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There are many in the hobby who believe the proper solution to this shill bidding issue right now is for the consignor/AH to simply put a reserve on the item. Well, when that is done, bidders recognize that the consignor/AH is eliminating their risk of a low sale and MANY recognize that they are being taken advantage of then and just refuse to bid on said item. Nobody wants to be knowingly taken advantage of, right or wrong?

But, if deceptive practices are used instead, far fewer bidders consider that the same thing could be happening but has been concealed, and many more bidders will participate in bidding on that item. That’s why the consignor/AH will never settle for going that route when there is a better money-making alternative available.

Why do you think AH’s, one by one, are updating their “terms and conditions” now? We all remember Mastro and Legendary, right? This isn’t a new phenomenon. The main difference is that there is so much money involved in the hobby today that I believe not just the AH that has a more controlling role in things has to protect themselves but consignors themselves may/will become a target for further scrutiny from whomever ends up taking on the role of regulating things as that certainly needs to be done. Who does this and how is it done will be the only solution to putting an end to this shill bidding nonsense that makes me sick to my stomach. Bidding on your items is never going to be okay, not offensive, defensive, nothing. Everyone should be entitled to winning an item at auction at the fairest possible price.

We’ll see how this all plays out. When push comes to shove, will the AH’s “terms and conditions” stand up to the law of the land, I believe that’s what it will all come down to.