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In a message dated 4/27/2005 7:49:04 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Marty wrote: "and on a regular basis, collectors and/or dealers with
specialized knowledge have informed him that he has inaccurately described a
poster...I know he does this on a routine basis, as I have received many such
emails telling me that the listing description has been altered."
Uh...isn't that what I just stated? Since BH is so highly respected in the
hobby don't you think he should be held to a higher standard?
No, I don't think he should be held to a higher standard. I think he should be held to the same standard as every seller should be held to. That is, posters should be described accurately and honestly, and if errors are found they should be promptly corrected. Furthermore, if a buyer is unhappy if a purchase it should be returnable.
For example, if
he does not know the provenance he should wait until he does before listing
it. I watched him auction a Jimi Hendrix "special" or "polish" poster a while
back that turned out to be a commercial release, but he incorrectly related to
the Jimi Plays Berkeley film - yes, he did email folks as I received one as
well, but, the poster eventually sold for between $200-$300 (if memory serves)-
that never would have happened IMHO if it had been described accurately in
the first place. If BH, or any bigtime seller is uncertain he should not call
it "special" or "???" just to get it listed. Am I wrong in this?
Bruce doesn't claim to know everything. It is completely unreasonable to suggest he research and independently verify every item he sells. I do the same thing. I sell a large number of original Spanish posters from the 1940s through the 1970s. I use my knowledge and experience to determine the originality of these posters. When I err in my description, Julian Iglesias, a prominent poster dealer in Barcelona, is kind enough to email me, and I make the correction. This happens perhaps, with one poster out of one hundred. (I've erred in both directions, calling a SEVEN SAMURAI 1-sheet, a re-issue, when in fact it was the first Spanish release). I'm not going to spend my time verifying 100 posters, to possibly find an error, or two. Multiply these numbers by 20 and apply them to Bruce.
This is the
example that comes to mind. But, as Marty stated he does this on a "routine"
basis. BH sold me a "Valley: Obscurred by Clouds" that is a repro (I own two
originals from original release) - I called him and he refunded the purchase
price only - I was out the $18.00 in shipping for a poster I sent back. He
continues to sell this poster as an "advance." (see ebay #7510500661).
I don't know the poster. If Gary informed Bruce, that he thought the poster was a reproduction, and Bruce continues to sell the poster as an original, my guess is that Bruce doesn't think much of Gary's opinion. He refunded the payment because he has an unconditional guarantee. (If you had purchased from me, I refund all shipping fees as well).
I
agree that BH is not necessarily being crooked, and he can be a nice and
reasonable guy, but he should not be protected from negative opinions based on
personal experiences of members of the community - and THAT is what happened
on MPT, IMHO. It has been MY CHOICE to stop buying from him based on personal
experience - so, when I read glowing recommendations about BH I feel
the "other" side is being totally ignored and disallowed as appropriate
conversation. If we can criticize TLoce, BradBuried, etc. we should also be
able to state opinions regarding BH - and, as we have seen that cannot be done
without being met with harsh criticism, denial, and/or disbelief because
the "facts" are not "good enough." Funny thing is - I used to fiercely defend
BH when the bashers bashed - it was only after I was stung that I changed my
stance, why should others have to be stung to learn their lesson? Anyway, I
went way longer than I wanted to, sorry. Best regards.
Bruce is the person least "protected from negative opinions" that I know. Critics of Bruce should just boycott his auctions and give MoPo readers a break! Bruce doesn't need your business, or my defense. Please, nobody respond to this. This is my last "Bruce" post. I need to get back to my work!
Marty Davis
Vintage Film Posters
P.O. Box 998
Avon, CT 06001
860/673-2012
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
OneSheet (eBay Screen Name)
www.vintagefilmposters.com
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