runs a fraudulent business. These businesses should be running from this sort of thing. I would call and tell GF you're looking forward to your day in court. You would be the nail in their coffin.

[intheminors]

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

I like to request and cease and desist on this topic. There are far too many factors involved in this. I can't read nine pages of anything... much less form an opinion on it based on everyone's viewpoint.

I'd like to suggest locking it before things really get out of hand.

[spartakid]

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

Be careful people, karma is real.

With a last name like Mears, I wouldn't have pegged you for being Hindu

[spartakid]

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

I must agree, words are one thing, but the reaction that was thought to have stemmed from those words or comments, whether or not they were actually real, would have been completely unjustified. My two cents, maybe we can all take away something from this situation, be more careful about how we approach things, but not necessarily allow ourselves to be silenced either. Ricardo

[suicide_squeeze]

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

I am shocked that a few on this site think someone's opinions about an auction item translates into justification for personal confrontation at their front door. WOW!! I have lost all respect for those that feel this is some how deserved. Even if you think this situation has been portrayed as overly dramatic condoning someone showing up at SOMEONES PRIVATE RESIDENCE as something that should be expected because of him voicing his opinions is ridiculous!!! I have zero respect for those on here "settling" scores and choosing this topic to do so. You picked the wrong topic, the wrong tone, and the wrong verbiage to get back at past disagreements.

Please keep all of us updated on this and keep your opinions coming!!!!!

Davis

It's guys like you that deserve the effort, the sharing of what a limited few have been exposed to.

Thank you for the support and understanding of the situation. I want you to know that I have had other well wishes sent, and I am taking special note to all of them. Thanks from the heart.



I have to say....when I first joined this forum, I was warned by a few members that it has a way of breeding confrontation. I took it all with a grain of salt. Obviously I view the magnitude of those sentiments differently now.

I really enjoy the sharing of knowledge, and enlightenment of the hobby, but some of you people ought to be ashamed of yourselves and the comments you ignorantly lash out.

I am human, and I make mistakes. I have absolutely NO problem admitting that, or apologizing for mine when I do.

Even when the situation is serious to some of us, and turned into a circus by others, I actually still get a laugh out of the humor.

Rudy (kingjammy), I have to tell you that's some kind of computer graphics system you've got going. The terminator spoof had me laughing for quite awhile. I don't have a problem with stuff like that. In fact I welcome it. Laughs are good, sometimes very timly, and always healing to the soul. And the bottom line is, I know your efforts here, albeit a bit rough to some at times, are well intended, so I have a tendancy to laugh with you even when you are indirectly making fun of me.

But man, the other side of this forum is downright ugly. And I have had my eyes opened to that fact, and to a few specific characters. Be careful people, karma is real. I would take a moment and reflect on your projections of venom and anger, just as I will reflect on my over-zealous posts which got me here in the first place.

But I won't back down to insults when you have absolutely NO idea who I am, or what I stand for. Do as you will.

[aeneas01]

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

absolutely one of the most bizarre threads i've ever come across...

1. a cease and desist letter is just that - a request to cease and desist. how such a request could have possibly been construed as a life threatening event, regardless of one's state of mind, is beyond me.

2. to pretend that certain comments recently aimed at gfc were nothing more than typical forum banter and "colorful" opining is absurd because they weren't - and i think that's pretty clear given that every person that weighed in on gfc's current auction didn't receive a c&d. hey, i'm all for upping the ante at times when it comes to calling out an auction house - but if you're going to roll up your sleeves and invite these guys outside you can't go running to mommy when they take you up on your offer and follow you out the door. when pushed too far businesses, like anyone else, will push back. what's so surprising about that?

3. there's nothing mysterious or coincidental about russek's trip to the west coast - he makes the trip often. he told me about this particular trip over a month ago given that he wanted to meet while he was in the area to discuss my collection and chat about the hobby. he's extended an invitation several times in past when he planned to be out here but i haven't been able to make it work.

4. i don't think many forum members are intimidated by auction houses, dealers or sellers and will continue to post valuable information regarding suspect items whenever possible - i know i will. but i also know that if i publicly claim that a business is engaged in fraud, criminal activities, etc. i run the risk of hearing from that business - in the form of a c&d, not leg-breakers.

...

[sylbry]

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

I really don't see why this joker isn't banned. He should have been on notice after that absolutely absurd rant about the Mantle jersey (just the latest of many). If he had actually abided by forum rules Grey Flannel would have told him YOU ARE WRONG. TRY READING THE DESCRIPTION FIRST. Grey Flannel would have done him the favor of saving him from public embarrasment anyways.

Now this thread, come on already.

[sylbry]

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

Most people that feel "threatened" to the point they would act on it (do something, like send a letter, or maybe place some kind of non-tangible pressure on someone) would probably do that because the person is smart and knows a bit too much about certain things. Maybe has a way with "reasoning"...can identify something that maybe most overlook? And if the guy discussing things get a little bit too flambouyant or mouthy in what he is opining on, they feel obligated to shut those types up. MAYBE....once he falls into the trap of exposing stuff he knows, and he's already expressed a LOT of what he knows over the years to the auction houses themselves, that someone somewhere starts to worry "I wonder if he's going to go back and say something about THAT?"

You have nothing to worry about. You apparently aren't smart, and know nothing.

Look, before I ever even knew about this site, I'd call these major auction houses and question stuff. The next thing I knew, the "experts" on the other end of the phone were asking me "What makes you so skeptical about this item?" after they just ran the gamit of it's provenance and history. So I point out the one little fly in the ointment that contradicts the whole issue....suddenly I'm on a silent phone call, and I'm the one realizing I better shut the hell up!

So I'm done attacking. I've learned my lesson. If I feel the need to "express an opinion" on anything going forward, I'll clearly address it as such.

You punk.....you come after me and tell me to be a man and deal with it....well I AM you SOB. And I'm dealing with reality. I strongly suggest you don't make any more skirt-like comments about anyone sitting behind their computers........you GOT ME, pal?

What id I were to tell you I watched an item go for $85,000 and I could prove to you, WITHOUT QUESTION, that it was either of two things:

A) Completely fake
B) Modified to appear to be something it wasn't and NOT described as such.

You think an auction house wants me here spouting this stuff off?

I'll be taking that little secret to my grave, because like I've said....I'm done with this. It's not fun....and on top of it all, I have to deal with guys like YOU....questioning my manhood, and calling me a tool.

He was not threatened so please stop making him out to be a victim. The guy loves drama. From his I know everything attitude to him bragging about him being a major collector to threatening others to demeaning anyone who calls him on his pretend confrontation. Who are you trying to impress anyways? What a joke.

I would imagine the auction companies are having a good laugh at the wreck that is suicide squeeze. I know I would. Heck I would send another letter just to really make him flip out.

If you are really done, then leave. Goodbye. Good riddance. Your obnoxious attitude won't be missed.