[Archive]

Posted By: barrysloate

The way my software is set up, when I type up the lots on my spreadsheet I include the name of the consignor. That way, if a consignor tries to bid on his own lot he will be locked out.

That said, I know any consignor can ask a friend to bid. And while I will continue to lock out my consignors, I too couldn't care one way or the other. Jim B's example proves the point- why should I force a consignor to accept a miserable bid if that's what he faces? The only solution is a reserve, but I run a no reserve auction so that too is not the answer.

In the end, if a consignor asks a friend to bid on one of his lots, I just don't want to know about it. That keeps it simple and gets me off the hook. There is just so much I can do to police my own auction.