An open letter of apology to my fellow PSA registry members

NeilDowney

Hi Guys, In the past few days it has been made apparent to me by a couple of my trusted PSA member friends that I have not given the registry boards and it’s members the respect that they deserve. I don’t believe that I have with ill will or malice, used these boards for my personal gain. However, in reviewing some of my past threads, it would appear to anyone following them that I have. To my dismay, the threads show that I have in fact focused more on my own set collecting goals and have blown my own horn way too often.
I know the true nature of these boards is to bring collectors together in a common forum to share with each other our interests and dreams. Many of you have shared with me kind words and deeds that have been honorable. I hold dear to me the thought that I have never tried to cheat anyone of you in a deal. However, I most likely didn’t openly share with you the same excitement and respect for your sets as you have shown to me for mine.
When I decided to break-up my 1972 Topps set, I was in a panic to get the highest prices for my cards so that I would lose the least amount of money that I had invested in the set. I only have a few cards left and I have been able to sell the set for about 95% of what I had into it. I consider this a great feat in today’s PSA 8 1972 Topps market. What I didn’t consider was the lost of friends and good will that I had made in the process of collecting the set itself. I still have some close friends left that were able to see past the “dealer” side of me and see that there still beats in me a young, excited, kid like heart.
As many of you know, I started to collect the very colorful 1955 Topps and 1956 Topps sets. I started these sets hoping for a kind of new start as a collector and as a PSA co-member. Just like the set itself, both are a work in progress. I’m still not sure how active I will be in the future on the boards. But what I am sure of is how much I am in awe of the incredible sets, baseball knowledge and history that this registry and it’s members bring to life everyday.
In closing, I’d like to say I’m sorry for sometimes acting like a heel and not telling all of you how thankful I am for you allowing me to take a few moments of your time and allowing me to be part of this PSA registry family. A special thanks goes out to the people that had the guts to tell me to piss off when I was wrong and also to the people that stuck with me as friends in spite of me being wrong. Neil (Neil B. Downey and Sons Collections)

NickM

Nothing to apologize for. You broke up a high-rated registry set from a widely collected year, and then you built another registry set with aggressive buying.
I'm sure not going to complain that your posts were on the Set Registry board rather than the Vintage Trading board, and if you came across like Crazy Eddie, so what. None of us would participate in things like this if we didn't have egos and desire recognition for our accomplishments.

Nick

LJB17

That sounded amazingly heartfelt. I have had the very recent pleasure of making a trade with Neil along with a very interesting phone conversation. I have met and transacted with a few of you in the past and I am truly in awe of the sets that have been put together. I look forward to reading this forum most of the time and learn almost daily. The photos and stories that are shared are priceless to me and even though I do not do them justice, I often find myself relaying them on to others.

I will step up and forgive Neil for his selfish acts, and I ask others to do the same.

Luke


Edited to make sure it is clear that I was being sarcastic about offering forgiveness. There is obviously no need for it.

Stump

Neil

Truley heartfelt. Although I never felt you dissed me your thoughts are form the heart. Thanks for being a better man than most.

Dave

BugOnTheRug

Neil,
Don't be too hard on yourself. I've dealt with you a few times in the past and everythings been fine. I guess there's other issues I'm not aware of, but thanks anyway for the note. You seem like a 'good-ole-boy' to me............
BOTR

1420sports

As Fred Willard's character said in "The Mighty Wind" ...

WHA-HAPPENED?

magellan

I'm really not sure what the background for that post is either but it sounds like it comes from a very sincere and well meaning person who maybe is feeling a bit of guilt for some of his actions that perhaps were hardly noticed by others. Who among us is not greedy or selfish at times? Great post Neil, I wish you well.

Dave

Vargha

Neil -- Screw the naysayers. You're welcome here anytime. Heck, they even let me post here (for now).

Putty

Neil, I have dealt with you on your 56 set, I also met you not to far back at the Ft Washington show. You have done nothing or said nothing, that I am aware of, that merits an apology. When I met you, you seemed to me just like the rest of us, a child trapped in a mans body, obsessed with a great hobby. Like Vargha said, screw the naysayers, come and play on the boards anytime.

Fabfrank

Neil- You're always welcome on these boards. Good luck on your sets and feel free to post without regret.

Basilone

I have no idea about what is going on either...but I hope to meet you in Cleveland this year.

Hang in there,

NeilDowney

Hi Guys, For most of you this post is a bit of a puzzle. I suppose that the more of you that don't know what I am talking about, the better. I really have tried very hard to have fair and honest deals with everyone. Hopfully all of us always left the bargaining table with a smile. This post is really directed at those people that I might have had some bad dealings with or ones that I have foolishly valued an extra dollar over their friendship. I pray that there aren't many, but they are out there. Also, the reason that I have aired my dirty laundry out on the boards is because I may have used this forum excessively for selfish reasons (to promote myself or my sets). We all do much the same things from time to time. I just wasn't that happy with the fact that it became a habit. We should all feel free the post threads on what interests us. I just went a bit overboard. I hope that this explains this thread a little better. Neil

Vargha

Here's the deal: If people don't like my selling price and we can't come to an agreement, then it's no big deal. If I don't like people's selling prices and we can't come to an agreement, then it's no big deal. If it's a big deal to them, that's their problem. If they feel they paid too much, that's their problem. If they feel I'm not willing to pay enough, that's their problem. All we're doing is exchanging green paper for pieces of cardboard. Some people just need to stop being so freakin' sensitive about everything.

highend

neil- i found your initial post on this thread puzzling... to say the least. my dealings with you have nothing but POSITIVE. without YOU i couldn't have made that trade with FB and after that you sold me a bunch of 72's at a reasonable price. IMO your just like the next guy trying to put a set together, utilizing these boards to achieve a goal isn't selfish. NOT doing so seems a little foolish.

take it easy, it takes a big man to cop to his faults , but i suspect you are being WAY too hard on yourself. for what it's worth, i 've very happy to deal with you on EBAY and on these boards . now go get those 55's and 56's!!................jim

theBobs

<< <i> Some people just need to stop being so freakin' sensitive about everything. >>

This statement makes me uncomfortable.

Tipem

theBobs,

That's just cuz you are a sensitive guy.




Vic

Wayne8348

<< <i><< Some people just need to stop being so freakin' sensitive about everything. >> >>




I bet they are talking about me...


Wayne

BugOnTheRug

Neil,

If you feel the punishment should fit the crime, here are 3 potential choices with which you could serve your sentence:

1) Arrange and defeat David Letterman in an Amish rake-fighting contest.
2) Securely tape a 1950's graded card to the antenna of your car and drive around for a week.
3) At the next Fort Wash show, sit down with a cool, refreshing beverage of your choice and have a 15 minute conversation with a Mr. Mint bobble-head.

Best of Luck, Bill

CW

Neil, the only thing you've done that warrants an apology is use
that disgusting Notre Dame logo in your icon. Please change it
to a University of Michigan logo and I'll forgive you.

Go Blue!

Vargha

<< << Some people just need to stop being so freakin' sensitive about everything. >> >>




I bet they are talking about me...


Wayne

I certainly am. So stop it, Vic!!

Robby

I'm really not sure what the background for that post is either but it sounds like it comes from a very sincere and well meaning person who maybe is feeling a bit of guilt for some of his actions that perhaps were hardly noticed by others. Who among us is not greedy or selfish at times? Great post Neil, I wish you well.

Dave..............................................Well said Dave ! Neil , quit worrying and enjoy your collection ! ..................Dave " Robby" Robinson

Howitallbegan

Here is the background Neil is alluding to. I have read these boards a long time before registering . When i first starting reading them the talk was all about the 72 set and the fab 5 (Neil being a member). So knowing the background of Neil from this era we all know he is a valuable board member and great guy.

His last 20 posts on this board havent been about registry topics but more or less buy or sell posts concerning his cards. Neil normally has great contributions but those post have been non-existant

Hence the tip from a fellow collector. The old Neil is back

Welcome back Neil

NeilDowney

Thanks Howitallbegan, You put that quite nicely. The title of "fab five" is a title of great pride and honor to me. I'd like to once again deserving it. Neil

Tipem

Vargha,

OOPS!!!!!!!


I forgot about Wayne



Vic


And Vargha,

You don't have to be so mean

Vargha

Vic -- I considered making an open letter of apology to you, but I'm pretty miffed about a Express Mail that is taking its time to get to me and I've decided to use you as my symbolic scapegoat instead.

Vargha

Holy crap! I mixed up who posted what, didn't I? Oh well, Vic is an easy target, so I'll just focus my wrath on him for now.


Actual picture of Vic discussing his card collection.

Tipem

David,

Let me know when you want your package.I am having all registry posters packages sent through me (ala Qualitycards experiment).


Oh Yea, And I got your symbol


Vic

marz

<< <i><< << Some people just need to stop being so freakin' sensitive about everything. >> >>




I bet they are talking about me...


Wayne

I certainly am. So stop it, Vic!! >>



This Lion a comin scared my daughter! LOL~

EOMINT

What fun would life be if you couldnt toot your own horn once in a while?

EO

KING KELLOGG

Hey Neil...

No problem here... You helped me get a few steps closer to '72 rapture...


I've always had "good deals" with you..


Hope to see 'ya at the National.



Best

Larry

1967topps

You're a customer and lucky to have a forum to discuss something we are all customers of.
You should be able to express your opinions even if negative, especially if the business we
support take our complaints and accept them as constructive criticism.