Those who have fiscal stake will not change their minds nothing left to be said.
Good for Brent he's found another scam and another outlet to funnel his trimmed cards to keep his smug lifestyle going. Kudos to some of the folks here for making that possible.
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)
@1982FBWaxMemories said:
Those who have fiscal stake will not change their minds nothing left to be said.
Good for Brent he's found another scam and another outlet to funnel his trimmed cards to keep his smug lifestyle going. Kudos to some of the folks here for making that possible.
you are right, Brent has found his way back into the hobby. people have very short memories. I have no doubt this will go sideways. look at how popular PWCC was. until it wasnt. then it went down fast. this latest grift will probably last for quite a while and then there will be some sort of controversy and it will crash.
why does this have seinfeld episode written all over it. george goes in for a job interview. "so, i see you earned an MBA." "sure did." then he proudly busts out his 1991 Bowman Danny Tartabull with a .01% sticker on it
@mintonlypls said:
Hopefully, that horse will buck you off…then stomp you into dead-silence!
Why would you want to do business with anyone who freely associates with a person like Brent? and Mike already has a history with a failed/shady grading company.
is being able to sell cards for possibly a higher price worth dealing with such people? I really dont understand you singing MBA's praises.
I find it sad someone can do damage to the hobby as significantly as PWCC did and then jump right back in without losing a step. I still have to check the blowout forum database before I purchase a big card to make sure it wasn't a PWCC "restored" card.
Yes, people can choose whether or not to sticker their cards. I choose not to play. And I don't buy cards that were PWCC stickered for obvious reasons.
Craig I understand your concern. But the stickers appear to bring higher sells for the cards that have them, much like the pwcc crap. If people like it then so be it. I'm not opposed to using them, but I have never used them. I do like the concept for certain cards, especially the ones that have pops of 500 or more for the grade.
Now there mission statement probably needs to be adjusted to say that the card appears to be a high end version of an 8, i.e. 10 centering, 10 corners, 9 surface or something like that. Not that it's a top 5% card when obviously there is no way to prove that.
just state the nice credentials kind of like Beckett used to do with the subgrades. that's really what MBA is trying to do.
I think stickers are useful -- like someone said earlier they are like a 2nd set of eyes on a card you might think looks exceptional for the grade. I've noticed that some cards on eBay that I've tried to win -- if it had a well known sticker on it, they almost always sell for more vs. having no sticker at all. So buyers do rely on the stickers -- if anything at least to have a 2nd set of eyes on a card that they can't actually review/hold in person since it's an online auction. And the stickers can also be very helpful when the seller's listing has crappy pictures.
Don't forget 4sharpcorners has stickers too.
They don't claim percentages like MBA:
"Superior Quality Within Grade
Our focus on superior centering and visual perfection means these cards possess an unparalleled aesthetic, setting them apart from other cards sharing the same grade designation."
Not only are they gifted high grades, they can slap a sticker on it to really pump it up.
This topic always circles around and talks about added value.
No one is disputing the added value an MBA sticker likely brings.
As long as the hobby accepts it, the sticker will have value, whether it's based on a fallacy or not.
Just like the so-called monopoly of PSA.
No matter how many examples of misgraded slabbed cards shown, or trimmed, or the changing grading standard, or the questionable reliability of accurately grading 2 million cards a month by a bunch of new hires, the hobby considers them the authority and therefore, can add value.
And I don't blame mintonlypls shilling for MBA, protecting his investments.
If I was a millionaire with his cards, I'd probably get them stickered too.
You're telling me if I pay $300, my $10,000 investment is now worth $15,000. Sign me up!
100% about added value, flexing, and bragging. It doesn't have to be logical. All that matters is more money. America at its very best. You can choose to pay to play or walk away.
As someone with no horse in this race (never bought or sold a stickered card) I have a question. Have there been any cases yet where a card is MBA stickered and you look at it and say "That doesn't look great for it's assigned grade"? If not, I don't see what's wrong here.
@craig44 said: “And to go even further, unless Mike has images of each of that minimum of 100 cards, how can he possibly rank each of them to arrive at an accurate "top 5%?"
Exactly, no possible way he looks up certs or has a photographical memory for any significant amount of each example.
And what about cards he thinks that PSA under grades, is that an automatic diamond because it should have been higher?
@1all said:
As someone with no horse in this race (never bought or sold a stickered card) I have a question. Have there been any cases yet where a card is MBA stickered and you look at it and say "That doesn't look great for it's assigned grade"? If not, I don't see what's wrong here.
There has been that case. In one of the 17 other MBA threads.
"Would love to see someone explain the downside to making more $ on cards and saving $$ by not subbing cards that are flawed."
A couple of thoughts.
As has been pointed out previously, the "service" provided by Mike as stated on his website is just not possible. The math doesnt math. I believe the reason he uses the figures "top 5%" and "top .01%" is to seem more authoritative. If he simply wrote that a gold stickered card "looks to us to be one of the best examples in the hobby", it would obviously not have the same gravitas as the much more authoritative "top .01% of the population." It is a sales pitch. and a fraudulent one.
Baker has a cloudy reputation. At best. I believe he was head grader at PSA when they graded the known trimmed wagner back in 91. he operated GAI grading. We all know about that outfit. I am not sure why anyone would want the guy who ran that place grading or opining about their cards now.
He has also brought Brent Huigens aboard in his new business. Why would you want to do business with anyone who freely associates with a person like Brent?
Is it because you may be able to make more money when you sell? Would that be why? That is sure how it appears when I read your last post.
I suppose it comes down to stuff before principles...
I think you are not only beating a dead horse on this one as others have stated, but you are making incorrect assumptions about people and their motives for what they do with their cards. First you have discussed his math and it not being possible as your first gotcha. Then you are making claims and questioning my reasons and reputation in the hobby and I am only in it for the money. Do you really want to go down that road, and I think you will find out very quickly what people in the hobby and on this board think of how I conduct myself and how i give back to the hobby.
When the MBA labels first came out and I saw them in Atlantic City several years ago I did not pay much attention to them nor use their service. I had no idea about them until I went by their booth at the National last year in Chicago and dropped off a few cards. What I found out from dealing with them is they are VERY professional and great to deal with on cards and providing advice on cards.
I don't think it is a stretch to say their service in our hobby and the industry is one of the best out there in regards to thoroughness, meeting timelines and deadlines, and overall customer service. We constantly read threads on here about grading companies, card companies, distributors... who are nightmares to deal with - this occurs daily. I was always told to judge people by how they treat me and my interactions with them, and to date I have nothing but very positive experiences with MBA and their employees and will continue to deal with them. Have you ever dealt with them on cards and their service directly? What I don't understand with your constant posting/beating a dead horse.
Is having a service with an expert in the hobby providing sound advice regarding cards and their condition a bad thing? Show me where for $10 a card and a 48 hour turnaround you can get this service?
Just like with PSA having a grade or evaluation of cards and the hobby overall assigning a higher grade to those same cards when is this a bad thing? I don't create the record sale prices, and if the hobby agreed with you why are record prices being realized on cards with silver or gold labels? People would not pay extra for a service that does not provide extra value.
Funny you mention principles above. What does it say about people who have posted multiple negative threads about the same topic over the past 3-4 months, and once the thread is open post 20%+ of all the replies in the same thread - in a thread you just started yesterday you have already posted 16 times - #obsession. Curious that If this thread dies like the one you created on the same subject back on January 5th are you going to start yet another thread on the matter?
Craig you should just stop. The integrity and reputations of Baker and Huigens isn’t something Kendall and Mintonly are going to discuss, that has become clear. They can make good money on some dumb sticker, let them it’s not against the law.
I used to find some deals at PWCC and made one of my best all-time buys there. 41 BBC/FASC 1982 Topps traded sets about 10 years ago that I still have. Great deal and buy
@1all said:
As someone with no horse in this race (never bought or sold a stickered card) I have a question. Have there been any cases yet where a card is MBA stickered and you look at it and say "That doesn't look great for it's assigned grade"? If not, I don't see what's wrong here.
Usually the MBA sticker fits the card, but here is an example where this card is certainly not in the top 5% of EX 5 graded T206 Wagners. I'm not sure this is even deserving of a 5 grade, regardless of the MBA sticker. I'm not sure how you even explain this.
And the card does have inks oozing color…also I cannot see any creases. Yes, it does have rounded corners, but to me the card presents very well for the issue. I would be happy to own it, if I could afford it.
@ReggieCleveland said:
Even worse are the slabs. Want to guess where all the cards Brent "bought back" under the direction of the Feds to avoid prison time have ended up? MBA slabs.
Arthur
This. Plus with Mike's history at PSA and then GAI of slabbing trimmed cards coupled with his current financial backer and him getting caught working with Moser and stickering trimmed cards, I think buyer beware of any MBA stickered card and especially MBA holdered cards which are now showing up on MHCC and Heritage.
Besides trimmed cards getting holdered and stickered under the previous PWCC scheme, it came to light that auctions of those cards were getting shilled like crazy.
But that couldn't possibly be happening again.
I think calling out high end for the grade cards through a sticker isn't really the issue here--I don't have have a problem with the idea itself. To me, the issue is the players, financial backers, past history with dishonesty and corruption which calls into question the credibility of this whole operation.
One must tread very lightly when navigating these hot coals. We have a few members here who have done that quite successfully. I think that's pretty admirable. Again, the MBA vibe is not for everyone. Knowing who you're dealing with is of vital importance. None of these guys would have submitted anything to them if they couldn't do so with confidence. It's not their responsibility to manage whatever other efforts are being made by the company. Only to secure their own interests.
"Would love to see someone explain the downside to making more $ on cards and saving $$ by not subbing cards that are flawed."
A couple of thoughts.
As has been pointed out previously, the "service" provided by Mike as stated on his website is just not possible. The math doesnt math. I believe the reason he uses the figures "top 5%" and "top .01%" is to seem more authoritative. If he simply wrote that a gold stickered card "looks to us to be one of the best examples in the hobby", it would obviously not have the same gravitas as the much more authoritative "top .01% of the population." It is a sales pitch. and a fraudulent one.
Baker has a cloudy reputation. At best. I believe he was head grader at PSA when they graded the known trimmed wagner back in 91. he operated GAI grading. We all know about that outfit. I am not sure why anyone would want the guy who ran that place grading or opining about their cards now.
He has also brought Brent Huigens aboard in his new business. Why would you want to do business with anyone who freely associates with a person like Brent?
Is it because you may be able to make more money when you sell? Would that be why? That is sure how it appears when I read your last post.
I suppose it comes down to stuff before principles...
I think you are not only beating a dead horse on this one as others have stated, but you are making incorrect assumptions about people and their motives for what they do with their cards. First you have discussed his math and it not being possible as your first gotcha. Then you are making claims and questioning my reasons and reputation in the hobby and I am only in it for the money. Do you really want to go down that road, and I think you will find out very quickly what people in the hobby and on this board think of how I conduct myself and how i give back to the hobby.
When the MBA labels first came out and I saw them in Atlantic City several years ago I did not pay much attention to them nor use their service. I had no idea about them until I went by their booth at the National last year in Chicago and dropped off a few cards. What I found out from dealing with them is they are VERY professional and great to deal with on cards and providing advice on cards.
I don't think it is a stretch to say their service in our hobby and the industry is one of the best out there in regards to thoroughness, meeting timelines and deadlines, and overall customer service. We constantly read threads on here about grading companies, card companies, distributors... who are nightmares to deal with - this occurs daily. I was always told to judge people by how they treat me and my interactions with them, and to date I have nothing but very positive experiences with MBA and their employees and will continue to deal with them. Have you ever dealt with them on cards and their service directly? What I don't understand with your constant posting/beating a dead horse.
Is having a service with an expert in the hobby providing sound advice regarding cards and their condition a bad thing? Show me where for $10 a card and a 48 hour turnaround you can get this service?
Just like with PSA having a grade or evaluation of cards and the hobby overall assigning a higher grade to those same cards when is this a bad thing? I don't create the record sale prices, and if the hobby agreed with you why are record prices being realized on cards with silver or gold labels? People would not pay extra for a service that does not provide extra value.
Funny you mention principles above. What does it say about people who have posted multiple negative threads about the same topic over the past 3-4 months, and once the thread is open post 20%+ of all the replies in the same thread - in a thread you just started yesterday you have already posted 16 times - #obsession. Curious that If this thread dies like the one you created on the same subject back on January 5th are you going to start yet another thread on the matter?
All of these words, and yet you still did not address the very simple inquiries at the end of my post so I will ask again:
**___He has also brought Brent Huigens aboard in his new business. Why would you want to do business with anyone who freely associates with a person like Brent?
Is it because you may be able to make more money when you sell? Would that be why? That is sure how it appears when I read your last pos___t.**
To add, Mike himself has a shady reputation. You remember, starting his own grading company. Grading a bunch of trimmed cards. Said grading company failing...
Why would you want to hitch yourself to his wagon and use his services?
The only reason I can think of is monetary. You are a seasoned collector. You understand eye appeal. You do not need Mike Baker to give a 3rd opinion on a card you either already own or are looking to buy.
another question. If you believe Mike is the grading guru and his reputation is above reproach, why dont you cross all of your PSA slabs over to MBA slabs? Skip the stickers altogether and go straight to the slabs of the most trustworthy and qualified grader in all the land!
Do we really think that with Mike Bakers history in the grading industry (already one failed company) and his close association with the hobby's biggest pariah since Bill Mastro, that the MBA sticker/grading thing will end well?
@craig44 said:
Do we really think that with Mike Bakers history in the grading industry (already one failed company) and his close association with the hobby's biggest pariah since Bill Mastro, that the MBA sticker/grading thing will end well?
Maybe. The Pwcc stickers still work now. There is a small group that knows who these people are. The normal collector (millions of people) have no idea. And I only know them because of this board. So as long as people with coin (Mintonly appears to be one) want to invest in them, they will be viable.
Craig, i agree with nearly all you have mentioned in this thread but you are simply not going to get an answer to your questions from the MBA supporters.
These folks don't truly care about cards only the commodization thereof. It's neither wrong nor right.
They also do not care if they align themselves with known fraudsters. IMHO that is morally wrong.
They do not care about trimmed or color touched cards , they merely care that they increase in value.
These folks do very much care about their own wallets thus shameless post after shameless of hype for MBA in thread after thread. IMHO their actions are without honor.
Bottom line these folks will not say anything that might cost them a thin dime now or in the future.
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)
Started as a hobby for me back about 1980…and still is a hobby today in 2026. It just happened that my hobby has evolved into an investment..but investment is not why I buy cards. I collect cards for its beauty and nostalgia…and try to acquire the best copy I can afford. As Keith said, a second set of eyes ( 2nd opinion) is a good idea today when cards are so expensive to buy.
@mintonlypls said:
Started as a hobby for me back about 1980…and still is a hobby today in 2026. It just happened that my hobby has evolved into an investment..but investment is not why I buy cards. I collect cards for its beauty and nostalgia…and try to acquire the best copy I can afford. As Keith said, a second set of eyes ( 2nd opinion) is a good idea today when cards are so expensive to buy.
you keep LOLing at comments, but refuse to answer simple questions.
@1982FBWaxMemories said:
Craig, i agree with nearly all you have mentioned in this thread but you are simply not going to get an answer to your questions from the MBA supporters.
These folks don't truly care about cards only the commodization thereof. It's neither wrong nor right.
They also do not care if they align themselves with known fraudsters. IMHO that is morally wrong.
They do not care about trimmed or color touched cards , they merely care that they increase in value.
These folks do very much care about their own wallets thus shameless post after shameless of hype for MBA in thread after thread. IMHO their actions are without honor.
Bottom line these folks will not say anything that might cost them a thin dime now or in the future.
that is ok, their silence speaks volumes. you can see how pressed some posters are when certain things are pushed back on and simple questions are posed.
I will continue to raise awareness about bad actors in the hobby. I am sure in a few months (or less) more silliness like the current pop 1 top 5% Mantle will come out of MBA and i can start another thread.
Will there be a data base that documents and tracks what cards have been submitted and the level of success or failure the subject card had at the time of submission?
And I suppose the immediate follow up would be... Does the submitter/dealer have a duty to disclose the outcome if the card failed to get a sticker.
It sort of seems that with certain cards at higher grade levels, there is significant risks/consequences if cards miss the mark.
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
Comments
Those who have fiscal stake will not change their minds nothing left to be said.
Good for Brent he's found another scam and another outlet to funnel his trimmed cards to keep his smug lifestyle going. Kudos to some of the folks here for making that possible.
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 love MBA…long-live MBA!!!
you are right, Brent has found his way back into the hobby. people have very short memories. I have no doubt this will go sideways. look at how popular PWCC was. until it wasnt. then it went down fast. this latest grift will probably last for quite a while and then there will be some sort of controversy and it will crash.
GAI was also popular for a while. then it wasnt.
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
just know who you are dealing with.
remember, lots of people loved both PWCC and GAI as well...
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
Are you still riding…and beating that dead horse of yours. Animal cruelty!
absolutely. that horse needs to be beat.
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
Or start a new thread about the same topic.
why does this have seinfeld episode written all over it. george goes in for a job interview. "so, i see you earned an MBA." "sure did." then he proudly busts out his 1991 Bowman Danny Tartabull with a .01% sticker on it
Now I’m just here for the crashouts. Mintonly just got triggered.
Why would you want to do business with anyone who freely associates with a person like Brent? and Mike already has a history with a failed/shady grading company.
is being able to sell cards for possibly a higher price worth dealing with such people? I really dont understand you singing MBA's praises.
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
I find it sad someone can do damage to the hobby as significantly as PWCC did and then jump right back in without losing a step. I still have to check the blowout forum database before I purchase a big card to make sure it wasn't a PWCC "restored" card.
Yes, people can choose whether or not to sticker their cards. I choose not to play. And I don't buy cards that were PWCC stickered for obvious reasons.
Craig I understand your concern. But the stickers appear to bring higher sells for the cards that have them, much like the pwcc crap. If people like it then so be it. I'm not opposed to using them, but I have never used them. I do like the concept for certain cards, especially the ones that have pops of 500 or more for the grade.
Now there mission statement probably needs to be adjusted to say that the card appears to be a high end version of an 8, i.e. 10 centering, 10 corners, 9 surface or something like that. Not that it's a top 5% card when obviously there is no way to prove that.
just state the nice credentials kind of like Beckett used to do with the subgrades. that's really what MBA is trying to do.
Mike Baker should bring in all the villains of the hobby and form the Legion of Doom.
I think stickers are useful -- like someone said earlier they are like a 2nd set of eyes on a card you might think looks exceptional for the grade. I've noticed that some cards on eBay that I've tried to win -- if it had a well known sticker on it, they almost always sell for more vs. having no sticker at all. So buyers do rely on the stickers -- if anything at least to have a 2nd set of eyes on a card that they can't actually review/hold in person since it's an online auction. And the stickers can also be very helpful when the seller's listing has crappy pictures.
I heard they are bringing in Mastro, and of course Gary "Scissorhands" Moser is never far from crooked Brent thus Mike.
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)
Good old Scissorhands!!! birds of a feather...
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
Don't forget 4sharpcorners has stickers too.
They don't claim percentages like MBA:
"Superior Quality Within Grade
Our focus on superior centering and visual perfection means these cards possess an unparalleled aesthetic, setting them apart from other cards sharing the same grade designation."
Not only are they gifted high grades, they can slap a sticker on it to really pump it up.
This topic always circles around and talks about added value.
No one is disputing the added value an MBA sticker likely brings.
As long as the hobby accepts it, the sticker will have value, whether it's based on a fallacy or not.
Just like the so-called monopoly of PSA.
No matter how many examples of misgraded slabbed cards shown, or trimmed, or the changing grading standard, or the questionable reliability of accurately grading 2 million cards a month by a bunch of new hires, the hobby considers them the authority and therefore, can add value.
And I don't blame mintonlypls shilling for MBA, protecting his investments.
If I was a millionaire with his cards, I'd probably get them stickered too.
You're telling me if I pay $300, my $10,000 investment is now worth $15,000. Sign me up!
100% about added value, flexing, and bragging. It doesn't have to be logical. All that matters is more money. America at its very best. You can choose to pay to play or walk away.
As someone with no horse in this race (never bought or sold a stickered card) I have a question. Have there been any cases yet where a card is MBA stickered and you look at it and say "That doesn't look great for it's assigned grade"? If not, I don't see what's wrong here.
Exactly, no possible way he looks up certs or has a photographical memory for any significant amount of each example.
And what about cards he thinks that PSA under grades, is that an automatic diamond because it should have been higher?
There has been that case. In one of the 17 other MBA threads.
It seems that no one would crack and send back for for a regrade if had a sticker on it. That way trimming or alternating would never be detected.
I think you are not only beating a dead horse on this one as others have stated, but you are making incorrect assumptions about people and their motives for what they do with their cards. First you have discussed his math and it not being possible as your first gotcha. Then you are making claims and questioning my reasons and reputation in the hobby and I am only in it for the money. Do you really want to go down that road, and I think you will find out very quickly what people in the hobby and on this board think of how I conduct myself and how i give back to the hobby.
When the MBA labels first came out and I saw them in Atlantic City several years ago I did not pay much attention to them nor use their service. I had no idea about them until I went by their booth at the National last year in Chicago and dropped off a few cards. What I found out from dealing with them is they are VERY professional and great to deal with on cards and providing advice on cards.
I don't think it is a stretch to say their service in our hobby and the industry is one of the best out there in regards to thoroughness, meeting timelines and deadlines, and overall customer service. We constantly read threads on here about grading companies, card companies, distributors... who are nightmares to deal with - this occurs daily. I was always told to judge people by how they treat me and my interactions with them, and to date I have nothing but very positive experiences with MBA and their employees and will continue to deal with them. Have you ever dealt with them on cards and their service directly? What I don't understand with your constant posting/beating a dead horse.
Is having a service with an expert in the hobby providing sound advice regarding cards and their condition a bad thing? Show me where for $10 a card and a 48 hour turnaround you can get this service?
Just like with PSA having a grade or evaluation of cards and the hobby overall assigning a higher grade to those same cards when is this a bad thing? I don't create the record sale prices, and if the hobby agreed with you why are record prices being realized on cards with silver or gold labels? People would not pay extra for a service that does not provide extra value.
Funny you mention principles above. What does it say about people who have posted multiple negative threads about the same topic over the past 3-4 months, and once the thread is open post 20%+ of all the replies in the same thread - in a thread you just started yesterday you have already posted 16 times - #obsession. Curious that If this thread dies like the one you created on the same subject back on January 5th are you going to start yet another thread on the matter?
It says absolutely nothing. lol. Logic fail.
I’ve always felt that PSA should have a 9.5 grade. Especially for cards where the difference between a 9 and 10 can be 6 figures.
So in the future maybe my PSA “9.5” will have to be a 9 with a “Top-5%” Sticker.
Excellent discussion so far—lots of good points on both sides.
One comment was removed as it crossed into personal territory.
As the majority have been doing. Let’s keep things focused on the topic and respectful going forward—thanks.
Craig you should just stop. The integrity and reputations of Baker and Huigens isn’t something Kendall and Mintonly are going to discuss, that has become clear. They can make good money on some dumb sticker, let them it’s not against the law.
Thank you..
Thank you..
I used to find some deals at PWCC and made one of my best all-time buys there. 41 BBC/FASC 1982 Topps traded sets about 10 years ago that I still have. Great deal and buy
How does MBA handle situations where a card is identified as being likely altered? Do they decertify like PSA?
Usually the MBA sticker fits the card, but here is an example where this card is certainly not in the top 5% of EX 5 graded T206 Wagners. I'm not sure this is even deserving of a 5 grade, regardless of the MBA sticker. I'm not sure how you even explain this.
its centered
And the card does have inks oozing color…also I cannot see any creases. Yes, it does have rounded corners, but to me the card presents very well for the issue. I would be happy to own it, if I could afford it.
Aziz
PSA 2.25
Chaz
I agree and would love to see a PSA 9.5 grade.
This. Plus with Mike's history at PSA and then GAI of slabbing trimmed cards coupled with his current financial backer and him getting caught working with Moser and stickering trimmed cards, I think buyer beware of any MBA stickered card and especially MBA holdered cards which are now showing up on MHCC and Heritage.
Besides trimmed cards getting holdered and stickered under the previous PWCC scheme, it came to light that auctions of those cards were getting shilled like crazy.
But that couldn't possibly be happening again.
I think calling out high end for the grade cards through a sticker isn't really the issue here--I don't have have a problem with the idea itself. To me, the issue is the players, financial backers, past history with dishonesty and corruption which calls into question the credibility of this whole operation.
One must tread very lightly when navigating these hot coals. We have a few members here who have done that quite successfully. I think that's pretty admirable. Again, the MBA vibe is not for everyone. Knowing who you're dealing with is of vital importance. None of these guys would have submitted anything to them if they couldn't do so with confidence. It's not their responsibility to manage whatever other efforts are being made by the company. Only to secure their own interests.
All of these words, and yet you still did not address the very simple inquiries at the end of my post so I will ask again:
**___He has also brought Brent Huigens aboard in his new business. Why would you want to do business with anyone who freely associates with a person like Brent?
Is it because you may be able to make more money when you sell? Would that be why? That is sure how it appears when I read your last pos___t.**
To add, Mike himself has a shady reputation. You remember, starting his own grading company. Grading a bunch of trimmed cards. Said grading company failing...
Why would you want to hitch yourself to his wagon and use his services?
The only reason I can think of is monetary. You are a seasoned collector. You understand eye appeal. You do not need Mike Baker to give a 3rd opinion on a card you either already own or are looking to buy.
another question. If you believe Mike is the grading guru and his reputation is above reproach, why dont you cross all of your PSA slabs over to MBA slabs? Skip the stickers altogether and go straight to the slabs of the most trustworthy and qualified grader in all the land!
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
Do we really think that with Mike Bakers history in the grading industry (already one failed company) and his close association with the hobby's biggest pariah since Bill Mastro, that the MBA sticker/grading thing will end well?
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
All this evidence from the past is just that… evidence from the past. Have you seen the prices? Focus on the ball not the game.
Maybe. The Pwcc stickers still work now. There is a small group that knows who these people are. The normal collector (millions of people) have no idea. And I only know them because of this board. So as long as people with coin (Mintonly appears to be one) want to invest in them, they will be viable.
Craig, i agree with nearly all you have mentioned in this thread but you are simply not going to get an answer to your questions from the MBA supporters.
These folks don't truly care about cards only the commodization thereof. It's neither wrong nor right.
They also do not care if they align themselves with known fraudsters. IMHO that is morally wrong.
They do not care about trimmed or color touched cards , they merely care that they increase in value.
These folks do very much care about their own wallets thus shameless post after shameless of hype for MBA in thread after thread. IMHO their actions are without honor.
Bottom line these folks will not say anything that might cost them a thin dime now or in the future.
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)
Started as a hobby for me back about 1980…and still is a hobby today in 2026. It just happened that my hobby has evolved into an investment..but investment is not why I buy cards. I collect cards for its beauty and nostalgia…and try to acquire the best copy I can afford. As Keith said, a second set of eyes ( 2nd opinion) is a good idea today when cards are so expensive to buy.
you keep LOLing at comments, but refuse to answer simple questions.
I wonder why...
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
that is ok, their silence speaks volumes. you can see how pressed some posters are when certain things are pushed back on and simple questions are posed.
I will continue to raise awareness about bad actors in the hobby. I am sure in a few months (or less) more silliness like the current pop 1 top 5% Mantle will come out of MBA and i can start another thread.
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
I think the best question really is this:
Will there be a data base that documents and tracks what cards have been submitted and the level of success or failure the subject card had at the time of submission?
And I suppose the immediate follow up would be... Does the submitter/dealer have a duty to disclose the outcome if the card failed to get a sticker.
It sort of seems that with certain cards at higher grade levels, there is significant risks/consequences if cards miss the mark.
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.