Increcible prices for PWCC auctions

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Cardboard Junkie

I concur. PWCC is one of the best. Always has great consignments and spectacular service. A credit to the hobby. Dave.

Would it concern you if (hypothetically) some of those consignments were from, shall we say, less than reputable sources? Just curious.

[Cardboard Junkie]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Would it concern you if (hypothetically) some of those consignments were from, shall we say, less than reputable sources? Just curious.

I don't think so, unless I suspected cards had been doctored.

[botn]

Originally Posted by Cardboard Junkie

I don't think so, unless I suspected cards had been doctored.

LOLOLOLOLOL

As for these astronomical final bids on those auctions pointed out on the thread, assuming they are shilled or protected by the consignor can someone explain who on earth would shill or protect an auction to 50%, or more, over the last highest recorded sale on cards which are readily available? Not like consignors or those placing those bids know the ceiling bids or the bids that will be made by the eventual winner. Seems ridiculously risky to bid up something that high not knowing how high you can go. If these items are actually being won by real bidders then it is a real head scratcher.

[Peter_Spaeth]

As it is often hard to tell doctoring from scans, I personally am suspicious of cards from people widely thought to be card doctors whether or not I can spot obvious evidence of alteration. But whatever, that's just my personal preference.

[scotgreb]

Have a look at the bidding on this essentially worthless card . . .

This nonsense really needs to be cleaned up. Hopefully market forces will eventually trump ethics.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1972-Topps-R...item20d0de2d00

[Peter_Spaeth]

With ebay turning a blind eye to bidding practices, nothing is going to happen. And with ebay sellers (not to mention auction houses) gladly taking major consignments from card doctors, nothing is going to happen on that front either. One has to just exercise one's judgment the best one can. Unless one prefers to see no evil hear no evil, which is fine too.

Another new world record (by a lot)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1966-Topps-W...vip=true&rt=nc

[forazzurri2axz]

Do you really think that someone with 1000 or so lots in an auction is going to screw around with shill bidding a $26 card? Perhaps a friend of the consignor did so at the consignor's request but why would he risk winning his own card and have to pay approx $8 in fees?? regards Bill

[scotgreb]

Bill-
I'm not sure I fully understand your comment. What makes you think the consignor has 1000 lots out there? -- this might be his/her only one (but probably 36 - see below). I'm not suggesting the consignee is doing anything other than turning a blind eye (as others have here and in other venues). This is simply the item that I stumbled on (as a Clemente collector) that is a perfect example of this becoming-all-too-common activity. I'm not certain of anything ... but those certainly do not look like bona fide bids. A 0-Feedback bidder who decides to make 85 bids on 36 unique items offered by the same consignee over a short period of time?

[bobbyw8469]

A 0-Feedback bidder who decides to make 85 bids on 36 unique items offered by the same consignee over a short period of time?

..and a card that typically sells for $10 all of the sudden sells for $26??
I guess I just don't understand how people can bypass numerous cheaper BINs just to bid something to a stupid high level. And if these items ARE INDEED being shilled, isn't there some fear of the consignor actually being stuck with the item and a huge bill? Does a consignor actually want to pay $5,000 for a card that might only bring $2,500 every single other time it goes up for sale??