The Brill Report

DEALER IN O-J CASE SUES ANOTHER DEALER

VOLUME 2, NUMBER 190

**HOT**BUTTON**STORY**

(TOPPS BARACK OBAMA CARD SELLS FOR $3100!!!!)

** CIVIL SUIT FILED BY O-J DEALER OVER TAPES

** HIGHLAND MINT OFFERS TY COBB AUTOGRAPH

** EBAY DRAWING HEAT FROM INVESTORS

** BARACK & HILLARY AUTO'S SELLING FOR TOPPS

** UPPER DECK REDEMPTIONS GETTING QUICK ** SPORT KINGS B DATE KNOWN **

THESE STORIES AND MORE IN TODAY'S EDITION OF TBR: THE BRILL REPORT...

                                       =================

(DEALER IN O-J CASE FILES CIVIL SUIT BUT DOESN'T NAME SIMPSON)

According to a lawsuit filed in Orange County, California by memorabilia dealer Alfred Beardsley, he was "set up" by another dealer who orchestrated the entire event in hopes of getting a book and movie deal. The book deal is in the works and you can bet when it's all over a movie will be forthcoming too.

"Beardsley was in fear of his life or great bodily injury," the lawsuit claims of the night the disputed sting operation went down in a Las Vegas hotel room last September 13.

Beardsley, an associate of Bruce Fromong, the main target in the so-called "sting" operation, says a third dealer set them up. Tom Riccio audio taped the entire event in a Las Vegas hotel room last year and according to Beardsley now has a six figure book deal. Beardsley claims this was the intent all the time and Riccio was just trying to capitalize on Simpson's notoriety.

(Alfred Beardsley who is suing Tom Riccio and naming 100 people in his case)

The suit seeks a restraining order and injunction prohibiting Riccio and others from using Beardsley's likeness, quotations of statements and summaries of those statements. The suit names 100 people but missing from the list is Simpson. Simpson has always claimed the memorabilia brought to the room by Fromong was originally his and stolen from him by a former business partner.

The entire thing went down as a sting operation according to Simpson who told police the meeting was set up by Riccio to meet with Fromong to get his stuff back. Several people in the case on Simpson's side, now have flipped and are testifying guns were involved. Simpson faces life in prison if convicted of some of the charges. He was charged with kidnapping in the case as well as armed robbery. Trial is set for later this year.

What Beardsley claims is as bizarre. He alleges Riccio, hoping to capitalize on Simpson, told him (Beardsley) he had a buyer for the stuff Fromong had; a software kingpin who lived in Nevada and the deal had to be done in Las Vegas.

"Riccio intentionally made false statements to Simpson which would cause Simpson to become extremely angry in the hope that this would result in a more profitable recording for Riccio to sell," the lawsuit states.

The suit goes on to describe what happened that fateful night.

(The Juice in not so happy days.)

"Riccio led in five men, two of whom were armed with handguns," claims the suit. "All of the men were yelling at Beardsley and Fromong, shoving them, searching them, and threatening them with weapons."

All the while Riccio was recording the incident with his audio recorder. Beardsley says he knew nothing about that at the time.

Both Riccio and Beardsley were granted immunity in the case and Beardsley is hoping he'll be removed from the case forever.

                                      =================

(HIGHLAND MINT OFFERS BY COBB AUTOGRAPH)

It is highly unusual for The Highland Mint to offer anything other than signatures of current or recently retired players. While the company at one time did offer signed photos on their traditional plaque with a coin of players from the 1950s, never before has THM offers a prize such as a slabbed Ty Cobb autograph.

(Ty Cobb Slabbed autograph from Highland Mint.)

The Cobb, not in the usual green ink, is certified by PSA and is slabbed. The company plans to put it on a plaque as usual with a coin and a laser engraved name plate. It seems there is only one available and the direct dealer cost for the item is $3000.

The Highland Mint is taking dealer inquiries at the moment and a call to 800-544-6135 needs to be made quickly if there is any interest. Cobb traditionally signed in green ink but there are other examples in other colors.

                                         ===============

(EBAY DRAWING HEAT FROM INVESTORS)

While still the Cadillac of auction sites, eBay has lost its luster and investors and analysts are pulling back. The stock actually declined 18-percent in the past year and the decision of Meg Whitman to step down has hurt the company in the view of Wall Street, especially as the company was not expanding as it had been.

(Whitman's departure has left a hole on Wall St.)

There has also been a major slowdown in Germany and the United States; the two biggest eBay markets and entrances into the Orient were not as hoped for. This past week a boycott by major eBay dealers who were angry at the increase of fees, did some damage, but has been hard to assess.

MedVed.net, which tracks such things says there was a decline of 17-percent during the first part of the boycott but several spikes in the latter few days. There are about 13 million listings currently which is about 10-percent lower than normal...so the strike did likely have some effect on eBay intake.

                                        ===============

(BIG BUCKS FOR BARACK CARDBOARD CUTOUT FROM TOPPS)

An autographed Topps card signed by leading presidential candidate Barack Obama sold for $3100 while another inked by his opponent Hillary Clinton pulled in $1300. It just seems she can't catch him in anything these days. Both cards were numbered to less than 20 and were pulled from Topps 2008 Series One.

(Clinton signed cards look like this in Topps One.)

Five different candidates signed cards for Topps including John Edwards, John McCain and Fred Thompson; two of whom have since dropped out of the race. All were numbered to 15 with the exception of the Senator from New York. There were 18 Hillary Clinton signatures. So far none of the McCain signatures has turned up on eBay per our own check of the site.

                                        =================

(UPPER DECK BLACK BASKETBALL KEY AUTOGRAPHS NAMED)

What do Michael Jordan, Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Bill Russell, Kevin Durrant, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Julius Erving all have in common? Upper Deck Black Autographs. These players are named as A-Listers in the new two-card-per pack UD Black, due out soon. With a suggested retail price of $250 per pack or $125 per card it had better be good.

(UD Black Basketball changing so quickly not even the UD web site has the answers.)

Fans and collectors were not thrilled with UD Black Baseball which featured two autographed cards per pack. Two of the above named A-listers will feature an autographed card per 10-box case. In six box hobby cases collectors will find either the autograph or a 1-of-1 autographed card.

This means the first solicitation which went to dealers is wrong and is being updated. The difference is the overall odds for a 1/1 autograph is one in two cases not the advertised 1-in-six packs. UD sales is allowing dealers to make adjustments in their orders due to the change.

Each pack will contain two cards, one of which will be signed by either an A-Lister or other players.

                                       ==================

(UPPER DECK REDEMPTIONS SETTING NEW RECORDS IN POSITIVE WAY)

It seems the era of long waits for redemption cards from Upper Deck is over at least for the most part. Most collectors we've spoken with and via personal experience are indicating the cards are being redeemed within a week or two and sometimes even faster. Much of it is determined by whether the cards of course are in house when the product hits the street and just missed the pack out deadline but the good news is UD seems to have fixed the problem.

                                      ==================

(SPORT KINGS SERIES "B" DUE OUT IN LATE JULY)

Dr. Brian Price considered Sport Kings such a hit, the planned release of Series "B" (rather than series 2) is set for July 24. The product will again feature athletes from all sports including Tennis, Golf, Track and the regular mainstream sports of baseball, football, basketball and hockey. The beauty of Sport Kings it truly recognizes stars and HOFer's from all sports.

(A Vintage PaperCut of boxer Gene Tunney.)

"The number of cut signatures will be increased in Series B," said Price. "The inserts will include 1933 The Year Sportkings at the Movies, and President and Players along with the return of Vintage PaperCuts and PaperCuts."

The company will also capitalize on a new trend; the make your own card craze. Both Topps and Upper Deck have offered collectors who win certain sweepstakes the opportunity to pick player autographs from a list and to design their own card using multiple signatures.

                                     =================                                     

UPPER DECK & HUNT JOIN FORCES

VOLUME 2, NUMBER 189

**HOT**BUTTON**STORY**

(UPPER DECK RETAIL STORE MAY BE FIRST AS GRAND OPENING KICKS OFF)

  ** UPPER DECK ACQUIRES HUNT AUCTIONS

   ** NEW UD RETAIL STORE OPENS IN CALIFORNIA

   ** UDC TO GO AFTER FIELD OF DREAMS?

   ** TUFF STUFF GETS NEW NAME

   ** EBAY BOYCOTT? TUFF TO FIGURE

  **  NAXCOM BENEFITS FROM EBAY ANGER

  ** SAGE FOOTBALL, BURT REYNOLDS, O-J SIMPSON & DONRUSS

DETAILS ON THESE AND OTHER STORIES COMING UP IN TODAY'S TBR: THE BRILL REPORT...      

                                        ===============

(UPPER DECK ACQUIRES HUNT IN MOVE TO EXPAND AUCTION MARKET)

Never sitting still, Upper Deck is moving in another direction as the company expands away from just trading cards and UDA merchandise. Already a retail on-line presence and now a retailer in brick & mortar (see story below), UDC is fully into the auction business with it's acquisition of Hunt Auctions. And that is not all.

(Upper Deck and Hunt Auctions join forces.)

"So by acquiring Hunt Auctions and its incredible inventory of vintage sports pieces Upper Deck will now have an even wider assortment of memorabilia items," stated a news release from UDC. "Chronicling decades of the sports worlds most glamorous players and moments to showcase to it's passionate sports fans."

The auction banner will remain under Hunt and much of the vintage merchandise will be sold on Upper Deck's web site and in it's new retail store front in Orange County, California.

"This is an exciting partnership of the two companies," said Tim Muret, UD president for sports card and memorabilia marketing. "And the greatest beneficiaries of this will be the vintage sports memorabilia fans."

Upper Deck plans on putting some of the vintage merchandise on line and adding some to spice up it's retail store in Orange County, California which just opened. Hunt has been known for vintage auction pieces and sold items such as a Babe Ruth home run ball from the 1933 All-Star Game ($805,000), Lou Gehrig's 1938 World Series Uniform ($402,000) and Ty Cobb's 1928 autographs jersey ($236,000).

Upper Deck has been trying to get into the vintage market and has recently offered in it's catalog certain vintage items.

                                                  ===============

(UPPER DECK STORE FINALLY OPENED)

Steve Garvey and current Laker Luke Walton showed up to sign autographs at the new Upper Deck retail store in Huntington Beach, California, ushering UDC back into the retail business after a failed attempt at City Walk at Universal Studios. The new store, which UD claims will be used to test the market and promote the industry, has been in the planning stages for more than than a year.

(Luke Walton signed this weekend at the new Upper Deck Store.)

"This is a terrific opportunity to showcase our best merchandise and partner with some local sports favorites to make our retail store a most memorable one," said Tim Muret, VP of trading card and memorabilia marketing. "Our plan is to open a store where we can test new products, kid friendly marketing initiatives, and promotion and retail merchandising solutions."

UDC has said since news first broke the company was going into the retail business it was not going into competition with other hobby stores. This was experimental, and was going to be used to test products and concepts. UDC did own a retail outlet at Universal City Walk in Los Angeles. It was a high rent experiment which never reached it's potential and eventually was shut down. UDC did talk to other stores in the area and announced it would get the same allocations other hobby stores got on product, high end and otherwise.

"Upper Deck is strongly committed to supporting hobby stores everywhere," said Greg Goldstein, UD's VP of gaming and entertainment. "The Upper Deck store is a perfect place for us to test out new products to see first hand how customers respond to hobby promotions."

(Luke Walton center while far left is UD CEO Richard McWilliam at ribbon cutting of new UD store.)

With the power to bring in players such as Garvey and Walton and to stock UDA merchandise as well as vintage items from the Hunt Collection, it would seem UDC had little to risk on the store. Still Goldstein insists it's just another hobby store in the mix.

"The ultimate goal of everything we learn here is to help hobby stores increase sales and more effectively host in-store events," he said.

The company staged a remote with KLAC Radio to broadcast the opening live outside the store and inside the Bella Terra Shopping Center. Former Dodger Garvey signed for free for two hours. Artists from UDC distributed World of Warcraft also did some sketching for customers.

The 2100 square foot store is just blocks away from other stores in the area which brought about great concern. UDC tried to allay those fears by meeting with store owners.

"This is my life," said Brian Farole who owns Baseball Cards Plus a few blocks away. "It just makes sense we should be working together and this is something we can be a part of and that will help to keep the industry growing."

(Upper Deck Retail Store in Orange County, CA)

The UDC store has in store computers and a lounge area where customers can browse on-line and to check UDA merchandise as well as to get information on UDC products. Gaming tournaments will also be held frequently.

"We want to figure out ways to work with local hobby stores to attract new collectors create excitement," added Muret. "It is our intention to continuously test ideas and programs and to share those results with the hobby community. There is no better way to learn than at the street level."

Will this be the first of several or just an isolated case. Read further.

                                                 ===============

(NEW UD STORE SOUNDS MORE LIKE FIELD OF DREAMS)

At first glance it doesn't look like Upper Deck is going to try to compete with local hobby stores so there is really nothing for these hobby stores to fear. The target would seem to be more of "Field of Dreams." Field of Dreams is now a tightly run company with many of the stores company owned rather than franchised.

(A FOD Store has a pretty standard and classic look.)

The company has made great inroads with athletes, builds it's own memorabilia items and buys and sells vintage memorabilia. The new Upper Deck store builds it's own memorabilia, has the best athletes in the country with exclusive contracts and with the acquisition of Hunt Auctions will now sell vintage memorabilia. Sounds like two peas in a pod.

Ad the strength of a card manufacturer behind the UDC store and you have the makings of competition. The one thing FOD doesn't do is kid stuff, marketing and gaming. UDC does it well and owns it as well. It will be a key focus of the new UD store.

When hobby dealers first learned of the new UDC store in Orange County, California they were reasonably upset. Upper Deck tried to allay those fears by meeting store owners and evidently convinced some there was no conflict. Whether UDC met with FOD officials to try the same isn't known but isn't likely either.

On the surface this looks just like a manufacturer looking to move more of it's products rather than depending on a dwindling number of hobby store owners to do it. It is a smart idea. Smarter still if you take the side of it's a move on FOD stores. Certain FOD stores provide an athlete signing every day of the year. UDC can match this name for name but in the end has the biggest names in the business nailed to exclusive contracts.

                                                ===============

(TUFF STUFF GETS NEW NAME)

When Ernie White started Tuff Stuff Magazine 25 years ago it was an over sized publication with covers suitable for signing and framing and right in with what the hobby needed as a showcase. It was a wonderful publication with good articles and timely columnists. Oh yes, and those ads, lots of them for singles, sets, and everything else under the sun. Now it's no longer even Tuff Stuff. Starting with the May issue it will be "Tuff Stuff's Sports Collectors Monthly."

(The new Tuff Stuff has a new name.)

"We wanted people who see the magazine on the newsstand to have a better understanding of what the publication is all about," said editor Scott Kelnhofer. "At first glance Tuff Stuff has probably been confused with a general sports magazine and perhaps not picked up by new collectors because they don't realize it's a hobby magazine."

Kelnhofer says he hopes this will change now it has a new name which is more descriptive. The magazine will expand its coverage of vintage cards, memorabilia and the auction market. It won't change the price guide which is a long time staple.

White by the way sold most of his interest years ago before the publication was folded into Krause Publications products which is now F&W. White later published a magazine on figures and other hobby toys.

                                               ================

(EBAY BOYCOTT HARD TO FIGURE)

When eBay announced fee hikes again many major sellers announced they would boycott the auction site for a week. The fee hikes went into effect last week and indeed many people did protest by not listing but as to how effective this maneuver has been is any body's guess. The figures are just to hard to well, figure. There are so many users on the site it is doubtful such a move would have any impact at all. There would at least not be a noticeable impact

                                              ===============

(NAXCOM WELCOMES EBAY SELLERS ANGRY AT NEW FEES)

In response to the negative impact at eBay NAXCOM decided to offer angry sellers a chance to make good on it's site. The company is allowing feedback to be transferred from eBay to NAXCOM.

(eBay's new fees were a gift to NAXCOM.)

"Since eBay announced their latest fee increases and feedback changes we have had a wave of angry eBay users moving their business over to NAXCOM, however for many eBay Power Sellers with very high feedback starting from Zero on NAXCOM was not very attractive," said NAXCOM CEO Eric Beckerman. "To accommodate those users we created a new system that allows them to transfer their feedback rating to NAXCOM so they don't have to lose all they've built up over the years."

Beckerman says prior to the new users NAXCOM has had over 10 million listings and 220,000 users.

                                               ================

(RECORD COLLECTION FETCHES $3 MILLION ON EBAY)

Despite all the negative news about eBay lately one man is positively satisfied after his record collection sold for over $3 million. Paul Mawhinney of Pittsburgh, PA, said a buyer from Ireland agreed to purchase his entire collection for what might be a record (no pun intended) $3, 002,150. It is the second highest item sold on eBay with an airplane previously selling for just under $5 million.

"I'm legally blind and had a couple of strokes a few years ago," said Mawhinnery who shut down his record store Record Rama which he opened in 1968. "It's time at my age to think about doing something else with my life."

He is 68 years old. The collection includes a million albums, 1.5 million singles and 300,000 CD's. The bottom line is selling in bulk works for some as he basically closed them out at about $1 per item.

                                            =================

(SAGE FOOTBALL TO HIT EARLY)

Wow, is it time for football again? It certainly is as Sage is releasing its first football product of 2008 a full month before the NFL draft in April. The March release of Hit Football The Low Series will feature the rookies in the draft.

(New look from SAGE for 2008)

Football has come full circle from the 1950's to be the key competitor with baseball cards. More collectors are jumping on the football bandwagon as the leading fall sport. Basketball this year despite a strong rookie crop, has not done as well. The NFL licensed releases will debut around June with Topps Draft Picks and Prospects, Playoff Prestige and a release from Upper Deck.

                                              =================

(MORE CHANGES IN SIMPSON TRIAL)

The flip on OJ Simpson continues as Charles Cashmore is expected to cut a plea deal in which he will tell the court there were guns present when a group of men led by the former football star burst into the hotel room of a memorabilia dealer. Cashmore was one of the men involved when Simpson, saying he was trying to get back his own private memorabilia from dealer Bruce Fromong. Simpson and the others were later arrested on charges of armed robbery and kidnapping because the dealer was held against his will.

(Charles Cashmore another flipper against Simpson.)

The trial, the third for Simpson in a decade, will start later this year. The Juice as he was known during his playing days, was acquitted of murdering his ex-wife and her friend Ron Goldman. However, Goldman's father won a civil suit wherein the jury decided Simpson was responsible for the death of the couple.

                                              =================

(MOUNTED ADDS THE BANDIT TO ITS AUTOGRAPH PITCH)

Looking for Burt Reynolds? Formerly one of the top box office draws in the world, Reynolds hasn't been as active as he once was. A fallout with fan favorite Lonnie Anderson and a custody battle over their child did not help Reynolds' image. However, Mounted Memories has the "Bandit" as he was known in his beloved film "Smokey and the Bandit," and Reynolds is also signing football items from his college playing days.

(The Bandit Rides Mounted.)

Photos in the 8x10 range are $59, mini-helmets from Florida State are $89 while a signed football will cost $150. There is even a photo of Reynolds in uniform from the film "The Longest Yard."

                                             ====================

(DONRUSS DOES ARENA AGAIN)

Talk about your limited market. Donruss once again will produce cards featuring the Dallas Desperado's of the Arena Football League.

The AFL is very popular around the country and there aren't many cards featuring the players. Fans are avid about getting signatures and the players are easy to get as far as signers go. However, for Donruss Playoff to produce a small set based on one team in the minuscule AFL is going to be extremely limited and could become a classic regional issue down the road.

(A preview of the new Donruss Desperado's card)

                                           

SUPER BOWL SPENDING NEARS NEW HIGH

VOLUME 2, NUMBER 188

**HOT**BUTTON**STORY**

(ROGER BLASTS OFF OR MOUTHS OFF WHICH EVER YOU MIS-REMEMBER BEFORE CONGRESS!!)

** SUPER BOWL NEARS RECORD IN RETAIL SALES

** EBAY HIKES FEES THIS WEEK

** EBAY SELLERS TO PROTEST

** CLEMENS FOOL OR FOOLISH? YOU DECIDE

** BONDS DEALER GOING AFTER *

** DON WEST IS BACK ON THE AIR FOR ONE NIGHT

** DONRUSS GOING THE EXTRA MILE

** LEBRON GETS INSURANCE

** COLLECTORS UNIVERSE POSTS LOSS

** RC2 FORCAST NOT GOOD ** 4KIDS GOES MONSTER WITH THE WHOPPER **

(Photo courtesy of flickr.com)

MORE ON THESE AND OTHER STORIES IN TODAY'S TBR: THE BRILL REPORT...

                                                      =====================

(SUPER BOWL SITE SPENDING NEARS RECORD WITH PATS AND G-MEN)

Local area businesses benefited by having two high profile teams battle it out in Super Bowl XLII as a near record $193 million was directly spent by attendees and visitors to the Phoenix area. The dollars spent were only surpassed by the previous Super Bowl which took place in Miami and only beat Phoenix by a couple million dollars. The key was having the then perfect New England Patriots and the New York based Giants.

(Eli got the best of Tom in the Super Bowl match up.)

"The participation of two major market teams and a strong tourist destination are typically enough to cause a high level of visitor spending," said Robert Canton, a director with PriceWaterhouseCoopers which reported the findings. "However, add to that fact one of those markets represents the largest corporate, sports and media markets in the country plus the excitement surrounding the Patriot's potential perfect season, the Glendale event goes down as one of the most impressive ever in terms of spending."

(Chart depicts last 11 Super Bowls with spending in Arizona at $193 million.)

The chart at the left, while somewhat difficult to see, details the spending over the past 11 Super Bowls and where the money was spent most heavily. Obvious to NFL fans Miami and Phoenix brought in the most but taking the Patriots and Giants out of the mix would likely have had a big impact on the dollars spent.

Detroit being one of the low points, it can be argued, could be due to colder weather. Despite the game was played indoors there was lots of snow and freezing cold outside. Detroit is also not a tourist destination such as New Orleans, the warm weather cities and California sites.

"Although any destination will experience a significant increase in local economic activity when hosting an event such as the Super Bowl or political convention, a tourist destination such as Phoenix this year, Miami last and Tampa next provide a unique atmosphere," added Canton. "This is conducive to a comparatively higher level of spending and extended length of stay."

The Super Bowl Experience and card show always do well for most dealers and fewer complaints are heard in the warm weather cities than the colder ones. TBR would be interested in hearing back from some of the show dealers who did the Glendale show to see how sales went. The PWC report does NOT include the multiplier effect in its study.

                                               ========================

(NEW EBAY FEES TO KICK IN THIS WEEK)

As promised new eBay fees kick in this week with some good and some bad news from the highly used auction site by hobbyists. The good news is Gallery will now be a free service instead of a .35 charge and most listing fees were reduced by as much as about 20-percent. For example, listing an item for 99-cents previously would cost .20. Beginning February 20 it will now be .15. Doesn't sound like much unless you are listing 1,000 items and then it adds up.

(Some sellers don't see new eBay fees as much of a gift.)

"The world is changing around us and that requires us to make change, change together and the changes are the start not the end and we think they are the right start," said new eBay CEO John Donahoe at an eBay conference in Washington. "Many of those changes are in response to the things you have been asking for, for years and we hope the whole package of changes is good enough."

There are other plus sides such as reductions in fixed price and eBay Store insertion fees. eBay Store listing fees are being slashed by about 50-percent. Fixed price listings and store listings however must now start at at least $1.00. There are going to be no more .01 listings. Sellers will often list items at a penny knowing they can charge $2 or more for shipping an item which isn't worth .25 but it's a way to sell the merchandise.

The other down side is the 20-percent increase in final valuation fees. This will effect every seller. Currently if you auction ends at $25 or less the seller pays a valuation fee to eBay of 5.25-percent of the sales price. Beginning this week this jumps to 8.75 percent for auction listings. In store listings will see the final valuation fee jump from 10-percent to 12-percent. In most cases the secondary jump (the amount over $25) will also jump a percentage point from say 7-percent to 8-percent.

(eBay President John Donahoe who at 46 is making nearly $800,000 annually, and looking at over $655,000 in bonuses and over $7 million in future stocks --- cutting and hiking fees.)

"We think the increase in final valuation fees will actually increase listings and will be offset by the decrease in listings fees," added Donahoe. "Our goal was to respond to what you have been asking for and that is to re balance pricing. The lower insertion fees reduces the risk of listing on eBay and easier for you to put up your best inventory or eBay."

The bottom line there should be more listings and those listings should be stronger. The elimination of sellers who start auctions at .01 will be a strong boost. The reduced listing fees will result in more items being listed. However, the increased valuation fees means the extra money saved in lower listings fees will be ultimately lost in the sale with the valuation fee.

For instance. Under the old rules if you placed a card in an auction starting the bidding at 9.99 it would cost you .40 plus the .35 for Gallery. If it sold for $30 the valuation fee would have been $1.47. Now it is $2.37. This is a loss of .90 for the item over previous fees. Add in the fact you saved .15 on the listing fee and another .35 by getting Gallery for free -- this means you only lost .40 over the previous rules. Large sellers listing 1000 auctions a month in this range would lose at least $400 per month in commissions to eBay.

eBay is hoping to increase listings by lowering the listing fees and this will help. It will also take home a better chunk of the change due to the increase valuation fees. In addition, PayPal is lifting the international restriction on "confirmed addresses" for shipping.

                                     ==========================

(SELLERS GROUP TO BOYCOTT EBAY DUE TO NEW RULES)

Meanwhile a host of eBay sellers will protest starting today, two days before the roll out. Not only are they protesting fee hikes and PayPal limits, the group of sellers is angry about the change in feedback. The key stumbling point is sellers will no longer be able to leave Negative feedback for buyers.

The reason is clear if you have ever sold anything on eBay. There are scammers on both ends but a buyer who gets the item and files a PayPal claim saying he never got it, or who does a credit card chargeback, of just isn't happy with what he bought can no longer be discouraged from doing so. The negative feedback, which often leads to being kicked off the site by the Admin, was a useful tool for sellers, especially larger ones. Not anymore.

The boycott is expected to last about a week overlapping the new rules coming out on February 20.

                                               =====================

(CLEMENS FANS "MIS-REMEMBER" HIM NOW)

Fans previously went nuts over Roger Clemens. The big strong Texan and Yankee killer turned Yankee hero. The tough guy with seven Cy Young Awards who appeared before congress last week only to make a fool of himself according to collectors we spoke with. Clemens, sitting down the table from his former trainer denied the trainer's claims he injected the pitcher with steroids on several occasions. Andy Pettitte meanwhile agreed with the trainer and even admitted to using the steroids once when injured but didn't go back. The fans saw Clemens in a different light.

"Why didn't he come out and just say 'yeh I did it once and didn't like it and gave it up just like Andy Pettitte did," said one.

This was the one opinion we heard most. Pettitte is now the darling of the MLB circuit. Clemens just looks like a bad guy defending himself. 

"He sure looked guilty up there," said another.

"It makes me think of that line from Shakespeare," said a third. "Me thinks the lady doth protest too much."

(Clemens looking more worried than intimidating.)

Clemens threw his wife under the bus, Pettitte under the bus and a couple others. Then in his comment referring to his wife's use of HGH for a photo shoot he created a new word when referring to Pettitte's recollection of the conversation;

"Andy mis-remembered what was said," said Clemens.

The end result for dealers and sellers is the same as collectors; Clemens dropping like a rock. His memorabilia and trading cards are falling fast with no end in sight. Clemens signed baseballs normally in the $200-$400 range and selling for $150 at best with others around $100.

                                        ========================

(HOBBY STORE OWNER CORRALLING BONDS ASTERISK * CARDS)

Hoping to diminish the impact of Barry Bonds on the Major League Baseball All-time Home Run record and perhaps increase his own eclectic collection, one dealer is out there trying to buy up every Upper Deck * card available. Keith McDonough of Bleachers Sports in Winnetka, Illinois you may remember was seeking Bonds memorabilia to stage a "Bonds-Fire" in protest over Bonds assault on Hank Aaron's record. Now he's taking a different tact.

(Upper Deck Asterisk Card available in Sweet Spot Packs.)

"We still have a following of people who don't like Bonds and the card commemorates a social stream with the number 756 on the bottom and and the Asterisk (*)," McDonough told The Brill Report. "I think of this card more of a social commentary; it's subtle and people could pull this from a pack and not even know what it is."

So far the Illinois dealer says he has purchased four of the cards  and believes there are as many as eight of them in circulation. Upper Deck will not confirm how many are out there but it is known the number is extremely limited. Bonds has been under exclusive contract with Topps and since he opted out of the Players Union contract is not available for other manufacturers.

(McDonough with Bears rookie Greg Olsen)

"I believe this could be the shortest run of all the modern day anomaly cards," said the owner of Bleachers Sports. "Look at the Joba (Chamberlain) card where he is on the Astros, and this is shorter than that one."

Of the four he has purchased McDonough has laid out a lot of cash. In all he's paid $1100, $1200 and $1500 each for two more.

"I monitor the different networks, Amazon, eBay and the rest and really keep an eye on it and they are not out there," he said. "I'm not trying to make a market on them but I believe they are going to rise."

As far as the Bonds-Fire thing he says he may go back to it and eventually do it, but says it was more of a "tonger in cheek thing."

                                            ==========================

(SHOP AT HOME TO DIE, DON WEST REVIVED FOR A NIGHT)

Like a vampire screaming back in the night Don West will return for a one night comeback on Shop At Home as SHAP goes off the TV airwaves and holds a series of reunion shows. West, the screaming hawking sports collectibles salesman will be joined by Eddie Lewis and Robert Chambers February 22 at 10pm Eastern Time. The show will last for four hours.

(Don West returns for a one night stand on Shop At Home.)

"Many of our customers and relate to the shows Shop At Home produced in the late 1980's and throughout the 1990's," said Tim Engle, President of Shop At Home. "We decided to celebrate how Shop At Home has contributed to the electronic retailing industry by giving viewers a look into the past but as always with great product."

Shop At Home announced it is going off the air as of March 7 when it will cease operations. The company will remain fully operational on the web at www.shopathometv.com.

West became iconic with late night TV collectibles sports sales with his screaming style, often parodied with his shouts of "Near Mint" despite the fact the item visually had a crease. West wore out his welcome for many viewers but chose to leave and has since been seen involved with wrestling announcing.

                                              ======================

(KEY COINS DING COLLECTORS UNIVERSE)

Mainly due to a problem with a few coins, Collectors Universe is posting a loss of $1.4 million from the previous quarter and telling investors it's all about a series of very old coins. Net revenues were strong enough with the revenue for the quarter at over $10 million. However, the company showed the large loss to boot.

"We accrued a charge to increase our warranty reserve relating to several claims under our coin warranty that we experienced in January 2008, the extent of which we have not seen in over 15 years," said CEO Michael Haynes. "Approximately half the charge relates to two coins originally minted prior to 1800 that were not certified in recent years."

The 2008 charge was $822,000. In 2006 the company increased its fees to grade these rare coins and has since added several certifiers to confirm the authenticity of these specific coins. The company is quick to point out it is because of the warranty so many collectors want their coins sent to CU.

                                                   ====================

(RC2 CORP SEES SUBSTANTIAL DROP)

The forecast for RC2 Corporation isn't good as the company looks at a bleak outlook coming off a series of near devastating toy recalls from China. RC2 posted earnings of 2-cents per share compared to 44-cents per share last time out. that 40-percent is being contributed to the toy recalls from China and it's lead paint problem.

Net sales fell 10-percent to $138.6 million and the worst news is the prognosis for 2008? Not good. Analysts had expected the company to post a 61-cents per share gain, not 2-cents. One of the problems forcing the issue was lower domestic spending by toy retailers and RC2 just couldn't make up the ground.

One of the key items affected by the recall was the firm's centerpiece; Thomas the Train.

                                                 ========================

(4KIDS MONSTERS UP TO JAM)

Fans of Monster Trucks are eating at Burker King as a new promotion between BK and 4Kids Entertainment kicks off a giving away the tiny trucks with each BK Kids Meal. The promotion lasts through the early part of March.

(Find Monsters such as this at Burger King.)

"The promotion provides tremendous global exposure for Monster Jam with our target audience," said Al Kahn CEO of 4Kids. "This is helping us broaden awareness of this very popular franchise as we look to take the licensing program to new heights this year."

The program is part of an overall one with Burger King which includes in-store newsletters, on-line promotions, TV and signage.

                                                =======================

(DONRUSS SUPPLYING MORE INFO)                            

Dealers who want pre-sell information will like what Donruss is now offering.

"In an effort to begin a more effective solicitation process you will be receiving Product Information Sheets for every hobby program," decried an email from Donruss Playoff.

While everything is subject to change the company is promising to release preliminary information 16-20 weeks in advance of shipping. Donruss has been probably the slowest of the three main manufacturers about getting product details to dealers and it's hoped with this new change dealers will be able to better judge what they want to order.

                                               ==========================

(LEBRON GETS THE INSURANCE HE NEEDED)

Upper Deck, Nike, Coca-Cola and Microsoft have all learned something State Farm Insurance is about to learn; Lebron James sells stuff.

(James flashes the smile which sells.)

The 23-year old Cleveland Cav just signed on to be the company spokesman as State Farm is hoping James can bring in younger folks. He'll make public appearances and do commercials for the company.

"The relationship will be focused on helping connect our State Farm brand and products, particularly auto and renters insurance, to a young audience in new and relevant ways," said Pam El, VP for marketing.

                                               =========================

UPPER DECK PULLS HILLARY -- GETS LOTSA PUB

VOLUME 2, NUMBER 187

**HOT**BUTTON**STORY**

TEASE: (RECENT TRADES ACTUALLY KICK START BASKETBALL CARD MARKET!!)

** Hillary Clinton card pulled from UD Baseball Series One

** Shaq and Gasol help jump start card market?

** Fighting Goalies 1/1 new twist for hockey cards

** Court rules against Miller in CU/PSA Case, again

** PayPal with new eBay restrictions

** Dully joins GAI, investment firm steps up ownership

DETAILS ON THESE AND OTHER STORIES IN TODAY'S TBR: THE BRILL REPORT...

                                                            ==================

(UPPER DECK SAYS HILLARY CARD IN BAD TASTE)

First there was Billy Ripken, then Alex Gordon, how about the left handed Joba, or even that old C-3-P-O Card from Star Wars? Well, now it's Hillary Clinton and Upper Deck says this card really wasn't supposed to get released to the public. Honest.

(Upper Deck pulled this card from the set, but not all.)

"We produced the Hillary Clinton card as we did the other candidates and literally as we were packing out some of external partners said it might be in poor taste," said Upper Deck spokesman, Terry Melia. "To make sure we weren't offending anyone including major league baseball and the Hillary Clinton camp we started manually pulling them out right off the production line."

Guess what? They did not get them all and some made it into packs and onto eBay where they were selling for over $300. The card features Mrs. Clinton parodied as Morganna the Kissing Bandit. They got the attributes correct for both Hillary and for Morganna as she lays a smooch on a male baseball player. All of the candidates who are in Upper Deck Series One Baseball 2008 are parodies including some who are no longer in the race. The Hillary it was decided had to go and a new one for the second series would appear.

"People understand we do these in a humorous way and we were working at break neck speeds to get the cards into the series and keep it topical," said Melia. "Then there were a couple of disparaging remarks from external partners and the focus group which said it could be in poor taste."

The upshot is Upper Deck is getting lots of publicity and this can't be bad for the industry at all. It has brought attention to the new baseball card season if not the political campaigns themselves.

"We've heard from NBC in Boston, USA Today and the Today Show," added Melia. "Even Fox called about getting the card images on-line and on the air."

(Barack Obama certainly got the best of Mrs. Clinton here.)

Candidates cards can be seen at a special UD website www.presidentialpredictor.com. The cards themselves were part of an on-line and in-pack game used to predict the winner of the races. The idea was to capitalize on the political process and get more people involved. You might say it worked one way or another.

Other cards include Fred Thompson, John McCain, Barack Obama, John Edwards and more including Al Gore whom the company thought might still jump into the race. There is even a wild card. Can you say Michael Bloomberg?

Most of the photos are pretty unflattering as is the case with most parody, which is why it is parody. However, the Obama camp can't say too much in comparison to Hillary who really got the short end of the photo stick here.

                                                            ==================

(GASOL, SHAQ, EVEN GARNETT PUT A LITTLE PUMP IN THE HOOPS MARKET)

Most dealers were wondering when if ever the basketball card market was going to get going. Greg Oden's injury notwithstanding, Kevin Durant has done his part. However, the young bright crop of players just hasn't kicked it up for collectors. Now however there is some new life.

It seems a couple trades are helping at least bring attention to the trading card category. It started with Paul Gasol getting shipped to the LA Lakers. The big man is making some sense in Los Angeles and even Kobe is talking good things.

(Shaq in Phoenix means he'll see Kobe even more.)

A couple days later Shaquille O'Neal moved to Phoenix. Add another Shaq jersey to the mix.

"My son in law lives in Phoenix and now that Shaq has arrived he wants a jersey signed by Shaquille O'Neal when they come out," said one caller to a local hobby store.

The answer? Mounted Memories or someone close should have them very soon. Two of the bigger names in basketball on the move following Kevin Garnett's trip to Boston have made news. The fact the Celtics are playing like the Celts of old is not to be overlooked.

Can you imagine the hype if Lebron got traded? Ouch.

                                                           ==================

(COURTS CONTINUE TO UPHOLD CASE FOR COLLECTORS UNIVERSE OVER WILLIAM MILLER)

An appellate court in California ruled in favor of Collectors Universe (PSA) and against former autograph certifier William Miller. Miller, whose name was left on PSA COA's even after he left the company, filed suit a couple years ago. He alleged leaving his name on the company Certificates of Authenticity meant PSA should have paid him for the use of his name.

The company argued, and the courts agreed, he should be paid for the use of one COA with his name on it and not every one which went out. Miller said there were thousands of COA's released with his name and each one constituted a violation. He wanted over $10 million in damages. The courts sided with CU in saying there were 14,000 COA's issued, this constituted one violation and therefore he should be paid $750 just once, 14,000 times.

The recent California ruling can be appealed and Miller has another 40 days to file a petition to the State Supreme Court.

                                                          ==================

(ITG FEATURES 1/1 BATTLING GOALIES)

It is not often NHL goalies actually do battle, being at the opposite sides of the rink, but there are rare occasions when they do. As a tribute to this heated but rare exchange, In The Game's Between the Pipes Series is offering rare cards for the rare events.

(Rare fights on rare cards.)

These are 1/1 cards featuring swatches of goalie patches used in these epic battles.

"Battling goalies have produced memories fans have carved into their memories," the web site proclaimed. "These amazing artistic renditions of some famous goalie battles will cause a lot of excitement."

                                                          ==================

(PAYPAL FREEZE HAS SOME UP IN ARMS)

The new eBay fee structure and policies under new CEO John Donahoe are the topic of conversation of many eBay sellers but one item is being overlooked. The use of PayPal, owned by eBay, is being transitioned. One key change allows PayPal to freeze accounts as it has previously but now it allows PP to hold money for up to 21 days based on circumstances.

The circumstances include the dollar amount, the risk and seller feedback. If PP deems it appropriate it can hold funds up to 21 days. The release procedure basically is on the buyer to either leave positive feedback, three days after confirmed delivery or 21 days without an inquiry. The restrictions don't apply to Power Sellers.

It is part of the design to make the buyers and sellers more responsible, to achieve positive feedback and it would seem to weed out many of the small sellers. The latter was discussed in previous TBR articles. The problem for most is accountability as the entire situation is at the discretion of PP. Thus the importance of eBay on smaller sellers.

                                                           ====================

(BILL DULLY JOINS GAI TO RIGHT SHIP)

Former Upper Deck and Donruss president Bill Dully is back in the hobby heading up Global Authentication. Dully will try to bring more of a presence to the company which admittedly had it's problems in 2007. The company had a temporary shut down in a rumor filled industry recently and is recovering from that outcast mold.

His first job will be to repair the damage done during the shutdown. The management team of Mike Baker and Steve Rochhi and Steve Snipe remain as well. Meanwhile Ault Glazer & Company, a part owner of GAI has repurchased what amounts to a majority interest.

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