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Is Steve Hart one of the last (business) men standing?
nam812
Posts: 10,539 ✭✭✭✭✭
That is beyond reproach?
I hear good things about Jeff and Dave at Card Country, but don't know them myself, and have always thought them to be more in the way of collectors/sellers, than a business, but again I don't know that for sure.
Anybody else have any rock solid additions?
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I've never heard anything bad about gregmorriscards
Stating that anyone in this hobby is 'beyond reproach' is going too far. Intentional or not, I can't think of any major players who haven't made mistakes. It's their reaction/approach to resolving errors that sets some apart from others.
I agree that all humans are imperfect and capable of error.
That being said, the people mention above so far in this thread are all some of the most “stand up” people you will ever meet or deal with.
What makes them heads above the rest is that when they do make mistakes they all have an unblemished history of acknowledging the error and for doing whatever they can to make things right.
These are people who I feel have earned the trust of the hobby by the way they have consistently conducted themselves.
Dave
Obviously I'm just using the word improperly, but that's just petty book keeping since everyone gets the intent.
Now........back to the rock solid additions.
Hiya Nick
Is the OP referring to some article or something?
Not sure what this is about with respect to BBCEx?
On Jeff - my recollection is that he's an MD who works for the VA? And works with his dad at the National e.g. So, I would agree with your assessment that they're collectors who also sell - and some really great stuff BTW.
I believe in Steve...let's hope the taint of PWCC, Moser, et. al. stays away from BBCE.
Tom at OPCbaseball.com is as great as they get!
Yaz Master Set
#1 Gino Cappelletti master set
#1 John Hannah master set
Also collecting Andre Tippett, Patriots Greats' RCs, 1964 Venezuelan Topps, 1974 Topps Red Sox
I'm going to say this and it's not going to be popular. If at a show or at his store, I will purchase from BBCE without worries. I will not purchase anything via the web-site, as between Black Friday purchases and group rips, my batting average is not very high.
I received a shrink wrapped 1978 Topps Football Vending Box that had clearly been dropped based on damage to corner of box.
I received (at the time) relatively inexpensive late 1970's early 1980's football wax packs that had clearly taken on moisture at some point.
I received a 1986 Topps Football Cello Pack with the back seal not "attached". I have no doubt the pack was unopened, but the seal had "come apart".
In pretty much all of these circumstances, I chalked it up to "well, I guess unopened is always a risk". I will say that I am far far from a saint, but there is no way I personally would have been able to ship those items to a buyer with a clean conscience.
And this is also going to sound stupid, but for a very very long time, I thought when purchasing an "unopened wax box" I was purchasing an unopened wax box, not a display box filled with 36 unopened packs. Huge difference to me, but apparently not to anyone else on the planet. I find it interesting that the same people who want every card that had a wax stain or a fingerprint removed want that to be "noted" when selling are okay with calling a Frankenstein wax box an "unopened wax box".
I think my overall point is that to me anyway, there are so many gray lines of what people consider acceptable not just in the hobby but in all walks of life.
There are definitely some standup people/organizations in the hobby. Unfortunately, the laws of Capitalism usually apply and those with more of that cut throat/do whatever it takes to make the dollar approach usually win out in this system. We live in a society where right and wrong rarely matter, whoever makes the most profit generally wins.
There are some honest auction houses that I would stand behind -- BST, REA, LOTG, Sterling, and Vintage Non-Sports. Also, because I always forget him when this comes up, Scott at Just Collect is awesome. He was screaming about Moser a decade ago and no one was listening.
All of the above AHs are owned and run by people that I would feel comfortable watching my children and, all-in-all, in general, just doing the right thing.
Arthur
I am a huge fan of BBCE. Steve has taken time to offer me good advice regarding my collection and I think it is valuable that he would share his experiences with me.
However it would be nice if there were more players in the unopened market. I believe the unopened market is big enough to support more than one quality player. I like Tom at OPC, but I haven't purchased a box from him so I can't speak to the product.
Steve has always dealt with me fair and honest. He answers questions and I will continue to support him.
No Mike. The thread about PWCC's lawyer combined with the thread about BBCE's big mystery item for the National just got me thinking about dealers in general. Some going in one direction and some going in the other, That's all.
Steve Hart is firmly entrenched at the summit of hobby integrity.
ISO 1978 Topps Baseball in NM-MT High Grade Raw 3, 100, 103, 302, 347, 376, 416, 466, 481, 487, 509, 534, 540, 554, 579, 580, 622, 642, 673, 724__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ISO 1978 O-Pee-Chee in NM-MT High Grade Raw12, 21, 29, 38, 49, 65, 69, 73, 74, 81, 95, 100, 104, 110, 115, 122, 132, 133, 135, 140, 142, 151, 153, 155, 160, 161, 167, 168, 172, 179, 181, 196, 200, 204, 210, 224, 231, 240
100% trust is 100% Foolishness.
Wrong. Trust doesn’t mean infallible. I trust Steve Hart’s integrity 100%
ISO 1978 Topps Baseball in NM-MT High Grade Raw 3, 100, 103, 302, 347, 376, 416, 466, 481, 487, 509, 534, 540, 554, 579, 580, 622, 642, 673, 724__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ISO 1978 O-Pee-Chee in NM-MT High Grade Raw12, 21, 29, 38, 49, 65, 69, 73, 74, 81, 95, 100, 104, 110, 115, 122, 132, 133, 135, 140, 142, 151, 153, 155, 160, 161, 167, 168, 172, 179, 181, 196, 200, 204, 210, 224, 231, 240
Good for you Dan, I couldn’t care less either way but It has always been in my experience that trust is a complicated thing, I would never suggest anything negative about anyone I don’t personally know and I certainly don’t personally know Steve Hart but Ofcourse I have never heard a bad thing about him. All I’m saying is adding in the human element you can trust his integrity all you want but it don’t guarantee his products 100%
Half of me thinks this thread was a mistake, and the other half of me is sure of it.
Hey Nick! Sorry if I put a speed bump in the thread, i just like to sprinkle reality into certain conversations is all and yes I’m well aware my logic is not for everyone lol 🍻
Yogi would be proud.
Andy
One PM from lil' ol' me did that?
All good broski, but, if you couldn’t care less either way then obviously you don’t have the experiences to render a real opinion. God Bless America!
And GOOD LORD Paul, trusting his integrity has absolutely nothing to do with guaranteeing each and every product. That’s where the nobody is infallible part come in to play. Either way, if and WHEN Steve Hart makes a mistake (he has and will going forward) on a product it’s got nothing to do with integrity.
I trust his INTEGRITY to the hobby 100%
ISO 1978 Topps Baseball in NM-MT High Grade Raw 3, 100, 103, 302, 347, 376, 416, 466, 481, 487, 509, 534, 540, 554, 579, 580, 622, 642, 673, 724__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ISO 1978 O-Pee-Chee in NM-MT High Grade Raw12, 21, 29, 38, 49, 65, 69, 73, 74, 81, 95, 100, 104, 110, 115, 122, 132, 133, 135, 140, 142, 151, 153, 155, 160, 161, 167, 168, 172, 179, 181, 196, 200, 204, 210, 224, 231, 240
Steve’s integrity is not in question. Of course we have already seen that doesn’t mean he never makes a mistake, but when he has, he has acknowledged and learned from it. Not really much else we could ask.
THANK YOU
ISO 1978 Topps Baseball in NM-MT High Grade Raw 3, 100, 103, 302, 347, 376, 416, 466, 481, 487, 509, 534, 540, 554, 579, 580, 622, 642, 673, 724__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ISO 1978 O-Pee-Chee in NM-MT High Grade Raw12, 21, 29, 38, 49, 65, 69, 73, 74, 81, 95, 100, 104, 110, 115, 122, 132, 133, 135, 140, 142, 151, 153, 155, 160, 161, 167, 168, 172, 179, 181, 196, 200, 204, 210, 224, 231, 240
That’s the great thing about the good ‘ole USA though Dan, I can state my opinion regardless of your snarky input... And your the one bringing up integrity and spinning my statements with it. I never once mentioned his integrity there budski, I’m talking about his products, sure I absolutely believe based on everything I’ve read over the years that his integrity is 100% trustworthy but that’s got nothing to do with trusting a product. And yes if his product were compromised by error I’m sure he would do the right thing, that was not my intention with my initial post that you quickly quoted.
I twisted nothing Paul. The context was integrity. Not product mistakes. And if there is anybody over the years here just as or if not more snarky than me it’s you. Don’t cry buddy. It doesn't fit you.
ISO 1978 Topps Baseball in NM-MT High Grade Raw 3, 100, 103, 302, 347, 376, 416, 466, 481, 487, 509, 534, 540, 554, 579, 580, 622, 642, 673, 724__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ISO 1978 O-Pee-Chee in NM-MT High Grade Raw12, 21, 29, 38, 49, 65, 69, 73, 74, 81, 95, 100, 104, 110, 115, 122, 132, 133, 135, 140, 142, 151, 153, 155, 160, 161, 167, 168, 172, 179, 181, 196, 200, 204, 210, 224, 231, 240
PS I love you lol
ISO 1978 Topps Baseball in NM-MT High Grade Raw 3, 100, 103, 302, 347, 376, 416, 466, 481, 487, 509, 534, 540, 554, 579, 580, 622, 642, 673, 724__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ISO 1978 O-Pee-Chee in NM-MT High Grade Raw12, 21, 29, 38, 49, 65, 69, 73, 74, 81, 95, 100, 104, 110, 115, 122, 132, 133, 135, 140, 142, 151, 153, 155, 160, 161, 167, 168, 172, 179, 181, 196, 200, 204, 210, 224, 231, 240
MmmmmmmmmNk 😘
What about that pesky final ten percent of you?
-Yogi Berra
Curious about the rare, mysterious and beautiful 1951 Wheaties Premium Photos?
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/987963/1951-wheaties-premium-photos-set-registry#latest
I have bought some really good 69 topps baseball cards for my set. from gregmorriscards.
Thanx Nick.
Ya know?
I think - with some of the bad press going on?
Our nerves may get the better of us since we all have a personal "stake" in our hobby.
What I like?
That I can come here day after day and say hey to my friends. Whether we agree or not?
Actually, to be technically correct, Yogi's quote would be "90% of me thinks this thread was a mistake, the other half of me is sure of it".
+1000
Dave
There are a few people still out there that I trust in this hobby. Steve Hart is definitely one of them. Jeff Foy with Card Country would be another one. Jeff and I have done a ton of business together over the years and is usually my first call.
When I was contemplating a large purchase and wanted an option, I called Scott Alpaugh with Just Collect. I think he a TON of knowledge of the hobby and tells it exactly the way it is, and I personally appreciate that a lot.
All three of these guys I personally believe put the hobby before themselves.
I haven’t ever done anything with Greg Morris, but have never heard a bad thing said about him.
I collect: 80’s Rookies and 86 Fleer Basketball
+1,000
Great guy.
Steve Hart has my 100% confidence and frankly, thank God we have someone like that still in hobby leadership. My dealings have always been fair and when I have had any issue, he has always resolved it very fairly. Steve has provided me sound advice when I’ve asked and even sold high end card to my wife at a great price. Thumbs up for BBCE.
Plus, he's a fun guy just to talk with about the hobby and other things.
Way to go Nick. It did get me to post so that's something.
For me, it is all about integrity. It is easy when things are running smoothly, but everyone makes mistakes and it is how the person handles it. Steve Hart is top notch in this regard and will do whatever is necessary to make things right. Others mentioned that I've dealt with that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to fellow collectors include Jeff Foy, Scott Alpaugh, and Tom Salem. I'd add Nathan Burns, Grand Slam Collectibles to the list as well.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep."
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."
Collecting:
Any unopened Baseball cello and rack packs and boxes from the 1970's and early 1980s.
Steve Hart has always taken great care of me and always trust his integrity - Best dealer for unopened. Obviously you can’t find anyone to say a bad word about Jeff Foy, and I would and have bought cards from him sight unseen. If he says it is good that is good enough for me. He is the reason I got back into the hobby at the Cleveland National back in 2014.
KC
I have had bad run ins with Card Country and wouldn't buy from them again.
I have always found Levi to be someone with integrity. However, I have always suspected that he and Dean (of Dean’s Cards) were either relatives or went to the same school when they learned how to price things and to negotiate.
Dave
Steve has always been head and shoulders above any other dealer in the hobby as far as I'm concerned. You can always count on him and he stands behind his product.
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
Is this a serious post? I thought Jeff was a very reputable dealer.
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
I saw that too Tim and wasn't going to press for details, but if Jason wants to expand........
The overwhelming majority of people I know who have done business with Card Country have nothing but good things to say.
Jeff and Dave have always been nothing less than professional and helpful in my personal dealings with them.
I’m surprised to hear that someone had bad run ins when dealing with them.
Dave
+1
I got back into the hobby about 5 years ago after meeting Jeff for the first time at the National in Cleveland. Had not been in a few years and had always dealt with the usual dealers, and happened to come across a table where the whole family was wearing the old style white with colored sleeves baseball shirts. I start looking at the inventory and could not believe how one small booth had such incredible inventory. I told my wife I have never heard of this guy and I knew about pretty much every dealer in the hobby. Got his business card after I bought a 1968 Mantle for my son (of course it had to be a Mantle) and now 5 years later I am back in deep into collecting.
From that one purchase I got to know Jeff and his family (parents, wife, and kids), and as good as he is as a dealer he is a much better person. I will buy sight unseen from him and have done so in the past several times, and he has helped me find several major cards for my collection as well as sell some for me. Of course it is possible someone could have a bad dealing with someone in the hobby, but I agree with Dave that I am very surprised someone would say this about him. In my personal opinion I would put him up against ANYONE in this hobby hands down, and 99.9% of the people that deal with him would echo that sentiment.
KC
Agree.
I am a Greg Morris guy. Sure some of the cards can go for crazy prices but I know my limits and stop when I reach it. I know when that day comes for me I have told my wife to contact Greg Morris so he can easily liquidate what is left of my collection.
I notice nobody is racing to put Leighton Sheldon on this list.
I have dealt with Steve Hart and find him above reproach.