Because it is not always apparent to readers when “Reader Comments” are made in response to articles, I have copied those made yesterday along with links to the applicable articles, and a series of other recent comments related to “Global Antiques”, “Auction Depot LA” (auctiondepotla1), “Auction Shop USA” (auctionshopusa), and “Historic Sourvenirs” (historicsouvenirs).
The first series of comments below were posted by Deb, who claims to be the eBay member who left the 22 negative reports to the “Auction Depot LA” eBay Feedback Profile yesterday, as reported in the article published last night. Per eBay feedback records, it appears Deb has purchased over 300 items from “Auction Depot LA”. In her remarks, she claims to have purchased nearly $15,000.00 worth of I Love Lucy props from “Auction Depot LA” and “Auction Shop USA”.
Note: Please read the “About” page for the Original Prop Blog Terms of Service regarding “Reader Comments”
Original Article: “Auction Depot LA” & “Global Antiques” Update: Buyer Leaves Mass Negative Feedback, Cites “Criminal Investigation”)
nascarpitcrew on June 7th, 2008 8:39 pm
Hey Folks. I am NASCARPITCREW! I purchased almost $15,000 in I Love Lucy Props from AuctionShopUSA and AuctionDepotLA. After reading and observing numerous comparisons on blogs, through private emails and contacting fellow collectors, I really do not believe any of these items are authentic. In the last 3 days, I have been contacted by a Det. Neuman with the Culver City Police Dept. who advised he has been and is conducting an investigation into Global Antiques. I have received 3 phone calls from Global Antiques in 3 days. When asked to give me a refund, they have declined. First call the items were described as “Type B Dumpster Diving” items so no way to authenticate them. Second call was they were got from MGM when they were scraping old props. Third call, they came from past workers on these famous sets who “took these items without approval.” Now, after decades, they have given them to Global Antiques to sell to supplement their “retired” income. When asked for the names of these individuals, I was told, “We have to keep these individuals names private as they do not want any trouble with the studios for “taking these items without authorization.” If they are not fakes, they are definitely stolen property I would say. During the first call, Global Antiques offered me $1000, my choice of I Love Lucy Props that they have and a tour of the studio where I Love Lucy was filmed. Of course, I could no longer make any attempts to get my $15,000 back. NO WAY! Yesterday’s call, I was offered a deal of having my story written about me and what Lucille Ball has meant in my life. I could be a piece in Lucy History and make a lot more money than what I have spent so far. But of course, I would have to STOP my attempts at exposing the truth! Isn’t bribery a crime too? YES IT IS! I have filed a complaint with ebay. I have filed complaints with paypal to get refunds on my last 4 transactions and they have been approved!! Paypal is on board and are immediately refunding payments.
I am in the process of filing a complaint with The Internet Crime Complaint Center which is comprised partnership between the FBI, The National White Collar Crime Center and The Bureau of Justice Assistance. As a long time worker in the criminal justice system, I do not believe The Culver City Police Department has jurisdiction in this situation. Mail Fraud, Interstate Fraud, etc. are all federal crimes and need to be investigated by the FBI. Good evidence has been located by numerous individuals. Help me nail these individuals by filing reports too! Don’t just bitch about it………DO SOMETHING!! Like I Am!
You can file an online complaint at http://www.ic3.gov/
You can contact me at [email protected]
Thanks All, but I need your help.
Deb
This same collector, Deb, posted a second comment to an earlier article.
Deb states that she purchased the item reviewed in the article, which was authenticated and certified authentic by “Global Antiques” and sold to Deb (nascarpitcrew) by “Auction Depot LA” (auctiondepotla1) on eBay.
Original Article: I Love Lucy, Global Antiques, and Auction Depot LA
nascarpitcrew on June 7th, 2008 8:55 pm
I HAVE THIS DECANTER IN MY POSSESSION AND IT IS AND HAS EVERYTHING NOTED ON THIS BLOG TO PROVE IT COULD NOT OF BEEN A PROP IN THE 50′S OR 60′S.
DEB (NASCARPITCREW)
Another collector, Barbara, also posted two “Reader Comments” to the article published last night.
Barbara is a collector who I have been in direct contact with, as she supplied me with the photos of the two pieces “Auction Shop USA” had listed on eBay with “Global Antiques” certificates of authenticity (COAs) stating the two items were original props from the “Lord of the Rings” film trilogy by Peter Jackson. Barbara and I both found the same items for sale at the retail store “Big Lots!”.
Original Article: “Auction Depot LA” & “Global Antiques” Update: Buyer Leaves Mass Negative Feedback, Cites “Criminal Investigation”
REMYDOG on June 7th, 2008 10:24 pm
Hello,
I am also a victim of Auction Depot LA, though not to the extent of Deb, I feel so badly for you! I first realized I had been scammed when I walked into Big Lots and saw the exact same bird houses I won on auction. I paid $61.10 for “THE LORD OF THE RINGS FILM PROP ORIGINAL BIRD HOUSE”. It was listed as an original prop. I also saw an item they had currently on auction, the wall medallion, both sold for $10 at Big Lots.( See Jason’s article “Auction Depot LA, Auction Shop USA, Global Antiques: The Lord of the Rings and “Big Lots!”) I have since filed a claim with Paypal and was refunded all I asked for. I notified Ebay, several times, but auctiondepotla1 is still a registered seller. I filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. (www.ftc.gov ) If you have been victimized by this seller, please file a claim and report them to the authorities. Since reading Deb’s post above, I have filed a complaint at http://www.ic3.gov/ . They need to be held accountable! Barb
REMYDOG on June 7th, 2008 10:42 pm
My mistake, the wall medallion I mentioned above was not listed on Ebay by Auction Depot LA, but by Auction Shop USA, another seller who is listing these “original prop” items using the same “certificate of authenticity.”
This is a link to the article related to Barbara’s “FILM PROP ORIGINAL BIRD HOUSE” purchase:
Auction Depot LA, Auction Shop USA, Global Antiques: The Lord of the Rings and “Big Lots!”
I will post a follow-up to this “Big Lots!” connection in the near future.
Other collectors posted a series of “Reader Comments” recently to this same article referenced above:
1106foothill on May 29th, 2008 2:50 pm
I notice this week that the seller is offering no more props…a first in a very long time. The blogs have become very vocal in the last couple of months. I suspect several formal complaints have been submitted to EBAY. But there are a lot of dollars and issues involved here. I am not sure of the jurisdictional interests that would come into play, but it may be worth going outside of EBAY complaint channels into formal legal investigative channels (FBI, etc) to see if this is being investigated. Again, dumb or not, a lot of people have spent a lot of money for these “props”. It is not small potatoes if there is a question of legitimacy involved with what must be hundreds of thousands of dollars in profits. If it was legit, a full investigation would exhonerate all involved. Might be worth a call…
Rheingold Extra Dry on May 30th, 2008 4:05 am
Well boys & girls, if that’s the case, I got taken for a big ride, ’cause I picked up four different pieces of what I had hoped were Casablanca props, and spent about $330 in the process.
It just goes to show “One never knows, Do One.”
What next my fine feathered friends? Do we just eat the loss and take it as just another surcharge in the ever-inflating “cost of living?”
My thanks to todd.walker46 for the email this morning. It was very considerate of you to contact me and it is much appreciated, although I’m now depressed and will spend the rest of my day trying to decide whether to go bowling or commit suicide.
Rheingold Extra Dry on May 30th, 2008 1:41 pm
Just as a follow-up…what caught my eye initially was the fact he was listed as a power seller with well over 6000+ positive sales. Looked legit.
But what struck me as odd was the “private seller” listed everywhere, both as the bidder and as the “item won” in past auctions. So you really couldn’t go back and see what anybody really bid on and won, because every single one of them was “private.”
Of course they were private! They privately gave themselves 6000 positive feedbacks on the same piece of Bazooka Bubble Gum passed back and forth between them. All privately, of course. Only “High Class, Private Bidders Allowed” at those type of events.
Boy did I ever get scammed. Since I’m on the losing end, I like “Foothill’s” idea about somehow pursuing this through legal channels. Because if the scam is as big as you all are saying it is – and I have no reason to doubt you, because you’ve worked your stats and done the research – then this is what is called a “punishable offense” – or what us common folk know it better as – a crime.
Problem is, I’ve never been in a pickle this big involving this many people this widespread against a shadow corporation – isn’t this called a “tort” I think? What do I know. I guess I’ll just keep up with this blog to find out all of the late breaking news on the Great Prop Scam.
It is nice to know that there are people in the know such as you all who actually care about such things as ethics and the value of a true collectible, not only in monetary value, but in sentimental value to the collector, which is what collecting is all about, isn’t it?
twalker on May 30th, 2008 3:48 pm
Rheingold Extra Dry,
Your last statement was right on! Sadly, there are many people who overlook or can’t quite understand the sentimental value of a true collectible. Please contact us at your earliest convenience so we can fill you in on the latest details.
Likewise, if anyone else has purchased a Global Antiques item please email us as we can help.
Thank you
jsynan on May 31st, 2008 6:05 pm
Well, I guess I beat all of you on the amount spent!! I spent in total almost $500.00…..I wonder if we will ever see any of that money? I would gladly send all my stuff back to receive a refund at this point. Does anyone think it will come to that?
Harry Houdini on June 4th, 2008 11:28 am
I purchased a prop from the Enter The Dragon movie starring Bruce Lee and I picked up the item at their location in Los Angeles. I’m thinking of going back and doing a jump spin side kick to the guys head. But violence is not the answer so I’m going back to the location to see what they have to say. I’ll let you all know.
Jason De Bord
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