<< <i>Telephoto1 - Mr. Zapushek owns the site and, as such, can put whatever he wants on there. It would be no different if you in a mess and wanted to tell your side of the story.
Mike, I'm an ex- ILNA Secretary myself-and frankly it would be a LOT different... first off, there's no way I'd even BE in a situation anywhere close to this- but assuming I was, and wanted to "tell [my] side of the story", I sure as heck wouldn't make a fake pseudo-ILNA site to do it, and I sure as heck wouldn't go on rambling tirades accusing others- in print no less- of harassment, and otherwise dancing around the edge of libel and/or defamation against other board members/coin dealers. Any adversaries he has no doubt have saved copious screenshots of all that stuff.
After having perused this fake site of his (and having met and interacted with the guy in years past), I'm amazed that ILNA, a statewide organization, would place someone who a) repeatedly tells everyone he knows about his health issues, including how he's had brain damage since 1993, and b) states in print and has told others that he can't even balance his own checkbook... into a position where he is even temporarily handling any significant amount of club funds. >>
Really, Telephoto1 - you were once Secretary of ILNA? When was that? The only ones who held the position when I joined the Board in 1995 were Jack Zillion, Frank Zapushek, Bob Olsen, Kermit Wasmer (provisionally) and, of course, myself.
As I stated in one of my posts, Mr. Zapushek owns the site, so he can do whatever he wants with it. He is only telling his version of what happened. His site is called "Illinois Numismatic Activities". Sure, the letters are the same as the other ILNA, but that where it ends. I was a witness to all of what was going on in ILNA regarding Mr. Zapushek before I resigned from my position in ILNA in September 2010, so I have a unique perspective. You may PM me if you want to discuss this further. >>
Put it this way... I was Secretary from '92 to '98 and my initials are JZ... you do the math. >>
Ah ha, JZ - I remember you.
DORAN COINS - On Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), & www.dorancoins.net - UPCOMING SHOWS (tentative dates)- 10/8/2023 - Fairfield, IL, 11/5/2023 - Urbana, IL., 12/3/2023 - Mattoon, IL.
I've no axe to grind with Mike... and this isn't divulging anything privileged as it was sent by Mike via mass email to a majority of the ILNA mailing list...but it also appears the current president filed some complaints on Mike with the ILNA ethics committee as well. I'll let him elaborate on that if he cares to.
Zapushek however is another story. I debated recounting this story here but there's nothing defamatory about it, as it is all true. His ignorance cost us a good customer. Cliff's notes version: several years ago we sold a solid BU 1955 DDO Lincoln to a good customer, raw, at about 60 money at the time. (Customer wanted raw pieces as he was filling album holes) I thought it a bit undergraded at that level but we had bought it at a decent price and decided to pass it on to this guy, a good repeat customer. Understandably proud of his purchase, he took it to a local show about a week later and showed it to Mr. Z... ( I think he offered to do 'authentication and variety attribution' for $1 a pop at the time). Does anyone see where this story's going? You guessed it... he immediately pronounced that it was a "one-to-one counterfeit". Our customer came stomping into our store the next Monday, mad as hell and demanding a refund. We assured him it was real- in fact it had been owned by Bowers & Ruddy at one point- and offered to slab it for him, on us. He wanted no part of it and threw down Zap's business card, saying "this guy says he's an expert and he says it's fake"... long story short, we refunded the customer, sent the coin in anyway even though we knew it was undoubtedly genuine, and it came back not only genuine but also graded 63 Red. I called him back, told him it came back 3 Red but we'd STILL sell it to him at the original price in the interest of customer relations. He declined, saying the deal left a bad taste in his mouth and never bought another coin fom us after that. We tried calling Zapushek to "thank" him for costing us a relationship with someone who up to that point had spent about $20K with us... but got no answer and gave up after a while. Since then Mr. Z is persona non grata with us. Sorry Mike- you guys might be friends for all I know, but this guy knows as much about coin authentication or varieties as he evidently does about handling money.
Edit to add a message to our hosts at CU... I'm not bashing anyone out of hand, just recounting a true story. I'll go no further than what's already been said.
<< <i>I've no axe to grind with Mike... and this isn't divulging anything privileged as it was sent by Mike via mass email to a majority of the ILNA mailing list...but it also appears the current president filed some complaints on Mike with the ILNA ethics committee as well. I'll let him elaborate on that if he cares to.
Zapushek however is another story. I debated recounting this story here but there's nothing defamatory about it, as it is all true. His ignorance cost us a good customer. Cliff's notes version: several years ago we sold a solid BU 1955 DDO Lincoln to a good customer, raw, at about 60 money at the time. (Customer wanted raw pieces as he was filling album holes) I thought it a bit undergraded at that level but we had bought it at a decent price and decided to pass it on to this guy, a good repeat customer. Understandably proud of his purchase, he took it to a local show about a week later and showed it to Mr. Z... ( I think he offered to do 'authentication and variety attribution' for $1 a pop at the time). Does anyone see where this story's going? You guessed it... he immediately pronounced that it was a "one-to-one counterfeit". Our customer came stomping into our store the next Monday, mad as hell and demanding a refund. We assured him it was real- in fact it had been owned by Bowers & Ruddy at one point- and offered to slab it for him, on us. He wanted no part of it and threw down Zap's business card, saying "this guy says he's an expert and he says it's fake"... long story short, we refunded the customer, sent the coin in anyway even though we knew it was undoubtedly genuine, and it came back not only genuine but also graded 63 Red. I called him back, told him it came back 3 Red but we'd STILL sell it to him at the original price in the interest of customer relations. He declined, saying the deal left a bad taste in his mouth and never bought another coin fom us after that. We tried calling Zapushek to "thank" him for costing us a relationship with someone who up to that point had spent about $20K with us... but got no answer and gave up after a while. Since then Mr. Z is persona non grata with us. Sorry Mike- you guys might be friends for all I know, but this guy knows as much about coin authentication or varieties as he evidently does about handling money.
Edit to add a message to our hosts at CU... I'm not bashing anyone out of hand, just recounting a true story. I'll go no further than what's already been said. >>
Telephoto1 - I am sure you and those who have seen the e-mail have differing opinions about it. Therefore, I will not go further on this as the CU Message Board is not the place to discuss it. As to your dealings about Mr. Zapushek, however, that is between you and him. I do not want to get in the middle of it.
DORAN COINS - On Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), & www.dorancoins.net - UPCOMING SHOWS (tentative dates)- 10/8/2023 - Fairfield, IL, 11/5/2023 - Urbana, IL., 12/3/2023 - Mattoon, IL.
I don't know Mr Z well and disagreed with him the one time I did consult him.
But his expertise is really almost unquestioned. I don't know he has the depth of knowledge of other experts in the field but he most assuredly is an expert.
I don't know Mr Z well and disagreed with him the one time I did consult him.
But his expertise is really almost unquestioned. I don't know he has the depth of knowledge of other experts in the field but he most assuredly is an expert.
<< <i>I don't know Mr Z well and disagreed with him the one time I did consult him.
But his expertise is really almost unquestioned. I don't know he has the depth of knowledge of other experts in the field but he most assuredly is an expert.
Ken Potter is a leading expert. >>
How can you say his expertise is unquestioned when two sentences earlier you say the one time you consulted with him, you disagreed with his opinion?
My only dealings with him were through eBay years ago, he is one of only two people in 14 years to ever return a coin for a refund.
Sean Reynolds
Incomplete planchets wanted, especially Lincoln Cents & type coins.
"Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
<< <i>I don't know Mr Z well and disagreed with him the one time I did consult him.
But his expertise is really almost unquestioned. I don't know he has the depth of knowledge of other experts in the field but he most assuredly is an expert.
In what? >>
His expertise is in the minting process and die varieties. He also has a lot of knowlege about one cent varieties and other Lincolns, I believe.
<< <i>How can you say his expertise is unquestioned when two sentences earlier you say the one time you consulted with him, you disagreed with his opinion? >>
I am no expert in either the minting process nor most varieties. I know a little about clad quar- ter varieties and it was here that I couldn't defer to his opinion. He made no statements I "know" to be false.
<< <i>Ken potter may be 100% correct. But his opinion is irrelevant. You asked a question and his answer vs item received is all that is relevant. --Jerry >>
Hmm. I think Jerry is responding to the original post... but in the interest of clarification let me be clear that my remarks and statements concern Zapushek only. Ken Potter is a well respected error/variety expert and I have nothing but high regard for him and have heard nothing but good things about him.
As to cladking's comments about Mr Z... I'll just say that we evidently have different criteria on what the definition of "expert" is, and leave it at that. I will note that you yourself say that, in the areas in which you ARE familiar, you disagreed with his opinion. That should tell you something.
Comments
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>Telephoto1 - Mr. Zapushek owns the site and, as such, can put whatever he wants on there. It would be no different if you in a mess and wanted to tell your side of the story.
Mike, I'm an ex- ILNA Secretary myself-and frankly it would be a LOT different... first off, there's no way I'd even BE in a situation anywhere close to this- but assuming I was, and wanted to "tell [my] side of the story", I sure as heck wouldn't make a fake pseudo-ILNA site to do it, and I sure as heck wouldn't go on rambling tirades accusing others- in print no less- of harassment, and otherwise dancing around the edge of libel and/or defamation against other board members/coin dealers. Any adversaries he has no doubt have saved copious screenshots of all that stuff.
After having perused this fake site of his (and having met and interacted with the guy in years past), I'm amazed that ILNA, a statewide organization, would place someone who a) repeatedly tells everyone he knows about his health issues, including how he's had brain damage since 1993, and b) states in print and has told others that he can't even balance his own checkbook... into a position where he is even temporarily handling any significant amount of club funds. >>
Really, Telephoto1 - you were once Secretary of ILNA? When was that? The only ones who held the position when I joined the Board in 1995 were Jack Zillion, Frank Zapushek, Bob Olsen, Kermit Wasmer (provisionally) and, of course, myself.
As I stated in one of my posts, Mr. Zapushek owns the site, so he can do whatever he wants with it. He is only telling his version of what happened. His site is called "Illinois Numismatic Activities". Sure, the letters are the same as the other ILNA, but that where it ends. I was a witness to all of what was going on in ILNA regarding Mr. Zapushek before I resigned from my position in ILNA in September 2010, so I have a unique perspective. You may PM me if you want to discuss this further. >>
Put it this way... I was Secretary from '92 to '98 and my initials are JZ... you do the math.
Ah ha, JZ - I remember you.
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
Zapushek however is another story. I debated recounting this story here but there's nothing defamatory about it, as it is all true. His ignorance cost us a good customer. Cliff's notes version: several years ago we sold a solid BU 1955 DDO Lincoln to a good customer, raw, at about 60 money at the time. (Customer wanted raw pieces as he was filling album holes) I thought it a bit undergraded at that level but we had bought it at a decent price and decided to pass it on to this guy, a good repeat customer. Understandably proud of his purchase, he took it to a local show about a week later and showed it to Mr. Z... ( I think he offered to do 'authentication and variety attribution' for $1 a pop at the time). Does anyone see where this story's going? You guessed it... he immediately pronounced that it was a "one-to-one counterfeit". Our customer came stomping into our store the next Monday, mad as hell and demanding a refund. We assured him it was real- in fact it had been owned by Bowers & Ruddy at one point- and offered to slab it for him, on us. He wanted no part of it and threw down Zap's business card, saying "this guy says he's an expert and he says it's fake"... long story short, we refunded the customer, sent the coin in anyway even though we knew it was undoubtedly genuine, and it came back not only genuine but also graded 63 Red. I called him back, told him it came back 3 Red but we'd STILL sell it to him at the original price in the interest of customer relations. He declined, saying the deal left a bad taste in his mouth and never bought another coin fom us after that. We tried calling Zapushek to "thank" him for costing us a relationship with someone who up to that point had spent about $20K with us... but got no answer and gave up after a while. Since then Mr. Z is persona non grata with us.
Sorry Mike- you guys might be friends for all I know, but this guy knows as much about coin authentication or varieties as he evidently does about handling money.
Edit to add a message to our hosts at CU... I'm not bashing anyone out of hand, just recounting a true story. I'll go no further than what's already been said.
RIP Mom- 1932-2012
<< <i>I've no axe to grind with Mike... and this isn't divulging anything privileged as it was sent by Mike via mass email to a majority of the ILNA mailing list...but it also appears the current president filed some complaints on Mike with the ILNA ethics committee as well. I'll let him elaborate on that if he cares to.
Zapushek however is another story. I debated recounting this story here but there's nothing defamatory about it, as it is all true. His ignorance cost us a good customer. Cliff's notes version: several years ago we sold a solid BU 1955 DDO Lincoln to a good customer, raw, at about 60 money at the time. (Customer wanted raw pieces as he was filling album holes) I thought it a bit undergraded at that level but we had bought it at a decent price and decided to pass it on to this guy, a good repeat customer. Understandably proud of his purchase, he took it to a local show about a week later and showed it to Mr. Z... ( I think he offered to do 'authentication and variety attribution' for $1 a pop at the time). Does anyone see where this story's going? You guessed it... he immediately pronounced that it was a "one-to-one counterfeit". Our customer came stomping into our store the next Monday, mad as hell and demanding a refund. We assured him it was real- in fact it had been owned by Bowers & Ruddy at one point- and offered to slab it for him, on us. He wanted no part of it and threw down Zap's business card, saying "this guy says he's an expert and he says it's fake"... long story short, we refunded the customer, sent the coin in anyway even though we knew it was undoubtedly genuine, and it came back not only genuine but also graded 63 Red. I called him back, told him it came back 3 Red but we'd STILL sell it to him at the original price in the interest of customer relations. He declined, saying the deal left a bad taste in his mouth and never bought another coin fom us after that. We tried calling Zapushek to "thank" him for costing us a relationship with someone who up to that point had spent about $20K with us... but got no answer and gave up after a while. Since then Mr. Z is persona non grata with us.
Sorry Mike- you guys might be friends for all I know, but this guy knows as much about coin authentication or varieties as he evidently does about handling money.
Edit to add a message to our hosts at CU... I'm not bashing anyone out of hand, just recounting a true story. I'll go no further than what's already been said. >>
Telephoto1 - I am sure you and those who have seen the e-mail have differing opinions about it. Therefore, I will not go further on this as the CU Message Board is not the place to discuss it. As to your dealings about Mr. Zapushek, however, that is between you and him. I do not want to get in the middle of it.
But his expertise is really almost unquestioned. I don't know he has the depth of knowledge
of other experts in the field but he most assuredly is an expert.
Ken Potter is a leading expert.
But his expertise is really almost unquestioned. I don't know he has the depth of knowledge
of other experts in the field but he most assuredly is an expert.
In what?
RIP Mom- 1932-2012
<< <i>I don't know Mr Z well and disagreed with him the one time I did consult him.
But his expertise is really almost unquestioned. I don't know he has the depth of knowledge
of other experts in the field but he most assuredly is an expert.
Ken Potter is a leading expert. >>
How can you say his expertise is unquestioned when two sentences earlier you say the one time you consulted with him, you disagreed with his opinion?
My only dealings with him were through eBay years ago, he is one of only two people in 14 years to ever return a coin for a refund.
Sean Reynolds
"Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
Coin Rarities Online
<< <i>I have no dog in this fight, but I have to say that this is one of the most bizarre threads in recent memory. >>
Yep....got that popcorn a-popping yet?
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
<< <i>I don't know Mr Z well and disagreed with him the one time I did consult him.
But his expertise is really almost unquestioned. I don't know he has the depth of knowledge
of other experts in the field but he most assuredly is an expert.
In what? >>
His expertise is in the minting process and die varieties. He also has a lot of knowlege about
one cent varieties and other Lincolns, I believe.
<< <i>How can you say his expertise is unquestioned when two sentences earlier you say the one time you consulted with him, you disagreed with his opinion?
>>
I am no expert in either the minting process nor most varieties. I know a little about clad quar-
ter varieties and it was here that I couldn't defer to his opinion. He made no statements I "know"
to be false.
<< <i>Ken potter may be 100% correct. But his opinion is irrelevant. You asked a question and his answer vs item received is all that is relevant. --Jerry >>
Hmm. I think Jerry is responding to the original post... but in the interest of clarification let me be clear that my remarks and statements concern Zapushek only. Ken Potter is a well respected error/variety expert and I have nothing but high regard for him and have heard nothing but good things about him.
As to cladking's comments about Mr Z... I'll just say that we evidently have different criteria on what the definition of "expert" is, and leave it at that. I will note that you yourself say that, in the areas in which you ARE familiar, you disagreed with his opinion. That should tell you something.
RIP Mom- 1932-2012