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Authenticity is Everything
An own thread about my previous comment regarding ”the state” of this site…
Since I don’t think it’s fair to spam Robs authencity thread with this discussion, I started a new thread for this.
It might have been a slight exaggeration saying that this site has become pretty much only about cheap signed CD:s that musicians sell to up their sale records, but sometimes it honestly feels like that.
I’ve been a member of this great site for 10 years and I’ve learned A LOT, bought many nice graphs from other members, sold a few too, got authencity help and avoided fakes many times, helped a few members myself and even got a few friends here! But I honestly sometimes miss the ”old days” when this site were filled with members:
-helping each other regarding the authencity of graphs,
-writing blogs about everything autograph related,
-sharing photos of their autographs, -working together to expose forgers,
-discussing good guys and bad guys in the business,
-tallking about the good and bad with TPAs
and much, much more.
A few examples of what I mean. Earlier you could share a photo of your latest autograph and get lots of comments and people sharing their own examples. This often led to fun discussions about the artist or actor you liked and their autograph. Today you get nothing when uploading a photo, basically no one cares which I think is a bit sad. I loved sharing my own graphs but also to see other members fantastic graphs, often items I could only dream of owning myself but really appreciated seeing.
There also used to be a very active Star Wars ”community” here with lots of highly knowledgable members. I understand that many of these members have moved on to FB and for example SWAU, but this is just another example of things that have almost disappeared. And from talking to some of them I know that they felt that this new ”focus” on CD:s and books is one reason that they moved on, so it’s not just me.
Maybe it’s just me that have missed them, but there isn’t many autograph blogs today either. I loved to read these by knowledgeable and/or funny members that shared their stores about the autograph world.
I have also bought Slash signed CDs based on tips here, so I’m aware of the double standards! But as said, I honestly miss the sharing and discussions that used to be the main content of this great site.
Now it’s often multiple threads about the same $10 CD or book and first there are 45 (approx…) replies about how and where to order and then it is 37 replies about shipping followed up by 29 replies about recieved or not recieved items and sadly it often ends with 53 replies about if the item is genuine or not…
One morning when I logged in here it was approx 20-25 straight replies in the latest activity field about Dolly Partons ”signed” book. I understand the interest and as said I’m sometimes interested too, but at least according to me it pushes everything else aside and leads to that all other subjects ”drowns”.
I completly understand that many members will see me as an old fart that can’t accept changes and maybe you’re right. It’s early morning here and I basically haven’t slept beacuse of me having fever, so that may be why I’m grumpy. But I just wanted to elaborate what I meant earlier in another thread.
Take care!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Cogo on
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I admire your ability to see the good side in people, but in this case we’ll have to disagree.
I’m sure from how he wrote he meant that I tried to ”run this site” just the way that I like it and that my ego got hurt when nobody commented on my photos.
No biggie, I couldn’t care less what he thinks. Just thought it was uncalled for with that kind of reply to my original post.
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Permalink Reply by Jason H on
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well I definitely don't want your post to turn into an argument. I understand how you feel. Its probably best to move on and just focus on your main post now
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To add to your thoughts.. thinking about this more,, i believe a lot of what you say that is missing now, is actually very active within the music direct sales catagory. A lot of the posts within that discussion have many of the points mentioned in your original post. I have definitely commented about authenticity there as well as call people out on ebay..
Ive started becoming better at expanding beyond the direct sales catagory lately.. maybe others neet to realize somehow that other multiple discussions exist.
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Permalink Reply by Stepeanut on
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Your comprehension ability is sadly lacking. I never said you are trying to “run this site”. However, it is clear from your subsequent comments that you cannot handle anyone expressing an alternate viewpoint to your own without taking offence. My initial point regarding those who wish to control the actions of other members was a general one, but you’ve gone on to prove that is applies to you specifically. Well played.
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Yeah, sure. Whatever you say. But lets agree to disagree on this one and just move on…
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A few random thoughts to mirror some of the points in the starting post....
I was a little disappointed several weeks ago when I posted a letter from a governor who went on to become president, hoping to get some opinions, and got no replies.
and...
While I am glad to get a heads up on new opportunities for CDs or books, a couple recent threads were a little out of control. One in particular turned into a group chat about shipping emails, etc. It was a bunch of impatient OCD people who turned the site into a chat room with little actual useful information being discussed.
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I found your post and added my opinion. I dont normally reply to authenticity questions unless I have more knowledge. Others might feel the same but im actually surprised a Clinton post didn't get more attention
Turning off email notifications was the best thing I ever did with this site. I am much happier getting on and browsing through new posts instead. I can pick and choose what I'd like to read and not get notified about those shipping comments
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Permalink Reply by Steve Zarelli on
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JK - I enjoy seeing he historical content. The problem is that some people don't feel comfortable offering an opinion unless they are 100% certain. Further, the site is no longer a target rich environment for the type of collectors who would possibly have the knowledge to provide meaningful input on historical items. Those are the folks who have largely moved on.
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Permalink Reply by crazyrabbits23 on
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You have to see the forest for the trees.
As you yourself said, there has been an influx of artists using signed CD booklets et al. to sell copies/get their stuff on top of the charts. This is a trend that was popularized during COVID -- a period in which all manner of collectible categories went positively nuclear due to a massive influx of billions being funnelled into all types of collectibles, and savvy parties cashing in on it -- and proved to be a windfall for artists small and large.
Expect it to continue into the future -- if artists like Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran and (yes, even the newly-crowned autopen queen) Dolly Parton can pump out signatures, regardless of authenticity and irrespective of criticism, why do you think this trend is going to stop overnight? People are being actively driven to engage in the community because of their awareness of these deals and their need to navigate the industry waters. These trends are not permanent. Trends will change, but that's no reason to look down on others if they want to talk about shipping methods for signed items or the best way to get a deal. If you don't like it, hit the "Stop Following" button.
There are several signed categories I collect -- particularly in Canadiana -- that has interest to few (if any) people on this site, but I still engage with the discussions and add my own opinion where necessary.
And again, there are plenty of deals posted that I've both been able to get and have missed out on. Flipping has always been, and will always be, a necessary evil so long as people are willing to pay those prices, but I've been able to get fantastic deals at a slight markup. You have to expect that this facet of the industry will be constant moving forward, even with some collectible sectors softening.
Don't let FOMO or long discussion threads kill your enjoyment of the hobby. Enjoy what you like. If you can't get it, more opportunities will come along.
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Appreciate your thoughts my friend. But I don’t think it will stop overnight, never said that and I promise you that I scroll past many threads every day and that is not a big problem. Also I fully understand that it also comes a lot of positive things from these discussions.
I just don’t like the fact that it (according to me) pushes away all other subjects.
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The bottom line is that people spend time where they find value and are engaged. If the content doesn't interest you, you begin spending less and less time at a site and it eventually changes.
These days, it appears most of the content is modern music and people asking for authenticity opinions. I'm not interested in being a factory for free opinions and I couldn't care less about a Weekend CD, so why would I keep coming back? Not that there is anything wrong with these things, it's just not for me.
So I come less and less and I know I am not alone. I still chat with a lot of collector friends by email or on Facebook, but we have moved away from this being a daily destination.
It's a little disappointing when things change and aren't they way they used to be when we enjoyed them the most, but it is the way of the world.
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Well said my friend, I agree 100% and appreciate your opinion.
And you raise a valid point that I forgot regarding historical autographs, you hardly see that kind of graphs here anymore. The same can pretty much be said about space autographs too, sorry to say.
Rarely do you see the big time collectors here either. Loved seeing other collectors Beatles, Queen, Zeppelin, Stones etc, that gave me more than seeing one example of a pop artists 50.000 signed copies.
But as you said, people should do what they like and change is a part of life!
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