@Harnessracing said:
It’s the company that Steve runs that the faith is on. His company is not made up of one person. He has several people who are just as qualified. If you don’t think so then my suggestion is sell.
I disagree. public perception is that it is Steve. all the faith and goodwill is Steves and what he built.
for all intents and purposes, BBCE=Steve Hart in the publics view.
I agree that there are other authenticators just as qualified as steve, but i do not believe that is public perception.
That’s just your opinion. We don’t live forever. When and if Steve retires or sells the company or however he is no longer affiliated with BBCE does that mean everything after that is not credible?
Are PSA graded cards more credible from the beginning, middle or now?
Everyone has an opinion. Follow yours but don’t expect others to agree.
it is not just MY opinon, it is widely agreed upon...
I have no idea how things will shake out when steve sells or retires. there will be a shift. Someone will rise to the top, the hope is that it will be someone credible.
Steve Hart is the perfect storm. He has the knowledge/experience, but most importantly, he is WIDELY respected as an honorable person. The whole unopened market is, to a large extent, based on trust. if that trust is ever broken, so will be the unopened market.
Widely agreed upon by whom? The posters here? Cmon 98% of the submitters only what the items wrapped and that’s my opinion.
Not buying your statement. Steve is trusted by most but whether he retires or sells out to someone else no one will care
I feel like you are either not that plugged into the hobby or perhaps a novice? people who know enough to buy/collect/sell vintage unopened wax packs and submit through PSA to have them graded KNOW it is Steve Hart that is authenticating the product. It is very well known in the hobby.
as far as authenticating vintage wax/cello/rack/grocery/vending boxes, the choices are Steve Hart, or.......
nobody.
I really cannot figure out your angle here. Steve is integral to the vintage unopened hobby. He is pretty much the monolithic name in that niche of the hobby. when he goes away, there will be a "tectonic shift" as @ReggieCleveland mentioned above. it will be like a hobby vacuum and I sure hope someone trustworthy and experienced rises to the top.
In fairness, RVP is a choice. People have confidence in Kurt Christensen/RVP. Do I prefer BBCE? Yes. Am I good with RVP? Yes. I probably don't want a more obscure box wrapped by RVP, but I'd be fine with, say, 1979 Topps and more common boxes.
Edit to add, the world is waiting for Grotemart Authentication Services. You haven't experienced authentication until you've experienced GAS.
Yes, RVP is a choice. but, it is a choice in the same way TAG is an alternative to PSA.
one is the very nearly universal choice that is the Blue Whale in the room that graded 89,100 cards yesterday. the other is the honey bee that is flying around in that same living room that graded 1,800 cards yesterday.
technically RVP is a choice, but a choice that so far is not being taken by very many collectors/dealers. I am sure the vast majority of those are choosing Steve because of the trust he has earned and potential resale value.
Psa graded is still the gold standard. Compare prices to any other company or raw. Not even close.
I didn't realize Steve did the authentication of every PSA wack pack until recently. Always thought it was PSA who did it. I know he has a high tech and painstaking process to make sure every pack is authentic. He's sent back packs because the gum moved too much! I have 100% faith in the product. Does that mean one or two exceptions may have gotten through. Yeah, it could happen but unlikely. It boggles my mind the work he has to do as well. Needs a break.
@Harnessracing said:
It’s the company that Steve runs that the faith is on. His company is not made up of one person. He has several people who are just as qualified. If you don’t think so then my suggestion is sell.
I disagree. public perception is that it is Steve. all the faith and goodwill is Steves and what he built.
for all intents and purposes, BBCE=Steve Hart in the publics view.
I agree that there are other authenticators just as qualified as steve, but i do not believe that is public perception.
That’s just your opinion. We don’t live forever. When and if Steve retires or sells the company or however he is no longer affiliated with BBCE does that mean everything after that is not credible?
Are PSA graded cards more credible from the beginning, middle or now?
Everyone has an opinion. Follow yours but don’t expect others to agree.
it is not just MY opinon, it is widely agreed upon...
I have no idea how things will shake out when steve sells or retires. there will be a shift. Someone will rise to the top, the hope is that it will be someone credible.
Steve Hart is the perfect storm. He has the knowledge/experience, but most importantly, he is WIDELY respected as an honorable person. The whole unopened market is, to a large extent, based on trust. if that trust is ever broken, so will be the unopened market.
Widely agreed upon by whom? The posters here? Cmon 98% of the submitters only what the items wrapped and that’s my opinion.
Not buying your statement. Steve is trusted by most but whether he retires or sells out to someone else no one will care
If Steve retires or sells out there will be a tectonic shift in the unopened market. BBCE will take a major hit, both in their pockets and in the hobby's view of them. And there isn't a vendor in the market that could fill his shoes.
Arthur
Maybe not but it’s still just your opinion.
My bet would be no one notices.
Everyone can be replaced.
So by your logic, everyone who has a major unopened collection will take a hit. Sorry don’t buy it.
So if PSA buys out BBCE and Steve retires, the unopened market will take a hit??? Doubt it.
I meant BBCE's pockets will take a hit if they stay in business sans Steve. This isn't the only niche in the hobby that is almost entirely held together by one person -- Taube for bats and Yee for photos. They are irreplaceable in the sense that their eventual replacement will be much lower in quality and trust.
Can you recommend someone that could fill Steve's shoes if he packed it up? Because no one is in position to take on the services he provides with integrity and trust. But if you know of someone that would be good to know.
@71waxforever said:
Psa graded is still the gold standard. Compare prices to any other company or raw. Not even close.
** I didn't realize Steve did the authentication of every PSA wack pack until recently. Always thought it was PSA who did it**. I know he has a high tech and painstaking process to make sure every pack is authentic. He's sent back packs because the gum moved too much! I have 100% faith in the product. Does that mean one or two exceptions may have gotten through. Yeah, it could happen but unlikely. It boggles my mind the work he has to do as well. Needs a break.
HUH... People send packs to PSA in California and then PSA sends the packs to Steve in Indiana and then Steve sends the packs back to PSA in CA and PSA sends the packs back to the customer???? I sent some non-sports packs valued lower than $30 each straight to PSA in CA and to my knowledge PSA indicated they had their own graders...
@Harnessracing said:
It’s the company that Steve runs that the faith is on. His company is not made up of one person. He has several people who are just as qualified. If you don’t think so then my suggestion is sell.
I disagree. public perception is that it is Steve. all the faith and goodwill is Steves and what he built.
for all intents and purposes, BBCE=Steve Hart in the publics view.
I agree that there are other authenticators just as qualified as steve, but i do not believe that is public perception.
That’s just your opinion. We don’t live forever. When and if Steve retires or sells the company or however he is no longer affiliated with BBCE does that mean everything after that is not credible?
Are PSA graded cards more credible from the beginning, middle or now?
Everyone has an opinion. Follow yours but don’t expect others to agree.
it is not just MY opinon, it is widely agreed upon...
I have no idea how things will shake out when steve sells or retires. there will be a shift. Someone will rise to the top, the hope is that it will be someone credible.
Steve Hart is the perfect storm. He has the knowledge/experience, but most importantly, he is WIDELY respected as an honorable person. The whole unopened market is, to a large extent, based on trust. if that trust is ever broken, so will be the unopened market.
Widely agreed upon by whom? The posters here? Cmon 98% of the submitters only what the items wrapped and that’s my opinion.
Not buying your statement. Steve is trusted by most but whether he retires or sells out to someone else no one will care
If Steve retires or sells out there will be a tectonic shift in the unopened market. BBCE will take a major hit, both in their pockets and in the hobby's view of them. And there isn't a vendor in the market that could fill his shoes.
Arthur
Maybe not but it’s still just your opinion.
My bet would be no one notices.
Everyone can be replaced.
So by your logic, everyone who has a major unopened collection will take a hit. Sorry don’t buy it.
So if PSA buys out BBCE and Steve retires, the unopened market will take a hit??? Doubt it.
I meant BBCE's pockets will take a hit if they stay in business sans Steve. This isn't the only niche in the hobby that is almost entirely held together by one person -- Taube for bats and Yee for photos. They are irreplaceable in the sense that their eventual replacement will be much lower in quality and trust.
Can you recommend someone that could fill Steve's shoes if he packed it up? Because no one is in position to take on the services he provides with integrity and trust. But if you know of someone that would be good to know.
Arthur
Again your OPINION, you have no idea what will happen, no one does. My opinion is nothing will change.
As for irreplaceable people, everyone is replaceable, everyone. If you don’t believe that then you’re only kidding yourself. It may be inconvenient for a short period but that always goes away.
Just like any job you may have had or have now, if you leave it, you will be replaced, sometimes it takes awhile for someone to get up to speed but eventually it all works out
@Harnessracing said:
It’s the company that Steve runs that the faith is on. His company is not made up of one person. He has several people who are just as qualified. If you don’t think so then my suggestion is sell.
I disagree. public perception is that it is Steve. all the faith and goodwill is Steves and what he built.
for all intents and purposes, BBCE=Steve Hart in the publics view.
I agree that there are other authenticators just as qualified as steve, but i do not believe that is public perception.
That’s just your opinion. We don’t live forever. When and if Steve retires or sells the company or however he is no longer affiliated with BBCE does that mean everything after that is not credible?
Are PSA graded cards more credible from the beginning, middle or now?
Everyone has an opinion. Follow yours but don’t expect others to agree.
it is not just MY opinon, it is widely agreed upon...
I have no idea how things will shake out when steve sells or retires. there will be a shift. Someone will rise to the top, the hope is that it will be someone credible.
Steve Hart is the perfect storm. He has the knowledge/experience, but most importantly, he is WIDELY respected as an honorable person. The whole unopened market is, to a large extent, based on trust. if that trust is ever broken, so will be the unopened market.
Widely agreed upon by whom? The posters here? Cmon 98% of the submitters only what the items wrapped and that’s my opinion.
Not buying your statement. Steve is trusted by most but whether he retires or sells out to someone else no one will care
If Steve retires or sells out there will be a tectonic shift in the unopened market. BBCE will take a major hit, both in their pockets and in the hobby's view of them. And there isn't a vendor in the market that could fill his shoes.
Arthur
Maybe not but it’s still just your opinion.
My bet would be no one notices.
Everyone can be replaced.
So by your logic, everyone who has a major unopened collection will take a hit. Sorry don’t buy it.
So if PSA buys out BBCE and Steve retires, the unopened market will take a hit??? Doubt it.
I meant BBCE's pockets will take a hit if they stay in business sans Steve. This isn't the only niche in the hobby that is almost entirely held together by one person -- Taube for bats and Yee for photos. They are irreplaceable in the sense that their eventual replacement will be much lower in quality and trust.
Can you recommend someone that could fill Steve's shoes if he packed it up? Because no one is in position to take on the services he provides with integrity and trust. But if you know of someone that would be good to know.
Arthur
Again your OPINION, you have no idea what will happen, no one does. My opinion is nothing will change.
As for irreplaceable people, everyone is replaceable, everyone. If you don’t believe that then you’re only kidding yourself. It may be inconvenient for a short period but that always goes away.
Just like any job you may have had or have now, if you leave it, you will be replaced, sometimes it takes awhile for someone to get up to speed but eventually it all works out
We're not talking about some cubicle job where there's 25 people that can be trained to fill one's absence in a week.I'll ask again, who do you see filling the void left by Steve's retirement? Feel free to throw out names. We're talking about people that have spent most, if not all, of their adult lives accruing experience that no one else has. Who replaces Taube? Who replaces Yee?
If all you've got is "everyone is replaceable" then you're missing the point. These guys are the glue that keep their niches held together. I have no doubt that bad actors will step forward and try to fill the hole that Steve leaves but that's not a replacement, it's a loose band-aid.
@Harnessracing said:
It’s the company that Steve runs that the faith is on. His company is not made up of one person. He has several people who are just as qualified. If you don’t think so then my suggestion is sell.
I disagree. public perception is that it is Steve. all the faith and goodwill is Steves and what he built.
for all intents and purposes, BBCE=Steve Hart in the publics view.
I agree that there are other authenticators just as qualified as steve, but i do not believe that is public perception.
That’s just your opinion. We don’t live forever. When and if Steve retires or sells the company or however he is no longer affiliated with BBCE does that mean everything after that is not credible?
Are PSA graded cards more credible from the beginning, middle or now?
Everyone has an opinion. Follow yours but don’t expect others to agree.
it is not just MY opinon, it is widely agreed upon...
I have no idea how things will shake out when steve sells or retires. there will be a shift. Someone will rise to the top, the hope is that it will be someone credible.
Steve Hart is the perfect storm. He has the knowledge/experience, but most importantly, he is WIDELY respected as an honorable person. The whole unopened market is, to a large extent, based on trust. if that trust is ever broken, so will be the unopened market.
Widely agreed upon by whom? The posters here? Cmon 98% of the submitters only what the items wrapped and that’s my opinion.
Not buying your statement. Steve is trusted by most but whether he retires or sells out to someone else no one will care
If Steve retires or sells out there will be a tectonic shift in the unopened market. BBCE will take a major hit, both in their pockets and in the hobby's view of them. And there isn't a vendor in the market that could fill his shoes.
Arthur
Maybe not but it’s still just your opinion.
My bet would be no one notices.
Everyone can be replaced.
So by your logic, everyone who has a major unopened collection will take a hit. Sorry don’t buy it.
So if PSA buys out BBCE and Steve retires, the unopened market will take a hit??? Doubt it.
I meant BBCE's pockets will take a hit if they stay in business sans Steve. This isn't the only niche in the hobby that is almost entirely held together by one person -- Taube for bats and Yee for photos. They are irreplaceable in the sense that their eventual replacement will be much lower in quality and trust.
Can you recommend someone that could fill Steve's shoes if he packed it up? Because no one is in position to take on the services he provides with integrity and trust. But if you know of someone that would be good to know.
Arthur
Again your OPINION, you have no idea what will happen, no one does. My opinion is nothing will change.
As for irreplaceable people, everyone is replaceable, everyone. If you don’t believe that then you’re only kidding yourself. It may be inconvenient for a short period but that always goes away.
Just like any job you may have had or have now, if you leave it, you will be replaced, sometimes it takes awhile for someone to get up to speed but eventually it all works out
Was Jesus "replaceable" ? Also I think Moms aren't replaceable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
If there's such concern about the void that Steve's absence would create and the potential for issues in the unopened market... would I not be correct to interpret that to mean there's no such objective process which exists for unopened authentication, even if only within the ambiguity, such that there would be negligible degradation in quality post-Steve. I find it hard to believe that Steve's integrity is so unmatched that his honesty is the thread holding everything together here. That's why I see this as such a lay-person heuristic process that's based on experience bias. Whether you agree with my crass conclusion regarding Steve's ability and reasoning that seems like a problem that's agreed upon in general.
@Harnessracing said:
It’s the company that Steve runs that the faith is on. His company is not made up of one person. He has several people who are just as qualified. If you don’t think so then my suggestion is sell.
I disagree. public perception is that it is Steve. all the faith and goodwill is Steves and what he built.
for all intents and purposes, BBCE=Steve Hart in the publics view.
I agree that there are other authenticators just as qualified as steve, but i do not believe that is public perception.
That’s just your opinion. We don’t live forever. When and if Steve retires or sells the company or however he is no longer affiliated with BBCE does that mean everything after that is not credible?
Are PSA graded cards more credible from the beginning, middle or now?
Everyone has an opinion. Follow yours but don’t expect others to agree.
it is not just MY opinon, it is widely agreed upon...
I have no idea how things will shake out when steve sells or retires. there will be a shift. Someone will rise to the top, the hope is that it will be someone credible.
Steve Hart is the perfect storm. He has the knowledge/experience, but most importantly, he is WIDELY respected as an honorable person. The whole unopened market is, to a large extent, based on trust. if that trust is ever broken, so will be the unopened market.
Widely agreed upon by whom? The posters here? Cmon 98% of the submitters only what the items wrapped and that’s my opinion.
Not buying your statement. Steve is trusted by most but whether he retires or sells out to someone else no one will care
If Steve retires or sells out there will be a tectonic shift in the unopened market. BBCE will take a major hit, both in their pockets and in the hobby's view of them. And there isn't a vendor in the market that could fill his shoes.
Arthur
Maybe not but it’s still just your opinion.
My bet would be no one notices.
Everyone can be replaced.
So by your logic, everyone who has a major unopened collection will take a hit. Sorry don’t buy it.
So if PSA buys out BBCE and Steve retires, the unopened market will take a hit??? Doubt it.
I meant BBCE's pockets will take a hit if they stay in business sans Steve. This isn't the only niche in the hobby that is almost entirely held together by one person -- Taube for bats and Yee for photos. They are irreplaceable in the sense that their eventual replacement will be much lower in quality and trust.
Can you recommend someone that could fill Steve's shoes if he packed it up? Because no one is in position to take on the services he provides with integrity and trust. But if you know of someone that would be good to know.
Arthur
Again your OPINION, you have no idea what will happen, no one does. My opinion is nothing will change.
As for irreplaceable people, everyone is replaceable, everyone. If you don’t believe that then you’re only kidding yourself. It may be inconvenient for a short period but that always goes away.
Just like any job you may have had or have now, if you leave it, you will be replaced, sometimes it takes awhile for someone to get up to speed but eventually it all works out
We're not talking about some cubicle job where there's 25 people that can be trained to fill one's absence in a week.I'll ask again, who do you see filling the void left by Steve's retirement? Feel free to throw out names. We're talking about people that have spent most, if not all, of their adult lives accruing experience that no one else has. Who replaces Taube? Who replaces Yee?
If all you've got is "everyone is replaceable" then you're missing the point. These guys are the glue that keep their niches held together. I have no doubt that bad actors will step forward and try to fill the hole that Steve leaves but that's not a replacement, it's a loose band-aid.
Arthur
I really don’t care who replaces him but if you think the sky will fall when and if he does then you’re in for a rude awakening. It won’t skip a beat except
maybe get more expensive
@Harnessracing said:
It’s the company that Steve runs that the faith is on. His company is not made up of one person. He has several people who are just as qualified. If you don’t think so then my suggestion is sell.
I disagree. public perception is that it is Steve. all the faith and goodwill is Steves and what he built.
for all intents and purposes, BBCE=Steve Hart in the publics view.
I agree that there are other authenticators just as qualified as steve, but i do not believe that is public perception.
That’s just your opinion. We don’t live forever. When and if Steve retires or sells the company or however he is no longer affiliated with BBCE does that mean everything after that is not credible?
Are PSA graded cards more credible from the beginning, middle or now?
Everyone has an opinion. Follow yours but don’t expect others to agree.
it is not just MY opinon, it is widely agreed upon...
I have no idea how things will shake out when steve sells or retires. there will be a shift. Someone will rise to the top, the hope is that it will be someone credible.
Steve Hart is the perfect storm. He has the knowledge/experience, but most importantly, he is WIDELY respected as an honorable person. The whole unopened market is, to a large extent, based on trust. if that trust is ever broken, so will be the unopened market.
Widely agreed upon by whom? The posters here? Cmon 98% of the submitters only what the items wrapped and that’s my opinion.
Not buying your statement. Steve is trusted by most but whether he retires or sells out to someone else no one will care
If Steve retires or sells out there will be a tectonic shift in the unopened market. BBCE will take a major hit, both in their pockets and in the hobby's view of them. And there isn't a vendor in the market that could fill his shoes.
Arthur
Maybe not but it’s still just your opinion.
My bet would be no one notices.
Everyone can be replaced.
So by your logic, everyone who has a major unopened collection will take a hit. Sorry don’t buy it.
So if PSA buys out BBCE and Steve retires, the unopened market will take a hit??? Doubt it.
I meant BBCE's pockets will take a hit if they stay in business sans Steve. This isn't the only niche in the hobby that is almost entirely held together by one person -- Taube for bats and Yee for photos. They are irreplaceable in the sense that their eventual replacement will be much lower in quality and trust.
Can you recommend someone that could fill Steve's shoes if he packed it up? Because no one is in position to take on the services he provides with integrity and trust. But if you know of someone that would be good to know.
Arthur
Again your OPINION, you have no idea what will happen, no one does. My opinion is nothing will change.
As for irreplaceable people, everyone is replaceable, everyone. If you don’t believe that then you’re only kidding yourself. It may be inconvenient for a short period but that always goes away.
Just like any job you may have had or have now, if you leave it, you will be replaced, sometimes it takes awhile for someone to get up to speed but eventually it all works out
Was Jesus "replaceable" ? Also I think Moms aren't replaceable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
As for Jesus if you are Christian he’s coming back so he’s been temporarily replaced by the Pope and those that lead the other Christian churches.
As for
Mom’s???? Yes they do get replaced all the time, they are called step moms, and nannies
Yes, RVP is a choice. but, it is a choice in the same way TAG is an alternative to PSA.
one is the very nearly universal choice that is the Blue Whale in the room that graded 89,100 cards yesterday. the other is the honey bee that is flying around in that same living room that graded 1,800 cards yesterday.
technically RVP is a choice, but a choice that so far is not being taken by very many collectors/dealers. I am sure the vast majority of those are choosing Steve because of the trust he has earned and potential resale value.
I will not use RVP for a really bizarre reason. I have a visceral reaction to the handwriting and label. It's an aesthetic abomination. And I like to look at my boxes a lot.
Their authentication is trustworthy and professional. They need a printed label and a serial number with hologram and online registry similar to PSA's. That would be an opportunity to differentiate themselves during this shutdown.
Yes, RVP is a choice. but, it is a choice in the same way TAG is an alternative to PSA.
one is the very nearly universal choice that is the Blue Whale in the room that graded 89,100 cards yesterday. the other is the honey bee that is flying around in that same living room that graded 1,800 cards yesterday.
technically RVP is a choice, but a choice that so far is not being taken by very many collectors/dealers. I am sure the vast majority of those are choosing Steve because of the trust he has earned and potential resale value.
I will not use RVP for a really bizarre reason. I have a visceral reaction to the handwriting and label. It's an aesthetic abomination. And I like to look at my boxes a lot.
Their authentication is trustworthy and professional. They need a printed label and a serial number with hologram and online registry similar to PSA's. That would be an opportunity to differentiate themselves during this shutdown.
I understand what you're saying. The handwriting thing has crossed my mind too when looking at RVP boxes. BBCE used to have handwriting on the labels too, but it was a little neater than Kurt's. Still, though, I feel Kurt is a good alternative.
@Harnessracing said:
It’s the company that Steve runs that the faith is on. His company is not made up of one person. He has several people who are just as qualified. If you don’t think so then my suggestion is sell.
I disagree. public perception is that it is Steve. all the faith and goodwill is Steves and what he built.
for all intents and purposes, BBCE=Steve Hart in the publics view.
I agree that there are other authenticators just as qualified as steve, but i do not believe that is public perception.
That’s just your opinion. We don’t live forever. When and if Steve retires or sells the company or however he is no longer affiliated with BBCE does that mean everything after that is not credible?
Are PSA graded cards more credible from the beginning, middle or now?
Everyone has an opinion. Follow yours but don’t expect others to agree.
it is not just MY opinon, it is widely agreed upon...
I have no idea how things will shake out when steve sells or retires. there will be a shift. Someone will rise to the top, the hope is that it will be someone credible.
Steve Hart is the perfect storm. He has the knowledge/experience, but most importantly, he is WIDELY respected as an honorable person. The whole unopened market is, to a large extent, based on trust. if that trust is ever broken, so will be the unopened market.
Widely agreed upon by whom? The posters here? Cmon 98% of the submitters only what the items wrapped and that’s my opinion.
Not buying your statement. Steve is trusted by most but whether he retires or sells out to someone else no one will care
If Steve retires or sells out there will be a tectonic shift in the unopened market. BBCE will take a major hit, both in their pockets and in the hobby's view of them. And there isn't a vendor in the market that could fill his shoes.
Arthur
Maybe not but it’s still just your opinion.
My bet would be no one notices.
Everyone can be replaced.
So by your logic, everyone who has a major unopened collection will take a hit. Sorry don’t buy it.
So if PSA buys out BBCE and Steve retires, the unopened market will take a hit??? Doubt it.
I meant BBCE's pockets will take a hit if they stay in business sans Steve. This isn't the only niche in the hobby that is almost entirely held together by one person -- Taube for bats and Yee for photos. They are irreplaceable in the sense that their eventual replacement will be much lower in quality and trust.
Can you recommend someone that could fill Steve's shoes if he packed it up? Because no one is in position to take on the services he provides with integrity and trust. But if you know of someone that would be good to know.
Arthur
Again your OPINION, you have no idea what will happen, no one does. My opinion is nothing will change.
As for irreplaceable people, everyone is replaceable, everyone. If you don’t believe that then you’re only kidding yourself. It may be inconvenient for a short period but that always goes away.
Just like any job you may have had or have now, if you leave it, you will be replaced, sometimes it takes awhile for someone to get up to speed but eventually it all works out
Was Jesus "replaceable" ? Also I think Moms aren't replaceable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
As for Jesus if you are Christian he’s coming back so he’s been temporarily replaced by the Pope and those that lead the other Christian churches.
As for
Mom’s???? Yes they do get replaced all the time, they are called step moms, and nannies
Haha...Now that is using your noddle to THINK...Good Job!
Yes, RVP is a choice. but, it is a choice in the same way TAG is an alternative to PSA.
one is the very nearly universal choice that is the Blue Whale in the room that graded 89,100 cards yesterday. the other is the honey bee that is flying around in that same living room that graded 1,800 cards yesterday.
technically RVP is a choice, but a choice that so far is not being taken by very many collectors/dealers. I am sure the vast majority of those are choosing Steve because of the trust he has earned and potential resale value.
I will not use RVP for a really bizarre reason. I have a visceral reaction to the handwriting and label. It's an aesthetic abomination. And I like to look at my boxes a lot.
Their authentication is trustworthy and professional. They need a printed label and a serial number with hologram and online registry similar to PSA's. That would be an opportunity to differentiate themselves during this shutdown.
I understand what you're saying. The handwriting thing has crossed my mind too when looking at RVP boxes. BBCE used to have handwriting on the labels too, but it was a little neater than Kurt's. Still, though, I feel Kurt is a good alternative.
I definitely agree that it is a solid company, and would have no hesitation buying an RVP box if I was looking for authentic packs. I believe them to be a honest reputable authenticators. I hope they update their label! For people who prefer to invest and keep their unopened boxes, unopened, an attractive label would go a long way. Just one man's opinion.
@Harnessracing said:
It’s the company that Steve runs that the faith is on. His company is not made up of one person. He has several people who are just as qualified. If you don’t think so then my suggestion is sell.
I disagree. public perception is that it is Steve. all the faith and goodwill is Steves and what he built.
for all intents and purposes, BBCE=Steve Hart in the publics view.
I agree that there are other authenticators just as qualified as steve, but i do not believe that is public perception.
That’s just your opinion. We don’t live forever. When and if Steve retires or sells the company or however he is no longer affiliated with BBCE does that mean everything after that is not credible?
Are PSA graded cards more credible from the beginning, middle or now?
Everyone has an opinion. Follow yours but don’t expect others to agree.
it is not just MY opinon, it is widely agreed upon...
I have no idea how things will shake out when steve sells or retires. there will be a shift. Someone will rise to the top, the hope is that it will be someone credible.
Steve Hart is the perfect storm. He has the knowledge/experience, but most importantly, he is WIDELY respected as an honorable person. The whole unopened market is, to a large extent, based on trust. if that trust is ever broken, so will be the unopened market.
Widely agreed upon by whom? The posters here? Cmon 98% of the submitters only what the items wrapped and that’s my opinion.
Not buying your statement. Steve is trusted by most but whether he retires or sells out to someone else no one will care
If Steve retires or sells out there will be a tectonic shift in the unopened market. BBCE will take a major hit, both in their pockets and in the hobby's view of them. And there isn't a vendor in the market that could fill his shoes.
Arthur
Maybe not but it’s still just your opinion.
My bet would be no one notices.
Everyone can be replaced.
So by your logic, everyone who has a major unopened collection will take a hit. Sorry don’t buy it.
So if PSA buys out BBCE and Steve retires, the unopened market will take a hit??? Doubt it.
I meant BBCE's pockets will take a hit if they stay in business sans Steve. This isn't the only niche in the hobby that is almost entirely held together by one person -- Taube for bats and Yee for photos. They are irreplaceable in the sense that their eventual replacement will be much lower in quality and trust.
Can you recommend someone that could fill Steve's shoes if he packed it up? Because no one is in position to take on the services he provides with integrity and trust. But if you know of someone that would be good to know.
Arthur
Again your OPINION, you have no idea what will happen, no one does. My opinion is nothing will change.
As for irreplaceable people, everyone is replaceable, everyone. If you don’t believe that then you’re only kidding yourself. It may be inconvenient for a short period but that always goes away.
Just like any job you may have had or have now, if you leave it, you will be replaced, sometimes it takes awhile for someone to get up to speed but eventually it all works out
We're not talking about some cubicle job where there's 25 people that can be trained to fill one's absence in a week.I'll ask again, who do you see filling the void left by Steve's retirement? Feel free to throw out names. We're talking about people that have spent most, if not all, of their adult lives accruing experience that no one else has. Who replaces Taube? Who replaces Yee?
If all you've got is "everyone is replaceable" then you're missing the point. These guys are the glue that keep their niches held together. I have no doubt that bad actors will step forward and try to fill the hole that Steve leaves but that's not a replacement, it's a loose band-aid.
Arthur
I really don’t care who replaces him but if you think the sky will fall when and if he does then you’re in for a rude awakening. It won’t skip a beat except
maybe get more expensive
I can tell you exactly how it will go. PSA will find a new "Steve" and it will be like when Ryan Rutter took over pack grading at GAI. The older, Steve cert numbers will be considered good and the new certs will have their value suppressed.
I trust RVP because all they do is wrap FASC boxes. I can't speak to Kurt's ability to authenticate vintage wax and he's probably best served staying in his lane. But familiarity breeds trust, unfortunately, and there are other people that folks on the board will step up to vouch for without much knowledge of their actual abilities. We won't have an honest actor in the game.
I think prices on Steve BBCE wraps will increase in price. I think all the new "experts" will find a suppressed market for their product. Although it's just as likely they're met with complete trust and prices stabilize. I'd hate to see that happen but, like I said, familiarity breeds trust.
@Harnessracing said:
It’s the company that Steve runs that the faith is on. His company is not made up of one person. He has several people who are just as qualified. If you don’t think so then my suggestion is sell.
I disagree. public perception is that it is Steve. all the faith and goodwill is Steves and what he built.
for all intents and purposes, BBCE=Steve Hart in the publics view.
I agree that there are other authenticators just as qualified as steve, but i do not believe that is public perception.
That’s just your opinion. We don’t live forever. When and if Steve retires or sells the company or however he is no longer affiliated with BBCE does that mean everything after that is not credible?
Are PSA graded cards more credible from the beginning, middle or now?
Everyone has an opinion. Follow yours but don’t expect others to agree.
it is not just MY opinon, it is widely agreed upon...
I have no idea how things will shake out when steve sells or retires. there will be a shift. Someone will rise to the top, the hope is that it will be someone credible.
Steve Hart is the perfect storm. He has the knowledge/experience, but most importantly, he is WIDELY respected as an honorable person. The whole unopened market is, to a large extent, based on trust. if that trust is ever broken, so will be the unopened market.
Widely agreed upon by whom? The posters here? Cmon 98% of the submitters only what the items wrapped and that’s my opinion.
Not buying your statement. Steve is trusted by most but whether he retires or sells out to someone else no one will care
If Steve retires or sells out there will be a tectonic shift in the unopened market. BBCE will take a major hit, both in their pockets and in the hobby's view of them. And there isn't a vendor in the market that could fill his shoes.
Arthur
Maybe not but it’s still just your opinion.
My bet would be no one notices.
Everyone can be replaced.
So by your logic, everyone who has a major unopened collection will take a hit. Sorry don’t buy it.
So if PSA buys out BBCE and Steve retires, the unopened market will take a hit??? Doubt it.
I meant BBCE's pockets will take a hit if they stay in business sans Steve. This isn't the only niche in the hobby that is almost entirely held together by one person -- Taube for bats and Yee for photos. They are irreplaceable in the sense that their eventual replacement will be much lower in quality and trust.
Can you recommend someone that could fill Steve's shoes if he packed it up? Because no one is in position to take on the services he provides with integrity and trust. But if you know of someone that would be good to know.
Arthur
Again your OPINION, you have no idea what will happen, no one does. My opinion is nothing will change.
As for irreplaceable people, everyone is replaceable, everyone. If you don’t believe that then you’re only kidding yourself. It may be inconvenient for a short period but that always goes away.
Just like any job you may have had or have now, if you leave it, you will be replaced, sometimes it takes awhile for someone to get up to speed but eventually it all works out
We're not talking about some cubicle job where there's 25 people that can be trained to fill one's absence in a week.I'll ask again, who do you see filling the void left by Steve's retirement? Feel free to throw out names. We're talking about people that have spent most, if not all, of their adult lives accruing experience that no one else has. Who replaces Taube? Who replaces Yee?
If all you've got is "everyone is replaceable" then you're missing the point. These guys are the glue that keep their niches held together. I have no doubt that bad actors will step forward and try to fill the hole that Steve leaves but that's not a replacement, it's a loose band-aid.
Arthur
I really don’t care who replaces him but if you think the sky will fall when and if he does then you’re in for a rude awakening. It won’t skip a beat except
maybe get more expensive
I can tell you exactly how it will go. PSA will find a new "Steve" and it will be like when Ryan Rutter took over pack grading at GAI. The older, Steve cert numbers will be considered good and the new certs will have their value suppressed.
I trust RVP because all they do is wrap FASC boxes. I can't speak to Kurt's ability to authenticate vintage wax and he's probably best served staying in his lane. But familiarity breeds trust, unfortunately, and there are other people that folks on the board will step up to vouch for without much knowledge of their actual abilities. We won't have an honest actor in the game.
I think prices on Steve BBCE wraps will increase in price. I think all the new "experts" will find a suppressed market for their product. Although it's just as likely they're met with complete trust and prices stabilize. I'd hate to see that happen but, like I said, familiarity breeds trust.
Arthur
AGAIN you’re OPINION and a lofty one in my OPINION. It may have a difference for you but you are a grain of sand in the collecting world as am I.
Most people will not care, if they did, they wouldn’t buy a PSA 10 instead of a 9 because 99% of the time there is zero difference
@Harnessracing said:
It’s the company that Steve runs that the faith is on. His company is not made up of one person. He has several people who are just as qualified. If you don’t think so then my suggestion is sell.
I disagree. public perception is that it is Steve. all the faith and goodwill is Steves and what he built.
for all intents and purposes, BBCE=Steve Hart in the publics view.
I agree that there are other authenticators just as qualified as steve, but i do not believe that is public perception.
That’s just your opinion. We don’t live forever. When and if Steve retires or sells the company or however he is no longer affiliated with BBCE does that mean everything after that is not credible?
Are PSA graded cards more credible from the beginning, middle or now?
Everyone has an opinion. Follow yours but don’t expect others to agree.
it is not just MY opinon, it is widely agreed upon...
I have no idea how things will shake out when steve sells or retires. there will be a shift. Someone will rise to the top, the hope is that it will be someone credible.
Steve Hart is the perfect storm. He has the knowledge/experience, but most importantly, he is WIDELY respected as an honorable person. The whole unopened market is, to a large extent, based on trust. if that trust is ever broken, so will be the unopened market.
Widely agreed upon by whom? The posters here? Cmon 98% of the submitters only what the items wrapped and that’s my opinion.
Not buying your statement. Steve is trusted by most but whether he retires or sells out to someone else no one will care
If Steve retires or sells out there will be a tectonic shift in the unopened market. BBCE will take a major hit, both in their pockets and in the hobby's view of them. And there isn't a vendor in the market that could fill his shoes.
Arthur
Maybe not but it’s still just your opinion.
My bet would be no one notices.
Everyone can be replaced.
So by your logic, everyone who has a major unopened collection will take a hit. Sorry don’t buy it.
So if PSA buys out BBCE and Steve retires, the unopened market will take a hit??? Doubt it.
I meant BBCE's pockets will take a hit if they stay in business sans Steve. This isn't the only niche in the hobby that is almost entirely held together by one person -- Taube for bats and Yee for photos. They are irreplaceable in the sense that their eventual replacement will be much lower in quality and trust.
Can you recommend someone that could fill Steve's shoes if he packed it up? Because no one is in position to take on the services he provides with integrity and trust. But if you know of someone that would be good to know.
Arthur
Again your OPINION, you have no idea what will happen, no one does. My opinion is nothing will change.
As for irreplaceable people, everyone is replaceable, everyone. If you don’t believe that then you’re only kidding yourself. It may be inconvenient for a short period but that always goes away.
Just like any job you may have had or have now, if you leave it, you will be replaced, sometimes it takes awhile for someone to get up to speed but eventually it all works out
We're not talking about some cubicle job where there's 25 people that can be trained to fill one's absence in a week.I'll ask again, who do you see filling the void left by Steve's retirement? Feel free to throw out names. We're talking about people that have spent most, if not all, of their adult lives accruing experience that no one else has. Who replaces Taube? Who replaces Yee?
If all you've got is "everyone is replaceable" then you're missing the point. These guys are the glue that keep their niches held together. I have no doubt that bad actors will step forward and try to fill the hole that Steve leaves but that's not a replacement, it's a loose band-aid.
Arthur
I really don’t care who replaces him but if you think the sky will fall when and if he does then you’re in for a rude awakening. It won’t skip a beat except
maybe get more expensive
I can tell you exactly how it will go. PSA will find a new "Steve" and it will be like when Ryan Rutter took over pack grading at GAI. The older, Steve cert numbers will be considered good and the new certs will have their value suppressed.
I trust RVP because all they do is wrap FASC boxes. I can't speak to Kurt's ability to authenticate vintage wax and he's probably best served staying in his lane. But familiarity breeds trust, unfortunately, and there are other people that folks on the board will step up to vouch for without much knowledge of their actual abilities. We won't have an honest actor in the game.
I think prices on Steve BBCE wraps will increase in price. I think all the new "experts" will find a suppressed market for their product. Although it's just as likely they're met with complete trust and prices stabilize. I'd hate to see that happen but, like I said, familiarity breeds trust.
Arthur
AGAIN you’re OPINION and a lofty one in my OPINION. It may have a difference for you but you are a grain of sand in the collecting world as am I.
Most people will not care, if they did, they wouldn’t buy a PSA 10 instead of a 9 because 99% of the time there is zero difference
It's a message board. Everything here is an opinion. There are educated opinions and then those of people who can't tell the difference between a PSA 9 and PSA 10.
Baker and Brent popped up with stickers and they seemed to have no trouble gaining the hobby’s trust again. So ya, there will be another hobby dinosaur to fill the void 5 minutes after Steve retires.
@80sOPC said:
Baker and Brent popped up with stickers and they seemed to have no trouble gaining the hobby’s trust again. So ya, there will be another hobby dinosaur to fill the void 5 minutes after Steve retires.
@Harnessracing said:
It’s the company that Steve runs that the faith is on. His company is not made up of one person. He has several people who are just as qualified. If you don’t think so then my suggestion is sell.
I disagree. public perception is that it is Steve. all the faith and goodwill is Steves and what he built.
for all intents and purposes, BBCE=Steve Hart in the publics view.
I agree that there are other authenticators just as qualified as steve, but i do not believe that is public perception.
That’s just your opinion. We don’t live forever. When and if Steve retires or sells the company or however he is no longer affiliated with BBCE does that mean everything after that is not credible?
Are PSA graded cards more credible from the beginning, middle or now?
Everyone has an opinion. Follow yours but don’t expect others to agree.
it is not just MY opinon, it is widely agreed upon...
I have no idea how things will shake out when steve sells or retires. there will be a shift. Someone will rise to the top, the hope is that it will be someone credible.
Steve Hart is the perfect storm. He has the knowledge/experience, but most importantly, he is WIDELY respected as an honorable person. The whole unopened market is, to a large extent, based on trust. if that trust is ever broken, so will be the unopened market.
Widely agreed upon by whom? The posters here? Cmon 98% of the submitters only what the items wrapped and that’s my opinion.
Not buying your statement. Steve is trusted by most but whether he retires or sells out to someone else no one will care
If Steve retires or sells out there will be a tectonic shift in the unopened market. BBCE will take a major hit, both in their pockets and in the hobby's view of them. And there isn't a vendor in the market that could fill his shoes.
Arthur
Maybe not but it’s still just your opinion.
My bet would be no one notices.
Everyone can be replaced.
So by your logic, everyone who has a major unopened collection will take a hit. Sorry don’t buy it.
So if PSA buys out BBCE and Steve retires, the unopened market will take a hit??? Doubt it.
I meant BBCE's pockets will take a hit if they stay in business sans Steve. This isn't the only niche in the hobby that is almost entirely held together by one person -- Taube for bats and Yee for photos. They are irreplaceable in the sense that their eventual replacement will be much lower in quality and trust.
Can you recommend someone that could fill Steve's shoes if he packed it up? Because no one is in position to take on the services he provides with integrity and trust. But if you know of someone that would be good to know.
Arthur
Again your OPINION, you have no idea what will happen, no one does. My opinion is nothing will change.
As for irreplaceable people, everyone is replaceable, everyone. If you don’t believe that then you’re only kidding yourself. It may be inconvenient for a short period but that always goes away.
Just like any job you may have had or have now, if you leave it, you will be replaced, sometimes it takes awhile for someone to get up to speed but eventually it all works out
We're not talking about some cubicle job where there's 25 people that can be trained to fill one's absence in a week.I'll ask again, who do you see filling the void left by Steve's retirement? Feel free to throw out names. We're talking about people that have spent most, if not all, of their adult lives accruing experience that no one else has. Who replaces Taube? Who replaces Yee?
If all you've got is "everyone is replaceable" then you're missing the point. These guys are the glue that keep their niches held together. I have no doubt that bad actors will step forward and try to fill the hole that Steve leaves but that's not a replacement, it's a loose band-aid.
Arthur
I really don’t care who replaces him but if you think the sky will fall when and if he does then you’re in for a rude awakening. It won’t skip a beat except
maybe get more expensive
I can tell you exactly how it will go. PSA will find a new "Steve" and it will be like when Ryan Rutter took over pack grading at GAI. The older, Steve cert numbers will be considered good and the new certs will have their value suppressed.
I trust RVP because all they do is wrap FASC boxes. I can't speak to Kurt's ability to authenticate vintage wax and he's probably best served staying in his lane. But familiarity breeds trust, unfortunately, and there are other people that folks on the board will step up to vouch for without much knowledge of their actual abilities. We won't have an honest actor in the game.
I think prices on Steve BBCE wraps will increase in price. I think all the new "experts" will find a suppressed market for their product. Although it's just as likely they're met with complete trust and prices stabilize. I'd hate to see that happen but, like I said, familiarity breeds trust.
Arthur
AGAIN you’re OPINION and a lofty one in my OPINION. It may have a difference for you but you are a grain of sand in the collecting world as am I.
Most people will not care, if they did, they wouldn’t buy a PSA 10 instead of a 9 because 99% of the time there is zero difference
It's a message board. Everything here is an opinion. There are educated opinions and then those of people who can't tell the difference between a PSA 9 and PSA 10.
Arthur
Actually I’ve seen 10s with fuzz on a corner and 9s that are rock solid.
When you get over 100000 cards graded by PSA then come back and we can discuss the difference.
@Harnessracing said:
It’s the company that Steve runs that the faith is on. His company is not made up of one person. He has several people who are just as qualified. If you don’t think so then my suggestion is sell.
I disagree. public perception is that it is Steve. all the faith and goodwill is Steves and what he built.
for all intents and purposes, BBCE=Steve Hart in the publics view.
I agree that there are other authenticators just as qualified as steve, but i do not believe that is public perception.
That’s just your opinion. We don’t live forever. When and if Steve retires or sells the company or however he is no longer affiliated with BBCE does that mean everything after that is not credible?
Are PSA graded cards more credible from the beginning, middle or now?
Everyone has an opinion. Follow yours but don’t expect others to agree.
it is not just MY opinon, it is widely agreed upon...
I have no idea how things will shake out when steve sells or retires. there will be a shift. Someone will rise to the top, the hope is that it will be someone credible.
Steve Hart is the perfect storm. He has the knowledge/experience, but most importantly, he is WIDELY respected as an honorable person. The whole unopened market is, to a large extent, based on trust. if that trust is ever broken, so will be the unopened market.
Widely agreed upon by whom? The posters here? Cmon 98% of the submitters only what the items wrapped and that’s my opinion.
Not buying your statement. Steve is trusted by most but whether he retires or sells out to someone else no one will care
If Steve retires or sells out there will be a tectonic shift in the unopened market. BBCE will take a major hit, both in their pockets and in the hobby's view of them. And there isn't a vendor in the market that could fill his shoes.
Arthur
Maybe not but it’s still just your opinion.
My bet would be no one notices.
Everyone can be replaced.
So by your logic, everyone who has a major unopened collection will take a hit. Sorry don’t buy it.
So if PSA buys out BBCE and Steve retires, the unopened market will take a hit??? Doubt it.
I meant BBCE's pockets will take a hit if they stay in business sans Steve. This isn't the only niche in the hobby that is almost entirely held together by one person -- Taube for bats and Yee for photos. They are irreplaceable in the sense that their eventual replacement will be much lower in quality and trust.
Can you recommend someone that could fill Steve's shoes if he packed it up? Because no one is in position to take on the services he provides with integrity and trust. But if you know of someone that would be good to know.
Arthur
Again your OPINION, you have no idea what will happen, no one does. My opinion is nothing will change.
As for irreplaceable people, everyone is replaceable, everyone. If you don’t believe that then you’re only kidding yourself. It may be inconvenient for a short period but that always goes away.
Just like any job you may have had or have now, if you leave it, you will be replaced, sometimes it takes awhile for someone to get up to speed but eventually it all works out
We're not talking about some cubicle job where there's 25 people that can be trained to fill one's absence in a week.I'll ask again, who do you see filling the void left by Steve's retirement? Feel free to throw out names. We're talking about people that have spent most, if not all, of their adult lives accruing experience that no one else has. Who replaces Taube? Who replaces Yee?
If all you've got is "everyone is replaceable" then you're missing the point. These guys are the glue that keep their niches held together. I have no doubt that bad actors will step forward and try to fill the hole that Steve leaves but that's not a replacement, it's a loose band-aid.
Arthur
I really don’t care who replaces him but if you think the sky will fall when and if he does then you’re in for a rude awakening. It won’t skip a beat except
maybe get more expensive
I can tell you exactly how it will go. PSA will find a new "Steve" and it will be like when Ryan Rutter took over pack grading at GAI. The older, Steve cert numbers will be considered good and the new certs will have their value suppressed.
I trust RVP because all they do is wrap FASC boxes. I can't speak to Kurt's ability to authenticate vintage wax and he's probably best served staying in his lane. But familiarity breeds trust, unfortunately, and there are other people that folks on the board will step up to vouch for without much knowledge of their actual abilities. We won't have an honest actor in the game.
I think prices on Steve BBCE wraps will increase in price. I think all the new "experts" will find a suppressed market for their product. Although it's just as likely they're met with complete trust and prices stabilize. I'd hate to see that happen but, like I said, familiarity breeds trust.
Arthur
AGAIN you’re OPINION and a lofty one in my OPINION. It may have a difference for you but you are a grain of sand in the collecting world as am I.
Most people will not care, if they did, they wouldn’t buy a PSA 10 instead of a 9 because 99% of the time there is zero difference
It's a message board. Everything here is an opinion. There are educated opinions and then those of people who can't tell the difference between a PSA 9 and PSA 10.
Arthur
Actually I’ve seen 10s with fuzz on a corner and 9s that are rock solid.
When you get over 100000 cards graded by PSA then come back and we can discuss the difference.
Just think, if you could tell the difference between a 9 and a 10 you only would've needed to submit 5,000 cards.
@Harnessracing said:
It’s the company that Steve runs that the faith is on. His company is not made up of one person. He has several people who are just as qualified. If you don’t think so then my suggestion is sell.
I disagree. public perception is that it is Steve. all the faith and goodwill is Steves and what he built.
for all intents and purposes, BBCE=Steve Hart in the publics view.
I agree that there are other authenticators just as qualified as steve, but i do not believe that is public perception.
That’s just your opinion. We don’t live forever. When and if Steve retires or sells the company or however he is no longer affiliated with BBCE does that mean everything after that is not credible?
Are PSA graded cards more credible from the beginning, middle or now?
Everyone has an opinion. Follow yours but don’t expect others to agree.
it is not just MY opinon, it is widely agreed upon...
I have no idea how things will shake out when steve sells or retires. there will be a shift. Someone will rise to the top, the hope is that it will be someone credible.
Steve Hart is the perfect storm. He has the knowledge/experience, but most importantly, he is WIDELY respected as an honorable person. The whole unopened market is, to a large extent, based on trust. if that trust is ever broken, so will be the unopened market.
Widely agreed upon by whom? The posters here? Cmon 98% of the submitters only what the items wrapped and that’s my opinion.
Not buying your statement. Steve is trusted by most but whether he retires or sells out to someone else no one will care
If Steve retires or sells out there will be a tectonic shift in the unopened market. BBCE will take a major hit, both in their pockets and in the hobby's view of them. And there isn't a vendor in the market that could fill his shoes.
Arthur
Maybe not but it’s still just your opinion.
My bet would be no one notices.
Everyone can be replaced.
So by your logic, everyone who has a major unopened collection will take a hit. Sorry don’t buy it.
So if PSA buys out BBCE and Steve retires, the unopened market will take a hit??? Doubt it.
I meant BBCE's pockets will take a hit if they stay in business sans Steve. This isn't the only niche in the hobby that is almost entirely held together by one person -- Taube for bats and Yee for photos. They are irreplaceable in the sense that their eventual replacement will be much lower in quality and trust.
Can you recommend someone that could fill Steve's shoes if he packed it up? Because no one is in position to take on the services he provides with integrity and trust. But if you know of someone that would be good to know.
Arthur
Again your OPINION, you have no idea what will happen, no one does. My opinion is nothing will change.
As for irreplaceable people, everyone is replaceable, everyone. If you don’t believe that then you’re only kidding yourself. It may be inconvenient for a short period but that always goes away.
Just like any job you may have had or have now, if you leave it, you will be replaced, sometimes it takes awhile for someone to get up to speed but eventually it all works out
We're not talking about some cubicle job where there's 25 people that can be trained to fill one's absence in a week.I'll ask again, who do you see filling the void left by Steve's retirement? Feel free to throw out names. We're talking about people that have spent most, if not all, of their adult lives accruing experience that no one else has. Who replaces Taube? Who replaces Yee?
If all you've got is "everyone is replaceable" then you're missing the point. These guys are the glue that keep their niches held together. I have no doubt that bad actors will step forward and try to fill the hole that Steve leaves but that's not a replacement, it's a loose band-aid.
Arthur
I really don’t care who replaces him but if you think the sky will fall when and if he does then you’re in for a rude awakening. It won’t skip a beat except
maybe get more expensive
I can tell you exactly how it will go. PSA will find a new "Steve" and it will be like when Ryan Rutter took over pack grading at GAI. The older, Steve cert numbers will be considered good and the new certs will have their value suppressed.
I trust RVP because all they do is wrap FASC boxes. I can't speak to Kurt's ability to authenticate vintage wax and he's probably best served staying in his lane. But familiarity breeds trust, unfortunately, and there are other people that folks on the board will step up to vouch for without much knowledge of their actual abilities. We won't have an honest actor in the game.
I think prices on Steve BBCE wraps will increase in price. I think all the new "experts" will find a suppressed market for their product. Although it's just as likely they're met with complete trust and prices stabilize. I'd hate to see that happen but, like I said, familiarity breeds trust.
Arthur
AGAIN you’re OPINION and a lofty one in my OPINION. It may have a difference for you but you are a grain of sand in the collecting world as am I.
Most people will not care, if they did, they wouldn’t buy a PSA 10 instead of a 9 because 99% of the time there is zero difference
It's a message board. Everything here is an opinion. There are educated opinions and then those of people who can't tell the difference between a PSA 9 and PSA 10.
Arthur
Actually I’ve seen 10s with fuzz on a corner and 9s that are rock solid.
When you get over 100000 cards graded by PSA then come back and we can discuss the difference.
Just think, if you could tell the difference between a 9 and a 10 you only would've needed to submit 5,000 cards.
Arthur
Then I would have been out of business if I only graded 5000. When you submit 5000 come back.
@ElMagoStrikeZone said:
Some of you seem to forget there once was a guy named Reed Kasaoka, who helped elevate Steve to a greater level while he was part of the team.
I came here for this comment. I appreciate recognizing my contributions to the tremendous growth BBCE attained during my tenure at the company.
@ElMagoStrikeZone said:
Some of you seem to forget there once was a guy named Reed Kasaoka, who helped elevate Steve to a greater level while he was part of the team.
I came here for this comment. I appreciate recognizing my contributions to the tremendous growth BBCE attained during my tenure at the company.
I just miss your Facebook posts where you would share with us your latest road trip and the various finds you made along your travels. It was cool to see what you found.
kevin
@ElMagoStrikeZone said:
Some of you seem to forget there once was a guy named Reed Kasaoka, who helped elevate Steve to a greater level while he was part of the team.
I came here for this comment. I appreciate recognizing my contributions to the tremendous growth BBCE attained during my tenure at the company.
I just miss your Facebook posts where you would share with us your latest road trip and the various finds you made along your travels. It was cool to see what you found.
kevin
My company doesn't want me to hijack their social media feed, as they regularly schedule posts throughout the day/week, and apparently I was messing up the algorithm. eye roll
My instagram handle is reedbuyscards - I post there but the ability to write long(er) stories like Facebook simply isn't there. My buys are also sometimes featured on all the Dave & Adam's socials.
@ElMagoStrikeZone said:
Some of you seem to forget there once was a guy named Reed Kasaoka, who helped elevate Steve to a greater level while he was part of the team.
I came here for this comment. I appreciate recognizing my contributions to the tremendous growth BBCE attained during my tenure at the company.
I just miss your Facebook posts where you would share with us your latest road trip and the various finds you made along your travels. It was cool to see what you found.
kevin
My company doesn't want me to hijack their social media feed, as they regularly schedule posts throughout the day/week, and apparently I was messing up the algorithm. eye roll
My instagram handle is reedbuyscards - I post there but the ability to write long(er) stories like Facebook simply isn't there. My buys are also sometimes featured on all the Dave & Adam's socials.
I just followed. Your writeups were always a highlight.
Comments
Yes, RVP is a choice. but, it is a choice in the same way TAG is an alternative to PSA.
one is the very nearly universal choice that is the Blue Whale in the room that graded 89,100 cards yesterday. the other is the honey bee that is flying around in that same living room that graded 1,800 cards yesterday.
technically RVP is a choice, but a choice that so far is not being taken by very many collectors/dealers. I am sure the vast majority of those are choosing Steve because of the trust he has earned and potential resale value.
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
Psa graded is still the gold standard. Compare prices to any other company or raw. Not even close.
I didn't realize Steve did the authentication of every PSA wack pack until recently. Always thought it was PSA who did it. I know he has a high tech and painstaking process to make sure every pack is authentic. He's sent back packs because the gum moved too much! I have 100% faith in the product. Does that mean one or two exceptions may have gotten through. Yeah, it could happen but unlikely. It boggles my mind the work he has to do as well. Needs a break.
Can you share what you know about the high tech process? Nothing boggles the mind more than technological process so take your time.
"high tech process"
I am unaware of any high-tech processes that Steve is using. consider my mind boggled!
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
I meant BBCE's pockets will take a hit if they stay in business sans Steve. This isn't the only niche in the hobby that is almost entirely held together by one person -- Taube for bats and Yee for photos. They are irreplaceable in the sense that their eventual replacement will be much lower in quality and trust.
Can you recommend someone that could fill Steve's shoes if he packed it up? Because no one is in position to take on the services he provides with integrity and trust. But if you know of someone that would be good to know.
Arthur
HUH... People send packs to PSA in California and then PSA sends the packs to Steve in Indiana and then Steve sends the packs back to PSA in CA and PSA sends the packs back to the customer???? I sent some non-sports packs valued lower than $30 each straight to PSA in CA and to my knowledge PSA indicated they had their own graders...
If I am not mistaken, Steve only authenticates the packs, PSA grades them.
Matt
Correct and I thought at one time stever used to Fly to PSA for a few days each month
It's the singer not the song - Peter Townshend (1972)
Not even a minute do I buy the whole buh buh buh I'm a man-child japery - Me (2025)
Again your OPINION, you have no idea what will happen, no one does. My opinion is nothing will change.
As for irreplaceable people, everyone is replaceable, everyone. If you don’t believe that then you’re only kidding yourself. It may be inconvenient for a short period but that always goes away.
Just like any job you may have had or have now, if you leave it, you will be replaced, sometimes it takes awhile for someone to get up to speed but eventually it all works out
We're not talking about some cubicle job where there's 25 people that can be trained to fill one's absence in a week.I'll ask again, who do you see filling the void left by Steve's retirement? Feel free to throw out names. We're talking about people that have spent most, if not all, of their adult lives accruing experience that no one else has. Who replaces Taube? Who replaces Yee?
If all you've got is "everyone is replaceable" then you're missing the point. These guys are the glue that keep their niches held together. I have no doubt that bad actors will step forward and try to fill the hole that Steve leaves but that's not a replacement, it's a loose band-aid.
Arthur
Joe might replace Steve
It's the singer not the song - Peter Townshend (1972)
Not even a minute do I buy the whole buh buh buh I'm a man-child japery - Me (2025)
Was Jesus "replaceable" ?
Also I think Moms aren't replaceable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
OK. This could get good again. Let's see what people think about that.
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Grote
I assume you are referring to Jesus Alou who was replaced in RF by The Toy Cannon Jim Wynn by the Astros in 1971!
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And by 1974, they still didn't know what position he should play.
If there's such concern about the void that Steve's absence would create and the potential for issues in the unopened market... would I not be correct to interpret that to mean there's no such objective process which exists for unopened authentication, even if only within the ambiguity, such that there would be negligible degradation in quality post-Steve. I find it hard to believe that Steve's integrity is so unmatched that his honesty is the thread holding everything together here. That's why I see this as such a lay-person heuristic process that's based on experience bias. Whether you agree with my crass conclusion regarding Steve's ability and reasoning that seems like a problem that's agreed upon in general.
And all it takes is a sticker and a plastic wrapper.
BINGO!!!
Unfortunately, this is all it takes for folks to instill trust in someone. It's already happened and most don't know it.
Arthur
It's the singer not the song - Peter Townshend (1972)
Not even a minute do I buy the whole buh buh buh I'm a man-child japery - Me (2025)
I really don’t care who replaces him but if you think the sky will fall when and if he does then you’re in for a rude awakening. It won’t skip a beat except
maybe get more expensive
As for Jesus if you are Christian he’s coming back so he’s been temporarily replaced by the Pope and those that lead the other Christian churches.
As for
Mom’s???? Yes they do get replaced all the time, they are called step moms, and nannies
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I will not use RVP for a really bizarre reason. I have a visceral reaction to the handwriting and label. It's an aesthetic abomination. And I like to look at my boxes a lot.
Their authentication is trustworthy and professional. They need a printed label and a serial number with hologram and online registry similar to PSA's. That would be an opportunity to differentiate themselves during this shutdown.
I understand what you're saying. The handwriting thing has crossed my mind too when looking at RVP boxes. BBCE used to have handwriting on the labels too, but it was a little neater than Kurt's. Still, though, I feel Kurt is a good alternative.
Haha...Now that is using your noddle to THINK...Good Job!
I definitely agree that it is a solid company, and would have no hesitation buying an RVP box if I was looking for authentic packs. I believe them to be a honest reputable authenticators. I hope they update their label! For people who prefer to invest and keep their unopened boxes, unopened, an attractive label would go a long way. Just one man's opinion.
I can tell you exactly how it will go. PSA will find a new "Steve" and it will be like when Ryan Rutter took over pack grading at GAI. The older, Steve cert numbers will be considered good and the new certs will have their value suppressed.
I trust RVP because all they do is wrap FASC boxes. I can't speak to Kurt's ability to authenticate vintage wax and he's probably best served staying in his lane. But familiarity breeds trust, unfortunately, and there are other people that folks on the board will step up to vouch for without much knowledge of their actual abilities. We won't have an honest actor in the game.
I think prices on Steve BBCE wraps will increase in price. I think all the new "experts" will find a suppressed market for their product. Although it's just as likely they're met with complete trust and prices stabilize. I'd hate to see that happen but, like I said, familiarity breeds trust.
Arthur
AGAIN you’re OPINION and a lofty one in my OPINION. It may have a difference for you but you are a grain of sand in the collecting world as am I.
Most people will not care, if they did, they wouldn’t buy a PSA 10 instead of a 9 because 99% of the time there is zero difference
It's a message board. Everything here is an opinion. There are educated opinions and then those of people who can't tell the difference between a PSA 9 and PSA 10.
Arthur
Baker and Brent popped up with stickers and they seemed to have no trouble gaining the hobby’s trust again. So ya, there will be another hobby dinosaur to fill the void 5 minutes after Steve retires.
Agreed except Arthur believes that it isn’t. Very narrow minded in my OPINION
Actually I’ve seen 10s with fuzz on a corner and 9s that are rock solid.
When you get over 100000 cards graded by PSA then come back and we can discuss the difference.
Just think, if you could tell the difference between a 9 and a 10 you only would've needed to submit 5,000 cards.
Arthur
Welcome to our studio audience, it’s time for another episode of Celebrity Mud Wrestling With Daggers!!
where clothing is optional
Then I would have been out of business if I only graded 5000. When you submit 5000 come back.
“Let’s keep the discussion focused on the topic and avoid the repetitive back-and-forth—thanks.”
The moderator makes an appearance. Apparently they're no longer concerned with the PSA bashing that used to get people banned back in the day.
Brian
^ PSA for all intents has a monopoly. Thus no more reason for them to care about perceived "bashing". PSA/SGC/BGS are all theirs
It's the singer not the song - Peter Townshend (1972)
Not even a minute do I buy the whole buh buh buh I'm a man-child japery - Me (2025)
I came here for this comment. I appreciate recognizing my contributions to the tremendous growth BBCE attained during my tenure at the company.
I just miss your Facebook posts where you would share with us your latest road trip and the various finds you made along your travels. It was cool to see what you found.
kevin
My company doesn't want me to hijack their social media feed, as they regularly schedule posts throughout the day/week, and apparently I was messing up the algorithm. eye roll
My instagram handle is reedbuyscards - I post there but the ability to write long(er) stories like Facebook simply isn't there. My buys are also sometimes featured on all the Dave & Adam's socials.
I just followed. Your writeups were always a highlight.
Didnt realize Kurt was an "expert" in vintage unopened 🤔 thought he took it up just recently ( last 10 years)
I own quite a few cards from his old high end modern card PC 😍 . He was great to work with.
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