Was I Shilled??

[calvindog]

Not just commodities. When price fixing was eliminated in the art house auction world prices came down -- and people still consigned.

What I think you're trying to say is that the reason auction houses engage in fraud is that they need to get the consignments -- and if one guy is committing fraud then the next guy must as well in order to realize the same prices in his auction -- in order to continue getting consignments. All that is well and true but it doesn't excuse fraud, it just means that unless and until everyone stops cheating many others will feel the need to cheat too. Doesn't make it right and the last thing we should be doing on this thread is arguing for fraud to continue being a known and forgiven part of our hobby. There's just no good reason to ignore the fraud.

What people don't realize too, is good luck in selling your fraudulently inflated cards. We all 'think' we know what the cards are worth but our thinking is largely based on past recorded sales -- which are also affected by fraudulent selling practices. Ever wonder why when you sell a card on ebay that you bought at an auction it doesn't do as well?

[Peter_Spaeth]

There could be several reasons n addition to fraud that cards don't do as well on ebay. One, the seller is no longer a buyer, so the demand is less, particularly on non-commodity cards. Two, the bid levels in auction houses tend to result in higher prices. Three, people tend to be less rational in auctions than they do on ebay, for reasons I have never quite understood.

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

There could be several reasons n addition to fraud that cards don't do as well on ebay. One, the seller is no longer a buyer, so the demand is less, particularly on non-commodity cards. Two, the bid levels in auction houses tend to result in higher prices. Three, people tend to be less rational in auctions than they do on ebay, for reasons I have never quite understood.

I agree completely. And sellers or consignors can shill on ebay as well. But I think generally cards bought at auction houses don't tend to do as well on resale for reasons which include lack of fraud this time around. It's a fact that auction houses have pumped up sales' prices due to fraud. It's also a fact that upon resale those same cards -- when not helped by fraud of the auction house -- will result in lower prices.