Maybe I'll get booted for this but I think that Joe is using very poor judgement. Two years ago these boards just multiplied the excitement in card collecting and now they seem to becoming a drain on it. I miss guys like Zardoz posting - Alcowa and Dude rarely post anymore.
I hope that Joe will reconsider. Overall Jim was a real assett to these boards.
Let's all keep one thing in mind....maybe Joe has nothing to do with it? We all know Jim can't post, but we haven't heard the reason why confirmed by PSA or anybody else. He's probably banned if he can't post but I haven't ruled out the chance it's all a big misunderstanding. Probably just wishful thinking.
I'm sure we'll hear from someone at PSA on Monday. Maybe Joe himself.
There is a fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"
I really am sorry to hear that Jim has been banned from these boards. Yes I consider Jim a friend and has always treated me squarely and with respect. He is an individual who is truly passionate about his collection and collecting sports cards in general. Whenever I dropped off or mailed cards to Jim one could always sense his excitement about adding to his collection.
Jim was also squarely a PSA guy. His only intent was to point out what he felt were the problems at PSA in the hopes that some one would try and fix them, hence making PSA a better company. I will not deny thqt at times he did have a bull in the china shop way of doing it and in some of his posts came across as arrogant. It is my belief his intentions were always honorable. He is not an arrogant self-absorbed wealthy person just saying look at me and my great colection to sum up some of the Jim bashers out there. I will almost guarantee few if any have ever met Jim in person and none have spent any time with him.He really is a down to earth guy who has worked very hard to achieve a certain position in life and truly loves sports card collecting. Because of his wealth (and an extremely understanding wife) and his passion he has been able to amass an amazing collection.
That being said I do not know why JIm and Joe have had such problems. I have dealt with Joe on the phone several times and he has always been ready and willing to answer my questions or concerns. I might not have agreed with his stance or his decision but I always was able to express my opinion. Perhaps it was just to very comitted pasionate personalities eaching believing they were right.I have never heard nor asked for Joe's side of the story so I really can not answer that.
Banning a collector from these boards for other than the obvious reasons racial/ethnic slurs,vulgarity etc... Is not a step that should be taken litely ...regardless of the size of the collection. I would urge Joe and JIm to try and work out their differences rather than continuing down the current path. If they do not they both lose ..... pure and simple.
Jeff
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... it's about learning to dance in the rain.
Unfortunately Jim's getting banned reeks of a personal issue between him and Joe. I've read many of the threads Dav participated in. Whether you agreed or disagreed with what he had to stay, he was civil and straight foward in his posts. He was constantly attacked by the same people thread after thread regardless of what he had to say. If there was ever a condescending post by Dav it was usually in response to someone elses immature attack on him. I don't like seeing anyone booted or censored. I think everyone has something to lend to these boards whether postive or negative. It comes down to how people say what they mean. I hope Joe and Dav can reconcile their differences over time and Dav can participate again.
With all due respect Fabfrank, that's pure baloney. He treated quite a few board members rudely. One particular post comes to mind where everyone was congratulating another member on finishing a Kelloggs set and davalillo just had to pipe in to tell the guy that his accomplishment was no big deal and that he could place a phone call and have acquired the set in a heartbeat. Even if its true, I dont appreciate someone discouraging or downplaying someone elses efforts. If thats the kind of contributor you want on these boards, you can have him.
If you feel that he actually contributed to the boards, please post a link to these great contributions that I cant seem to find. Theres a silent majority out there that are glad hes kaput. Hopefully, what comes around goes around in his case.
GGGRoss- I know the thread you are referring to. Unfortunately you are taking one line out of context. The ongoing debate at the time was between Dav and K Klub members King Kellogg, Zardoz, etc. The K Klub felt that Kellogg's cards were vintage and Dav felt they weren't ( I agreed with the K Klub). Both sides debated the whole matter tongue in cheek. Dav even went and built a set in a matter of weeks to show how easy it was. He came close but couldn't catch those dedicated K guys. His comment was just one in an ongoing tit for tat that never denigrated to the outright personal attacks he put up with from other board members. That was when the board was fun. Guys would argue and debate about collecting and not bring personal issues into the mix. These boards used to be about the cards, but not anymore. I don't know Dav personally, have never done a deal with him, but read his posts and realize he has a passion for cards. Joe felt he should be banned and that is his perogitive. As you can see, not everyone agrees.
OK here is a good example for you Davalillo backers that are screaming "Freedom of Speech!"
Go buy a ticket for a trip on a major Airline (Delta, American, etc) and then do several things in order to exercise your FREEDOM OF SPEECH about THEIR company!
1) when they ask if you packed your own bag, say "That is none of your damn business! I am one of your biggest customer so you need not worry about that!
2) when they ask if anyone has had access to your bag, say I don't think so, but then again I have so many employees that work for me... how should I know?"
3) when security says to empty your pockets, say "I do not really think that what you are doing is the BEST way to actually CATCH anyone that REALLY wants to get a bomb onboard one of your woefully unsecured planes!"
4) when you are getting on the plane and the person takes you ticket, say "I am so surprised that this plane is actually going to fly today! I have a "VERY RELIABLE SOURCE" that tells me that this company is doing security ALL WRONG and is ignoring all the important areas where Terrorists could EASILY Infiltrate and attack!"
5) then when you take your seat on the plane, turn to the people around you and in a very loud voice say, "I hear that this airline SUCKS at screening baggage and that a Person I KNOW OF that works for them recently told me that THEY ARE CONSIDERING doing half-point checks on the bags in order to save money! THAT IS WHAT I HEARD AND I THINK IT IS TERRIBLE for any company to Treat it's customers that way!
6) and last, as they are carting you off in handcuffs to the nearest prison, say "I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THE PRESIDENT OF THIS AIRLINE HAS NOT ONCE REFUTED MY CLAIMS!! THEY MUST BE TRUE!! SEE HOW SMART AND IMPORTANT I AM!!!!!!!!
Is this example really very far fetched?
I say, at least Joe has not sued Jim for slander or libel. (yet)
<< <i>With all due respect Fabfrank, that's pure baloney. He treated quite a few board members rudely. One particular post comes to mind where everyone was congratulating another member on finishing a Kelloggs set and davalillo just had to pipe in to tell the guy that his accomplishment was no big deal and that he could place a phone call and have acquired the set in a heartbeat.. >>
this is one reason i never cared for Dav too much. having enough disposable income to simply go out and buy a complete set isnt an accomplishment. searching for cards, wheeling and dealing, trying to balance your card money with other priorities, etc is what makes completing a set such an accomplishment. forking over a blank check means you're rich, not that you're a set builder.
same reason it bothers the hell out of me to see rappers on MTV Cribs showing off their Mercedes SL 500's. wow, theyre rich, and they can afford any car they want. big deal. i have a lot more respect for the office worker who saved up for 5 years to finally afford one.
goodriddance - that's a good point. I feel it's also a good point in saying that's absolutely no reason to can a guy. Seems that most of the guys pissed off at Dav has more to do with his abrasive attitude than anything else.
i might've worded that too harsh, i didnt mean i dont like him for that reason. i just have a lot more respect for guys who spend their time building sets than guys who can just buy sets whenever they want.
BKAH- I'm pretty surprised at your response. You've always been very level headed. You make a strong analogy, but come on. You're comparing national security issues to collecting cards. Dav had issues with Joe Orlando and certain aspects of PSA's business. He probably didn't go about it in the best manner addressing those issues, but those issues were there. Those two need to get on a phone and communicate to work out their problems, not hash it out on a message board. If you don't like Dav, that's fine. We don't all have to agree. But when I see other board members rip someone else personally, spew venom and jealousy, it just diminishes this board. There are lots of guys I don't like on this board (you're not one of them I just choose to not respond to their posts
I'm not a frequent contributor to the boards, but I am a frequent reader. I've found the majority of the posts to be very informative and educational. What disturbs me is the number of people who feel that they can use a message board as a means of sounding off and trying to foment unrest. I always tell people who work for me, if you have a significant issue don't send an e-mail or leave a voicemail - arrange a meeting. Message boards are not a productive means for addressing issues. Also, just because someone is a frequent poster to message boards doesn't make them the majority opinion.
Just think if every major company had their own message board and used it as a means of formulating policy and determining changes to their business model. Ridiculous, isn't it.
... do we get banned for bashing/criticizing/challenging/questioning PRO and others on PSA boards?
...free speech leads to transparancy of corporate activities.
... there should be a board where all the banned people can go
... free speech allowed me to find out on the PSA boards that card doctors exist and who they might be
... there are unsavory characters in the hobby at EVERY level
... what are the minimum qualifications of graders; is there a professional ass'n that proclaims ethics for graders; why "graders" instead of "appraisers"; why isn't grading standardized
<< <i>BKAH- You make a strong analogy, but come on. You're comparing national security issues to collecting cards. >>
no, I was comparing any customer of a company, that spent all their time IN that company spewing the type of lie/rumor/innuendo that Davalillo did here, being REMOVED from that business.
Even before 9/11 you would never have gotten away with that kind of arrogant, boorish behavior with an airline.
But if that does not satisfy you, change the analogy to WAL-MART or MCDONALDS or DISNEY WORLD and imagine the same rude, obnoxious behavior occurring and see how long you are allowed to remain EVEN IF YOU ARE RICH!
This is one reason i never cared for Dav too much. having enough disposable income to simply go out and buy a complete set isnt an accomplishment. searching for cards, wheeling and dealing, trying to balance your card money with other priorities, etc is what makes completing a set such an accomplishment. forking over a blank check means you're rich, not that you're a set builder.
I fully agree! To me, he is more of a card accumulator than a card collector. His apparent sole purpose is to accumulate 100 sets in PSA 8 (which I predict will never happen).....buying cards by the truckload to register them in bulk. Sounds like a numbers-driven goal more than the "love of the game" qualities that almost everyone else here possesses, whatever their sports interests. He thought that his fast-growing card empire entitled him to spread rumors, make accusations and act like he was more important than all of the other PSA customers combined. Well, he was wrong, and I am rejoicing that Joe has tossed Davalillo out of the game!
I admire the guys who collect with love and passion and appreciate getting one card at a time. Yet I can also admire a guy like Marshall Fogel, for it is obvious that he has the passion. Despite his vast collection and deep pockets, he is definitely not a mere accumulator! I wish we would hear from him a bit more often here.
just speaking personally, im damn proud of my Jacques Plante Master set, which is #1 on the registry with almost 40% completion. ive poured around $1200 in to it, through trading and saving up for ebay purchases. much more proud than if i were rich and could just buy those cards at will.
and by the end of the year, i WILL be at 65% so i can get one of those cool registry certificates.
im not just talking smack about Davalillo either, i have a lot of respect that he was successful enough in his business ventures that he could make enough to afford his vast collection.
the only type of people who i dont tolerate whatsoever are people like Paris Hilton, who hasnt done a damn thing for her money. wow, daddy is a billionaire and can buy you whatever you want. definitely something to be proud of. she can kiss my middle class arse for all i care.
I just read the thread over "there". Its basically the same 3 or 4 guys complaning about PSA or Joe in particular. I dont know what the "other" 2 guys did to get banned or what there problem is with PSA but there is a clear hatred there. I really havent followed the threads all too closely but some people need to realize that the Registry although supported by "us" collectors, is the property of PSA.
<< <i>Didn't he frequently submit directly to PSA at the Fort Washington show? Does that not count? >>
He may have. But that certainly seems out of character for Jim. If he submitted directly at the Fort he would pay full price. GOD knows he would never do that.
There is a fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"
<< <i>... Davalillo did here, being REMOVED from that business. ...
- BigKidAtHeart
Does this mean he can not submit cards anymore? Were his PSA Registry Sets removed? Does this mean he can not deal with PSA in any capacity?????
Do you really think PSA will refuse his future business????? I wonder? Or, should they just ban him from the forum and accept his money? >>
Sixdart, go back and reread the WHOLE paragraph that you selectively grabbed that quote from (out of context) and you will see that you are completely off base with you assumption.
I never said that Dav was removed from PSA (although he clearly was removed from these PSA boards! )
the only type of people who i dont tolerate whatsoever are people like Paris Hilton, who hasnt done a damn thing for her money. wow, daddy is a billionaire and can buy you whatever you want. definitely something to be proud of. she can kiss my middle class arse for all i care. >>
It would cost Dav $ 100, 000 to convert his million dollar collection, into a 3/4 million dollar collection by converting it to SGC or GAI, and then $ 100,000 more to convert it back to PSA, if he or his heirs ever need to sell.
Not that there's anything wrong with SGC or GAI, just seems like someone like Dav would want to be associated with # 1.
He has his choice of being a large fish in a large pond with PSA, or being a whale in a fish bowl with whomever ...
First, I think thebobs should be working in Vegas as his morning line of +/- 125.5 posts was almost right on.
Second, I am a middle-class, small-time collector whose entire collection consists of a PSA 8(oc) 1955 Topps Clemente, (4) Topps 1961 PSA 7 and 8 World Series cards, and a complete graded (8.01) 1956 Topps baseball set (comprised mostly of submissions from my raw childhood collection) which is #7 on the current registry -- just behind Jim (Dav).
Third, I chose PSA at the time only after (1.) listening to fellow collectors (which included internet chat boards like this one) and established dealers (at shows), (2.) talking to representatives from PSA, SGC, and Beckett (just started BVG grading), (3.) looking at the service and product of those companies, and (4.) deciding which was best way (including keeping my NM/MT set raw) to best secure my collection/set financially.
Lastly, though my posts may not carry the same clout as the Merkels, Fogels, Bakers, Roccis, and Davalillos of the industry, I try to contribute what I can and welcome debate and opinion, especially educated ones. I think this chatboard is a vital tool, not only for the beginning collector, but for the seasoned one as well. I agree with those who do not want censorship (with noted exceptions of vulgarity, etc.) no matter how loud , obnoxious, arrogant, self-absorbed, or wealthy the voice. And I agree with Rob (Buckwheat) in keeping this forum on track with knowledge about the card-collecting hobby which we all came here for in the first place.
Comments
Maybe I'll get booted for this but I think that Joe is using very poor judgement. Two years ago these boards just multiplied the excitement in card collecting and now they seem to becoming a drain on it. I miss guys like Zardoz posting - Alcowa and Dude rarely post anymore.
I hope that Joe will reconsider. Overall Jim was a real assett to these boards.
Wayne
I'm sure we'll hear from someone at PSA on Monday. Maybe Joe himself.
Jim was also squarely a PSA guy. His only intent was to point out what he felt were the problems at PSA in the hopes that some one would try and fix them, hence making PSA a better company. I will not deny thqt at times he did have a bull in the china shop way of doing it and in some of his posts came across as arrogant. It is my belief his intentions were always honorable. He is not an arrogant self-absorbed wealthy person just saying look at me and my great colection to sum up some of the Jim bashers out there. I will almost guarantee few if any have ever met Jim in person and none have spent any time with him.He really is a down to earth guy who has worked very hard to achieve a certain position in life and truly loves sports card collecting. Because of his wealth (and an extremely understanding wife) and his passion he has been able to amass an amazing collection.
That being said I do not know why JIm and Joe have had such problems. I have dealt with Joe on the phone several times and he has always been ready and willing to answer my questions or concerns. I might not have agreed with his stance or his decision but I always was able to express my opinion. Perhaps it was just to very comitted pasionate personalities eaching believing they were right.I have never heard nor asked for Joe's side of the story so I really can not answer that.
Banning a collector from these boards for other than the obvious reasons racial/ethnic slurs,vulgarity etc... Is not a step that should be taken litely ...regardless of the size of the collection. I would urge
Joe and JIm to try and work out their differences rather than continuing down the current path. If they do not they both lose ..... pure and simple.
Jeff
I don't like seeing anyone booted or censored. I think everyone has something to lend to these boards whether postive or negative. It comes down to how people say what they mean. I hope Joe and Dav can reconcile their differences over time and Dav can participate again.
If you feel that he actually contributed to the boards, please post a link to these great contributions that I cant seem to find. Theres a silent majority out there that are glad hes kaput. Hopefully, what comes around goes around in his case.
Davalillo backers that are screaming
"Freedom of Speech!"
Go buy a ticket for a trip on a major Airline
(Delta, American, etc) and then do several things
in order to exercise your FREEDOM OF SPEECH
about THEIR company!
1) when they ask if you packed your own bag,
say "That is none of your damn business! I am one of
your biggest customer so you need not worry about that!
2) when they ask if anyone has had access to your bag,
say I don't think so, but then again I have so many
employees that work for me... how should I know?"
3) when security says to empty your pockets,
say "I do not really think that what you are doing is
the BEST way to actually CATCH anyone that REALLY
wants to get a bomb onboard one of your woefully
unsecured planes!"
4) when you are getting on the plane and the person
takes you ticket, say "I am so surprised that this plane
is actually going to fly today! I have a "VERY RELIABLE SOURCE"
that tells me that this company is doing security ALL WRONG
and is ignoring all the important areas where Terrorists
could EASILY Infiltrate and attack!"
5) then when you take your seat on the plane, turn to the
people around you and in a very loud voice say,
"I hear that this airline SUCKS at screening baggage
and that a Person I KNOW OF that works for them
recently told me that THEY ARE CONSIDERING doing
half-point checks on the bags in order to save
money! THAT IS WHAT I HEARD AND I THINK IT IS
TERRIBLE for any company to Treat it's customers that way!
6) and last, as they are carting you off in handcuffs
to the nearest prison, say
"I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THE PRESIDENT OF THIS AIRLINE HAS NOT
ONCE REFUTED MY CLAIMS!! THEY MUST BE TRUE!!
SEE HOW SMART AND IMPORTANT I AM!!!!!!!!
Is this example really very far fetched?
I say, at least Joe has not sued Jim for slander or libel.
(yet)
<< <i>With all due respect Fabfrank, that's pure baloney. He treated quite a few board members rudely. One particular post comes to mind where everyone was congratulating another member on finishing a Kelloggs set and davalillo just had to pipe in to tell the guy that his accomplishment was no big deal and that he could place a phone call and have acquired the set in a heartbeat.. >>
this is one reason i never cared for Dav too much. having enough disposable income to simply go out and buy a complete set isnt an accomplishment. searching for cards, wheeling and dealing, trying to balance your card money with other priorities, etc is what makes completing a set such an accomplishment. forking over a blank check means you're rich, not that you're a set builder.
same reason it bothers the hell out of me to see rappers on MTV Cribs showing off their Mercedes SL 500's. wow, theyre rich, and they can afford any car they want. big deal. i have a lot more respect for the office worker who saved up for 5 years to finally afford one.
If you don't like Dav, that's fine. We don't all have to agree. But when I see other board members rip someone else personally, spew venom and jealousy, it just diminishes this board. There are lots of guys I don't like on this board (you're not one of them
Just think if every major company had their own message board and used it as a means of formulating policy and determining changes to their business model. Ridiculous, isn't it.
... do we get banned for bashing/criticizing/challenging/questioning PRO and others on PSA boards?
...free speech leads to transparancy of corporate activities.
... there should be a board where all the banned people can go
... free speech allowed me to find out on the PSA boards that card doctors exist and who they might be
... there are unsavory characters in the hobby at EVERY level
... what are the minimum qualifications of graders; is there a professional ass'n that proclaims ethics for graders; why "graders" instead of "appraisers"; why isn't grading standardized
<< <i>... there should be a board where all the banned people can go >>
Here ya go......http://www.sgccard.com/
<< <i>BKAH- You make a strong analogy, but come on. You're comparing national security issues to collecting cards. >>
no, I was comparing any customer of a company,
that spent all their time IN that company
spewing the type of lie/rumor/innuendo that
Davalillo did here, being REMOVED from that
business.
Even before 9/11 you would never have gotten away
with that kind of arrogant, boorish behavior with
an airline.
But if that does not satisfy you, change the analogy
to WAL-MART or MCDONALDS or DISNEY WORLD
and imagine the same rude, obnoxious behavior
occurring and see how long you are allowed to remain
EVEN IF YOU ARE RICH!
THAT was the point of the analogy.
~jeff
- BigKidAtHeart
Does this mean he can not submit cards anymore? Were his PSA Registry Sets removed? Does this mean he can not deal with PSA in any capacity?????
Do you really think PSA will refuse his future business????? I wonder? Or, should they just ban him from the forum and accept his money?
This is one reason i never cared for Dav too much. having enough disposable income to simply go out and buy a complete set isnt an accomplishment. searching for cards, wheeling and dealing, trying to balance your card money with other priorities, etc is what makes completing a set such an accomplishment. forking over a blank check means you're rich, not that you're a set builder.
I fully agree! To me, he is more of a card accumulator than a card collector. His apparent sole purpose is to accumulate 100 sets in PSA 8 (which I predict will never happen).....buying cards by the truckload to register them in bulk. Sounds like a numbers-driven goal more than the "love of the game" qualities that almost everyone else here possesses, whatever their sports interests. He thought that his fast-growing card empire entitled him to spread rumors, make accusations and act like he was more important than all of the other PSA customers combined. Well, he was wrong, and I am rejoicing that Joe has tossed Davalillo out of the game!
I admire the guys who collect with love and passion and appreciate getting one card at a time. Yet I can also admire a guy like Marshall Fogel, for it is obvious that he has the passion. Despite his vast collection and deep pockets, he is definitely not a mere accumulator! I wish we would hear from him a bit more often here.
Skycap
just speaking personally, im damn proud of my Jacques Plante Master set, which is #1 on the registry with almost 40% completion. ive poured around $1200 in to it, through trading and saving up for ebay purchases. much more proud than if i were rich and could just buy those cards at will.
and by the end of the year, i WILL be at 65% so i can get one of those cool registry certificates.
im not just talking smack about Davalillo either, i have a lot of respect that he was successful enough in his business ventures that he could make enough to afford his vast collection.
the only type of people who i dont tolerate whatsoever are people like Paris Hilton, who hasnt done a damn thing for her money. wow, daddy is a billionaire and can buy you whatever you want. definitely something to be proud of. she can kiss my middle class arse for all i care.
<< <i>Does this mean he can not submit cards anymore? Were his PSA Registry Sets removed? Does this mean he can not deal with PSA in any capacity?????
Do you really think PSA will refuse his future business????? I wonder? Or, should they just ban him from the forum and accept his money? >>
Jim is not a PSA member. He refused to pay the fee. He submits through dealers.
His sets were not removed and I doubt Joe would do that. Afterall, he can't speak when registering cards can he?
<< <i>Didn't he frequently submit directly to PSA at the Fort Washington show? Does that not count? >>
He may have. But that certainly seems out of character for Jim. If he submitted directly at the Fort he would pay full price. GOD knows he would never do that.
<< <i>... Davalillo did here, being REMOVED from that business. ...
- BigKidAtHeart
Does this mean he can not submit cards anymore? Were his PSA Registry Sets removed? Does this mean he can not deal with PSA in any capacity?????
Do you really think PSA will refuse his future business????? I wonder? Or, should they just ban him from the forum and accept his money? >>
Sixdart,
go back and reread the WHOLE paragraph that
you selectively grabbed that quote
from (out of context)
and you will see that you are
completely off base with you assumption.
I never said that Dav was removed from PSA
(although he clearly was removed from these
PSA boards! )
go on.
REread it.
carefully.
~jeff
<< <i>thanks skycap.
the only type of people who i dont tolerate whatsoever are people like Paris Hilton, who hasnt done a damn thing for her money. wow, daddy is a billionaire and can buy you whatever you want. definitely something to be proud of. she can kiss my middle class arse for all i care. >>
She can kiss me anywhere she pleases!
Nick
Reap the whirlwind.
Need to buy something for the wife or girlfriend? Check out Vintage Designer Clothing.
It would cost Dav $ 100, 000 to convert his million dollar collection,
into a 3/4 million dollar collection by converting it to SGC or GAI,
and then $ 100,000 more to convert it back to PSA, if he or his heirs ever need to sell.
Not that there's anything wrong with SGC or GAI,
just seems like someone like Dav would want to be associated with # 1.
He has his choice of being a large fish in a large pond with PSA, or being a whale in a fish bowl with whomever ...
"How about a little fire Scarecrow ?"
Second, I am a middle-class, small-time collector whose entire collection consists of a PSA 8(oc) 1955 Topps Clemente, (4) Topps 1961 PSA 7 and 8 World Series cards, and a complete graded (8.01) 1956 Topps baseball set (comprised mostly of submissions from my raw childhood collection) which is #7 on the current registry -- just behind Jim (Dav).
Third, I chose PSA at the time only after (1.) listening to fellow collectors (which included internet chat boards like this one) and established dealers (at shows), (2.) talking to representatives from PSA, SGC, and Beckett (just started BVG grading), (3.) looking at the service and product of those companies, and (4.) deciding which was best way (including keeping my NM/MT set raw) to best secure my collection/set financially.
Lastly, though my posts may not carry the same clout as the Merkels, Fogels, Bakers, Roccis, and Davalillos of the industry, I try to contribute what I can and welcome debate and opinion, especially educated ones. I think this chatboard is a vital tool, not only for the beginning collector, but for the seasoned one as well. I agree with those who do not want censorship (with noted exceptions of vulgarity, etc.) no matter how loud , obnoxious, arrogant, self-absorbed, or wealthy the voice. And I agree with Rob (Buckwheat) in keeping this forum on track with knowledge about the card-collecting hobby which we all came here for in the first place.
Jim