Dealing with GU reps for ASG items

[jake33]

Re: Dealing with GU reps for ASG items

I am going to the ALL STAR GAME this weekend and going to the GAME USED BOOTH ran by MLB to inform them of the issues with highland Mint.

As it appears to me, they run an UNOFFICIAL AUCTION to drive up prices.

I work with a friend who has an opportunity to get a handful of jerseys before HIGHLAND can and he said the same thing, they will drive up prices out of nowhere.

I will give you the contact info at MLB to complain to...

[jake33]

Re: Dealing with GU reps for ASG items

Guys if you have ISSUES WITH Highland Mint or feel tht MLB should sell the ASG gear via auction only.

BELOW IS THE rep at MLB directly that you will want to get in touch with to see if you (as a group) can get this changed.

I assume MLB has a contract with Highland Mint for the ASG gear as they act as a distributor. That contract will expire someday though.

Hernan Tudela is a GU MLB item coordinator.

His twitter account is hatman15
and he WILL respond to messages.

I will work on finding his email, but with any corporate email address... all you need to do just locate the format and duplicate it to locate the desired email.

i.e. --- bob.smith@website.mlb.com
or BSMITH@website.mlb.com
or Bobs@website.mlb.com


regardless, I will be at the All Star game to request all items to go to auction at some point.

I am not saying Highland Mint does a bad job, I am just saying NO MORE MIDDLE MAN please!

[G1X]

Re: Dealing with GU reps for ASG items

Steven,

It seems that some of the same issues and complaints arose last year regarding the methodology of how the jerseys are sold. Could you please enlighten members of this Forum so that everyone has a complete understanding of how the system works?

Thank you,

Mark Hayne
Gridiron Exchange

Steven,

You could avoid creating a lot of confusion, misunderstanding, and ill feelings by simply answering my previous post. Sure, I could email and discuss with you personally, but since you have responded several times in this public forum, the least you could do is explain how the process works.

Mark Hayne
Gridiron Exchange

[rufusandherschel]

Re: Dealing with GU reps for ASG items

Steven,

You could avoid creating a lot of confusion, misunderstanding, and ill feelings by simply answering my previous post. Sure, I could email and discuss with you personally, but since you have responded several times in this public forum, the least you could do is explain how the process works.

Mark Hayne
Gridiron Exchange

+ 1

[ocab87]

Re: Dealing with GU reps for ASG items

I was offered a jersey for 1500 yesterday, to which I agreed by email. Today I got an email saying $2250 if I want it and to let him know ASAP.

The next email says someone offered 2k and it's mine for 2250. I have more integrity than that- I'm passing.

I think it'll be better to wait for the source to actually have the items in hand and buy them then. Can't get jerked around that way- either you win the bid or you don't.

This is striking me as a used car salesman without the car, and four other salesman are selling the same car.

Hilarious! The exact scenario happened to me for the SAME Giancarlo Stanton jersey! Steve told me, "if you agree to the $1500 its yours"! I of course agreed and was told the price had increased to $2250???!!! I refused Steve's increase and told him that HM will never "earn" my business! How are these people still in business??? Disgusting considering in the same email Steve said, "I am excited to begin our business relationship"!!! At this point they couldn't give me the jersey considering the lack of character shown!

[xpress34]

Re: Dealing with GU reps for ASG items

After hurrying here to 'defend' his company and slam GUU members, and tell us how we don't understand the 'system', I find it quite amusing that now all we hear (read) is crickets from Steven/HM when asked to explain the 'system' openly in a public forum.

[rufusandherschel]

Re: Dealing with GU reps for ASG items

Hilarious! The exact scenario happened to me for the SAME Giancarlo Stanton jersey! Steve told me, "if you agree to the $1500 its yours"! I of course agreed and was told the price had increased to $2250???!!! I refused Steve's increase and told him that HM will never "earn" my business! How are these people still in business??? Disgusting considering in the same email Steve said, "I am excited to begin our business relationship"!!! At this point they couldn't give me the jersey considering the lack of character shown!

In this thread, the Highland Mint rep is described as acting akin to a used car salesperson. From what I've been reading, that's an insult to people who sell used cars!

[ocab87]

Re: Dealing with GU reps for ASG items

In this thread, the Highland Mint rep is described as acting akin to a used car salesperson. From what I've been reading, that's an insult to people who sell used cars!

+1

[brewcrew]

Re: Dealing with GU reps for ASG items

I don't post here very often (and there are a variety of reasons for that), so my opinion may not carry the same weight as those of other posters, but I do feel that I have to share my own experiences with the Highland Mint, since they appear to be vastly different from those of others who have shared their stories.

As you can probably guess from my username, I focus on the Brewers. For the past four years, I have purchased ASG jerseys through Jim Bowley. I view these jerseys not only as unique collectibles from my favorite players, but it's also a practical matter for me as (oddly enough) MLB and The Highland Mint set prices on these items that are significantly more affordable than what the Brewers charge for similar products.

I have never had an issue working with Jim. It may be because of my personality, or because I am relatively easygoing, or because I'm a chick or because I am going after players for whom there is little competition. But there has never been any issue with me having to pay more for a jersey or being in competition with another collector. Jim has quoted me prices and has been quick to honor them. I think he's even fought for me a couple of years to get MLB to agree to the price that he had initially quoted.

I know I do not speak for everyone. Clearly some on this board have had some negative experiences, and I cannot speak to them. Nor can I speak to any practices from any other representative, or even the practices of my representative when it comes to his other customers. But I have sincerely appreciated Jim's loyalty. I know that he knows that I am a collector first, and that my budget is not huge. We have a good working relationship and I appreciate it.

I think the problem is twofold here (and NO, I am not blaming anyone else on this board when I say this). We have people who have staked claim to items through their representatives, at a price quoted. That has purportedly always been the process and should continue to be so. Initial sales should be the end of the discussion. Period. So when someone else comes up offering more for the piece, the representative's response should be, "That jersey has been sold." Not, "Oh, let me see if I can drive up the price."

I am not saying this is happening, although perhaps it is. But I think buyers have a responsibility too, both to themselves and to the hobby - when someone else has already purchased a jersey, you shouldn't waltz in and offer a higher price to see if you can get it for yourself. That's just not classy, especially if you're dealing with a representative who thinks that's kosher. Of course, that is just my opinion, but I know that when I have bought directly from teams, MLB, etc., before, when I am told that an item is no longer available, I don't say, "Let me see if I can get them to sell it to me at a higher price." I just tell myself that it wasn't my time, and there are other items available down the road.

This hobby is getting more and more cutthroat and perhaps that is part of the reason why I keep most of my thoughts to myself. We're all human beings here. We all have families, lives, responsibilities, and feelings. And it makes me sad that we can't all just come together and appreciate our mutual love of baseball. I don't want to see these jerseys go to auction - and maybe that's selfish of me, because it probably means I'll be priced out of the market. I just want to see people being treated fairly.

I do not wish to speak out of turn, but that is just my .02 (or maybe less, LOL!).

[helf35]

Re: Dealing with GU reps for ASG items

I too have only dealt with Jim exclusively and so far I have no complaints. I picked up a few items and I never felt I was being bid up. He has been honest and forthright with the prices he has quoted me and has been pretty accurate when he gave me the prices. He has answered every email within the hour during reasonable times. I was the first to ask on a few items and he has honored my first dibs. He has also understood my budget and has let me know when items have came up within my budget. I have never spoken with Steven but so far from what I have read it seems as though they have different sales tactics.

[johnsontravis@ymail.com]

Re: Dealing with GU reps for ASG items

Funny thing here is how people are all mad because they think it isn't fair when they come to a price and someone offers more.

I'm sorry but if you agree via email a price and 5minutes later you are offered $1,000 more or any sizable chunk you are taking that second offer. Anyone callling the first one a contract is pretty funny, it isn't anything. Until you send payment, win the auction, or sign something you have nothing.

That being said HMs way of selling these items is really stupid...and possibly shady. But if you don't like it simply don't buy from them.

[G1X]

Re: Dealing with GU reps for ASG items

Funny thing here is how people are all mad because they think it isn't fair when they come to a price and someone offers more.

I'm sorry but if you agree via email a price and 5minutes later you are offered $1,000 more or any sizable chunk you are taking that second offer. Anyone callling the first one a contract is pretty funny, it isn't anything. Until you send payment, win the auction, or sign something you have nothing.

Sorry, but I could not do that. If I agree to a deal, then I have to honor that deal, no matter the amount someone offers after the fact. I find it highly unethical not to do so. It's about keeping my word and being fair. But those are my personal ethics, and I would never try to force them on anyone else.

As for the comments and assumptions about contracts, it won't be so funny when the other party is laughing all the way to the bank after being awarded a judgment. I am not going to get into a legal debate other than to say that the concept of "offer and acceptance", which is the basics of contract law, is worth a quick read.

Mark Hayne
Gridiron Exchange

[Wrigley2010]

Re: Dealing with GU reps for ASG items

Funny thing here is how people are all mad because they think it isn't fair when they come to a price and someone offers more.

I'm sorry but if you agree via email a price and 5minutes later you are offered $1,000 more or any sizable chunk you are taking that second offer. Anyone callling the first one a contract is pretty funny, it isn't anything. Until you send payment, win the auction, or sign something you have nothing.

That being said HMs way of selling these items is really stupid...and possibly shady. But if you don't like it simply don't buy from them.

Remind me to never do business with you... You can honestly say that you are comfortable agreeing to a purchase price then retracting that agreed to price and selling to a another buyer who may or may not have offered?

Lets keep in mind that we are not talking about a private seller here either we are talking about a business. So if I go in to Best Buy this Xmas and I'm at the checkout with the last xBox and right before they swipe my card someone from behind says they'll pay more for it then I'm no longer the buyer because I haven't paid for or signed for the item?

Honestly, I have been offered more for a jersey after I had already agreed to a price with another buyer but I still sold to the first accepted offer. It's my reputation on the line and that's worth more than a few hundred bucks. If HM wants to run what seems to be a live auction then they need to be forth coming with how their (meaning MLB's) item's are sold, period.

[cfern023]

Re: Dealing with GU reps for ASG items

What's disappointing is- there is no proof there is "another buyer" at whatever price interval.

Their lack of transparency from the beginning is what told me to stand up for myself and move on.

Your taking the word of a worm who has proven on this forum to have a poor business acumen. He's dragged a few buyer AWAY from a sale with his tactics, and I doubt he has a buyer at the 2250 number he offered it to me at.

Heck, I doubt he'll ever make his commission, which is what I believe is driving this.

[johnsontravis@ymail.com]

Re: Dealing with GU reps for ASG items

Remind me to never do business with you... You can honestly say that you are comfortable agreeing to a purchase price then retracting that agreed to price and selling to a another buyer who may or may not have offered?

Lets keep in mind that we are not talking about a private seller here either we are talking about a business. So if I go in to Best Buy this Xmas and I'm at the checkout with the last xBox and right before they swipe my card someone from behind says they'll pay more for it then I'm no longer the buyer because I haven't paid for or signed for the item?

Honestly, I have been offered more for a jersey after I had already agreed to a price with another buyer but I still sold to the first accepted offer. It's my reputation on the line and that's worth more than a few hundred bucks. If HM wants to run what seems to be a live auction then they need to be forth coming with how their (meaning MLB's) item's are sold, period.

I agree that it being a business makes a difference, but I am not really sure how official an email is even from them. I don't think that is really a legal agreement, but I also admit I don't go to law school...feel free to research that.

Unfortunately some of these companies selling GU aren't the most ethical as you would expect out of them. And like I said originally I do agree that they do a garbage job. Their lack of real replies leads me to believe many are getting screwed. But HM doesn't care about us on this forum. We are a tiny spec of the interested buyers market. People are gullible and fall for this "behind the door" live auction. Even if the interest from other parties is real it still sucks people into paying more than they probably would. By making people think they bought it and ripping it out of their hands people will throw more and more just to get it back without thinking. It is an evil unfair tactic.