Mastro Auctions, the largest sports memorabilia auction house, has closed amid an FBI fraud investigation. Three Mastro executives have purchased the company’s assets and will launch a new company called Legendary Auctions. Part of the investigation by law enforcement is focused on charges of “shill bidding”. [Read more…]
The latest edition of AntiqueWeek includes a front page feature by Eric C. Rodenberg on the Global Antiques props sold on eBay by Auction Depot LA, Auction Shop USA, and Historic Souvenirs. Per their website, AntiqueWeek has “the largest paid circulation of any antiques and collectibles newspaper in the United States”. The full story can be read online at antiqueweek.com – “Sales of bogus movie props lead to suspensions on eBay” – also archived below: [Read more…]
David Colker of the Los Angeles Times has written a follow-up story to Harriet Ryan’s piece published on the front page Wednesday (see Los Angeles Times Feature on Global Antiques, Thoughts on Los Angeles Times “Global Antiques” Feature). The new article, “Scammers exploit online trust factor“, opens quoting the core value that eBay was founded on – “people are basically good” – and laments the “good old days”. [Read more…]
I wanted to share some thoughts and reactions to this week’s feature in the Los Angeles Times about the “Global Antiques” auctions on eBay. Overall, I am very pleased to see the issue presented to a huge audience, and I think the reporter, Ms. Ryan, did an excellent job of giving voice and perspective to a wide array of principals and relevant third parties. My interest is to look at each of those contributions and responses (or lack thereof) to determine outstanding questions. [Read more…]
Tomorrow’s edition of the Los Angeles Times includes a feature by Harriet Ryan on the Global Antiques props sold on eBay by Auction Depot LA, Auction Shop USA, and Historic Souvenirs. The full story can be read online at latimes.com – “Internet citizen posses investigate some sellers” – also archived below: [Read more…]
Deb posted a “Reader Comment” today with an update on her issues with “Global Antiques”: [Read more…]
Today, the status of the the following accounts for sellers associated with the sale of “authentic” and “original” entertainment and historical memorabilia authenticated by “Global Antiques” on eBay show a “NARU” (“Not a Registered User” & “No Longer a Registered User”, depending on the page) status: [Read more…]
This article serves to analyze public information and ask further questions about original prop authenticator “Global Antiques”, its eBay selling accounts/agents “Auction Depot LA” (auctiondepotla1), “Auction Shop USA” (auctionshopusa), and “Historic Souvenirs” (historicsouvenirs). Also, determining the locations of retail stores in which items matching “original film props” have been identified – “T.J. Maxx” and “Big Lots!” – along with where these businesses are located with respect to one another and the businesses selling like items as authentic memorabilia. [Read more…]