Posted By:
Aaron M.Perhaps Bushing has been using Troy's ID because his own ID isn't so "covert"?
I don't think it's accurate to say the hobby doesn't care. I think the issue of undisclosed conflict of interest is serious enough that MEARS has finally decided to do something about it and only authenticate items for auction houses that allow them to disclose their conflict of interest. (Which is obviously a step in the right direction, even if it's two years overdue.)
As to the issue of the conflict of interest itself, I think it's more to do with so many collectors simply being unaware that the conflict of interest exists in the first place and that MEARS sells their own items. If there were more collector awareness, then I think there would be more of an outcry. But MEARS doesn't broadcast the idea that they are out their buying, authenticating and selling. I mean how many of us knew that was Troy's E-Bay user ID?