Posted By:
Jeff LichtmanTwo thoughts:
Leon, comeon, not that there's anything wrong with that. 
And Marshall, I was speaking tongue in cheek. Urban legend has it that certain auction house(s) falsely report as sold certain lots when in fact the lots do not change hands due to either a promised price not being reached or the consignor simply protecting his lots by 'buying' them. Sometimes consignors use their close friends to bid and protect their lots. Sometimes they even use their employees. For example, if I had a bunch of expensive lots in an auction and I was a neurotic, dishonest jerkoff I might have my associate bid on my lots in an effort to set an artificial reserve price just so that I wouldn't lose a few dollars that I would not otherwise miss.