This looks interesting indeed

[ksabet]

As a former employee of Huggins and Scott about 5 years ago, I just wanted to say that in my two years there, Bill, John Scott, Josh Wulkan and the gang showed nothing but the highest standards of ethics I have been around. Many times I witnessed them take a loss in order to make a "hobbyist" happy. These men respect the hobby and the collectors and its hard for me to see (despite what it looks like) them looking to cheat anyone.

Kiya Sabet

[Jaybird]

Even if they are not attempting to cheat anyone, by bidding against their customers, they ARE cheating them.

edited to say: Maybe I'm not seeing the other side of this one. I don't want to keep railing... someone help me understand how this can be ethical. I say this with all sincerity and honesty.

[danmckee]

WOW that is cool, how long did you work there? I don't remember ever meeting you. Dan

[ksabet]

Originally Posted by danmckee

WOW that is cool, how long did you work there? I don't remember ever meeting you. Dan

I detect a bit of sarcasm, but to answer your question it was around 2005-2007.

I am not debating the topic you brought up, just the fact that I believe these gentlemen to be stand up guys.

[danmckee]

No sarcasam whatsoever, I think that is neat that you worked for them and odd that I never met you since I am there several times a year.

Hey, they wouldn't hire me so you have one up on me.

Dan

[danmckee]

I forgot to mention that you are very welcome to debate what I have posted, I think I have posted strictly facts.

[ksabet]

Originally Posted by danmckee

No sarcasam whatsoever, I think that is neat that you worked for them and odd that I never met you since I am there several times a year.

Hey, they wouldn't hire me so you have one up on me.

Dan

They kept me in the basement most of the time. No seriously my desk was in the basement, kinda like Milton. I wrote for the catalog and traveled to shows with Bill.

Its really a matter of trust, so there is no debate. I trust that despite him bidding on items for his store, that no shill bidding takes place as they do not see max bids. Obviously we live in a society where trust comes at a premium especially in this hobby so there is no sense in me trying to convince you as you are not in a position to trust as I am.

[glchen]

I just wanted to say that I don't think Huggins and Scott is alone in doing this. Other auction houses have also been known to do this. I can't remember the thread, but I thought I remember that one of the auction houses gave the excuse that if the lot was going for a really good value, they would also look into purchasing the lot for themselves.

I think the auction house with the best integrity would again fall back to REA. No hidden reserves, no employee bidding, no employee owned lots (unless fully disclosed), etc. I think that they are still the gold standard.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by glchen

I just wanted to say that I don't think Huggins and Scott is alone in doing this. Other auction houses have also been known to do this.

I believe Hunt Auctions bids on items with a house account if they believe the sale price is below market.

[Bugsy]

Originally Posted by ksabet

I trust that despite him bidding on items for his store, that no shill bidding takes place as they do not see max bids.

It doesn't matter whether they know the max bids or not, it is still shilling. His participation in the bidding is raising the final prices and therefore increasing Huggins & Scotts' profits on those lots.

Consider this. If I were to bid on my own eBay listings, I don't know what the high bidder has entered, but my participation would still alter the final price.

It is a clear conflict of interest to participate in any bidding when you stand to financially benefit from the outcome of the sale. I don't see how anyone can argue otherwise.

[danmckee]

Originally Posted by ksabet

They kept me in the basement most of the time. .

This was funny, though I know what you mean as I know the set up there well. But still a funny statement if you don't really know the set up there.

[painthistorian]

Say it ain't so Dan, Say it ain't so!

I always felt Huggins and Scott were in same category as REA & Sterling & Clean Sweep regarding running a top notch & ethical auctions...

I am very surprised about this and would love to hear a response from Bill or Josh as they have been very good to work with, it does seem a conflict having a retail company that you own bidding on their own auction's material...

[benchod]

Originally Posted by ksabet

As a former employee of Huggins and Scott about 5 years ago, I just wanted to say that in my two years there, Bill, John Scott, Josh Wulkan and the gang showed nothing but the highest standards of ethics I have been around. Many times I witnessed them take a loss in order to make a "hobbyist" happy. These men respect the hobby and the collectors and its hard for me to see (despite what it looks like) them looking to cheat anyone.

Kiya Sabet

Care to explain how they took a loss to make a hobbyist happy?

Craig. Lipman.

[ksabet]

Originally Posted by benchod

Care to explain how they took a loss to make a hobbyist happy?

Craig. Lipman.

No not really

[Cat]

Sometimes in my stream of consciousness totally unrelated thoughts flow through my mind........ Anybody seen Lichtman lately?

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Cat

Sometimes in my stream of consciousness totally unrelated thoughts flow through my mind........ Anybody seen Lichtman lately?

He's in Chicago waiting on the grand jury. 4 years and counting!!

[Sterling Sports Auctions]

Johnny is right about the auction environment and sadly us in the hobby are just as guilty because many will continue to bid if the it its an item they are interested in or the price is low enough. The one I do not understand is why people continue to consign to these auction houses. The one that really comes to mind is Mastro, they continued to have strong auctions even after the word had got around that they were not on the up and up.

Lee Beh.rens

[Bicem]

Originally Posted by benchod

Care to explain how they took a loss to make a hobbyist happy?

Craig. Lipman.

There was one guy that they decided not to shill.

Jeff-Priz ner