HEADS UP!! SELL YOUR PAT TILLMAN CARDS NOW!!

joelwalter · April 23, 2004 2:35AM

They're bringing in over 50 bucks a piece on ebay and most people probably have them thrown in their common boxes.

dbj77 · April 23, 2004 2:42AM

That's pathetic, cashing in on someone's death like that......

joelwalter · April 23, 2004 2:43AM

Sorry for the post, didn't realize this guy died overseas. I can't believe people would be willing to fork over that much money for his cards.

KallMaloneSay · April 23, 2004 3:54AM

I personally have no problem with people listing them now. On one hand people think it's disrespectful for someone to list them now, but is it then honorable for someone to be willing to pay more for them right now to honor what this guy has done as a human being? I don't have any Tillman's that I know of, but I don't think it would be terrible to list them if I did.

Would it also be disrespectful of Beckett to put him on their next cover to sell more copies?

Is it disrespectful for the media to put him in the headlines now to get you tuned in?

I don't think any of these things is wrong, you could look at it from many angles, and if you feel that it's wrong for people to sell their Tillman's right away then just don't sell yours or don't bid. That simple.

Selling OJ cards a few years ago might be a little bit of a different story, since he was the one committing the horrific act. So in the same way point the finger at those selling George W. Bush or Dick Cheaney items since they are the ones that killed Pat Tillman with their greed. In a way it's honoring Tillman's memory that people would be willing to pay $50 for a card that is booking at $1, I'm sure the buyers want the card for their personal collection and have not intentions of reselling (or at least making an additional profit). Just the way I see it, obviously many disagree.
Jason

pandrews · April 23, 2004 4:30AM

the people that are "cashing in" are starting their auctions at 99 cents.. (hardly "Cashing In").. The bidders that are bidding are causing the prices to go up. The prices are going up because people realize this guy is the epitome of an American Hero..

dbj77 · April 23, 2004 4:37AM

so why didn't they post his cards when he quit football and join the rangers, he was just as much a hero then as he is dead.

I understand what you guys are saying, and most people probably want him in their collection out of respect, it's just we all know others are cashing in on this. Like when the last space shuttle exploded, suddenly everyone and their brother was putting NASA stuff on ebay trying to milk it for everything it was worth.

pandrews · April 23, 2004 4:48AM

<< <i>so why didn't they post his cards when he quit football and join the rangers, he was just as much a hero then as he is dead.

I understand what you guys are saying, and most people probably want him in their collection out of respect, it's just we all know others are cashing in on this. Like when the last space shuttle exploded, suddenly everyone and their brother was putting NASA stuff on ebay trying to milk it for everything it was worth. >>

some people did post on ebay after he joined the Rangers..

TheRoach · April 23, 2004 5:00AM

Call it what you want, but I would LOVE to own about 10 of his 2001 Fleer Glossy rookies or 10 of the 2001 UpperDeck F/X rookies. I would have them on Ebay in a second. I would start them at .99 cents also and let the people decide what they are worth to them.

There is a Fleer Glossy that is at about $255 last I looked. Tons of bids, so this might have been one of the first listed after the news. The card books for about .25 as a common I'm sure.

There isn't a single card ending in the next day that isn't at least over $20 right now. Most are closer to $50. A freakin' 2001 UpperDeck MVP going for $20????

The guy is a hero by all means, but I would cash in. Any card is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it, right?

TheRoach

AlanAllen · April 23, 2004 5:03AM

This is a free market and it's up to each individual to decide what he wants to buy or sell, and when. I personally will not participate in auctions like this either from the selling or buying side because I think it's morbid and disrespectful. But hey, some people have his cards, other people want his cards, money changes hands... that's America folks.

On the other hand, I did not have any problem selling all of my Jesse Ventura wrestling cards on the night he was elected governor.

Joe

dbj77 · April 23, 2004 5:03AM

TheRoach,
I appreciate your honesty all though I don't agree with you.

Someone tell me how a one day auction isn't trying to cash in on this.......??

1420sports · April 23, 2004 5:12AM

Sorry, but I do not see anything wrong about this. It is not insulting, or in bad taste. There is obviously a sudden market demand and if I had a few, I would sell them in a heartbeat.

dbj77 · April 23, 2004 5:15AM

Ok the, I guess I'll shut my hole about it. I guess I'm in the minority about it, but I don't feel right about cashing in on a guys death and then using the cop out of "the market" to justify it. Just because most Americans do it doesn't make it right.

1420sports · April 23, 2004 5:38AM

dbj77 - I personally do not think your stance is wrong, that is your preference. I also do not think sellers looking to make money are wrong either.

Tillman is an American Hero right now, and he will always be remembered as such. People want his cards NOW, so why not sell them NOW?

Clementefan · April 23, 2004 5:45AM

I think that alot of people will be disappointed because most of the bidders have no feedback and more than likely will not pay after auctin ends. That said, I am appauled that someone would try to profit from a soldiers death. I have been in the Army for 22 years and am proud to have served for our country and also am proud to say that you don't have daily terrorist bombings in our country because of individuals like SGT Tillman. If there is any money made on any of these auctions please give to the families of the soldiers killed and state it in your auctions. If I could get a million dollars for one of his cards I would not take it. Maybe if some of you knew what sacrifice we make for you and some the ultimate sacrifice just so you can enjoy and take for granite what other people in the world don't have, you would have a different attitude. How many of you have actually faced death on a daily basis and to top it off we are protecting people that we have never met...YOU!!! Think about it!

Think about his family!!

SFC Plummer

pandrews · April 23, 2004 6:17AM

Futureman · April 23, 2004 6:58AM

I think it is shady, and I personally think it's unethical. Ebay didn't allow people to run auctions of WTC memorabilia right after the attacks. It made me sick to think that while our country was under attack there were people that decided to try to make a buck.

Here are some scenarios that I think it's wrong to profit from, which people listed during anyway: the current situation with Tillman, the WTC attack, and the Columbia disaster.

If I had any Tillman cards I would list them as a charity auction. Take all that money people are going to spend and give to some type of veteran's association rather than line my pockets.

DirtyHarry · April 23, 2004 7:27AM

I agree, in part, to just about every post here. We are seeing the by-product of our capitalistic society.

To the point made by the honorable SFC Plummer....I think this would be an ideal time for some of the major corporate entities in this hobby to step up and do something to "give back" to Mr Tillman's family. Just like individual collector's who are seizing a business opportunity today, you can be sure that the corporate giants in the hobby are going to end up somehow with some ruboff benefit and profits. No better time than now to exhibit some corporate responsibility.

Knlsportsandmore · April 23, 2004 7:47AM

Looks like most of your high bidders are vigilanties trying to inflate the prices so no one will get screwed.. Although I agree it is a free market, it comes down to a personal issue as to if you take advantage or not

AdamLee · April 23, 2004 7:58AM

You know in alot of ways Tillman died so things like this little conversation on this MB can take place. Although some may disagree there is simply no right or wrong answer as to if it is the right thing to do to cash in on selling his cards. Each of us have the right to make up our own opinions on that matter and do what we feel is right or wrong in this situation. I for one do not feel it would be the "right" thing to do if I had any of his cards to sell, so simply put I wouldnt. How ever I am not going to shake my finger at anyone who feels differently, if asked I may tell you I disagree but thats about it.

Tillman and countless others throught our countrys' history has died so we have that very right to not only freely act or not act on such things, but to be able to freely discuss it also. To some a very insignificant freedom that is taken for granted and a daily basis. To others, such as Tillman it was worth defending and dying for.

IMO that is the bigger issue to rememeber right now, not who is right or wrong about selling some sports cards. Despite all of our differences we are all family united under the Flag of the United States of America with God given rights, that have been defended with human blood and that is to often forgotten.

Sorry if I sound like I am trying to come off all righteous or something , but thats how I see it, and I for one was very moved by Tillmans sacrifice. Although his death is in no way more tragic then any other American death during war time, his how ever realy struck a nerve with me and made it alittle more personal this time. And thats good, we are in trouble IMO once war/death becomes informal and unreal.

DeutscherGeist · April 23, 2004 5:13PM

DBJ77,

You may feel you are in the minority on this one, but I for one, do agree with you. Its simply bad taste to take advantage of Tillman's death for the goal of profit. It would be a different story if the proceeds for the card sales went to the family, though.
This is all a function of capitalism and the market economy. Ok, but we must not forget our humanity. No doubt Tillman's death presents a lucrative opportunity to make money, but that does not mean it is the most altruistic, conscionable, or righteous thing to do. Take this analogy: Drug companies in the USA want to make lots of profit and sometimes it comes at the expense of humanity as the elderly cannot always afford what they need, or they influence the FDA into delaying or halting or hiding approval of alternative treatments that are just as effective but not profitable because they are natural and easy to produce.
Just because corporations can get away with certain things and are legal, that does not mean it is right. Cheating on your spouse is no longer a crime and you cannot get charged or sued for it, but is it morally right? You get the picture.

I guess people will do what they want. Ok, go ahead. Call it freedom, call it your right, call it capitalism. If masking it that way relieves your conscience, then I have nothing more to say....

ranch · April 23, 2004 5:46PM

This ebayer is very angry.

habs71 · April 23, 2004 6:00PM

GREED..pure and simple! Pat Tillman did not live a lavish lifestyle..one of his former teammates said that if you saw him, you'd think he was homeless..didn't flaunt his $$. Then he turns his back on millions to serve his country,not behind a desk somewhere, but as a Ranger on the front lines. How many of you would do that?? Not many I would hazard to guess..it's easier to sit back and say that Tillman, and others, died so you would have the freedom to do what you're doing. What a cop out!! Freedom has a price..Pat Tillman paid the ultimate price! People that want to make a fast buck of of his death are not fit to carry his canteen!!

That said,to the members of the board who have served in the military, or are serving now..thank you!

And yes, I did serve and damn proud of it!

Skip

Dhjacks · April 24, 2004 1:16AM

Karlmalonesay, I can't believe you really stated the following.

"So in the same way point the finger at those selling George W. Bush or Dick Cheaney items since they are the ones that killed Pat Tillman with their greed."

An Al-Qaida leader recently quoted,
"There is no doubt that the demise of America and its collapse will lead to the collapse of these fragile regimes that depend on it. … We will not stop until we establish the Islamic caliphate and until Allah's law is implemented in his land."

You really think if we weren't so 'greedy', that they'd allow us to live?

Stone193 · April 24, 2004 1:25AM

<< <i>And yes, I did serve and damn proud of it! >>

Habs
As a former 11Bush, among other MOS's (jobs) in the Army I echo those sentiments - I am very proud of my recently completed 20 years in the military and ask nothing but the pension I receive. Thanx for the kind words.
Mike

PS: for those who don't know the insignia with stone193 is the 10th Mountain Division at Ft. Drum, NY where I was assigned before retiring.

MrRookie · April 24, 2004 3:04AM

Tillman's stuff is cooling off, you can now get a card for $25-$125, incredible drop from yesterday ($500-$50,000)

grilloj39 · April 24, 2004 8:04AM

Cashing in on Pat Tillman's death is revolting to me...Selling his cards on e-bay and then donating a portion of the profits to an non-profit organization (like the USO for example) would be the right thing to do in this case.

AdamLee · April 24, 2004 9:23AM

[ How many of you would do that?? Not many I would hazard to guess..it's easier to sit back and say that Tillman, and others, died so you would have the freedom to do what you're doing. What a cop out!! Freedom has a price..Pat Tillman paid the ultimate price! People that want to make a fast buck of of his death are not fit to carry his canteen!!

Skip >>

....Skip not sure if you were referring to my post when you typed that, looking back I think I was the only one to mention something along those lines. Anyways if so, I encourage you to reread my post again.

On another note, has there been any reports of anything being set up in memory of Tillman? This morning I am pretty sure I saw something about his number being retired by the Cards.

helionaut · April 25, 2004 10:43AM

While I personally don't sell or buy a player's cards or other memorabilia during times of tragedy (and I don't think anyone else should, either), I do recognize that this is a free country somewhat and it doesn't bother me overly. However, there are some very stupid people out there. Take this guy. He lists 2 25 cent cards for BINs of $5000 each. Should he have expected them to be fraudulently (I assume) popped? Of course. Does he deserve the feedback he got? Well, technically no, but I'm glad he got it.

HEADS UP!! SELL YOUR PAT TILLMAN CARDS NOW!!

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