The deal to buy the fake Davy Crockett letter by the Texas Historical Commission is a great example. A dealer contacted Historical Commission board Chairman John Nau that the letter was for sale to the state. Two weeks later a public announcement was made. The only dickering on the price was an agreement by the seller to donate $60,000 of the money to the state...which sounds a little shady. "I'll buy what your selling if you give me some money back." In business, we call that a kickback.
The state also says that they have 120 days to authenticate the letter. But, instead of waiting to authenticate the letter before a public announcement and face possible humiliation when it is deemed a fake...they made a big to-do! In business, we call that a "marketing nightmare."
There is also the question of the price. Is the price competitive for other historical documents sold on the open market? Well, the state wouldn't care about that. They have no idea what the words "free enterprise" mean. In business, we call that customer a sucker. One is born every minute.
Then there's the whole hurry up and spend your money or you lose it mindset. Buying a letter seems like the perfect way to dump $490,000 in a hurry. In business, we call that grounds for termination.
Ugh. Don't mind us! No brilliant minds at work over here!
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You would think that the lined paper would have tipped off the geniuses.
Me Like Davy Crockett