Posted By:
Alan ElefsonDan-
I completely realize what we did was collusion, and it certainly happens much more frequently in non live auctions. Without it, the price of the lot might have been more than 100 dollars (we were both prepared to go fairly high on it). Not that that is an excuse as it is still illegal! In our defense (not that it is much of an excuse) we thought there would be other folks bidding against us and we were shocked the lot went as cheaply as it did.
It is a tough game to play when you spot a competitor in the room viewing the same lot you are interested in. I would have loved to win the entire lot, but it seemed clear we would bid ouselves up to much closer to the retail value. Legally, we should have bid against eachother until one of us won, but this way we both went home with something! I also realize I should not be bragging about it on a public forum (with my name attached no less), but it is a fairly common practice at least in the antique estatate auctions I frequent.
Alan Elefson
aelefson@hotmail.com