Arrest at the National?

[trsent]

Re: Arrest at the National?

I'm sure that Joel or Dave M. will give us a detailed report as well!

I was called and told about the events today, but today I didn't attend the show as I had only gotten 4 hours of sleep the previous two night and I really needed to sleep in today. I had not seen Dave at the show Tuesday or Wednesday, but I could have missed him also.

From what I have heard, no on really knows any details about it. I'm sure there will be more information made available soon.

Though I don't know any details of the events today, I am hoping maybe these events that are happening will alert others to start to respect the Game Used Universe Forum's impact on the hobby and on the industry. Though we are not always 100% perfect, usually when questions arise on this forum and issues are found with items, we as a group have helped educate the collectors and dealers alike with useful information. Too many auction houses and public auction sellers have ignored information provided by users of this forum for too long and there isn't a much better group of knowledgeable people around than those you can find on here.

[Eric]

Re: Arrest at the National?

http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/image/id/48979/headline/Sports%20jersey%20retailer%20arrested/

[kprst6]

Re: Arrest at the National?

Also, they have received no complaints in the last three years. What do you think the BBB does?

Customer Complaints Summary

0 complaints closed with BBB in last 3 years | 0 closed in last 12 months

Complaint TypeTotal Closed ComplaintsAdvertising / Sales Issues0Billing / Collection Issues0Problems with Product / Service0Delivery Issues0Guarantee / Warranty Issues0Total Closed Complaints0

Ever wonder that maybe I was making fun at the BBB being completely meaningless.

[ironmanfan]

Re: Arrest at the National?

Does anyone recall if Jensen/Vintage used Lampson for their authentication?

[ziggy]

Re: Arrest at the National?

Was this guy a retail dealer or an auction house?

[CampWest]

Re: Arrest at the National?

Ever wonder that maybe I was making fun at the BBB being completely meaningless.

I don't do drugs. So I will pass on the chill pill suggestion.

I'm sorry, that you are offended that I explained that the BBB is meaningless and they do not review products and services. I sincerely apologize for my inability to infer your comment was satirical in nature.

Yes, the BBB is largely meaningless. That was precisely my point as well, so I am glad to see we are in agreement.

[MSpecht]

Re: Arrest at the National?

There have been a few interesting threads over the years that have highlighted VA, S Jensen in particular, and the primary VA authenticator... In the words of the late Malcolm X, it looks like another "case of the chickens coming home to roost."

http://www.gameuseduniverse.com/vb_forum/search.php?searchid=904897

Thanks for the kind words above Joel (post 16)... GUU has made a major impact in the memorabilia hobby / business in customer protection and consumer fraud. Think back 5 or 6 years ago, then decide whether the landscape is better now or not.

Unfortunately, however, there are still people out there whose sole object is to make as much money as they can, at no matter whose expense. If one's business model is "for each item that gets questioned and exposed, I will still sell 20 other bad items that will never come to light," they will probably make some money, at least until the chickens come home to roost.

Mike Jackitout7@aol.com

[Eric]

Re: Arrest at the National?

Was anyone there today? Any first-hand accounts?

[Eric]

Re: Arrest at the National?

Sports Collectors Daily has the first full story on the arrest...

http://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/dealer-arrested-facing-mail-fraud-charges/

[DeacDoug]

Re: Arrest at the National?

Steve's arrest amazes me. Somebody really had a hard on for VA to do this at the National. The Postal Inspectors will now have to prove that Steve's items were not authentic and that Steve knew it. Perhaps Steve told somebody this information and that person reported it to the PIs. It is not that easy to prove items are bad, as opposed to merely doubtful; let alone that VA's knowledge. Will the case involve Lou Lampson who, as the authenticator, either knew the items were bad or was merely as bad at his job as many have claimed here.

I have bought many items from VA auctions. They had some great items and prices were relatively reasonable. Even Howard Wolfe vouched for VA's credibility at one point. I am not so naive as to believe that all the items I've purchased are real. Action houses and authenticators make mistakes as we know.

Yet, it is hard for me to believe that Steve was doing this deliberately. Both Steven and Mark, his partner, have always been straight shooters with me and, I think, on this site when posting. Most questions about authenticity have been resolved quickly and amicably. It is possible that VA's philosophy was to put the bad item out there and pull it if there were complaints. I certainly hope this was not the case.

[ironmanfan]

Re: Arrest at the National?

Steve's arrest amazes me. Somebody really had a hard on for VA to do this at the National. The Postal Inspectors will now have to prove that Steve's items were not authentic and that Steve knew it. Perhaps Steve told somebody this information and that person reported it to the PIs. It is not that easy to prove items are bad, as opposed to merely doubtful; let alone that VA's knowledge. Will the case involve Lou Lampson who, as the authenticator, either knew the items were bad or was merely as bad at his job as many have claimed here.

Yet, it is hard for me to believe that Steve was doing this deliberately. Both Steven and Mark, his partner, have always been straight shooters with me and, I think, on this site when posting. Most questions about authenticity have been resolved quickly and amicably. It is possible that VA's philosophy was to put the bad item out there and pull it if there were complaints. I certainly hope this was not the case.

If you read the article that Eric posted, you'll note that Jensen knew he was selling bad items....

Another thing that was amazing was how the prices have dropped since that collector originally bought the '95 A-Rod jersey back in 2007...When did this Forum start?

Any LL sightings in Chi town?

[sylbry]

Re: Arrest at the National?

Sports Collectors Daily has the first full story on the arrest...
http://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com...fraud-charges/

It will be interesting to see how far this investigation reaches. There are a few Twins jerseys where if I was the consignor I can't say I would sleep to comfortable.

I exchanged a few emails with Steve this week regarding my posting questionable items in the latest auction. He was correct to call me out for not notifying him first and for that I apologied for my lack of tact. One comment he made to me was "I don't claim to be the know it all authenticator myself but I do pay a ton of money in authentication fees to try to make sure everything is genuine and authentic." Steve, you may want to get a refund. Looks like your authenticator really let you down.

[cubbs1232]

Re: Arrest at the National?

its amazing that auction houses that continue to offer 1000s of fake items each month (ie myccsa.com) continue to be able to fly under the radar with no problems. hopefully this is just the start of the crack down by the government on these criminals who lie, steal, and cheat the people in this hobby!

[DeacDoug]

Re: Arrest at the National?

As a lawyer, I am doubtful they have enough evidence to convict. VA can argue that our man Lou Lampson said items were authentic and that's good enough for us. It will probably cause VA to go out of business to defend if PIs are pushing really hard. It seems to me Arod buyer had serious case of buyer's remorse once it was known that Arod was a juicer.

I'm guessing that items may be bad, but players' credibility on game used jerseys is shaky best. Not sure how knowledgeable the equipment managers are either; however, would take their word over players and Lou. Are these the same guys who were doing it during the relevant year?

As an aside, I have the identical (year and venue) Arod, Pujois, and McGwire jerseys that I purchased in VA auctions. I have to admit that this must be more than pure coincidence. Yet, I saw about five or six Greg Dobbs Blue alternate jerseys when visiting the Mariners team store in '05. I won the '02 road Pujois jersey in the February VA auction. It stunned me a bit to see another one in this auction. Cards experts please let me know if you recall the Feb. one as being a fake. I recall Cards fans informing us that you could buy them in the team store. Pujois is full of shit saying that he has all of them.

[cohibasmoker]

Re: Arrest at the National?

As a lawyer, I am doubtful they have enough evidence to convict. VA can argue that our man Lou Lampson said items were authentic and that's good enough for us. It will probably cause VA to go out of business to defend if PIs are pushing really hard. It seems to me Arod buyer had serious case of buyer's remorse once it was known that Arod was a juicer.

I'm guessing that items may be bad, but players' credibility on game used jerseys is shaky best. Not sure how knowledgeable the equipment managers are either; however, would take their word over players and Lou. Are these the same guys who were doing it during the relevant year?

As an aside, I have the identical (year and venue) Arod, Pujois, and McGwire jerseys that I purchased in VA auctions. I have to admit that this must be more than pure coincidence. Yet, I saw about five or six Greg Dobbs Blue alternate jerseys when visiting the Mariners team store in '05. I won the '02 road Pujois jersey in the February VA auction. It stunned me a bit to see another one in this auction. Cards experts please let me know if you recall the Feb. one as being a fake. I recall Cards fans informing us that you could buy them in the team store. Pujois is full of shit saying that he has all of them.

VA can argue that our man Lou Lampson said items were authentic and that's good enough for us. That could be a defense but I wonder how many people on a jury would accept such a defense - especially if a jury member was a member of this forum. If this case makes it to court, Lou Lampson will certainly be on someone's witness list. When Lou gets to the witness stand, I wonder how will he be treated? A "expert witness"?

Jim

flaa1a@comcast.net