This all came about after I was on eBay and I ordered a Yankees key chain from a seller. I liked it so much I went to see what else he had. Since I collect only Yankees I was immediately attracted to a Coca Cola Don Mattingly set he has for sale. Then I looked at the package he sent me which also included a reprinted Mickey Mantle card. I didn't think much about it when I opened the envelope because I got what I paid for (the key chain) and didn't pay for this reprint.
Then I looked closer at his listings. Reprints galore. Which then made me question the Mattingly set.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/satchelandshoeless/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from= is the seller. I reported a good number of the reprints and while I did leave positive feedback about the keychain, I feel conflicted about ordering any sort of card that may be listed as authentic because he does offer so many reprint lots.
I think the practice of copying and forging cards and selling them (and companies grading them) is absolutely hurting the hobby. Especially for someone just starting out or getting back into it after many years. I'm already unsure of what is out there and with this added in it just adds to my trepidation of buying cards.
I think the only way we as collectors are going to be able to combat this is as was said before to report when we see them, although that (as was also said) may get the account shut down but they will just use a different one and sell them again. Also, we need to engage the card companies if we can get them involved the can hold more leverage than the common collector. Pressure fro Topps, Bowman, Donruss, Fleer, and the likes can force eBay to take a more serious approach to counterfeiters.
"Fear causes hesitation, and hesitation causes your worst fears to come true."
