Probstein123 stole $11k worth of cards from me DO NOT USE

[splitrockgamer]

I know this will probably get removed, or whatever, but I am really frustrated and would like to save others the potential of using this crook and losing the way I did.

I sent him cards and have the delivery confirmation on Oct 9th 2020. I have used him 3 other times, no problem. This batch never showed up, after contacting him multiple times IF he replies to an email he asks if they were under a different name every time even though I have told him MULTIPLE times thats not possible, he just keeps asking me the same question then does nothing.

Here is a list, if anyone ever happens to see them anywhere.. RIP me learn from my mistake.

I plan on suing him, or if anyone has a better idea let me know. I will not just let it go, but again wanted to put out a solid warning DO NOT USE THIS POS

Item # Cert # Grade Description
1 Mahomes donruss PSA 10
1 DAK Prescott Select /49 Bronze BGS 9.5
1 47491532 GEM MINT 10 2019 Panini Prizm 343 DK Metcalf
1 Lamar Prizm RWB PSA 9
1 Tatis Heritage Chrome PSA 10
1 Mahomes donruss PSA 9
1 Mahomes Elite series PSA 9
1 Tatis Heritage Purple PSA 10
1 47491478 GEM MINT 10 2018 Topps Update US300 Juan Soto Batting
1 47491530 GEM MINT 10 2019 Panini Prizm 323 Josh Jacobs Red/White/Blue Prizm
1 47491414 GEM MINT 10 2017 Topps Update US50 Cody Bellinger Swinging
1 47491415 GEM MINT 10 2017 Topps Update US50 Cody Bellinger Swinging
1 47491420 GEM MINT 10 2017 Topps Chrome Update HMT10 Cody Bellinger
1 47491436 GEM MINT 10 2018 Topps Update US250 Ronald Acuna Jr. at-Bat in Blue Jersey
1 47491437 GEM MINT 10 2018 Topps Update US250 Ronald Acuna Jr. at-Bat in Blue Jersey
1 47491469 GEM MINT 10 2019 Topps 410 Fernando Tatis Jr.
1 47491470 GEM MINT 10 2019 Topps 410 Fernando Tatis Jr.
1 47491471 GEM MINT 10 2019 Topps 410 Fernando Tatis Jr.
1 47491529 GEM MINT 10 2019 Panini Prizm 302 Daniel Jones
1 47491533 GEM MINT 10 2019 Panini Prizm 344 A.J. Brown
1 Tatis Chrome Refractor PSA 9
1 DAK Prescott Optic BGS 9.5
1 47491434 GEM MINT 10 2018 Topps Complete Set 698 Ronald Acuna Jr. Bat Pointing Up
1 47491435 GEM MINT 10 2018 Topps Complete Set 698 Ronald Acuna Jr. Bat Pointing Up
1 47491531 GEM MINT 10 2019 Panini Prizm 18 Tom Brady Green Prizm
1 Tatis Heritage PSA 10
1 47491534 GEM MINT 10 2019 Panini Prizm 308 Jarrett Stidham
1 Ezekiel Elliot BGS 9 Prizm
1 Herro Prizm PSA 9
1 47491537 GEM MINT 10 2019 Topps Heritage Real One Autographs TB Trevor Bauer Red Ink
1 47491429 GEM MINT 10 2017 Topps Update US139 Luis Castillo Gold
1 47491430 GEM MINT 10 2017 Topps Update US219 Paul DeJong Rainbow Foil
1 47491508 GEM MINT 10 2020 Topps 78 Bo Bichette
1 47491509 GEM MINT 10 2020 Topps 78 Bo Bichette
1 47491510 GEM MINT 10 2020 Topps 78 Bo Bichette
1 47491512 GEM MINT 10 2020 Topps 78 Bo Bichette
1 47491513 GEM MINT 10 2020 Topps 78 Bo Bichette
1 47491514 GEM MINT 10 2020 Topps 78 Bo Bichette
1 47491440 GEM MINT 10 2018 Topps Complete Set 699 Gleyber Torres Looking Up
1 47491458 GEM MINT 10 2018 Topps Heritage 580 Ronald Acuna Jr.
1 47491423 GEM MINT 10 2017 Topps Update 1987 Topps 34 Cody Bellinger
1 47491467 GEM MINT 10 2019 Topps Chrome Sapphire Edition 650 Austin Riley
1 47491409 GEM MINT 10 2017 Topps Update US4 Matt Chapman
1 47491410 GEM MINT 10 2017 Topps Update US4 Matt Chapman
1 47491411 GEM MINT 10 2017 Topps Update US4 Matt Chapman
1 47491425 MINT 9 2017 Topps 381 Hunter Renfroe Camo Uniform
1 47491426 GEM MINT 10 2017 Topps Update US166 Aaron Judge Fist Bump
1 47491456 GEM MINT 10 2018 Topps 276 Ozzie Albies White Jersey
1 47491535 MINT 9 2019 Panini Prizm 335 Devin Singletary Silver Prizm
1 47491416 MINT 9 2017 Topps Update US50 Cody Bellinger Swinging
1 47491417 MINT 9 2017 Topps Update US50 Cody Bellinger Swinging
1 47491421 MINT 9 2017 Topps Chrome Update HMT10 Cody Bellinger
1 47491422 MINT 9 2017 Topps Chrome Update HMT10 Cody Bellinger
1 47491432 MINT 9 2018 Topps Complete Set 698 Ronald Acuna Jr. Bat Pointing Up
1 47491449 GEM MINT 10 2018 Topps 18 Rafael Devers Batting
1 47491451 GEM MINT 10 2018 Topps 18 Rafael Devers Batting
1 47491452 GEM MINT 10 2018 Topps 18 Rafael Devers Batting
1 47491453 GEM MINT 10 2018 Topps 18 Rafael Devers Batting
1 47491454 GEM MINT 10 2018 Topps 18 Rafael Devers Batting
1 47491472 GEM MINT 10 2019 Topps 475 Pete Alonso
1 47491474 GEM MINT 10 2019 Topps 475 Pete Alonso
1 47491475 GEM MINT 10 2019 Topps 475 Pete Alonso
1 47491476 GEM MINT 10 2019 Topps 475 Pete Alonso
1 47491485 GEM MINT 10 2019 Topps Update US50 Nick Senzel Touching Cap
1 47491486 GEM MINT 10 2019 Topps Update US150 Keston Hiura Batting
1 47491488 GEM MINT 10 2019 Topps Update US150 Keston Hiura Batting
1 47491494 MINT 9 2020 Topps 70 Nico Hoerner Gold
1 47491517 GEM MINT 10 2020 Topps 292 Gavin Lux
1 47491518 GEM MINT 10 2020 Topps 292 Gavin Lux
1 47491523 GEM MINT 10 2020 Topps 292 Gavin Lux
1 47491524 GEM MINT 10 2020 Topps 292 Gavin Lux
1 47491445 GEM MINT 10 2018 Topps 700 Shohei Ohtani Pitching
1 47491446 GEM MINT 10 2018 Topps 700 Shohei Ohtani Pitching
1 47491447 GEM MINT 10 2018 Topps 700 Shohei Ohtani Pitching
1 47491464 GEM MINT 10 2019 Topps Chrome Update 21 Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
1 47491465 GEM MINT 10 2019 Topps Chrome Update 21 Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
1 47491466 GEM MINT 10 2019 Topps Chrome Update 21 Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
1 47491477 MINT 9 2019 Topps Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Missing Card Number
1 47491495 GEM MINT 10 2020 Topps 350 Pete Alonso Gold
1 47491526 GEM MINT 10 2020 Topps Heritage 52 Anthony Kay/Bo Bichette
1 47491459 GEM MINT 10 2019 Topps Heritage 504 Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
1 47491481 GEM MINT 10 2019 Topps Update US247 Luis Arraez
1 47491482 GEM MINT 10 2019 Topps Update US247 Luis Arraez
1 47491483 GEM MINT 10 2019 Topps Update US247 Luis Arraez
1 47491491 GEM MINT 10 2020 Topps Turkey Red TR37 Yordan Alvarez
1 47491511 MINT 9 2020 Topps 78 Bo Bichette
1 47491424 MINT 9 2017 Topps Update 1987 Topps 35 Aaron Judge
1 47491441 MINT 9 2018 Topps Complete Set 699 Gleyber Torres Looking Up
1 47491455 MINT 9 2018 Topps 276 Ozzie Albies White Jersey
1 47491457 MINT 9 2018 Topps Heritage 603 Gleyber Torres
1 47491461 GEM MINT 10 2019 Topps Heritage 519 Pete Alonso
1 47491487 MINT 9 2019 Topps Update US150 Keston Hiura Batting
1 47491468 MINT 9 2019 Topps 670 Eloy Jimenez
1 47491443 MINT 9 2018 Topps 700 Shohei Ohtani Pitching
1 47491444 MINT 9 2018 Topps 700 Shohei Ohtani Pitching
1 47491448 MINT 9 2018 Topps 18 Rafael Devers Batting
1 47491450 MINT 9 2018 Topps 18 Rafael Devers Batting
1 47491480 MINT 9 2019 Topps Update US1 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Throwing
1 47491489 MINT 9 2020 Topps Turkey Red Chrome TRC37 Yordan Alvarez
1 47491490 MINT 9 2020 Topps Turkey Red TR37 Yordan Alvarez
1 47491492 MINT 9 2020 Topps Turkey Red TR94 Bo Bichette
1 47491493 MINT 9 2020 Topps Turkey Red TR73 Gavin Lux
1 47491516 MINT 9 2020 Topps 292 Gavin Lux
1 47491519 MINT 9 2020 Topps 292 Gavin Lux
1 47491520 MINT 9 2020 Topps 292 Gavin Lux
1 47491521 MINT 9 2020 Topps 292 Gavin Lux
1 47491522 MINT 9 2020 Topps 292 Gavin Lux
1 47491525 MINT 9 2020 Topps Heritage 54 Aristides Aquino/Yordan Alvarez
1 47491460 MINT 9 2019 Topps Heritage 519 Pete Alonso
1 47491462 MINT 9 2019 Topps Heritage 517 Fernando Tatis Jr.
1 47491527 MINT 9 2020 Topps Heritage 52 Anthony Kay/Bo Bichette

[cnewby]

How about that!

[rngrdanny22]

You said you have delivery confirmation, but was signature required? If not, are you sure it actually made it into his possession? Was the package insured?

ETA: I'm not defending the guy. Everything I've ever heard has been terrible. I hate that you lost your cards, OP. I hope you can either get them back or get compensated for your loss.

[7nohitter]

Wow, I'm really sorry to hear this.
Everything I've every heard about Rick's operation is akin to a nuclear bomb site minutes after the impact.

Not sure how this guy stays in business.

[NeedChapmans]

Originally Posted by 7nohitter

Not sure how this guy stays in business.

The allure of money saved w/ his pricing model. eBay is now a ~13% FVF for most sellers ... for many that means saving a couple hundred bucks every $10,000 + the time and hassle of moving product, especially in the example above.

Rick's operation is a disaster though, it's a shame to see so many people have these kinds of experiences (has to be 100 threads on Probstein by now if not more). Feel like there's room in this market for someone who charges a few percentage points more to do it by the book.

[7nohitter]

Originally Posted by NeedChapmans

The allure of money saved w/ his pricing model. eBay is now a ~13% FVF for most sellers ... for many that means saving a couple hundred bucks every $10,000 + the time and hassle of moving product, especially in the example above.

Rick's operation is a disaster though, it's a shame to see so many people have these kinds of experiences (has to be 100 threads on Probstein by now if not more). Feel like there's room in this market for someone who charges a few percentage points more to do it by the book.

Spot on!

[notfast]

Never understood why anyone would send to a guy who legit just takes random packages in the mail with no paper trail. Seems like stuff like this situation is inevitable.

[Rickey]

.....

[Bronxbomma]

This is why I don’t CONSIGN (without a bonded guaranteed). If you are going to consign, go with PWCC which has a la the bonded warehouse in Portland. They also advance you up to 50 percent of your cards declared value up front.

Another thing that has been been a big issue as of late is the swapping out of cards by grading companies (they process your submission but send you back lower quality graded card). I know it’s wretched and unthinkable but there is a lot of money at stake. Obviously, this cannot be done with serial numbered or numbered autographed cards but it’s an issue with vintage. Document everything with pics!

From what I know, Rick Probstein is a 1 or 2 man show out of Passaic or Paterson New Jersey. Good luck with this case.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[splitrockgamer]

Yeah, I now use Josh at PCSportscards. Unfortunately of course I had no problem with Rick in my first 3 sales, that were all pretty much the same size and type as these.. and then I send him my biggest one yet, and gone. Again, I know that there is really no to little recourse, and if I could go back and send them to PWCC or PCSportscards I would. I am pretty sure nothing will come of suing him, but I have to try something, I cant just forget about them and walk away .. best I can do is put a warning out there for others so they dont lose thousands of dollars using him as well, even if I save a few people from using him this post is worth it.

Just sucks all around.

[CapeTownCards]

Originally Posted by Bronxbomma

This is why I don’t CONSIGN (without a bonded guaranteed). If you are going to consign, go with PWCC which has a la the bonded warehouse in Portland. They also advance you up to 50 percent of your cards declared value up front.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This. PWCC /thread.

[rngrdanny22]

Originally Posted by Bronxbomma

Another thing that has been been a big issue as of late is the swapping out of cards by grading companies (they process your submission but send you back lower quality graded card). I know it’s wretched and unthinkable but there is a lot of money at stake. Obviously, this cannot be done with serial numbered or numbered autographed cards but it’s an issue with vintage. Document everything with pics!

Do you have any examples of this?

[Bronxbomma]

Personally no. Some people in the collecting community? Yes.

There are some who questions their returns.


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[Siberian13]

Hope you find those cards. Sorry man. I assume delivery goes to a PO Box? Could the post office have screwed this up?

Not sure why this thread would get removed though. Surprised you waited 4 months to post the thread.

[splitrockgamer]

Originally Posted by Siberian13

Hope you find those cards. Sorry man. I assume delivery goes to a PO Box? Could the post office have screwed this up?

Not sure why this thread would get removed though. Surprised you waited 4 months to post the thread.

Yes it went to a PO box that I assume is rather full at most times. I cannot 100% prove that he never got them and the post office lost them or has them or whatever. I guess I could follow up on that it was insured, but I only insured it for $500.

I did post a couple times that he had not posted them and ask if I had any recourse or way to contact him, but I guess I waited until it was a lost cause, basically give him the benefit of the doubt that they could show up.

He did call me about a month back and assured me I was on his "short list" to find it that it wasn't lost or anything and that he would try to figure out what happened..a month has passed since then with really no movement.

[GOTcollector]

Originally Posted by rngrdanny22

Do you have any examples of this?

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1445577

Not quite the same but an example of possible shady activity and the risks with group submissions.

[johnashleyjacob]

I really dislike probstein every post about him..... I bought a Mahomes rated rookie auto, badly damaged no mention of it at all in the description, sent it back listed it again, still no mention of the damage.

[valleynuckfan]

Originally Posted by splitrockgamer

I guess I could follow up on that it was insured, but I only insured it for $500.

This just boggles my mind.
I'm really sorry your package has gone missing, but to not insure for full value on large volume or high-end product makes no sense to me.
Best of luck with this.

[smackvay]

I had a bag of scrap gold jewelry dlvd to the wrong mailbox literally missed the correct nox by 10 inches and cost me around $6000 in November usps admitted that is what happened but not much you can do about it when you trust other people with your stuff

[Dolphinsfan1127]

I sorry for the card loss. I don't know how Rick stays in business, it's insane.

[shrevecity]

Originally Posted by valleynuckfan

This just boggles my mind.
I'm really sorry your package has gone missing, but to not insure for full value on large volume or high-end product makes no sense to me.
Best of luck with this.

Insurance would not cover this. The tracking shows it was received and it was back in October so way past the expiration date for filing a claim which is 60 days. Even if he could file they would most likely deny it.

[splitrockgamer]

Originally Posted by shrevecity

Insurance would not cover this. The tracking shows it was received and it was back in October so way past the expiration date for filing a claim which is 60 days. Even if he could file they would most likely deny it.

I have heard so many stories of people that insure something for $5k and USPS wont pay it because they cant prove that its worth that. I do a bit of insurance for peace of mind, but I hate to tell you that if they lose your package they are going to pay a percentage of what its worth, that's how insurance works.

Also, like in my case it shows delivered they would be like sorry prove it wasnt, my only shot of that would have been Rick saying he never got it, in NO world would that have happened lol.

[DontToewsMeBro]

With all the stories over the years about Probstein stealing and scamming I do not know why anyone in the biz would even remotely trust them in any way. Ever.

[hche]

Originally Posted by DontToewsMeBro

With all the stories over the years about Probstein stealing and scamming I do not know why anyone in the biz would even remotely trust them in any way. Ever.

If I am not mistaken, the problems are mostly from repeat customers? Ponzi scheme going to be busted?

[chezball]

OP sorry, don't know why people use this POS.