Should I, or another moderator, bid in the Net54baseball.com auctions?

calvindog · #1 06-10-2009, 09:56 AM

If Bill Mastro can bid on Mastro auctions, why can't you bid on Net 54 auctions? It's not like you know the ceiling bids, right?

Leon · #2 06-10-2009, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calvindog

If Bill Mastro can bid on Mastro auctions, why can't you bid on Net 54 auctions? It's not like you know the ceiling bids, right?

I had a friendly debate with a board member last night about this very subject. He is not affiliated with any auction house at all but is a very passionate collector for the last 35 yrs. He sees no issue with auction company employees bidding in their own auctions. I have never thought that was a good idea, personally. Ceiling bids? Unless I am a mind reader I can't see me knowing anymore than anyone else...

Even in B and L Auctions Scott and I made a rule from day one that we can't see any up to bids and we can't bid in our own auctions. Of course every auction company will do what is best for them and we feel this is the best route for us...

calvindog · #3 06-10-2009, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leon

He sees no issue with auction company employees bidding in their own auctions. Ceiling bids? Unless I am a mind reader I can't see me knowing anymore than anyone else....

What if you don't need to be a mind reader to see ceiling bids? Just have eyes that work?

Leon · #4 06-10-2009, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calvindog

What if you don't need to be a mind reader to see ceiling bids? Just have eyes that work?

I was talking about Net54baseball.com auctions. Where are my eyes supposed to look?

calvindog · #5 06-10-2009, 10:35 AM

Exactly, Leon. That's why it's ok for you to bid on Net 54 auctions and not ok for other auctioneers to bid on their auctions.

glynparson · #6 06-10-2009, 12:15 PM

Absolutely should be allowed to bid.

drc · #7 06-10-2009, 12:30 PM

I think it's fine for Leon to bid, and it's fine for others to bid against him. My only objection would be if others chose not to bid against Leon. As perhaps noted before, it would be someone else's auction Leon would be bidding in, not his own, and he and the other moderators get 0% financial return from sales and auctions that are not their own. The commonly held issue with auction house employees bidding in their own auction house's auctions is due to the auction house receiving a percentage of the final prices.