[sbfinley]

The first auction I ever signed up for was REA and I was daunted by the references. I imagined it as an elite club I would have to solicit a line of credit to join. I was new and didn't know. So I listed the names of a couple of noted collectors that I had purchased from here on the B/S/T and I was accepted without question. I believe that it is strictly a deterrent to prevent kids and/or rift raft from compromising an auction or lot. Auction houses are always happy to add another bidder to fold. Most will also allow you use your Ebay feedback score as a reference and on many of the early ones I signed up for I just put "Net54" and my screen name under references.