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(Caveat emptor is Latin for "let the buyer beware")
1927 Alekhine-Capablanca Match Clock on eBay? Item number: 8795665554 HE STATES: “THERE IN NO RESERVE, IT COULD SELL FOR 1 CENT LIKE IT COULD FOR $50,000.” THEN HE STATES: "ANYWAYS I DONT THINK I WOULD LET IT GO FOR LESS THAT ABOUT $14,000." WHICH ONE SHOULD WE BELIEVE?? (First and last names, besides "Lawrence Totaro," were omitted to respect the seller and the people asking the questions)
Part I: A bad opening Based on the historical information and the sources provided on the following Chessbase website, I do, however, feel this clock was used in the 1927 Alekhine-Capablanca match but can offer reasons from the listing that advise me otherwise. One must be skeptical and consider very important questions. The listing information is quoted precisely as follows: April 15th This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to win one of the three official Jaques London Congress Chess Clock ( timer ) used in the 1927 Capablanca - Alekhine Match. The clock itself is older than 1927 and is probably c.1920. This beautiful chess clock is has a frame made of wood and most of its metal parts are made of brass, the dials are protected by glass as opposed to todays analog clocks that use cheap plasitc. It also has the official club logos on the dials from Argentinas first and best chess club and the host of the 1927 match. The Jaques clock breathes history and exudes prestige and mystique by being touched by the magical hands of Capablanca and the lesser player Alekhine (I´m a Capa fan! ) This is a clock you will not find anywhere anymore, especially this one since it is a one of a kind item. The prices of Jaques equipment just keeps going up and up, but most of all with the Jaques clocks. When was the last time you saw one of these babies on ebay? You can find the(and several more famous players afterwards) the clock in itself is and English masterpiece. Note: Please for the love of God do NOT ask me for trades. I have had this clock only for 4 months and have had it checked out and serviced to gaurantee everything is working and trouble free. This clock saw many of the games in the match but the only one that I know of that Capablanca one with it was game 7. The clock currently resides in AUBURN, ALABAMA USA. This clock makes my Tanner clock look like a toy. Since the clock is a priceless antique it will be proffesionaly packed for shipping anywhere in the world. Please not that this auction is only for the clock and not the chess pieces, official match table, or anything else. The alternate clock is shown on the table where the match was played on. I would like to take this moment to thank my friend Frank Camaratta all the information he has provided me over the last few months concerning chess antiquites, and if you would like a clock similar to this one or a nice antique chess set you can be sure to find your item of liking at the House Of Staunton, the makers of the Finest chess sets ever made, and one of the greates collectors of chess clocks and sets. I would also like to thank the club for allowing me to purchase this magnificent piece of chess history, the other two are in the club and not for sale. story on this clock and its two siblings on Chessbase Magazine. It’s in Spanish but pictures speak louder than words. The president of the Club personally sold me this clock, you can reach him at the phone number listed in the Clubs homepage if you would like. His name is Jorge Guelman, and he is a nice man to talk to, especially about chess. A bit of trivia, on Kasparov´s last visit to Argentina he offered the sum of $200,000 dollars to purchase the table you see the clock on, the club refused to sell it! There is only ONE TABLE for the Capablanca-Alekhine Match. Where in the world did I get this clock? You guessed it, directly from The CLUB ARGENTINO DE AJEDREZ (The Argentine Chess Club) home to many important tournaments and players and home of the 1927 Buenos Aires Capablanca - Alekhine World Championship match in which, unfortunately, Alekhine took the title from the legendary Capablanca. The clock is in excellent shape for its its age and use, and is in 100 percent full working condition. Forget the fact that it was used by Capablanca and Alekhine!
I have some questions and remarks: (1) The seller has no feedback and no transactions. (2) The seller doesn't list a sound explanation, or shall I say, no elucidation at all, for selling this great item (most sellers explain their reason for selling) (3) Who is the peddler and what kind of contributions did he offer to the chess world? If the club turned down $200,000 for the table from World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov, why sell the clock to someone who nobody (yet) knows? They should explain themselves as we chess enthusiasts know that the world is chiefly small as we can run into any chess related masses. (4) Is this a billboard for The House of Staunton? Nobody starts up a chess store featuring a grand item like this especially when there is nothing else in the store to purchase. I think this person is demanding to draw collectors to acquire more materials from The House of Staunton with no impertinence towards Frank Camaratta. (5) The seller writes: "This clock saw many of the games in the match but the only one that I know of that Capablanca one with it was game 7." Shall I say bad grammar? Shouldn't the second, "one" be "won?" How is it feasible to prove that Capablanca won game seven if there was no one permitted to view the match?? And the several people who did eyewitness the match how could you still attest Capablanca used this clock for a specific game? Where are the sources providing such acquaintance? Conclusion: The seller obviously doesn't know how to spell: guarantee is spelled "gaurantee," professionally is spelled "proffesionaly," he forgets the third "i" in antiquities, forgets the last "t" in greatest and several other second grade mistakes. How could he write plastic as "plasitc?" If something so great is for sale (like an item like this) wouldn't you at least try to sound valid?? Three other prestigious collectors contacted me with reference to the clock and they agreed with my misgivings; as one of them writes: “The table has Provenance due to the plaque but I am not convinced that the clock has it. It is always very hard to assess if it truly was one of the clocks at the match. In any case, the clock is a very nice item.” Regarding this kind of information; presentation of the whole thing, the seller, and the listing, make me incur much disbelief as to whether or not this clock was used in the Alekhine-Capablanca 1927 World Chess Champion Match. goode lauck too da hi est bitter! (The day after writing this article the vendor retracted all bids and nobody won the auction. The highest bid was $9,100.) The next day the seller posted the item again on eBay but wrote the following message: "WARNING TO BID RETRACTORS: I have had to relist this clock because of bidders who either have buyers remorse or think this auction is a game. I will no longer accept bids from people with less than 15 positives (unless you give me your word you are serious). This is really unfair to me and to the rest of the serious bidders. So if you are going to bid, please make sure you will stick to it, otherwise I WILL report you to ebay. To everyone else, thank you for your support and suggestions (thanks Jon). Also please note the scoresheet is not for sale, and almost any form of payment is acceptable."
The seller also states that the refund will be given as Merchandise credit. Merchandise credit? So I spend $50,000 on this clock and I want to return it, you won’t give me my money back but issue me the money in credits in a store that you haven’t even opened up yet? (I mentioned $50,000 because someone asked him if there was a reserve and he wrote “it can go for a cent like it can go for $50,000”) Item must be returned within 3 days? He states in the listing that there will be a shipping charge of $15 in the US and anywhere else $35. You are not going to get this item within 3 days (dependent on your location) without using FedEx or UPS and it will be a whole lot more expensive than the prices mentioned above. What happens if I live in Australia and I don’t return the item within 3 days will you compensate me the shipping the charges? He doesn’t offer insurance? Nice…what happens when it doesn’t arrive in the same condition as in the listing?
First set of questions:
Q: Gorgous!..., Exquicite!!! How many S&H plus insurance to Costa Rica,
Central Amèrica? You are the owner such reliquia? you have a certificate? I
make this question because this clock is a national treasure of
Argentinas´People. Thanks a lot and my best regards.
Q: Excuseme, a just read the action..., the owner is the Argentinas´Chess
Club. You are the dealer. This auction have Reserve? Thank a lot.
Second set of questions:
Q: Thanks for sending the additional current photos of the timer, much
appreciated! Apr-16-06
Q: JUST A HEAD'S UP THIS IS A VERY SPECIAL ITEM...YOU ARE SELLING IT FOR
PEANUTS...YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO SELL IT FOR $20,000 TRY CONSULTING Garrick
Coleman or one of the major auction houses....try Bloomsbury auctions in
London they are scheduled to have a chess auction at the end of May.....I
don't this is an EBAY item,,,,you're throwing away a treasure for a
pittance....
Q: Hi - [I'm asking more-or-less officially because the answer will be of
interest to other bidders as well.] -- the listing mentions a bill-of-sale,
does that come included with the timer? That would be important to maintain
the provenance of the timer for historical reasons. Notice that he didn’t list my set of questions but those of others instead!
Part II: The conspicuous middlegame
So I finally decided to ask some of my previous questions mentioned above. I
asked: I have several questions for you: (1) What's the real explanation for selling this item (most sellers explain their reason for selling) (2) If the club turned down World Chess Champion, Garry Kasparov, a $200,000 offer for just the table, then why would they sell the clock to you? (3) How is it possible to prove that Capablanca won game number 7 if there was no one allowed to view the match?? And the several people who did witness the match how could you still prove Capablanca used this clock for a specific game? Where are the sources providing such knowledge? These are just important questions that I thought you might want to answer before someone spends some serious cash. Take care, Lawrence Totaro He replied:
Dear Mr.Totaro, I then asked: Dear Courtney; The refund will be given as Merchandise credit? So I spend $50,000 on this clock and I want to return it, you won’t give me my money back but issue me the money in credits in a store that you haven’t even opened up yet? I mention $50,000 because someone asked you if there was a reserve and you wrote: There in no reserve, it could sell for 1 cent like it could for $50,000. Item must be returned within 3 days? You state in the listing that there will be a shipping charge of $15 dollars in the US and anywhere else $35. You are not going to get this item within 3 days (dependent on your location) without using FedEx or UPS and it will be a whole lot more expensive than the prices mentioned above. What happens if I live in Australia and I don’t return the item within 3 days will you compensate me the shipping the charges? You don't offer insurance? What happens when it doesn’t arrive in the same condition as in the listing? Thanks, Lawrence Totaro He then replied: Sir, If you were the winning bidder no matter how much you paid I would be sure that you got exactly what I showed, in the condition it is showed and I would mail it which ever way you wanted, if you wanted insurance I could get, if you wanted a refund for $50,000 It would be as stated in the auction in merchandise credit, I too am a bit of a collector. Finally sir if you feel at all uncomfortable bidding I suggest you don´t. Once again thank you very much for your questions and I will take note of your concerns, I assure you that I will do my best to meet your needs. Notice that a seller may post these questions for others to see. My questions were never posted until I asked the following question: Dear Courtney, Weren't there 3 bids at a price of $7,000 in the second listing? Were these bids retracted as well? “…” (eBay member’s ID) was not the highest bidder last time I checked. Take care, Lawrence Totaro He replied: Thats right! We had an INVALID bid retraction, claiming he could not contact me LOL. Unless he apologizes immediatley I will report him to ebay. This didn’t make any sense and I had to ask: Dear courtney, A word of caution: eBay will not only do anything about your immediate report but nothing will become of it. Accodring to the eBay Trust Agency, you are not a valid and trustworthy seller/consumer because you contain no transactions. There are thousands of sellers who put their life on the line everyday in efforts to make a living. If you have zero transactions you do not have any proof of trustworthiness and a resolution will be nothing more than an email commencing a further investigation. As an experienced seller and consumer on eBay, I am sure you will respect those thousands of eBayers who have lost many investigations due to bidding retractions. For one example: a purchaser with 100 transactions disputes a seller with over 35,000 transactions. The result? EBay will favor the seller because he has proven his trustworthiness over the consumer and of course, the purchase price of the item is mixed into the decision process. Thanks, Lawrence Totaro He replied: Thank you for the wonderful advice, as you can see I am a first time seller and appreciate an insider look at ebay, is there anything you know I could do about the bid retraction since it is setting bad light on my current auction? I offered the following information: Dear Courtney, The following is an excerpt regarding the retraction of bids on eBay.
More than 12 hours before the listing ends: He never replied after my last suggestion. He states: “There in no reserve, it could sell for 1 cent like it could for $50,000. Then he states: "Anyways I dont think I would let it go for less that about $14,000" Which one should we believe??
My favorite question is the last one:
Q: Hi If I buy the chess clock can I fly down to Auburn and pay you or an
intermediary with a bank cashiers check? I don't mean to offend you, but
since you have a zero EBAY track record and these lsat two auctions have
been mired in controversy, is this an acceptable way? Thank you
Yeah right; you’re going to fly down to Auburn, Alabama just to pick up a clock but not only that, announce it to everybody. And if you really are, nobody cares what means of transportation you are willing to take. The consumer should just ask if he can accept a bank cashier’s check. So what happened?? April 18th: The clock sold for $11,100 with 11 bids from two people. I thought he said he wouldn’t let it go for less than $14,000? Please, no one takes out a loan to purchase a clock and then sells it on eBay four months later for an amount less than he what he wanted for it.
Part III: Endgame; the final blunder April 21st: The winner of the auction gives the following feedback just three days later: “Trustworthy seller who went the extra mile to acquire authentication docs. A+++” Why weren’t these authentication docs mentioned in the listing? You think if you were the seller of this clock and wanted at least $14,000 minimum, you’d probably supply materials regarding authentication, especially if you had to pay that loan off “real quick.” As a result of this magnificent auction, I was thoroughly excited and made my Easter Sunday plenty more invigorating. Let’s say the clock is really from the match, the consumer paid outrageously too much. Just to rephrase the above mentioned quote: The table has Provenance due to the plaque but I am not convinced that the clock has it. It is always very hard to assess if it truly was one of the clocks at the match. In any case, the clock is a very nice item.” Although I do believe this clock was used in the 1927 Alekhine- Capablanca match based on the Chessbase information given, I would not bid due to the listings’ information. 2006 Lawrence Totaro Reader's Responses:
This is the first chess collecting/historical site that features over 300 autographs from collectors around the world with photographs, letters, rare documents etc.. When you're a part of the Baysholiss Collection there is no turning back to history books...you can see all the history you want right at your fingertips!" - Lawrence Totaro
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