This is a head scratcher
addicted2ebay
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Three 1979 wax boxes have sold at auction the past few days and the highest hammer price went to the non BBCE box.
1979WaxBox
1979WaxBox
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Comments
<< <i>Isn't it a conflict of interest for him to authenticate and sell the same product that he just authenticated? >>
Not at all - BBCE does not assign a grade to the material they authenticate....they are simply assessing it's validity. They would never be able to sell anything if they didn't authenticate it...otherwise they would be selling product they weren't for certain was legitimate. That's the great benefit a consumer realizes when purchasing from BBCE - the product is legit.
<< <i>Isn't it a conflict of interest for him to authenticate and sell the same product that he just authenticated? >>
Of course it is.
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<< <i>Isn't it a conflict of interest for him to authenticate and sell the same product that he just authenticated? >>
Of course it is. >>
Only if you are questioning his character and if you believe he would ruin his rep over such a thing.
I for one do not think he would do this so I do not see it as a conflict. If he was assigning grades also that would be another story.
I'm sure someone can come up with better analogies, but Joe, would you buy a Certified Pre owned Lexus from a Lexus dealer, or a used Rolex from a reputable watch/jewelry store, or silver from a silver/gold dealer? The consumer would trust, in each of these cases, that the item(s) is legitimate...I would assume. Are each of these establishments operating under a conflict of interest as well?
If the marketplace chooses to place a premium on his opinion, that really isn't under his control.
<< <i>Of course it is. >>
I'm sure someone can come up with better analogies, but Joe, would you buy a Certified Pre owned Lexus from a Lexus dealer, or a used Rolex from a reputable watch/jewelry store, or silver from a silver/gold dealer? The consumer would trust, in each of these cases, that the item(s) is legitimate...I would assume. Are each of these establishments operating under a conflict of interest as well? >>
I have never bought from BBCE and I believe their reputation is top notch.
However it IS similar to assigning grades in that they are authenticating something as unopened which increases it's value, and then they are selling it. Grading companies don't have a financial interest in the items they grade and AUTHENTICATE.
I am IN NO WAY impeaching their reputation!!!!!!!!
The analogies are not the best, but OF COURSE it's a conflict of interest to offer an opinion on your own goods.
Just because he is honest doesn't mean it's not a conflict of interest. Here's the definition; "A conflict of interest (COI) is a situation in which a person or organization is involved in multiple interests, financial interest, or otherwise, one of which could possibly corrupt the motivation of the individual or organization."
I absolutely can't believe there is any confusion here.
Do you get it people? It doesn't say anything about being corrupt, only the possibility of it happening.
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<< <i>
I am IN NO WAY impeaching their reputation!!!!!!!!
The analogies are not the best, but OF COURSE it's a conflict of interest to offer an opinion on your own goods.
Just because he is honest doesn't mean it's not a conflict of interest. Here's the definition; "A conflict of interest (COI) is a situation in which a person or organization is involved in multiple interests, financial interest, or otherwise, one of which could possibly corrupt the motivation of the individual or organization."
I absolutely can't believe there is any confusion here.
Do you get it people? It doesn't say anything about being corrupt, only the possibility of it happening.
>>
Using your incredibly broad interpretation of the definition, ANYONE that sells something and offers their opinion of that item is operating in a conflict of interest. If you were selling me a PSA 8 and said it was under graded, or said it was a nice 8, or said it probably should have been a 7, that would be a conflict of interest. if that's what you are saying, then I agree with you…BBCE selling items is a conflict of interest, just like Nike selling shoes is and Gatorade selling sports drinks is.
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
<< <i>Three 1979 wax boxes have sold at auction the past few days and the highest hammer price went to the non BBCE box.
1979WaxBox >>
How to construe this?
The sky is falling? The bubble is about to bust?
A slight adjustment - a few months back, wasn't it going for around 1800 to 2K?
I'm gonna guess that there's still way more of this stuff out there than meets the eye?
A box for 1100 was a good buy IMO.
<< <i>
<< <i>Three 1979 wax boxes have sold at auction the past few days and the highest hammer price went to the non BBCE box.
1979WaxBox >>
How to construe this?
The sky is falling? The bubble is about to bust?
A slight adjustment - a few months back, wasn't it going for around 1800 to 2K?
I'm gonna guess that there's still way more of this stuff out there than meets the eye?
A box for 1100 was a good buy IMO. >>
Yes I was surprised to see the BBCE boxes go for below $1,400 but even more surprised to see the raw wax box go over? I noticed that the seller of the non BBCE box advertised it on Facebook. Maybe he just got more eyeballs and that put him over the top.
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>
I am IN NO WAY impeaching their reputation!!!!!!!!
The analogies are not the best, but OF COURSE it's a conflict of interest to offer an opinion on your own goods.
Just because he is honest doesn't mean it's not a conflict of interest. Here's the definition; "A conflict of interest (COI) is a situation in which a person or organization is involved in multiple interests, financial interest, or otherwise, one of which could possibly corrupt the motivation of the individual or organization."
I absolutely can't believe there is any confusion here.
Do you get it people? It doesn't say anything about being corrupt, only the possibility of it happening.
>>
Using your incredibly broad interpretation of the definition, ANYONE that sells something and offers their opinion of that item is operating in a conflict of interest. If you were selling me a PSA 8 and said it was under graded, or said it was a nice 8, or said it probably should have been a 7, that would be a conflict of interest. if that's what you are saying, then I agree with you…BBCE selling items is a conflict of interest, just like Nike selling shoes is and Gatorade selling sports drinks is. >>
I should not have said that it's a conflict of interest to offer an opinion on something you produce, that is more like "buyer beware".
Steve is (or was) employed as an expert by PSA to authenticate unopened material. His (well deserved) reputation then assists him in his own business, part of which is authenticating product he buys, not produces, to make a profit on. There's the difference, we all know that Nike and Gatorade claim their products are the best, and we all know they are not always honest.
This is also not like claiming someone's opinion is wrong on a graded card AT ALL. The grader may or may not be wrong, but he does not gain or lose either way. Now if I were the grader and sold items I graded to you, that would be a conflict of interest, as there would be the possibility of being rewarded financially if I overgraded the card intentionally to make a bigger profit. It doesn't matter if the grader gets the grade right every time, it's the definition of "conflict of interest".
Again, I fully believe BBCE does a fine job and they are doing nothing wrong, but it IS a conflict of interest. I am also not saying it bothers me, I was simply replying to a comment. If I was to purchase any unopened material, I would trust them completely.
In responding to your comment on the Lexus and Rolex, these items can be (and probably should be) taken to someone for a second opinion. An item that is sealed cannot really be inspected by someone else.
<< <i>I'm not sure we should be impeaching anybody's reputation >>
If you are talking to me, I have REPEATEDLY said that I AM NOT "impeaching anybody's reputation" can you read?
As for Steve authenticating boxes he sells~for me, that just adds another layer of confidence to the purchase as Steve has already proven time and time again that he will stand behind his product. That is a good thing in this hobby, not a questionable one.
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.
<< <i>I would avoid any 79 wax box not authenticated by Steve unless it is from a very reliable and reputable source. That is one of the more common years for resealed packs. Most of the raw 79 wax boxes I'm seeing listed for sale on ebay recently are questionable at best. BTW, the gum in a 79 wax pack should be almost as thick as half the width of the pack itself, not the late 80s short, skinny size.
As for Steve authenticating boxes he sells~for me, that just adds another layer of confidence to the purchase as Steve has already proven time and time again that he will stand behind his product. That is a good thing in this hobby, not a questionable one. >>
Steve stands behind his opinions 100%. In the rare cases (i.e. handful) where he has sold something that he deemed authentic
and then later found it not to be authentic he has always come forward and offered full refund or replacement product (when available).
There is no conflict of interest in Steve selling product that he authenticates. The only conflict that could exist would be if he submitted
unopened packs to PSA for grading and was also the person who authenticated them. Since he does not do this there is no possibility
of such a conflict. Reselling PSA-slabbed items that he purchases from others and then re-sells is not a conflict of interest. Purchasing
unopened product and then sealing it if he deems it to be authentic and reselling it is also not a conflict of interest. He could just as
easily sell the product without sealing it, but by sealing it the provenance of the item is better established for the buyer in the event that
the buyer may one day re-sell the item. If anything, Steve provides a valuable service by sealing unopened items once he inspects them.
He is the leading expert in the area of unopened. He is human (and there is NOT perfect). However, his reputation and many years of
integrity in his business is beyond question.
Dave
<< <i>I would avoid any 79 wax box not authenticated by Steve unless it is from a very reliable and reputable source. That is one of the more common years for resealed packs. Most of the raw 79 wax boxes I'm seeing listed for sale on ebay recently are questionable at best. BTW, the gum in a 79 wax pack should be almost as thick as half the width of the pack itself, not the late 80s short, skinny size.
As for Steve authenticating boxes he sells~for me, that just adds another layer of confidence to the purchase as Steve has already proven time and time again that he will stand behind his product. That is a good thing in this hobby, not a questionable one. >>
This.. If someone is selling an un-athenticated '79 box, just figure its fake. Something strange about this recent auctions. Where's there's smoke.....
Collecting Unopened from '72-'83; mostly BBCE certified boxes/cases/racks.
Prefer to buy in bulk.
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<< <i>Isn't it a conflict of interest for him to authenticate and sell the same product that he just authenticated? >>
Of course it is. >>
No more so than another TPG grading items for their own auction. I don't have the personal relationship with Steve that many here do, so looking from the outside it's best to avoid even the appearance of impropriety in a generally shady industry.
<< <i>
There is no conflict of interest in Steve selling product that he authenticates. The only conflict that could exist would be if he submitted
unopened packs to PSA for grading and was also the person who authenticated them. Since he does not do this there is no possibility
of such a conflict. Reselling PSA-slabbed items that he purchases from others and then re-sells is not a conflict of interest. Purchasing
unopened product and then sealing it if he deems it to be authentic and reselling it is also not a conflict of interest. He could just as
easily sell the product without sealing it, but by sealing it the provenance of the item is better established for the buyer in the event that
the buyer may one day re-sell the item. If anything, Steve provides a valuable service by sealing unopened items once he inspects them.
He is the leading expert in the area of unopened. He is human (and there is NOT perfect). However, his reputation and many years of
integrity in his business is beyond question. >>
Two quick points.
1. I'm sure Steve does send in packs for PSA grading why would you think he doesn't?
2. I don't see a major difference in him authenticating a box and then selling it and him authenticating a pack, letting PSA grade it and then selling it.
I think we all understand he's in the business of selling cards and provides authentication as an added service not the other way around. And in my opinion he's the best around at it.
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1980-1989 Cello Packs - Rookies