Mastro Auctions Mastro's Stuff?

[David Atkatz]

I know of at least one item for which that was the case. I sold a 1929 Yankees signed ball through Mastro a number of years ago. A friend wanted it, but did not win. He noticed that he had entered a higher bid than the winner, and was told his had inadvertently not been counted. When he (an attorney) threatened legal action, the sale was nullified, the ball returned to me, and he was banned. (Surprise, surprise.) I know of this case because it was my item. Do you think it's the only one?

[Peter_Spaeth]

Well of course I would be speculating as to whether there were other instances or it was just a mistake, but that is troubling.

[calvindog]

Mastro's "rules" are somewhat laughable as anyone who has ever consigned with them surely knows. The rules are the rules until they are not the rules - and the rules often change on the fly. Peter are you suggesting that Mastro employees were allowed to bid on their own items during an auction while they also learned who else had bid on the lots and what those bids were? Jeepers, that would make me mighty red in the face if I were an honest Mastro bidder.

[Peter_Spaeth]

If that happened that would not be a good thing. All I was saying is that I could envision a scenario where an employee genuinely tried to win an item consigned by a third party.

[Orioles1954]

I can only speak for the auction house I work for. Sometimes, the same item has been auctioned twice due to non-payment in the first auction. We then will go to the consignor and either A.) return the item or B.) run the lot again a second time.

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by Orioles1954

I can only speak for the auction house I work for. Sometimes, the same item has been auctioned twice due to non-payment in the first auction. We then will go to the consignor and either A.) return the item or B.) run the lot again a second time.

What if there are hidden reserves which are not met and the items are then given back to the consignor with false sales recorded? Does that ever happen?

[Orioles1954]

Originally Posted by calvindog

What if there are hidden reserves which are not met and the items are then given back to the consignor with false sales recorded? Does that ever happen?

I have never participated in such action. If I was asked to participate or knew of such actitivity happening I would resign immediately.

[Orioles1954]

Originally Posted by Orioles1954

I can only speak for the auction house I work for. Sometimes, the same item has been auctioned twice due to non-payment in the first auction. We then will go to the consignor and either A.) return the item or B.) run the lot again a second time.

I will also add C.) If one of us pesky writers accidentally messes up an item and we accept it as a return from the winning bidder (doesn't happen often).

[David Atkatz]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

If that happened that would not be a good thing. All I was saying is that I could envision a scenario where an employee genuinely tried to win an item consigned by a third party.

The "employee" happens to be the boss.

[Peter_Spaeth]

David, was Bill the winning bidder on your Yankees ball?

[David Atkatz]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

David, was Bill the winning bidder on your Yankees ball?

I have no way of knowing that. All I do know is that many of the items now being offered as coming from his collection were last seen being "sold" in a Mastro auction.