i dont think it has ruined collecting, well, not enough to stop me collecting cards anyway. i think the fleer fakes are part of a wider problem with the hobby these days: it has really become a business more than a hobby.
this ties in with resealed, searched packs and boxes, ebay shilling, and every other dishonest, unethical act that just wasnt present when we first started collecting...these days you have to be very careful when buying and selling, and thats sad, its like the innocence has been taken out of the hobby. there are some ruthless, selfish collectors out there, and these guys ruin the hobby and make sure kids, which are the lifeblood of the hobby, stay away from it.