Is It Really That Shocking?

Before March of 2008, the only known scam on the market was related to stuff perpetrated by secondary market collectors, mainly fake cards, fake patches, and trimmed cards, etc. Any manufacturer stuff, wasnt prevelant at the time. People just didnt have it on their mind. Mainly people focused their hatred of manufacturers through their thoughts about redemptions and how they were the devil because of the ridiculous time frame that was needed for them. There really wasn’t a widespread feeling of the industry operating under the table in underhanded techniques. Most people didn’t even think poorly about Beckett due to their enormous message board and magazine. Even though the guide was out of date and really didn’t make much sense, people didn’t really care.

Then we were exposed, almost brick in the face style, to what could happen when scams are perpetrated by the manufacturers rather than the collectors on the secondary market. It pained more people to see the magazine that they loved as kid be at the forefront of it, mainly due to their obvious prior notification of the reception of the scam boxes. This was a new era in cards.

Immediately, within hours, there were consipiracy theories that dated back pre-youtube and video breaks, automatically assuming that this was only the first UNCOVERED scheme of unethical behavior, and really there were tons of instances before that time which were never brought to light. Manufacturers were almost assumed to supply their best customers with loaded boxes and cases, and there were plenty other ideas that were thrown out there. It was always sort of a "my cousin's friend" type of thing, but it made sense at the time.

Simultaneously, Card Sharks became completely relevant again. What was McWilliams up to now? What scam was he pulling to fatten his wallet all over again, just like in 1989? The question was very relevant and still is. I had an epiphany at that time, and I consider myself a saved Joe Collector since that point when the house of cards (no pun intended) came tumbling down.

Personally, Card Sharks is/was not shocking to me in the least. Im sure there is stuff today that makes those 1989 scams look like an 8 track when compared to a CD. I have always preached that where ever there is money to be made, someone will be there to exploit it. When stuff comes to light, some people even shield themselves from it to prevent any preconceived trust from being destroyed. We are just not equipped to deal a leader in the industry also being the worst thing for it.

Whether its "game used" swatches that really werent used in games despite their labeling, or handing over the best cards to all the best customers instead of packing them out, I guarantee it has happened and it will surely continue. If you add in a guy like McWilliams, who's ethics have already been tainted by previous experiences that have come to light, anything becomes part of the realm of possibility.

That means, for me, when I see this stuff come to be known, I become happy that we get to see it. It doesn’t shock me, but it does make me angry. I will say that when something big does happen, and there is an inkling of proof of wrongdoing, it will not stop with me and this blog. Collectors are more informed now, the global community is tiny in the space between communication thanks to the internet, which means if you do something bad, its going to come out somehow. When it does, get ready for the shitstorm of anger that will rain down upon you in both words and wallets. The card industry is teetering on extinction, lets hope the execs realize this fact, and change their ways. It’s a pipe dream, I know, but I havent given up hope in change.

Yet...