posted 06-20-2006 11:18 AM               

I am addressing two transactions. The first- which was successful - occurred in March/April 2006. The second occurred in May 2006 and is, as of the time of the composition of this post, still unresolved.

Transaction #1: March/April 2006:
I followed the collectSPACE link to ChuckYeager.com, where I followed the instructions given on the site and mailed a 1949 Time Magazine, an X-1 stamp sheet, and the required fee to the general requesting that he sign the items and inscribe them to me. I signed the required affidavit swearing that I would never sell the items. I included a note that asked for Gen Yeager's permission to send my mahogany B-19/X-1 combo model for the general's signature. I received my items signed, and was quite happy. Since there was no acknowledgment or answer to my request that I be allowed to send my model, I e-mailed to ask if the general had taken my request into consideration. I received a terse reply asking me to relay where I purchased the model, what the model was made of, and the name of the manufacturer and supplier of this type of model. Hopeful, I researched this information for Yeager and provided everything I could learn, including a direct link to the eBay seller where he could get one. I received a one line reply saying, "We don't sign these models. They break too easily." Okay. Fair enough. I thought the reply could have been a bit more polite, but figured I had at least asked. I framed the signed magazine and hung it in my study.

Transaction #2: May 2006:
As I looked at the signed magazine hanging on my wall every day, I figured I ought to do the same thing for my two young sons. My two-year old, Finn, already had a Harley Copic/Chuck Yeager signed art print on the wall above the fireplace in his bedroom, so I figured I ought to get him and my nine-month old son, Gray, a magazine and a couple of X-1 stamp sheets signed, as it might mean a lot to them when they get older. I went to eBay and bid on a 1949 Magazine and two stamp sheets until I won each, and then packed the three items and a certified check for $150 made out to Chuck Yeager, and sent them to Yeager's address with a request that the general sign them to Finn and Gray.

In mid-May, I was surprised to see that I had received an e-mail from Chuck Yeager's website telling me that Gen. Yeager had seen my items and that the general wanted to keep them. I was asked to trade my sons' items for two previously signed items for sale on the Yeager website. Realizing that everything in life is negotiable, I made a counteroffer, saying I'd be willing to give the general my sons' items if allowed to purchase yet another 1949 Time Magazine and two more stamp sheets to be signed for my boys (which I would pay for) as well one of the offered mini-prints and a signature on my B-29/X-1 combo model.

*I was then told that the general would not sign the model- not because it might break too easily as I had been told one month earlier- but because he had an exclusive agreement with someone to sign B-29/X-1 combo models. As the trade that Yeager's representative proposed had fallen through, I politely requested that we return to my original request that the general sign my sons' items. I received a reply saying, "Oh dear. We don't sign those items. There must have been a misunderstanding." I was told my sons' items would be sent back unsigned. (I didn't understand, as the general had just signed two of these same items dedicated to me the previous month. When I reminded the rep that he had just signed these same type items dedicated to me the previous month, I was asked, "Well then why do you want more?")

This began a series of e-mails where I was attacked by Yeager's representative as I foolishly and vainly- but very politely- pleaded that the general simply please sign the items for my sons. I asked that he please honor my good faith order and payment. I have retained each e-mail from Yeager's signing representative verbatim as documentation, detailing the entire exchange, including the responses I received, which seemed to me to be amazingly rude and abrupt. I will share them privately rather than publicly upon request, as it is against the Collectspace rules to post others' e-mails.

*I then received an e-mail suggesting I should be happy to "gift" my items to Gen Yeager for nothing in return, as did another collector when told that Yeager had not seen a rare item that the other collector had submitted to be signed. The other collector's actions were described as "honorable."

*I was told I was to never again send any items to Yeager.

Weeks passed. I received neither my boys' items nor my money.

*On June 9, my bank informed me that General Yeager had cashed my check on May 15.

*On June 9, I e-mailed again and requested that the website please either send back my money and my sons' items, or to send back my items signed, as the general had already cashed my check. I was told I would receive my items back by the end of June along with a refund "less postage and insurance" even though I had already included return postage and a return envelope.

*Today, June 19, I received my sons' items back unsigned, but no money. The magazine's corner was torn. The items were sent to me via registered mail with a charge of $12.38. Yeager's representative did not return my return postage. I guess they kept that, too. I just don't know what else to do.

Friends, forgive my lengthy post, but I wanted to be thorough.

I learned a lot in this experience. I learned a lot about other people's possible motives. I learned a lot about being patient when I feel like I'm being manipulated and toyed with. I learned a lot about restraining myself and resisting attacking rudeness with rudeness. Even though I am out $150 and my sons' magazine has been torn, I am proud to have taken the high road and been polite throughout.

posted 06-20-2006 11:48 AM               

I offered to help Rob as I could as I truly felt this had to be caused by a misunderstanding. I wrote a letter to the Yeager website's editor, asking for his/her assistance resolving this issue for a reader common to our two sites. I never received a response, despite sending the e-mail twice to different addresses.

Rob has privately expressed concern that collectSPACE still links to Yeager's website and its something I need to take under further consideration. Many of our readers are not autograph collectors and therefore would not be seeking the website to send an item, however I can't knowingly recommend (implied or otherwise) that anyone trust the signing service after learning of Rob's experience.

posted 06-20-2006 11:59 AM            

I've been buying items off his website for a while now, but hadn't gotten the guts to take a chance of sending my own item (my pilot flight logbook also autographed by John Glenn and Scott Crossfield, both of whom I've met in person).

I probably won't have to worry about Gen. Yeager wanting to keep this, but not sure if I want to risk my logbook being lost or damaged (even without the other signatures a logbook is one of a pilot's most important possessions).

Hearing your experience isn't helping my decision to risk sending it, but I appreciate you posting this. I'm still going to blindly believe that the jerk in this matter is Yeager's representative,and not Yeager himself (from other posts, it's not unheard of that the rep is always a pain). I still don't want to believe that Yeager would be like that himself. But I can understand why you'd lose faith in him. Great job in how you handled yourself.

posted 06-20-2006 01:38 PM            

While I still hope the rudeness came from the General's rep,and not Yeager himself, it's still unprofessional either way. You'd think for what they charge for his signature(whether $50 for a personal item, or the difference in cost between signed and unsigned items sold) they'd at least respect their loyal fans and supporters.

posted 06-20-2006 03:31 PM            

I guess I started considering it more when I read Gen. Yeager has a no autograph policy at his appearances. But you guys are right, it's not worth losing it, or it being damaged for an autograph.

But hey, I'm still happy with the autographs I have in it,and I guess it means more when I meet the legend themselves anyways.

posted 06-20-2006 04:56 PM               

While I don't think your feelings are misplaced, it is indeed sad to see someone loose their respect for an icon such as Chuck Yeager.

posted 06-20-2006 07:31 PM               

Jack Riddly, Bob Hoover, Scott Crossfield, Slick Goodlin, Walker... those were REAL men. What's he doing playing around with all these mice today!?

posted 06-21-2006 06:59 AM               

I emailed a request via the Yeager website last year and received an extremely terse refusal. At the time I lost respect for Gen Yeager not for the refusal but in the way it was worded. Whilst indulging this hobby I have been subject to many refusals from many people but all, without exception, have been polite and stated regret.

In this instance I would attach blame to General Yeager, not because I believe the responses are from him personally, but he is responsible for a website that bears his name and therefore the people who manage the website.

posted 06-21-2006 02:32 PM               

They run a website where they advertise members of the public to send items in to get signed and then decide after they've been received that General Yeager won't sign them or want to keep them for themselves. This is HIGHLY unprofessional as Robert mentioned in his post above though from reading between the lines I can guarantee that the person responsible for the rude emails Rob received were from Yeager's wife Victoria. She has tried this tactic of bullying with other collectors in order to obtain items for "General Yeager's collection". I know of one guy who sent two copies of the Time Magazine as a gift a few years ago and I myself almost succumbed about 4 years ago but then had an "intervention" when I was verbally assaulted and attacked by the woman who would become General Yeager's wife.

Professionalism in General Yeager's office ceased to exisit IMHO when he let his secretary of 14 years go in October 2001. If it were me, I wouldn't risk sending ANYTHING in to be signed as its clear that little regard or care is taken with the orders that are sent in.

posted 06-21-2006 07:31 PM               

I again e-mailed Yeager's site last night inquiring about my money, and have received no response at all.

A special thanks to the one buddy who gave me a ton of information about how one reports mail fraud to the Postmaster General and how their investigations work. This was very valuable information. I had no idea mail fraud is a federal felony.

posted 06-21-2006 07:36 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by ejectr:
Taking a look at the people Gen. Yeager surrounded himself with in the glory days, it's hard to imagine the one's he's picked to be surrounded by these days.

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posted 06-23-2006 09:05 PM            

It might seem a bit far out, but bare with me.

I don't think Mr. Yeager had anything to do with this episode. Just that mysterious "representative". Here's my far out hypothesis.

The rep. wanted your stuff. Maybe they also had the same magazine, unsigned, and ripped. They could have given Mr. Yeager you check to cash, and your magazine to sign for themselves. The rep. could have given you their ripped copy.

They also could have poorly handled tor magazine, and felt so bad for the damage that they wanted to find a way of you never seeing it again. But why steal your money?

posted 06-24-2006 10:17 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by FutureAstronaut:
I don't think Mr. Yeager had anything to do with this episode. Just that mysterious "representative". Here's my far out hypothesis.

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posted 06-24-2006 10:36 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by machbusterman:
Pullleeese... the "rep" is his wife Victoria.

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posted 06-30-2006 09:25 AM               

I've received five e-mails from Yeager's staff ranging from being almost freindly and explaining their system in one breath, and then accusing me of threatening them, making up lies, and having no honor. The rep seems to like the word, "mischaracterization" a lot.

The rep stated that there is one girl who processes requests and she'd have to eventually get around to figuring out mine, "because she handles the honest ones first."

Regarding my money, the rep first stated they did not have my check and wanted certified proof from me and my bank that THEY had cashed my check. They demanded a "certified copy of the cancelled check."

Then the rep stated that because "the check was made out incorrectly" by me (It was payable to "Chuck Yeager"), she had been unable to find it, however the rep later said she had verified that they did cash the check and said I would receive a refund.

The rep mentioned the cS post and told me that I had spread lies and misinformation about them here. They called Collectspace a "chat blog."

And then the rep again mentioned that had I just given them my sons' items they would have sent me "two items worth over $100," as they said they had done with another person who turned over his items to them.

That being said, I'm going to just love 'em anyway and hope that what they said about a refund being in the mail is true. I'm not holding my breath, though.

In fairness to Yeager, I will indeed tell you right away if I do receive my money back. That's the right thing to do.

Sometimes I wonder, "Why all this? Of all the astronauts and pilots over ten years, why am I receiving so much trouble from these people?" You know, all I ever wanted was to have three things signed for my little boys. And they are great little kids.

Oh well. I've got much bigger fish to fry in life than letting this little operation bother me. Again, God bless 'em anyway.

posted 06-30-2006 10:28 AM            

I still can't believe they're pressing the issue that you wouldn't trade. They made their offer, you declined, you have your reasons and are by all rights entitled to them. They need to get over it.

I don't know how hard it is to find items like yours, or how expensive it runs on places like eBay, but if Gen Yeager really wanted them,he's rich, he can probably find a way to buy them without having to have his people hassle his fans.

posted 06-30-2006 10:30 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Rob Sumowski:
The rep stated that there is one girl who processes requests and she'd have to eventually get around to figuring out mine, "because she handles the honest ones first."

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quote:

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Sometimes I wonder, "Why all this? Of all the astronauts and pilots over ten years, why am I receiving so much trouble from these people?"

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The sadness is how it's affected "her General".

posted 06-30-2006 04:06 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
I will be talking with Mrs. Yeager regarding Rob's situation during the second week of July (the first time the Gen. and she are home) and hope to talk with Gen. Yeager as well.

I will of course share the results of that/those conversation(s) after it/they occur.

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posted 06-30-2006 05:16 PM               

A blog is "A Web site that contains dated entries in reverse chronological order (most recent first) about a particular topic. Functioning as an online journal, blogs can be written by one person or a group of contributors.

posted 06-30-2006 07:16 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by lunarrv15:
The person may have formed a new internet word "chat blog".

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That's silly, seems to me. Why belittle your hitherto ardent admirers who have tended to congregate here?

posted 06-30-2006 07:27 PM               

Why does the serious aerospace collector continue to take the abuse from "celebrites?" We are paying excellent money to these people. We are their customers and we do deserve some modicum of respect regardless of our status as collectors.

posted 07-01-2006 12:53 AM               

Last year, following the instructions on his web site, I sent in two baseballs to be signed. I also had to sign the "pledge" not to sell any items I received.

About a month later I got my baseballs back unsigned. a very short and unpersonal form letter that was included said it was their policy to not sign baseballs.

They also cashed my check and sent me a partial refund deducting the shipping costs to send the items back to me. I looked all over their web site for item restrictions and found none whatsoever regarding baseballs. As a result, I was out $15 and wasted time.