1460: Interview with ebay buyer/seller Powerbuyer23

This third interview sprang up unexpectedly.
It came about from this thread I have on Freedom Card Board. I had incorrectly identified ebay buyer Jeterman2 with Powerbuyer23, regarding a questionable deal on ebay that was brought up on Hobby Kings. For that, I apologize to Powerbuyer23. I have since corrected my post.

I then sent an email to ebay buyer/seller Powerbuyer23 regarding some questions I had for him. Here are his responses, unfiltered. He is from Taiwan, so although the grammar is slightly off, the message is understandable.
UPDATE: I have Powerbuyer23′s first and last name (at least that which showed up on my wordpress, when he contacted me) and it is NOT Joe. I will not disclose that information at this time. Anyone is welcome to email Powerbuyer through the “ask seller a question” link on ebay, as I did.

Q: What is your relationship to joe parenti? He goes by the ebay userID: jeterman2, crystalballer32, dropsofjupiterrr.
A: hi , my location is in taiwan . he help me to send cards to bgs or psa company to grade and also help me to receive some my winning items in usa . this is the reason why you misunderstand and think i am joe.
as you know , many usa sellers do not ship outside usa or charge expensive shipping cost if i ask them send to taiwan directly . to save my cost , i need some people help me to receive items .
i do not know what happen between you and joe . so i am not sure are these accounts all joe’s account , i hope you can understand

Q: Have you ever shilled your auctions?
Q: What do you have to say to the collectors who believe you shill your auctions?
Q: many of your auctions (especially jordan cards) tend to end at prices higher than most other sellers. how do you believe this is happening?

please be aware that i plan on posting your answers on my blog. thank you
A: this is not first time that some body say i am shilling bidding and even some sellers report ebay . but if i really shill bidding , ebay already close my account and i can not sell items till now .
you can check my listing items . i use special methods ( small pictures ) to list my selling items on ebay and anyone who interest my auctions and link these pictures directly . you have not seen the same listing method from other seller . it really attract many bidder’s eyes

beside these small pictures , each picture of my selling item are all very clear , if item with any probelm , i will note in item description .
there are many the same cards on ebay . how to catch bidders eyes and customers satisfation are very important . i charge very reasonable shipping cost from taiwan to worldwide and pack strongly and safely when i send card and offer tracking number via ebay system after i sent . i do my best to maintain top-rating seller . you can check my feedback from winners and email to them have they really won these items and how about my service after them paid .
i spent a long of time on ebay to find cards , i also collect jordan inserts . not only a top-rating seller , i am also a buyer . you can see my feedback from sellers .
when my selling price are higher than other sellers , many taiwan super collectors prefer to consign their great items to me . this is why i have a lot of different great cards to sell . if you have more and more great items to sell . more and more bidders will interest your auctions .
if you have any question , please do not hesitate to contact me . i know some sellers are jealous and spread rumors . please also help me to explain .
thank you in advance and with best regards .

Breaking News: Panini America Bringing Kobe, Durant, Wall to Industry Summit

I love what Panini did here! The contrast of the gold autographs on black shoes and black autograph on white shoe looks amazing! Thumbs up on the concept and the image, Panini!

Panini America’s ballyhooed Black Boxes slated for distribution during next week’s 2011 Industry Summit just got a whole lot cooler.

To help celebrate the highly anticipated May launch of Panini Authentic, the company announced on Friday that inserted into three of those boxes will be instant-win cards good for autographed pairs of shoes from exclusive spokesmen Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and John Wall.

A Thought on Sticker Autographs

I think the various positives/negatives of sticker autographs has been discussed so often that I won’t really bring up those point previously pointed out by collectors.

One thing that just popped into my head as I composed the Jeremy Lin post was the fact that, with stickers, Panini could theoretically have enough stickers autographs already signed to use for Jeremy Lin’s entire career in the league.  That means that his sticker autograph cards for the next several years (if he lasts that long) will all look similar, assuming he signed a bunch of stickers during one session.

Michael Jordan autographs in 1998 and 2010.

Now, for me, part of the appeal of autographs is seeing the evolution (or consistency) of a player’s autographs on card. Michael Jordan’s signature has remained pretty consistent to this day, when compared to his 90′s Upper Deck autograph cards.  He has somewhat shortened it, especially on his stickers (as space allows) but it looks pretty much the same 10-13 years later.

Dominique Wilkins autographs in 1997 and 2009.

Other players, such as Dominique Wilkins,  have had autographs that have evolved over time, and it is actually appealing to me to see that process.  Whether it is because they have gotten older (retired players) or changed it as their popularity has grown (current players) it is actually great to see on card autographs with variety in a player’s signature.  It gives it a “dated” look, if the autograph differs throughout the years.

Sadly, with sticker autographs, we aren’t privileged to see how a player’s autograph evolves over his career, especially if UD or Panini uses stickers from his rookie season up until “x” amount of years or possibly, his entire tenure in the league.

Just a thought.

New Jeremy Lin Cards

Action shot rookie cards of Jeremy Lin can be found in Absolute. I think they look good! Base card /499, Autograph /199, Spectrum Autograph /25.