Home Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum

Update - the guy (Brett Turcotte) who kept my 48 Leaf and 61 Fleer Bednarik cards wrote to me

13

Comments

  • Stone193Stone193 Posts: 24,490 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Greg

    I'm sorry to hear about this and hope this goes well.

    I'm with Steve aka Winp. on this - try to keep this guy from going nuts.

    First - I think contacted Mr Bednarik would be nice - and then take it from there.

    If the card is the same one and it goes up on ebay - ya might be able to contact ebay and tell them the card was stolen/missent - and see what happens.

    Consider going to your local police and see if they can contact the cops at his town to put some pressure on him?

    On the "possession" thing? I'm clueless.

    Good luck
    mike
    Mike
  • VitoCo1972VitoCo1972 Posts: 6,135 ✭✭✭
    I would disagree with the people that think you should involve Bednarik in this. The guy is in his mid 80's and he flubbed. I would HIGHLY doubt that he keeps a record of who writes to him - PLUS, if he sees there is a problem he may stop signing because he doesn't want to mess up. I would seriously doubt he'll be able to help you.


  • << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>lol Mike I agree, we should keep it civil, however the person ADMITTED to the crime.

    Steve >>



    I can't believe you agree.

    But, to clarify, a person admitted to the crime. Not necessarily the one we are looking for. >>



    Mike,

    The pig in your avatar is really freaking me out...

    Greg M.image >>



    Why would the pig in the avatar freak you out? I just like pigs. That's all. I've liked pigs all my life, ever since I was born. So, I found the pig avatar worthwhile for me.

    Seriously though, I wish you the best in getting your cards and whatever else (I'm not sure what else that you're supposed to get) back speedily. But this is not the time for vigilante justice by people here.

  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,864 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I agree with Mike here...contacting Bednarik with regard to all this would be a mistake, IMO...he obviously is as gracious as you can expect to even be signing all these autos at his age...he doesn't deserve to be involved in this mess on top of it, even if he did screw up...


    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.
  • gregm13gregm13 Posts: 5,798 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I would disagree with the people that think you should involve Bednarik in this. The guy is in his mid 80's and he flubbed. I would HIGHLY doubt that he keeps a record of who writes to him - PLUS, if he sees there is a problem he may stop signing because he doesn't want to mess up. I would seriously doubt he'll be able to help you. >>



    Well said. I'm not mad at CB - the guy is an absolute hero to me and a great guy to boot. Mistakes happen.

    Rgs,

    Greg M.
    Collecting vintage auto'd fb cards and Dan Marino cards!!

    References:
    Onlychild, Ahmanfan, fabfrank, wufdude, jradke, Reese, Jasp, thenavarro
    E-Bay id: greg_n_meg
  • storm888storm888 Posts: 11,701 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I would disagree with the people that think you should involve Bednarik in this. The guy is in his mid 80's and he flubbed. I would HIGHLY doubt that he keeps a record of who writes to him - PLUS, if he sees there is a problem he may stop signing because he doesn't want to mess up. I would seriously doubt he'll be able to help you. >>



    ////////////////////////////////

    Under NO circumstances should Bednarik be contacted.

    He can do nothing to solve the problem. And, it would very likely be upsetting to him.


    Folks Who Bite Get Bitten. Folks Who Don't Bite Get Eaten.
  • storm888storm888 Posts: 11,701 ✭✭✭
    Based on the info on the sportscollector.net board, it now
    appears likely that the emailer is genuine.

    His name, addy, phone number has been sent to the OP.

    ..........

    I would sue his sorry filthy carcass back to the stone age.


    Folks Who Bite Get Bitten. Folks Who Don't Bite Get Eaten.
  • BunchOBullBunchOBull Posts: 6,188 ✭✭✭
    That's a really nice program. I'm surprised it's as cheap as it is. That took a lot of work to compile everything like they did. I wonder how often they update their catalogues.
    Collector of most things Frank Thomas. www.BigHurtHOF.com
  • nightcrawlernightcrawler Posts: 5,110 ✭✭


    << <i>I would sue his sorry filthy carcass back to the stone age. >>





    And then pay someone to beat him up with the settlement.
  • storm888storm888 Posts: 11,701 ✭✭✭


    << <i>....On the "possession" thing? I'm clueless. Good luck mike >>



    ////////////////

    For interested folks.

    When I learned it, it was taught the same way as it is today.


    Possession is an element of force, NOT an element of law.

    If you look up "possession," you find that it has almost nothing
    at all to do with "ownership." The phrase is most relevant to
    a lawful owner of property deciding who can and cannot use
    it. The phrase does NOT operate well in matters of ownership
    disputes.

    The phrase does NOT mean that any person who holds any property is
    the lawful owner. It means that a person in possession of his own lawfully
    owned property, controls the property and can do with it as he chooses,
    regardless of the will of any other person.

    Arrogant punks who think they can bamboozle folks often quote the
    meaningless phrase to deter unsophisticated folks who contemplate
    civil actions for return of STOLEN property.


    spelling edit
    Folks Who Bite Get Bitten. Folks Who Don't Bite Get Eaten.


  • << <i>

    << <i>....On the "possession" thing? I'm clueless. Good luck mike >>



    ////////////////

    For interested folks.

    When I learned it, it was taught the same way as it is today.


    Possession is an element of force, NOT an element of law.

    If you look up "possession," you find that it has almost nothing
    at all to do with "ownership." The phrase is most relevant to
    a lawful owner of property deciding who can and cannot use
    it. The phrase does NOT operate well in matters of ownership
    disputes.

    The phrase does NOT mean that any person who holds any property is
    the lawful owner. It means that a person in possession of his own lawfully
    owned property, controls the property and can do with it as he chooses,
    regardless of the will of any other person.

    Arrogant punks who think they can bamboozle folks often quote the
    meaningless phrase to deter unsophistictaed folks who contemplate
    civil actions for return of STOLEN property. >>



    Of course. But you can't still have the lynch mob to get your items back.

  • Stone193Stone193 Posts: 24,490 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>I would disagree with the people that think you should involve Bednarik in this. The guy is in his mid 80's and he flubbed. I would HIGHLY doubt that he keeps a record of who writes to him - PLUS, if he sees there is a problem he may stop signing because he doesn't want to mess up. I would seriously doubt he'll be able to help you. >>



    Well said. I'm not mad at CB - the guy is an absolute hero to me and a great guy to boot. Mistakes happen.

    Rgs,

    Greg M. >>

    I agree with respect to any accusation or complaint which may appear insulting.

    But, it may be that he has someone helping him with the mail - and they may log in what is sent by each person to keep track. That would be good ammo if needed to help get the card back

    Just a thought.
    mike
    Mike
  • storm888storm888 Posts: 11,701 ✭✭✭


    << <i>That's a really nice program. I'm surprised it's as cheap as it is. That took a lot of work to compile everything like they did. I wonder how often they update their catalogues. >>



    /////////////////

    You can buy it for $20, if you do so the first day you load the trial version.

    You get any updates free for at least a year.
    Folks Who Bite Get Bitten. Folks Who Don't Bite Get Eaten.
  • storm888storm888 Posts: 11,701 ✭✭✭
    "Of course. But you can't still have the lynch mob to get your items back."

    ///////////////////

    That's why we have such EASY access to courts.

    No need for a mob, when the judge will do what needs to be done.
    Folks Who Bite Get Bitten. Folks Who Don't Bite Get Eaten.


  • << <i>"Of course. But you can't still have the lynch mob to get your items back."

    ///////////////////

    That's why we have such EASY access to courts.

    No need for a mob, when the judge will do what needs to be done. >>



    Yes. But I feel that some of us over here will try to harass this person, which will lead to even more problems.
  • storm888storm888 Posts: 11,701 ✭✭✭
    "But, it may be that he has someone helping him with the mail - and they may log in what is sent by each person to keep track. That would be good ammo if needed to help get the card back

    Just a thought.
    mike "

    ////////////////////////////

    I agree, but unless he DOES have somebody working for him - which I
    am not sure how we could find that out - he would be sad and upset to
    hear there was a problem.

    If he has a secretary that can be contacted, that would be fine. If she/he
    has a log, that would be good for a court case but it's not absolutely
    necessary.

    In court, the guy would be hung by the words he wrote in the emails.


    Folks Who Bite Get Bitten. Folks Who Don't Bite Get Eaten.
  • storm888storm888 Posts: 11,701 ✭✭✭
    "Yes. But I feel that some of us over here will try to harass this person, which will lead to even more problems. "

    //////////////////////

    I am not getting the same feeling.

    But, obviously, it is never good to harass somebody you want to file suit against.


    Folks Who Bite Get Bitten. Folks Who Don't Bite Get Eaten.
  • Out of curiosity, GregM13, did you contact Mr. Bednarik again? Maybe the cards are still with him and he never shipped them out?
  • nightcrawlernightcrawler Posts: 5,110 ✭✭


    << <i>Why would the pig in the avatar freak you out? >>





    You ain't freakin me out Little Piggy.

    image...image
  • pandrewspandrews Posts: 7,598 ✭✭✭
    there are 3 brett turcottes on myspace, but none from vermont..
    ·p_A·
  • EchoCanyonEchoCanyon Posts: 2,303 ✭✭✭


    << <i>there are 3 brett turcottes on myspace, but none from vermont.. >>



    Forget MySpace, check Facebook -- I found 7.
  • DrJDrJ Posts: 2,213
    It's been awhile since we had good drama on this board, but I see the hounds are back in full force. I will be sitting by watching this....

    image

  • UllrUllr Posts: 185 ✭✭✭
    Greg, crazy thread.
    I just happen to be in Burlington Mon-Fri.
    LMK if I can help.
    collecting '67 & '75 red sox + baseball HOF autographs


  • << <i>

    << <i>there are 3 brett turcottes on myspace, but none from vermont.. >>



    Forget MySpace, check Facebook -- I found 7. >>



    That's not his real name folks. No need to harass Brett Turcotte's from around the globe.
  • gregm13gregm13 Posts: 5,798 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Out of curiosity, GregM13, did you contact Mr. Bednarik again? Maybe the cards are still with him and he never shipped them out? >>



    I sent a letter to CB on Friday morning (right after I arrived at work) along with printed out scans of the cards asking if the cards were still in his possession. It wasn't until later in the morning that the other member posted that he received my cards with his index card.

    I simply asked CB whether my cards were inadvertantly set aside and somehow separated from the card and photo that I received. I wasn't accusatory and even included $5 to cover postage if he was able to locate the cards.

    We'll see how this train wreck plays out.

    Rgs,

    Greg M.
    Collecting vintage auto'd fb cards and Dan Marino cards!!

    References:
    Onlychild, Ahmanfan, fabfrank, wufdude, jradke, Reese, Jasp, thenavarro
    E-Bay id: greg_n_meg
  • WinPitcherWinPitcher Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭
    Greg

    That was perfect and exactly what i suggested you do.

    Steve
    Good for you.
  • MBMiller25MBMiller25 Posts: 6,056 ✭✭
    WOW, I have been out of the loop lately due to moving and some major work projects going on, but most importantly, I have just gotten sick and tired of all the stories of fraud and deceit that have found their way to these boards. I am really sorry to hear about your Bednarik cards, and hope somehow, some way, your able to get them back and this all works out for the best. I think I will go back into my hole now.
  • storm888storm888 Posts: 11,701 ✭✭✭
    The famous Turcotte has nothing to do with this controversy.


    ...............................

    I cannot get into the legal websites at this moment, but the general view
    in such controversies is approximately as follows:


    In United States v. HELMS No. 96-1167 Crim. App. No. 31250 the appeals court issued this opinion:

    "The mistaken delivery of property to an individual who realizes the

    mistake and simultaneously forms the intent to steal the property at

    the moment of receipt constitutes larceny at common law.

    W. LaFave & A. Scott, 2 Substantive Criminal Law 8.2(g) at 342-43 (1986).

    Furthermore, where the individual does not realize the mistake at the

    time of receipt but realizes it later and then forms the requisite

    intent, there is a larceny as well."


    http://www.armfor.uscourts.gov/opinions/1996Term/96-1167.htm

    Folks Who Bite Get Bitten. Folks Who Don't Bite Get Eaten.
  • I work at the card store in Burlington, please let me know if there is anything I can do.
  • Big27Big27 Posts: 41
    Please don't flame, but I see three things

    1.) If you sent something to Chuck Bednarik or anyone in question, you take your chances your items are going to get lost [especially if you send something of value]. That is one of the through the mail rules. This isn't a private signing or even a public one done through a promoter, so things can get completely random.

    2.) If Chuck Bednarik kept the cards in question, then sent it out because he didn't know any better, then it was his fault. However he was just being a nice guy to someone who didn't have anything but an index card to send him.

    3.) How can you prove the cards Bednarik sent as 'extras' were really yours?
  • RipublicaninMassRipublicaninMass Posts: 10,051 ✭✭✭
    Brett is that you?
  • This was posted on the SGC board and thought it should be posted here as well:



    << <i>I sincerely hope he gets his cards back as well.
    But its pretty irresponsible to send $500 worth of cards TTM to a guy you have sent 30+ cards to already over the past 9 months.
    You never send anything TTM that you cant afford to lose, I know I have sent out cards upwards of $50 bucks to players that I have never received back, But that is the chance you take.

    I have always thought if you sent something to someone in the mail it was theirs. So in this case if he sent Mr Bednarik cards to sign they would have become Mr. Bednarik's. And he could have done what he wanted to with the cards after he received them.
    So, it's not like someone stole the cards, If someone else did receive them in the mail I would think lawfully they have every right to keep them,However,it would be very un-ethical to keep something you know isnt yours.
    Really, if someone else did get his cards they have very low morals to keep something after the person clearly owned them and lost them, But I dont think anything illegal has been done here. >>

  • storm888storm888 Posts: 11,701 ✭✭✭

    big27
    /////////////////////////////////


    IF the contents of the emails that were sent by the person
    who claims to have received the cards, ALL of your questions
    are answered therein.

    The OP posted a notice of "lost/stolen" property.

    Somebody answered the notice and SAID they had received
    the property.

    That recipient, against public policy and law, decided he would
    keep the property.

    The OP must now move to reclaim his property in court. I sure
    hope he proceeds with legal action.

    //////////////////////////

    And, the perp is NOT the famous athlete, mr. turcotte.

    Folks Who Bite Get Bitten. Folks Who Don't Bite Get Eaten.
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,864 ✭✭✭✭✭
    A legal suit at for a situation such as this one is really a stretch, IMO...I know we live in a litiguous society, but I'm not sure there is a case really worth pursuing here..Just my 2 cents..


    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.
  • storm888storm888 Posts: 11,701 ✭✭✭
    "...So, it's not like someone stole the cards, If someone else did receive them in the mail I would think lawfully they have every right to keep them..."

    //////////////////////////

    Back to law school with that poster.

    IF you find my lost dog that I am advertising to find, do you get to keep the dog?

    ...........
    .................................

    IF the emailer is actually the guy who received the cards, he is a THIEF.

    If he pulled that carp on me, I would spend what ever it cost to nail him in court.

    SCUM like that need to be drummed out of the hobby/biznez.

    Would anybody really feel safe doing a buy/sell deal with that kind of SCUM?

    ..............................




    Folks Who Bite Get Bitten. Folks Who Don't Bite Get Eaten.
  • storm888storm888 Posts: 11,701 ✭✭✭


    << <i>A legal suit at for a situation such as this one is really a stretch, IMO...I know we live in a litiguous society, but I'm not sure there is a case really worth pursuing here..Just my 2 cents.. >>



    /////////////////////

    Small Claims filings are cheap.

    Even if you have to travel a little.


    There is no way in heck I would let a known thief off the hook.
    Folks Who Bite Get Bitten. Folks Who Don't Bite Get Eaten.
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,864 ✭✭✭✭✭
    < A legal suit at for a situation such as this one is really a stretch, IMO...I know we live in a litiguous society, but I'm not sure there is a case really worth pursuing here..Just my 2 cents.. >>



    /////////////////////

    Small Claims filings are cheap.

    Even if you have to travel a little.


    I guess if you lived realtively close to the person in question, it could be worth your while...otherwise, the expenses incurred by traveling really wouldn't make fiscal sense...and do we even know for sure who the person in question is in this case, since it's apparently not someone named Brett Turcotte?


    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.
  • We don't really know what happened - we can assume the cards received by someone else were the OP's cards, but who really knows? It sounds like the OP is stomping his feet, trying to rally a mob, but there was a risk by sending the cards in the first place and it backfired.

    Maybe it gets complicated from here, but is it the person's responsibility to return the supposed cards?

    Once it came into Chuck Bednarik's possession, Bednarik was free to do what he wanted with them since it wasn't solicited.




    << <i>big27
    /////////////////////////////////


    IF the contents of the emails that were sent by the person
    who claims to have received the cards, ALL of your questions
    are answered therein.

    The OP posted a notice of "lost/stolen" property.

    Somebody answered the notice and SAID they had received
    the property.

    That recipient, against public policy and law, decided he would
    keep the property.

    The OP must now move to reclaim his property in court. I sure
    hope he proceeds with legal action.

    //////////////////////////

    And, the perp is NOT the famous athlete, mr. turcotte. >>

  • storm888storm888 Posts: 11,701 ✭✭✭
    "...and do we even know for sure who the person in question is in this case, since it's apparently not someone named BT?....."

    /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////


    I believe I know the true identity of the person who sent the emails claiming to have
    received the cards.

    It is not currently "proven" that his claims are true. He could be a scummy spoofer;
    if so, that kind of conduct also needs to be addressed.


    Based on the total circumstance, I believe the emails are likely from the person who
    received the mistakenly packaged cards.


    Folks Who Bite Get Bitten. Folks Who Don't Bite Get Eaten.
  • I'm not making any judgements on what has happened, but stuff like this is what makes athletes wary about signing stuff through the mail or at least doing it without some kind of promoter/company behind them.

    The guy who maybe signing $5 freely TTM will now be a $35 an item guy through some promoter just to avoid the hassle of having people mail him stuff and complaining if he or she hasn't received a particular item, wasn't signed with the right ink, et al.

    It seems some posters advocate not getting Chuck Bednarik involved in any of this mess, but he is the middle of it now, right or wrong.
  • storm888storm888 Posts: 11,701 ✭✭✭
    "...It sounds like the OP is stomping his feet, trying to rally a mob, but there was a risk by sending the cards in the first place and it backfired...."

    //////////////////////


    It only "backfired" when a THIEF refused to return the lost/stolen property.

    I guess you could argue that there is always a "risk" that some low-life
    piece of garbage will pull that kind of carp, but that is not the kind of risk
    that TTM folks usually believe is acceptable to visit upon each other.
    Folks Who Bite Get Bitten. Folks Who Don't Bite Get Eaten.
  • storm888storm888 Posts: 11,701 ✭✭✭
    "...It seems some posters advocate not getting Chuck Bednarik involved in any of this mess, but he is the middle of it now, right or wrong. ..."

    ////////////////////


    He's not in the "middle" of anything.

    The THIEF is very likely about to be, though.

    Folks Who Bite Get Bitten. Folks Who Don't Bite Get Eaten.
  • MorgothMorgoth Posts: 3,950 ✭✭✭
    Just because someone sends you something in the mail by mistake doesn't mean you now own it especially if someone can prove it is their missing property. I didn't see anything in this thread where Bednerik said "here are some extras, enjoy!" He thought he was giving the cards back to the original owner. The intent by Chuck was to give the cards back to Greg not to a scumbag thief.

    Also, anyone with any sense of morality at all would give the cards back once Greg proved they were his and in this case it is very hard to think someone else sent excactly those 2 cards to Chuck in the same timeframe for all of this to happen. I don't put much credence in the scans don't exactly match, the new "owner" could ding a corner or slightly alter the card a little to show it isn't "exactly" the same. There is WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY to much circumstantial evidence suggesting if the emailer is for real, those are Gregs cards.
    Currently completing the following registry sets: Cardinal HOF's, 1961 Pittsburgh Pirates Team, 1972 Pittsburgh Pirates Team, 1980 Pittsburgh Pirates Team, Bill Mazeroski Master & Basic Sets, Roberto Clemente Master & Basic Sets, Willie Stargell Master & Basic Sets and Terry Bradshaw Basic Set
  • storm888storm888 Posts: 11,701 ✭✭✭
    "...The intent by Chuck was to give the cards back to Greg not to a scumbag thief. ...................There is WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY to much circumstantial evidence suggesting if the emailer is for real, those are Gregs cards."

    /////////////////////////////


    Even Judge Judy would see it that way.



    Folks Who Bite Get Bitten. Folks Who Don't Bite Get Eaten.
  • jimq112jimq112 Posts: 3,511 ✭✭✭


    << <i>"...It seems some posters advocate not getting Chuck Bednarik involved in any of this mess, but he is the middle of it now, right or wrong. ..."

    ////////////////////


    He's not in the "middle" of anything.

    The THIEF is very likely about to be, though. >>





    If the thief is lucky, it's a courtroom. He's very lucky that the cards belong to a true gentleman like GregM. It's very hard to hide these days (as you've already shown) and some people would ask questions later.

    I can't imagine a card being worth more to me than my life or the lives of my friends or family members. We really have no idea who we're dealing with every day on the internet, and it only takes one motivated crazy to ruin things.
    image
  • JackWESQJackWESQ Posts: 2,133 ✭✭✭
    Just returned from a weekend getaway and saw this thread. Wow.

    And as for the concept of "ownership/possession" ... equally, if not more so, countermanded by the concept of Specific Performance. Of course, this is in addition to any damages and recovery of attorneys' fees, if applicable.

    /s/ JackWESQ
    image
  • Bottom9thBottom9th Posts: 2,695 ✭✭
    Has this guy provided scans of the cards he says he has yet?
  • storm888storm888 Posts: 11,701 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Has this guy provided scans of the cards he says he has yet? >>



    ///////////////

    They were requested, but as far as we know from this thread, they
    have not been provided.


    The amateur THIEF would likely make damaging alterations to such
    cards in order to disguise their appearance.

    Such alterations mean that the OP should not seek specific performance
    remedies - return of the stolen property - but should ask the court for
    money damages in a retail amount.


    Folks Who Bite Get Bitten. Folks Who Don't Bite Get Eaten.
  • I had a similar situation with a Hall of Famer who is up there in years recently, and after getting his phone number from a mutual industry friend, he said he'd take a look for it and two weeks later the items were on my doorstep with some bonus items apologizing for misplacing my item. A class act! The item had a deceased players signature on it, and that is when I decided that I'm not going to send anything in the mail with a decease player's signature on it. Too much can go wrong, and I'll just have to live with having the piece without their signature on it unless they come to NY.
  • storm888storm888 Posts: 11,701 ✭✭✭


    Unless the OP's state has some kind of long-arm statute that
    might apply - doubtful in the instant circumstance -, he would
    need to file in the THIEF's jurisdiction.


    Vermont Small Claims


    the process
    Folks Who Bite Get Bitten. Folks Who Don't Bite Get Eaten.
Sign In or Register to comment.