The '52 Mantle thread brought this to mind:

[TheRiddler]

If you discover that a $50. bill that you have is counterfeit, what do you do?

1. Try to pass it off to a store so that you don't get caught "holding the bag"
2. Turn it in to a bank and see if they really confiscate it.
3. Try to pass it off somewhere else that may not hurt an individual.

___________________________________________________________

excerpted from Vintage baseball cards and collectibles site:


(Date Posted:10/15/2008 10:31:39)
.... "bought this 4/1 Exhibit cut-out of Ty Cobb on eBay years ago (I believe he even had the seller end the auction early, thinking it was a great "find"). Anyway, (he) listed this card on his website as a "W-Unc." Cobb card for around $600!!!!!!!! THIS IS ONLY 1/4 OF A CARD! (he) ALSO KNEW IT, AS PEOPLE TOLD HIM WHAT HE HAD DONE AFTER HE PURCHASED THE CARD - (he) WAS SIMPLY TRYING TO GET HIS MONEY BACK"
(much of the rant deleted for clarity)

_________________________________________________________________________

The point being: I wonder how many of you would tear up a fake to prevent a fellow collector from being caught?
I don't know if I would. But I have destroyed a trimmed card which came in a lot of good (50s) cards, before passing them on.
A fellow hobbiest is known (by me) to seek out overgraded cards which he obtains at a discount, and then resells them as if the holder grade is accurate.
Exactly what do you feel is good business and what is unethical, in your opinion?

[bowlingshoeguy]

That is a great point. I think all of us at one time or another have been stuck with a card not as advertised. I personally am sitting on a fair number of T206s that are trimmed and have had a dilemma of what to do with them because there is a good chance the buyer will try to pass them off as unaltered which happened when I purchased them.

I think if they bother you having them in your collection you need to sell them with the proper disclaimers.

Lee

[mwieder]

I have an M116 Cobb that I have to sell/trade that PSA claims has been recolored. I could easily sell it well above my asking price without disclosing the issue (the card is VG-EX otherwise), but I have made it known that PSA said it was discolored and am therefore sitting on it still. Even though I disagree with PSA's assessment, I wouldn't pass it off as not having any issue.

[Square_Frame_Ramly]

Glad to hear it was not trimmed, i am also surprised to hear recolored. I don't have your M116 Cobb in front of me but looking at the scans i also can not see any indication of it being recolored.

Mark

[onlychild]

The point being: I wonder how many of you would tear up a fake to prevent a fellow collector from being caught?

No, but I have made an entire website out of doctored cards to help fellow collectors from being taken.

I personally am sitting on a fair number of T206s that are trimmed

Should you want to sell them I may be interested....or donations are always welcome . I use these and beaters to dissect and experiment on. They would not go to waste and I will not enter the hobby. They will be used for the good of the hobby...and many times are destroyed in the process.

but I have made it known that PSA said it was discolored and am
therefore sitting on it still. Even though I disagree with PSA's
assessment, I wouldn't pass it off as not having any issue.

Matt, you can always send it to me for a thorough inspection. As you know, many collectors have done this when they don't agree with a grading company. This is where a 4th party "validator" (kinda' like a gladiator) comes in handy. I will give you an honest opinion based on objective findings. Should it reveal the card in not recolored, you can sell it with a clear conscious. Oh, and you know the cost...free!

[Sponsored content]