Another Funny Article by Joe O...
thunderdan
Posts: 3,036 ✭✭✭
I get a kick out of these stories, but I find myself wondering "where do these people come from?" Then again, one could write a book about all the absurd sports card auctions and descriptions on eBay. Enjoy!
Back By Popular Demand…
Joe Orlando - December 15, 2009
A couple of issues ago, I wrote an editorial about some of the more comical things we have to deal with at PSA. From the unreasonable to the really unreasonable, some customers want to make you laugh and cry at the same time. There are those who are genuinely confused but there are others who play dumb and clearly know better. It can be a virtual circus at times.
Since we had such a favorable response to the last column, I wanted to share three more recent experiences. Keep in mind, these are REAL incidents. The following three accounts are not made-up for comedic purposes. In our hobby, there is so much authentic comedy that there is no reason to create it. In some cases, you just can't make stuff like this up because it's almost too unbelievable.
The following three incidents are quite authentic and, hopefully, quite funny.
1. Elvis Lives – Maybe I should have saved the best for last but this one is so funny to me that I wanted to begin with it. A woman sent in a book that was allegedly signed by Elvis Presley. So, what's the problem? The book was published in 2002. Wait... it gets better. We thought that the woman was unaware of the publishing date, possibly thinking the book was printed during the music icon's lifetime. Oh no... the woman knew it was published in 2002 but argued that it was irrelevant since his death was unproven and the acceptance of his passing was only "conventional belief." The woman chastised our staff for thinking The King was gone because she was totally convinced that Elvis lives!
2. Where are My Items! – I have dealt with bizarre situations like the one above in the past but this next one was entirely new to me. After receiving his package back from PSA/DNA, we had a submitter call our offices and proceed to lambaste us with profanity. Why? He claimed there were three autographed items missing from his order, the first three items listed on the submission form. This guy wanted heads to roll at PSA/DNA and refused to stop until those three items were returned. The problem was those three items were the three pre-printed examples that we include on every form to help instruct people how to submit. After pointing that out, he kept fighting. I'm not kidding.
3. Honus Hope – Over the years, we certainly have seen our share of 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner counterfeits and reprints. This one, however, takes the cake. After the customer submitted the alleged Wagner and hoped for the best, I had the duty of informing the customer that it wasn't the real deal. He proceeded to argue because, as he so aptly pointed out, the back of the card clearly explained how rare the card was and even contained an estimated value of the iconic piece of cardboard. While trying to keep a straight face, I tried to explain that it was a reprint. He couldn't understand how it could be possible since the card was, in essence, "self authenticated" on the reverse.
At that point, I fell to my knees and pleaded with Mother Nature to take me out with an enormous bolt of lightning. That bolt never came but I soon realized how lucky I was to work in a business filled with so much humor. Unfortunately, my moment of levity was interrupted when I was struck in the grill by an errant corndog that was launched from the Ferris wheel inside Cleveland's IX Center
Alright, I made that last part up but the three examples above were based on real occurrences. I hope you enjoyed them as much as I still do.
Never get cheated,
Back By Popular Demand…
Joe Orlando - December 15, 2009
A couple of issues ago, I wrote an editorial about some of the more comical things we have to deal with at PSA. From the unreasonable to the really unreasonable, some customers want to make you laugh and cry at the same time. There are those who are genuinely confused but there are others who play dumb and clearly know better. It can be a virtual circus at times.
Since we had such a favorable response to the last column, I wanted to share three more recent experiences. Keep in mind, these are REAL incidents. The following three accounts are not made-up for comedic purposes. In our hobby, there is so much authentic comedy that there is no reason to create it. In some cases, you just can't make stuff like this up because it's almost too unbelievable.
The following three incidents are quite authentic and, hopefully, quite funny.
1. Elvis Lives – Maybe I should have saved the best for last but this one is so funny to me that I wanted to begin with it. A woman sent in a book that was allegedly signed by Elvis Presley. So, what's the problem? The book was published in 2002. Wait... it gets better. We thought that the woman was unaware of the publishing date, possibly thinking the book was printed during the music icon's lifetime. Oh no... the woman knew it was published in 2002 but argued that it was irrelevant since his death was unproven and the acceptance of his passing was only "conventional belief." The woman chastised our staff for thinking The King was gone because she was totally convinced that Elvis lives!
2. Where are My Items! – I have dealt with bizarre situations like the one above in the past but this next one was entirely new to me. After receiving his package back from PSA/DNA, we had a submitter call our offices and proceed to lambaste us with profanity. Why? He claimed there were three autographed items missing from his order, the first three items listed on the submission form. This guy wanted heads to roll at PSA/DNA and refused to stop until those three items were returned. The problem was those three items were the three pre-printed examples that we include on every form to help instruct people how to submit. After pointing that out, he kept fighting. I'm not kidding.
3. Honus Hope – Over the years, we certainly have seen our share of 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner counterfeits and reprints. This one, however, takes the cake. After the customer submitted the alleged Wagner and hoped for the best, I had the duty of informing the customer that it wasn't the real deal. He proceeded to argue because, as he so aptly pointed out, the back of the card clearly explained how rare the card was and even contained an estimated value of the iconic piece of cardboard. While trying to keep a straight face, I tried to explain that it was a reprint. He couldn't understand how it could be possible since the card was, in essence, "self authenticated" on the reverse.
At that point, I fell to my knees and pleaded with Mother Nature to take me out with an enormous bolt of lightning. That bolt never came but I soon realized how lucky I was to work in a business filled with so much humor. Unfortunately, my moment of levity was interrupted when I was struck in the grill by an errant corndog that was launched from the Ferris wheel inside Cleveland's IX Center
Alright, I made that last part up but the three examples above were based on real occurrences. I hope you enjoyed them as much as I still do.
Never get cheated,
0
Comments
Doug
Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
Patrick
<< <i>From a business point of view I would never publicly make fun of my customers, but that's just me.
Patrick >>
although humorous, no kidding, not the first time and won't be the last...
<< <i>From a business point of view I would never publicly make fun of my customers, but that's just me.
Patrick >>
i read this statement and the first thing that popped into my head was how professional sports teams love to use the scoreboard to out people between innings, timeouts, etc.
and they still keep coming back.
<< <i>From a business point of view I would never publicly make fun of my customers, but that's just me.
Patrick >>
I do not think I would consider these people customers of PSA.
T222's PSA 1 or better
<< <i>
<< <i>From a business point of view I would never publicly make fun of my customers, but that's just me.
Patrick >>
I do not think I would consider these people customers of PSA. >>
Good point.
There are the scammers trying to slip something past PSA and there are some who genuinely believe they have something nice, for the latter the article seems like it adds insult to injury...but in Joe O's defense how can you tell who is a scammer and not?