Paul Skenes’ Debut Patch Auto has been pulled

[Big35Hurt]

Originally Posted by NYRE2PECT

Everything in America is polarized these days. It makes sense that Fanatics/Topps/Skenes is, too.

I was thinking the same thing. Who would have thought a Skenes baseball card would be so divisive? How long before someone tries to argue that it's not?

[auctionjmm]

Originally Posted by NYRE2PECT

Everything in America is polarized these days. It makes sense that Fanatics/Topps/Skenes is, too.

Just 3 weeks ago it was a mysterious toxic fog blanketing the country and the most plausible social media explanation that came out of that one is the government created the fog to start a new pandemic

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

As I’ve said, I think the most plausible explanation is that a Fanatics employee hit it legitimately while ripping their own wax. Nothing wrong with that. However, they proceeded to make the mistake of thinking they needed a story behind the pull that wouldn’t raise any suspicion. So instead of leaving the identity a secret (perfectly reasonable), they create this nonsense.

The biggest red flag is the decision to sell at Fanatics instead of Goldin. Goldin gets better prices on items like this because they market better and they know their high-end clientele. Of the top 25 sales between Fanatics and Goldin since 1/1/24, only 4 came from Fanatics.

All reasonable questions to ask.

As far my participation here, I mean, I stated the thread. I had no idea where it would go though! Haha. I was also a regular in the BB21 threads, even though in the end, I didn’t care that much. Morbid curiosity?

[Cracktoast]

I hear and have read people praising the kid for apparently donating 100% of the proceeds from the auction to the L.A. Relief Fire Fund which don't get me wrong is a nice heart tugging story but also is considered a tax write off at the end of the year.

Do the parents have a business and this is a way to drastically reduces the amount of taxes they are going to have to pay? Because as mentioned the dad will have to be the one to put the card up as the supposed kid is too young to enter into a legally binding contract with the auction house. This also bypasses the loophole of having to set up a trust or some type of account for the kid since technically they aren't personally going to see a dime.

[theshowandme]

Originally Posted by Cracktoast

I hear and have read people praising the kid for apparently donating 100% of the proceeds from the auction to the L.A. Relief Fire Fund which don't get me wrong is a nice heart tugging story but also is considered a tax write off at the end of the year.

Do the parents have a business and this is a way to drastically reduces the amount of taxes they are going to have to pay ? Because as mentioned the dad will have to be the one to put the card up as the supposed kid is too young to enter into a legally binding contract with the auction house. This also bypasses the loophole of having to set up a trust or some type of account for the kid since technically they aren't personally going to see a dime.

This is incorrect

Fanatics is donating their end of the proceeds (buyers premium)

[ScooterD]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

Fanatics offered that information up. That’s on them.

Can anyone point me to the statement from Topps/Fanatics that promises to retrospectively provide the locations of the redemption card and actual card from printing to pull to fulfillment to delivery? I can’t find it.

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

Originally Posted by Cracktoast

I hear and have read people praising the kid for apparently donating 100% of the proceeds from the auction to the L.A. Relief Fire Fund which don't get me wrong is a nice heart tugging story but also is considered a tax write off at the end of the year.

Do the parents have a business and this is a way to drastically reduces the amount of taxes they are going to have to pay? Because as mentioned the dad will have to be the one to put the card up as the supposed kid is too young to enter into a legally binding contract with the auction house. This also bypasses the loophole of having to set up a trust or some type of account for the kid since technically they aren't personally going to see a dime.

Fanatics is donating their profits from the card. Not the kid/family. They are keeping their share of winning bid.

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by ScooterD

Can anyone point me to the statement from Topps/Fanatics that promises to retrospectively provide the locations of the redemption card and actual card from printing to pull to fulfillment to delivery? I can’t find it.

Your KDS is clouding your thinking. Take a deep breath.

[ScooterD]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

Your KDS is clouding your thinking. Take a deep breath.

I don’t know what KDS is - kitchen display system?

My initial statement was that this detailed tracking information has never been provided for another card. You replied that Fanatics “offered that information up.”

What am I missing here?

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by ScooterD

I don’t know what KDS is - kitchen display system?

My initial statement was that this detailed tracking information has never been provided for another card. You replied that Fanatics “offered that information up.”

What am I missing here?

I’m not saying they have to offer anything. But they made the decision to offer up the 11 year old and his journal, the redemption, mail out to the kid’s home, send out to PSA, and final destination in Tigard. They opened themselves to questions. If they didn’t want questions, they should have kept quiet.

[ThoseBackPages]

they were smart go with "11 year old".

they know that the fathers in their fanbase would not only not question it, but would be up in arms about anyone questioning it. IF MY KID PULLED IT, I WOULDNT WANT IT KNOWN EITHER!

[Osfan81]

Conspiracy option not discussed: Topps sent this box to a Dodgers owner’s kid. He pulled this and the Dodgers use this card to entice Skenes to demand a trade from the hell hole of the Pirates to LA with LA being the only team he’ll pitch for. ��. Sad thing is, not too far fetched. ������ (p.s. I don’t believe this, but lord knows Topps has done some shady crap, ie the Jackie Robinson cut that Rubin pulled.)

[hermanotarjeta]

Why was the card shop not named?

Perhaps because the shop acts as a front for breakers, like many fanatics-sponsored establishments.

There are several in the Los Angeles area like this.

They’ve had a whole week to plan a spin. I’m sure they will come up with a plausible explanation.

[auctionjmm]

Originally Posted by hermanotarjeta

Why was the card shop not named?

Perhaps because the shop acts as a front for breakers, like many fanatics-sponsored establishments.

There are several in the Los Angeles area like this.

They’ve had a whole week to plan a spin. I’m sure they will come up with a plausible explanation.

You're forgetting that the only people who hate breakers are the small segment of people who post here. Breakers, on a grander scale, are worshipped by the hobby community at large. That's why they have large social media followings and the breaker pavilion at the NSCC is packed, and the after-parties and pre-parties hosted by breakers are packed. Breakers even sign autographs and get asked by parents to take photos with their kids. If they aren't a breaker, they want to be one, and if they can't be one, they at least want to rub arms with them. A breaker pulling this for a customer, or a shop affiliated with breakers selling this box, would have been perfectly acceptable to the 99% who have embraced breaking. Topps didn't need to overthink that one.

For those who blame breaking for high prices, you would have to at least acknowledge that those prices are high because people have embraced breakers, spend money with them, and drive those prices up in the first place. Breaking is sexy to everyone who doesn't post here. Don't forget that. A breaker pulling this card would have been the least likely to get questioned, if it were all planned ahead of time, because most who were chasing this card were doing so through breakers in the first place.

[hermanotarjeta]

Originally Posted by auctionjmm

You're forgetting that the only people who hate breakers are the small segment of people who post here. Breakers, on a grander scale, are worshipped by the hobby community at large. That's why they have large social media followings and the breaker pavilion at the NSCC is packed, and the after-parties and pre-parties hosted by breakers are packed. Breakers even sign autographs and get asked by parents to take photos with their kids. If they aren't a breaker, they want to be one, and if they can't be one, they at least want to rub arms with them. A breaker pulling this for a customer, or a shop affiliated with breakers selling this box, would have been perfectly acceptable to the 99% who have embraced breaking. Topps didn't need to overthink that one.

For those who blame breaking for high prices, you would have to at least acknowledge that those prices are high because people have embraced breakers, spend money with them, and drive those prices up in the first place. Breaking is sexy to everyone who doesn't post here. Don't forget that. A breaker pulling this card would have been the least likely to get questioned, if it were all planned ahead of time, because most who were chasing this card were doing so through breakers in the first place.

So why hasn’t the shop been named yet?

[bub838]

Originally Posted by hermanotarjeta

Why was the card shop not named?

Perhaps because the shop acts as a front for breakers, like many fanatics-sponsored establishments.

There are several in the Los Angeles area like this.

They’ve had a whole week to plan a spin. I’m sure they will come up with a plausible explanation.

Nah, even if it was a breakers shop as long as they were Fanatics/Topps affiliated they would be happy to advertise it.
It may have been bought grey market (eBay, StockX, etc) and Fanatics just doesn’t want to name them.

I believe the theory it was a Topps/Fanatics employee or something along those lines.

[auctionjmm]

Originally Posted by hermanotarjeta

So why hasn’t the shop been named yet?

I already addressed this yesterday. What if it was a random eBay seller? Theres lots of boxes on eBay. There's no "story" if the box came from some random eBay dude with 37 feedback who lucked out and got a box from Topps.

[hermanotarjeta]

Originally Posted by auctionjmm

I already addressed this yesterday. What if it was a random eBay seller? Theres lots of boxes on eBay. There's no "story" if the box came from some random eBay dude with 37 feedback who lucked out and got a box from Topps.

The kid in the letter implied his parents found it at a shop for $350.

[auctionjmm]

Originally Posted by hermanotarjeta

The kid in the letter said his parents found it at a shop for $325.

It wouldn't change your mind regardless. All the folks saying knowing the shop would quell their doubts are full of it. If the shop is named, you'd find something different to latch onto. Naming the shop does nothing for those who are questioning the story.

[auctionjmm]

Originally Posted by hermanotarjeta

The kid in the letter implied his parents found it at a shop for $350.

Nice edit. Now we need to rely on "implied" info since the letter doesn't actually say shop. OK!

[hermanotarjeta]

Originally Posted by auctionjmm

Nice edit. Now we need to rely on "implied" info since the letter doesn't actually say shop. OK!

Standard reporting should offer the who, what, when, where and why.

Los Angeles is not detailed enough to describe where.

A half decent middle school level news report would at least name the shop or dealer where they bought the box from. It’s still not being reported.

They are hiding this for a reason.

[boxbuster7]

Regardless of what side you are on Fanatics screwed this up

they made something that should've been really special a PR nightmare

[Poorboy]

Just one question ?
After this is all over ….
How will the event be remembered ?
Fanaticsgate ? Skenesgate ? Lol
Just curious.

[hermanotarjeta]

Originally Posted by auctionjmm

It wouldn't change your mind regardless. All the folks saying knowing the shop would quell their doubts are full of it. If the shop is named, you'd find something different to latch onto. Naming the shop does nothing for those who are questioning the story.

It’s called responsible reporting.

They are hiding something.

[TimBuckTwo]

Originally Posted by Poorboy

Just one question ?
After this is all over ….
How will the event be remembered ?
Fanaticsgate ? Skenesgate ? Lol
Just curious.

Lemme think on this awhile.