BGS Black Labels, Joe Clemons (eBay ID: wjc75056), and Illegitimate Grading

[kyaa]

Updated 6/15/2019

The purpose of this thread is to expose what I believe to be ongoing illegitimate grading at Beckett Grading Services. You may have seen posts in other threads about how Joe Clemons (WJCIII on this forum), a former BGS employee and current Leaf employee, accounts for significant chunk of the Black Labels (about 25% when I first checked) and BGS 10s on eBay. https://www.ebay.com/sch/wjc75056/m....p2046732.m1684

I think this deserves its own, comprehensive thread. As this thread has grown, a lot of questions about Leaf Trading Cards/Brian Gray have emerged as well.

With thanks to SuperDan49, 3124508 on COMC’s, Pejc300, Auburn35, HBMC, and others for great research, this is what has been pieced together thus far.

The Results of Joe Clemons’ BGS Submissions Containing At Least One Black Label

Big picture, according to Terapeak data from the past year, Joe's eBay account sales are comprised of 196 Black Labels, 539 BGS 10s, and 651 BGS 9.5s. In percentages, that's 14% Black Labels, 39% BGS 10s, and 47% BGS 9.5s. So overall, Joe appears to be getting a majority Black Labels and BGS 10s from BGS.

To give you a sense of how ludicrious those results are, overall on Terapeak the percentages of Black Labels/10s/9.5s is 0.8%/15%/84%. Even in "easy to grade" sets like 2018 Topps Chrome Update, the ratio in the pop report is 3%/18%/73%.

In terms of individual submission results, below are some of the submissions linked to Clemons that I started piecing together. If a card serial number is not listed, it is because it does not appear to be a part of Clemons’ order—either it is an ungraded card, no record, or a card graded on a different date. Black Labels are bolded. If you don't want to look through them all, I encourage you to at least look at 8/30/2018--81 cards, nothing but Black Labels and BGS 10s.


08/28/18
10767982 2017 Bowman’s Best Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Black Label (Pop:2)
10767983 2017 Bowman’s Best Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Black Label (Pop:3)
10767984 2017 Bowman Chrome Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Black Label (Pop:1)
10767985 2017 Bowman Chrome Draft Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Black Label (Pop: 2)
10767986 2013 Topps Finest Derek Jeter Black Label (Pop: 1)
10767987 2013 Panini Prizm Mike Trout Black Label (Pop: 3, I believe Clemons has 1 if not both of the others)
10767988 2017 Topps Heritage Mike Trout BGS 10 (Pop: 1, none higher)
10767989 2016 Bowman’s Best Luis Severino Black Label (Pop: 1)
10767990 2016 Elite Extra Brandon Marsh Auto BGS 10 (Pop: 1, none higher)
10767991 2016 Bowman’s Best Tyler O’Neill Auto BGS 10 (Pop: 12, none higher)
10767992 2009 Upper Deck X Xponential 2 Derek Jeter BGS 10 (Pop: 1, none higher)
10767993 2012 Topps Mike Trout BGS 10 (Pop: 8, none higher)
10767994 2012 Panini Prizm Mike Trout BGS 10 (Pop: 21, 2 higher)
10767995 2014 Topps Chrome Mike Trout Refractors BGS 10 (Pop: 1, none higher)
10767996 2006 Upper Deck Special FX WBC Derek Jeter BGS 10 (Pop: 1, none higher)
10767997 2010 Topps Update Mike Stanton BGS 10 (Pop: 6, none higher)
10767998 2018 Topps Highlights Derek Jeter BGS 10 (Pop: 1, none higher)
10767999 2018 Topps Highlights Derek Jeter BGS 10 (Pop: 1, none higher) (different #)

8/30/18
Checked 15 serial numbers before these
10707505 2017 Bowman's Best Top Prospects Atomic Refractors Ronald Acuna Black Label
10707506 2017 Bowman's Best Top Prospects Atomic Refractors Ronald Acuna Black Label
10707507 2017 Bowman's Best Top Prospects Atomic Refractors Ronald Acuna Black Label
10707508 2017 Bowman's Best Top Prospects Atomic Refractors Ronald Acuna Black Label
10707509 2017 Bowman's Best Top Prospects Atomic Refractors Ronald Acuna Black Label
10707510 2017 Bowman's Best Top Prospects Atomic Refractors Ronald Acuna Black Label
10707511 2017 Bowman's Best Top Prospects Refractors Ronald Acuna Black Label
10707512 2017 Bowman's Best Top Prospects Refractors Ronald Acuna Black Label
10707513 2017 Bowman's Best Top Prospects Refractors Ronald Acuna Black Label
10707514 2016 Bowman’s Best Refractors Gleyber Torres Black Label
10707515 2016 Bowman’s Best Refractors Gleyber Torres Black Label
10707516 2016 Bowman’s Best Refractors Gleyber Torres BGS 10
10707517 2017 Bowman Chrome Draft Refractors Ronald Acuna Black Label
10707519 2017 Bowman Chrome Ronald Acuna Black Label
10707525 2017 Bowman's Best Top Prospects Refractors Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707526 2017 Bowman's Best Top Prospects Refractors Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707528 2016 Bowman’s Best Refractors Gleyber Torres BGS 10
10707529 2016 Bowman’s Best Refractors Gleyber Torres BGS 10
10707530 2016 Bowman’s Best Refractors Gleyber Torres BGS 10
10707531 2016 Bowman’s Best Refractors Gleyber Torres BGS 10
10707533 2017 Bowman Chrome Draft Refractors Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707534 2017 Bowman Chrome Draft Refractors Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707535 2017 Bowman Chrome Draft Refractors Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707536 2017 Bowman Chrome Draft Refractors Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707537 2017 Bowman Chrome Draft Refractors Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707538 2017 Bowman Chrome Draft Refractors Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707539 2017 Bowman Chrome Draft Refractors Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707540 2017 Bowman Chrome Draft Refractors Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707541 2017 Bowman Chrome Scouts Top 100 Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707542 2017 Bowman Chrome Scouts Top 100 Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707544 2015 Topps Heritage 1951 Collection Kris Bryant BGS 10
10707546 2017 Bowman's Best Top Prospects Atomic Refractors Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707547 2017 Bowman's Best Top Prospects Atomic Refractors Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707548 2017 Bowman's Best Top Prospects Atomic Refractors Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707549 2017 Bowman's Best Top Prospects Atomic Refractors Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707550 2017 Bowman's Best Top Prospects Atomic Refractors Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707551 2017 Bowman's Best Top Prospects Refractors Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707552 2017 Bowman's Best Top Prospects Refractors Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707553 2017 Bowman's Best Top Prospects Refractors Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707554 2017 Bowman's Best Top Prospects Refractors Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707555 2017 Bowman's Best Top Prospects Refractors Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707556 2017 Bowman's Best Top Prospects Refractors Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707557 2017 Bowman's Best Top Prospects Refractors Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707558 2017 Bowman's Best Top Prospects Refractors Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707561 2016 Bowman’s Best Refractors Gleyber Torres BGS 10
10707562 2016 Bowman’s Best Refractors Gleyber Torres BGS 10
10707563 2017 Bowman Chrome Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707564 2017 Bowman Chrome Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707565 2017 Bowman Chrome Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707566 2017 Bowman Chrome Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707567 2017 Bowman Chrome Draft Refractors Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707569 2017 Bowman Chrome Scouts Top 100 Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707570 2017 Bowman's Best Baseball America's Dean's List Atomic Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707571 2017 Bowman's Best Baseball America's Dean's List Atomic Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707572 2017 Bowman's Best Baseball America's Dean's List Atomic Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707573 2017 Bowman's Best Baseball America's Dean's List Atomic Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707574 2017 Bowman's Best Baseball America's Dean's List Atomic Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707581 2017 Bowman's Best Top Prospects Atomic Refractors Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707582 2017 Bowman's Best Top Prospects Atomic Refractors Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707583 2017 Bowman's Best Top Prospects Atomic Refractors Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707584 2017 Bowman's Best Top Prospects Atomic Refractors Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707585 2017 Bowman's Best Top Prospects Atomic Refractors Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707586 2017 Bowman's Best Top Prospects Atomic Refractors Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707587 2017 Bowman's Best Top Prospects Refractors Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707588 2017 Bowman's Best Top Prospects Refractors Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707589 2017 Bowman's Best Top Prospects Refractors Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707590 2017 Bowman's Best Top Prospects Refractors Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707591 2017 Bowman's Best Top Prospects Refractors Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707592 2016 Bowman’s Best Refractors Gleyber Torres BGS 10
10707593 2016 Bowman’s Best Refractors Gleyber Torres BGS 10
10707594 2016 Bowman’s Best Refractors Gleyber Torres BGS 10
10707595 2017 Bowman Chrome Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707596 2017 Bowman Chrome Draft Refractors Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707597 2017 Bowman Chrome Scouts Top 100 Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707598 2017 Bowman Chrome Scouts Top 100 Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707601 2017 Bowman's Best Baseball America's Dean's List Atomic Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707602 2017 Bowman's Best Baseball America's Dean's List Atomic Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707603 2017 Bowman's Best Baseball America's Dean's List Atomic Ronald Acuna BGS 10
10707607 2016 Bowman’s Best Refractors Gleyber Torres BGS 10
10707608 2016 Bowman’s Best Refractors Gleyber Torres BGS 10
10707609 2016 Bowman’s Best Refractors Gleyber Torres BGS 10
10707610 2017 Bowman Chrome Ronald Acuna BGS 10
Checked 15 serial numbers after these

09/26/18
10831136 2013 Topps Finest Manny Machado Black Label
10831137 2013 Topps Finest Manny Machado Black Label
10831138 2013 Topps Finest Manny Machado BGS 10

12/13/18
11001271 2018 Leaf Metal Draft Casey Mize Black Label
11001272 2018 Leaf Metal Draft Casey Mize Black Label
11001273 2018 Leaf Metal Draft Top Picks Orange Jordyn Adams Black Label
11001274 2018 Leaf Metal Draft Pink Wave Jordyn Adams Black Label
11001275 2018 Leaf Metal Draft Purple Wave Jordyn Adams Black Label
11001276 2018 Leaf Metal Draft Silver Wave Jordyn Adams Black Label
11001277 2018 Leaf Metal Draft Silver Wave Alexnader Canario Black Label
11001278 2018 Leaf Metal Draft Blue Wave Alexnader Canario Black Label
11001279 2018 Leaf Metal Draft Pink Joey Bart Black Label
11001280 2018 Leaf Metal Draft Joey Bart Top Picks Black Label
11001281 2018 Leaf Metal Draft Jonathan India Black Label
11001282 2018 Leaf Metal Draft Jonathan India Pink Wave Black Label
11001283 2018 Leaf Metal Draft Top Picks Pink Alec Bohm Black Label
11001284 2018 Leaf Metal Draft Alec Bohm Black Label
11001286 2018 Leaf Metal Draft Top Picks Jonathan India Black Label
11001287 2018 Leaf Metal Draft Tops Picks Jonathan India Black Label
11001288 2018 Leaf Metal Draft Top Picks Purple Jonathan India Black Label
11001289 2018 Leaf Metal Draft Gold Wave Jo Adell Black Label
11001290 2018 Leaf Metal Draft Pink D.J. Peters Black Label
11001291 2018 Leaf Metal Silver Wave D.J. Peters Black Label
11001292 2018 Leaf Metal Silver Wave Grayson Rodriguez Black Label
11001293 2018 Leaf Metal Silver Wave Brady Singer Black Label

12/19/18
11014560 2018 Topps Chrome Update Juan Soto Black Label
11014562 2017 Bowman Chrome Draft Royce Lewis Black Label
11014563 2018 Topps Walmart Holiday Snowflake Ronald Acuna Black Label
110144565 2018 Topps Chrome Update International Affair Ohtani Black Label
11014567 2018 Topps Chrome Update Walker Buehler Black Label
11014568 2013 Bowman Chrome Draft Manny Machado Black Label
11014570 2018 Topps Chrome Update Shohei Ohtani Black Label
11014571 2018 Topps Chrome Update Juan Soto Black Label
11014573 2018 Topps Chrome Update Mookie Betts Black Label
11014575 2018 Topps Update An International Affair Shohei Ohtani
11014577 2018 Topps Walmart Holiday Snowflake Shohei Ohtani RC Black Label
11014580 2018 Topps Chrome Update Mike Trout Black Label
11014581 2018 Topps Chrome Update Ronald Acuna Jr. RD BGS 10

1/10/2019
0011043162 2018-19 Panini Prizm Prizms Blue Josh Okogie Black Label
0011043163 2013 Bowman Draft Silver Ice Nolan Arenado Black Label
0011043164 2017 Bowman Chrome Prospect Autographs Purple Refractor Ronald Acuna BGS 9.5
0011043165 2018 Topps Chrome Update Autograph Refractors Austin Meadows BGS 10
0011043166 2018 Topps Chrome Update Autograph Refractors David Bote BGS 10
0011043167 2017 Bowman Chrome Rookie Autographs Blue Refractors Aaron Judge BGS 10

1/28/2019
11078426 2001 Upper Deck Tiger Woods VM BGS Black Label
11078427 2001 Upper Deck Gallery Tiger Woods BGS Black Label
11078428 2001 Upper Deck Gallery Tiger Woods BGS Black Label
11078429 2018 Panini Prizm Deandre Ayton RC BGS 10
11078430 2018-19 Panini Prizm Prizms Red Shimmer Luka Doncic BGS 9.5
11078431 2018-19 Panini Contenders Cracked Ice Ticket Luka Doncic AU BGS 9.5 Auto 10
11078432 2018 Panini Contenders Cracked Ice Baker Mayfield AU BGS 9 Auto 10

01/31/19
11090440 2018 Leaf Metal Draft Silver Wave Jordan Groshans Black Label
11090441 2018 Leaf Metal Draft Silver Wave Jordan Groshans Black Label
11909443 2018 Bowman’s Best Green Refractor Alec Bohm Black Label

02/12/19
11125838 2018 Panini Rookie Revolution Impact Luka Doncic Black Label
11125839 2018 Topps Chrome Update Juan Soto Black Label
11125840 2018 Topps Chrome Update Refractors Ronald Acuna Jr. Black Label
11125841 2018 Topps Chrome Ronald Acuna Black Label
11125843 2018 Topps Chrome Update Pink Refractors Juan Soto Black Label
11125842 2018 Topps ’83 Silver Pack Chrome Green Acuna Black Label
11125844 2017 Bowman Draft Silver Vladimir Guerrro Jr. Black Label
11125845 2018 Bowman Chrome Mega Box Vlad Guerrero Black Label
11125846 2012 Bowman Chrome Draft Blue Refractors Bryce Harper BGS 10

02/19/19
11142990: 2018 Bowman Chrome Trending Refractors Vlad Jr Black Label
11143005 2018 Topps Archives Gleyber Torres Black Label
11143008 2018 Topps Allen & Ginter Gleyber Torres Black Label
11143009 2018 Topps Chrome Update Pink Gleyber Torres Black Label
11143010 2017 Bowman Chrome Draft Vladimir Guerrero Black Label
11143024 2018 Bowman Chrome Mega Ronald Acuna Black Label
11143122 2018 Topps Chrome Gleyber Torres Black Label
11143123 2018 Bowman Chrome Trending Ronald Acuna Refractor Black Label
11143124 2018 Topps Chrome Update David Bote Refractor BGS 10
11143125 2018 Topps Chrome Update Ronald Acuna BGS 10
11143126 2018 Topps Chrome Update Ronald Acuna BGS 10
11143127 2018 Topps Chrome Update Ronald Acuna BGS 10
11143128 2018 Topps Chrome Update Ronald Acuna BGS 10
11143129 2018 Topps Chrome Update Ronald Acuna BGS 10
11143130 2018 Topps Chrome Update Ronald Acuna BGS 10
11143131 2018 Topps Heritage Ronald Acuna BGS 10
11143132 2018 Topps Chrome Update Pink Refractors Ichiro BGS 10
11143133 2018 Topps Chrome Update Pink David Bote BGS 10
11143134 2018 1983 Topps Silver Pack Chrome Gleyber Torres BGS 10
11143135 2018 Bowman Chrome Mega Box Gleyber Torres BGS 10
11143136 2017 Bowman Chrome Mega Box Gleyber Torres BGS 10
11143137 2018 Topps Update Juan Soto BGS 10

02/28/19
11177835 2018 Bowman’s Best Mike Trout Black Label
11177841 2018 Bowman’s Best Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Black Label
11177844 2018 Bowman’s Best Refractors Juan Soto Black Label
11177845 2018 Bowman’s Best Juan Soto Black Label
11177848 2018 Topps Chrome Ronald Acuna Jr. Black Label
11177851 2018 Topps Chrome Update Shohei Ohtani Black Label

03/01/19
11179896 2018-19 Panini Prizm Luka Doncic Black Label

03/04/19
11184960 2013 Bowman Chrome Draft Christian Yelich Black Label
11184961 2018 Topps Chrome Ronald Acuna Jr. Black Label
11184962 2018 Topps Update Ronald Acuna Jr. Black Label
11184963 2013 Bowman Draft Nolan Arenado Black Label
11184964 2018 Bowman’s Best Blue Refractors Mookie Betts Black Label
11184965 2017 Bowman Chrome Draft Sky Blue Vladimir Guerrero Jr. BGS 9.5
11184966 2018 Topps Update Rainbow Foil Mookie Betts BGS 10

03/07/19
11196730 2018 Topps Chrome Ronald Acuna Jr. Black Label

04/05/19
11267324 2017 Bowman’s Best Cuts Aaron Judge Black Label
11267328 2013 Bowman Chrome Draft Nolan Arenado Black Label
11267331 2015-16 Upper Deck Canvas Young Guns Jack Eichel Black Label
11267332 2018 Panini Prizms Rookie Auto Prizms Kerryon Johnson Black Label

04/23/19
11304537 2018 Panini Phoenix Aqua Clint Frazier Black Label

04/24/19
11306163 2018 Topps Chrome Sepia Mike Trout Black Label
11306165 2013 Panini Prizm Mike Trout Black Label
11306166 2013 Panini Prizm Mike Trout Black Label
11306168 2017 Topps Chrome Update Cody Bellinger Black Label
11306169 2012 Bowman Draft Bryce Harper Black Label
11306170 2010 Bowman Draft Christian Yelich BGS 10
11306171 2018 Topps Chrome Update Juan Soto BGS 10
11306172 2018 Topps Chrome 1983 Shohei Ohtani BGS 9.5
11306173 2013 Bowman Draft Christian Yelich BGS 10
11306174 2018 Bowman Chrome Draft Nolan Gorman BGS 9.5
11306175 2018-19 Select Prizms Tri Color Luka Doncic BGS 10

04/30/19
11314840 2018 Leaf Metal Draft Blue Ronny Mauricio Black Label
11314841 2018 Leaf Metal Draft Pink Ronny Mauricio Black Label
11314844 2018 Leaf Metal Draft Silver Wave Shane Bieber BGS 10
11314847 2018 Leaf Metal Draft Brice Turang BGS 10
11314850 2018 Leaf Metal Draft Green Wave Cole Roderer BGS 10
11314851 2018 Leaf Metal Draft Silver Wave Cole Roderer BGS 10
11314852 2018 Leaf Metal Draft Silver Wave Cole Roderer BGS 9.5
11314856 2018 Leaf Metal Draft Silver Wave Cole Roderer BGS 10

05/08/19
11334005 2018 Topps Opening Day Jack Flaherty Black Label
11334006 2010 Bowman Prospects Anthony Rizzo Black Label
11334007 2018 Topps Rainbow Foil Harrison Bader Black Label
11334008 2018 Topps Update Gleyber Torres Black Label
11334009 2018 Topps Gallery Juan Soto BGS 10
11334010 2018 Topps Chrome Update Juan Soto BGS 10
11334090 2018 Topps Chrome Update Gleyber Torres Black Label
11334091 2018 Topps Chrome Update Michael Soroka Black Label
11334093 2018 Topps Chrome Update Rafael Devers Black Label
11334095 2018 Bowman Chrome Trending Fernando Tatis Jr. Black Label
11334096 2017 Bowman’s Best Jo Adell Black Label
11334097 2017 Bowman’s Best Jo Adell Black Label
11334100 2018 Topps Chrome Update Rhys Hoskins Black Label
11334101 2018 Topps Chrome Update Rhys Hoskins Black Label
11334102 2018 Topps Chrome Update Wakler Buehler Black Label
11334103 2018 Topps Chrome Update Wakler Buehler Black Label
11334104 2018 Topps Chrome Update Wakler Buehler Black Label

As you can see, the results are staggering. Clemons routinely has submissions in which he gets only Black Labels or 10s.

How is Clemons getting these grades?

The opinions expressed below are my own…

Though I am confident that Clemons' cards are being graded illegitimately, it's difficult to know for sure exactly how it is going down. He could be working with a grader(s) who give his cards artificially high grades. He could be selling cards for a grader who is grading their own cards. He may have a "special arrangement" with BGS where he is essentially guaranteed better grades than other BGS customers (see this post: https://www.blowoutforums.com/showpo...postcount=1277). Hopefully more information will emerge and give us all a better idea of how this scheme works.

This problem is likely more widespread than just Clemons’ eBay account.
Based on sales through his account when I initially checked, Clemons’ accounted for about 25% of all recent Black Label sales by himself. But Clemons has likely been selling through consigners, and possibly through other eBay accounts as well.

Here are BGS 10 or Black Label serial numbers sold by Clemons and Probstein along with links to the sales.
11026533 2018 Topps Chrome Update Juan Soto BGS 10- SOLD THROUGH CLEMONS
https://www.ebay.com/itm/JUAN-SOTO-2...p2047675.l2557
11026533 2018 Topps Chrome Update Juan Soto BGS 10- SOLD THROUGH CLEMONS https://www.ebay.com/itm/JUAN-SOTO-2...p2047675.l2557
11026535 2018 Bowman Chrome Talent Pipeline Green Refractors Soto/Fedde/Abreu Black Label- SOLD THROUGH PROBSTEIN https://www.ebay.com/itm/2018-Bowman...p2047675.l2557

In addition, here is a string of BGS Serial Numbers and grades, two of which sold through Probstein. These could be someone else’s but then again, has anyone else ever gotten 4 consecutive Black Labels besides Clemons?

09/21/2018
10829866 2017 Bowman Chrome Purple Auto Sixto Sanchez Black Label
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthoped...tor-1960585124
10829867 2017 Bowman Chrome Cody Bellinger Black Label
10829868 [B] 2017 Bowman Chrome Prospects 70th Blue Refractors David Fletcher Black Label
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2017-Bowman...p2047675.l2557
10829869 2017 Bowman Chrome Prospects Gold Shimmer Refractors Miguelangel Sierra Black Label

And in a post in this thread, Clemons admitted to selling through PWCC and Probstein in the past (https://www.blowoutforums.com/showpo...&postcount=217).

Connection between Clemons and other eBay accounts

As pointed out in another thread, Clemons previously used the email firstclasscardguys@gmail.com on this forum. So has the older account 11rings13years: https://www.blowoutforums.com/showpo...35&postcount=8

Odd Items 4 Sale’s (formerly First Class Card Guys) feedback history has a boatload of BGS 10s: https://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...rchInterval=30
And Odd Items 4 Sale and 11rings13years show up quite often in Clemons’ feedback history. https://web.archive.org/web/20190528...rchInterval=30

Furthermore, it appears that eBay accounts Eeobe08, LBJ2016, and Fanaticinvestments are also very closely linked to Clemons, as I detailed here: https://www.blowoutforums.com/showpo...postcount=3122

The Connection with Leaf/Brian Gray

Then there's also what appears to be a close connection between Leaf/Brian Gray, Clemons, and similar submission results. As Auburn35 established recently, the eBay account nogumjustcards looks like it was registered by Leaf: https://www.blowoutforums.com/showpo...postcount=3143.

According to Terapeak data, that account also has very high percentages of Black Labels and BGS 10s (not as high as Clemons, but certainly high enough to deserve some scrutiny) as detailed here: https://www.blowoutforums.com/showpo...postcount=3122

So Clemons sells a lot of Black Labels and 10s through his eBay account. So does Leaf/Brian Gray. Clemons works for Leaf. Multiple submissions linked to Clemons or Leaf/Brian Gray are serial numbered strangely, as if grades are given out before cards are serial numbered, which is contrary to BGS policy and how the rest of us have our orders graded. The similarities/connections are numerous.

Taken together, each of the top 4 individual sellers of Black Labels on eBay are either Clemons, Leaf, or an account very closely linked to Clemons or leaf. How many Black Labels and 10s are part of this scheme is unclear--but it appears to be a lot.

There's also a separate but similarly troubling issue--Clemons seems to end up with an awful lot of of the best 1 of 1s from some Leaf products: https://www.blowoutforums.com/showpo...postcount=3002


What This Means

This is ongoing and BGS employees are almost certainly involved: There is no way orders with 22 consecutive Black Labels or 81 consecutive Black Labels and 10s are going out the door without BGS employees knowing about it.

This isn’t just about Black Labels: Clemons didn’t just get Black Labels. He got stacks of BGS 10s too. Odd Items For Sale/First Class Card Guys also has stacks of 10s. So don’t think this is confined to Black Labels.

The rest of us who used BGS got screwed: It’s one thing for Clemons and his accomplice(s) to pad their wallets with illegitimate grades. But in order to do so, they screwed the rest of us over. To me, that’s the worst part of this whole thing.

First, the presence of Clemons' artifiically inflated cards brought down the price of other BGS customers' cards in the marketplace. Let's say there was legitimately only 1 BGS 10 in a population report. That card should be pretty valuable. But then Clemons' gets 1 BGS 10 and 1 Black Label of the same card. Suddenly, what was once the "most pristine copy" is not any more.

Second, BGS 10s and especially Black Labels are supposed to be rare. If graders give them out too easily, they won’t be rare anymore so graders have to keep the percentages of 9.5s/10s/Black Labels reasonable. So for Clemons to get so many 10s and Black Labels, the rest of us likely got the short end of the stick to even things out. He got higher grades than he should have. So we got lower grades than we should have.

Many of us can fill these pages with examples where we submitted the same brands Clemons did—2018 Topps Chrome Update, 2018 Leaf Metal Draft—in much larger quantities, and didn’t get a single Black Label or in some cases, even a 10. I believe that’s because the grader(s) had to balance out Clemons’ undeserved grades.

This, on a large scale, is why everyone who has submitted to BGS is owed an apology and arguably, some compensation. Not only did the presence of Clemons’ illegitimate 10s and Black Labels bring down the value of other graded cards in the market. We likely got lower grades to offset his higher ones.

Action Items

In my initial post I had action items for BGS--obvious ones like fire the offender(s), stop accepting submission from Clemons, issue a public statement, etc. But weeks have passed and BGS has not responded yet. So let's focus on what we can do instead:

1) Spread the word about this to others. Share it on another forum, write a blog post of your own, notify sportscard publciations, and tell friends/colleagues. The more people who know about this and the more attention it gets, the better our chances of reform and justice.

2) Don't buy BGS 10s or Black Labels. The marketplace is absolutely flooded with questionable Black Labels and BGS 10s. Flooded. Don't pay a premium for cards of questionable legitimacy. Many users in this forum have correctly pointed out the often undetectable differences between a BGS 9.5, 10, or Black Label--that often there doesn't seem to be any difference. Well now it looks like BGS 10s and Black Labels were even more bogus than we thought. Don't help reward the people involved in this scheme.

3) Stop submitting to BGS unless they get their act together: I say this as someone with BGS cards for sale and a stack I was planning on to submit. It’s hard to leave money on the table, but BGS does not deserve our business until they address this. So far, they've had weeks to respond and done nothing. A company like that does not deserve your money. And an email to them or a call to your BGS rep telling them why you aren't submitting anymore, can go a long way.

4) Try to find out if there are others like Clemons. He probably has the most glaring record on eBay but there may be others. Since this thread began other suspicious eBay accounts have been outed as well as more information about Leaf Trading cards. Let's keep up the good work.

5) Don't buy Leaf cards. In the form of Brian Gray's responses in this thread, the information Auburn35 uncovered (https://www.blowoutforums.com/showpo...postcount=3129), and the astounding number of the best hits from some Leaf products being sold through Clemons' eBay account (https://www.blowoutforums.com/showpo...postcount=3002), there are some red flags about how Leaf conducts business to say the least. There are other sportscard companies to support.

Thank you for reading.

[kyaa]

Why this can’t just be “a good eye for grading.”

The results presented above are overwhelming. But some will say, “can’t Clemons just be better at picking out good cards than other people? Couldn’t that explain his graded?” No, and this is why:

Because you have to be lucky to have an ungraded card that BGS could potentially deem “perfect” in the first place. And
nobody is that lucky, consistently.

For example, I, and many other users on this forum have had the experience of getting the cleanest possible cards directly from the source—Topps Now cards directly from Topps, Leaf Metal Redemptions straight from Leaf, etc.—and then submitting the best of those cards to BGS. The discrepancy in results from those of us who are not affiliated with BGS and Clemons is astounding.

For those of us without a “connection” we submit 50 or 100 cards directly from a manufacturer—the kinds of cards with the highest percentage of 10s on the Population Report—and get perhaps 1 or 2 Black Labels out of 50 or 100. Often we get none. Because supposedly, BGS wants us to believe that even when you get the best cards directly from the source, cards that perfect are rare.

Yet Clemons consistently ends up with the best ungraded copies of cards in existence. Some of us submit 20, 50, 100 copies of a card and never get a Black label. Clemons submits one copy and comes back with a Black Label, over and over again.
Consider a few examples of population reports from his recent sales on eBay.

2017 Bowman's Best Cuts Aaron Judge:
41 Graded
31 9.5s,
8 10s,
Only one Black Label—belonging to Clemons.

2010 Bowman Prospects Anthony Rizzo:
82 Graded
70 9.5s
3 10s
No Black Labels for almost a decade until…Clemons on 5/19/2019!

2013 Bowman Draft Nolan Arenado:
42 Graded
31 9.5s,
1 10s,
No Black Labels for five years until Clemons gets on in March.

Think about what these population reports show. For years, people are opening packs, buying 20 counts lots on eBay, and submitting copies of these cards. Many are veteran graders who have submitted far more cards than Clemons, sometimes submitting 10 or more copies of the same card. But none are deemed perfect by BGS—except for Clemons’ cards.

There are only two possible explanations (outside of Clemons trimming/altering the cards which I don’t believe is the case)

1) Clemons is exponentially luckier than every other BGS customer and he miraculously stumbles upon the most perfect specimen of a card, card, after card, after card. Or…
2) A BGS employee or employees is giving Clemons’ cards high grades illegitimately.

So, no, “good eye for grading” doesn’t explain any of this.

[Davis]

Wow...just wow. Can’t believe all of the shady stuff that’s been going on lately. This is really taking some air out of the hobby (for me, at least).

BODA at its best.

[773cards]

It's crazy how grading companies say they don't know whose cards they're grading.

[3124508 on COMC]

He also got the first 20 cases (if you are to believe him) of 2013 Leaf Metal Draft and sold the cards before anyone else got the product:

https://www.freedomcardboard.com/for...-metal-on-eBay

Pretty lucky 20 cases, no?

Also of note is that apparently First Class Card Guys "also had the table at the National in Chicago with hundreds of Leaf printing plates".

[Triggwildcat]

Saw this mentioned in that trimming thread a few days back. Interested in seeing where this goes.

[superdan49]

Brian Gray of Leaf is very active on Twitter. Someone should tweet this thread at him.

https://twitter.com/leafceo

[Wiseguy917]

It boggles my mind that people are surprised by this. I never understood the infatuation with slabs. It was so obvious from the get go that this was a scam. Happy to see people are finally seeing what some of us have seen for years.

[mattglet]

Hopefully this is an accurate representation of Joe's BGS plans going forward.

[mbarnes1546]

But Joe, where are the hundreds of 9.5s that you don’t want to sell yet????

[ThoseBackPages]

[gabballplayer14]

Originally Posted by 3124508 on COMC

He also got the first 20 cases (if you are to believe him) of 2013 Leaf Metal Draft and sold the cards before anyone else got the product:

https://www.freedomcardboard.com/for...-metal-on-eBay

Pretty lucky 20 cases, no?

Also of note is that apparently First Class Card Guys "also had the table at the National in Chicago with hundreds of Leaf printing plates".

Reading further into the thread, it looks like he was employed by Leaf as well.

"It has come to my attention that this WJC guy works for Leaf. WOW, no wonder you pulled so many supers!!!"

"I know Joe (wjc) and trust him completely - if he says there's nothing shady about it, then I believe him. He hit a home run on supers but got 1 redemption in 20 cases...so it cuts both ways.

That said, selling cases to employees who bust them is always going to come with some conspiracy risk"

'I do agree it looks bad but other companies do the same. Not saying its right or wrong. Topps has an employee store where guys can pick up draft boxes for $20 or something a box but not sure if they can buy it buy the case."

[BabaORiley]

Originally Posted by 3124508 on COMC

He also got the first 20 cases (if you are to believe him) of 2013 Leaf Metal Draft and sold the cards before anyone else got the product:

https://www.freedomcardboard.com/for...-metal-on-eBay

Pretty lucky 20 cases, no?

Also of note is that apparently First Class Card Guys "also had the table at the National in Chicago with hundreds of Leaf printing plates".

Wow, this guy is becoming shadier and shadier. His first post on that thread is damning.

The biggest red flag to me, other than the improbably ridiculous runs on BL's is the one Mookie Betts ASG TCU that he had graded, BL'd, and sold for $200. Like every other TCU card, I probably had 50-60 of those and they've either been given out to neighborhood kids with other non-RC singles or kept in a box with other "stars" for multi-set player lots to sell later in life. It would never occur to me to go over Mookie Betts ASG TCU with grading tools to submit to BGS. As somebody else pointed out, that's a 50 cent card. Graded 10, maybe be some Mookie Fan would pay $5. It's a losing proposition to have cards like that graded unless, and only unless, you've got a guaranteed BL.

[cking]

Originally Posted by Wiseguy917

It boggles my mind that people are surprised by this. I never understood the infatuation with slabs. It was so obvious from the get go that this was a scam. Happy to see people are finally seeing what some of us have seen for years.

Being right all along and finally being able to prove that to people is a spectacular feeling.....am I rite?

Its even better when I see people crying and getting upset because people like ourselves keep saying "I told you so"

Well guess what................."We told you so"

Something tells me its going to be a great day today

Life is good

[superdan49]

Beckett's 2018 Industry Summit guest list is looking better and better each day.
http://theindustrysummit.com/whos-attending

[tier1dc]

Originally Posted by 773cards

It's crazy how grading companies say they don't know whose cards they're grading.

[WJCIII]

I'll have a detailed response, with facts, in the next couple of hours. Stay tuned!

[3124508 on COMC]

Originally Posted by WJCIII

I'll have a detailed response, with facts, in the next couple of hours. Stay tuned!

Fact: You won your own auctions.

[jstephens24]

Originally Posted by 3124508 on COMC

Fact: You won your own auctions.

interesting......you still have a bombshell thread this week coming?

[3124508 on COMC]

Originally Posted by jstephens24

interesting......you still have a bombshell thread this week coming?

Auctions bit is in the OP.

Thread is coming later today I hope.

[tonedef2oo8]

Possible shady activity that leaf/razor (employee) is involved in either directly or indirectly.... geee who seen this coming besides the entire hobby lmao

I been waiting to see how long before a connection was made and there ya go. While not proof it sure is another connection with suspicious activity linked to razor

[mattglet]

Originally Posted by WJCIII

I'll have a detailed response, with facts, in the next couple of hours. Stay tuned!

[ClevelandIC]

Originally Posted by 3124508 on COMC

Fact: You won your own auctions.

All the popcorn in the world, I need it now.

[superdan49]

Originally Posted by 3124508 on COMC

Fact: You won your own auctions.

[base set]

The whole grading system is so obviously open to the possibilities of corruption with all the money that can be made. To not use any kind of outside auditing firm on the process ... just speaks for itself. As does routinely re-grading SERIAL NUMBERED cards.

Ego gratification of others will always be a profitable line of work, and one should really understand the psychology of that in relation to baseball cards.