Quote:
Originally Posted by Runscott
If it's a separate business, it makes a difference. If not, then of course it doesn't.
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If the auction house is buying lots from their own auctions, they are getting a 20% discount compared to the rest of the bidders. Now my analogy of taking $5 from one pocket and putting it into the other is a bit oversimplified because they theoretically pay a tax on that 20% bp, but I'm sure the amount they end up paying depends on how they keep their books. Either way, they are receiving a substantial discount the rest of their bidders are not getting. This is another ethical issue to consider.