Posted By:
Jeff LichtmanToday all REA bidders received an email from REA apologizing for some having received catalogues that had a Mastro return address. REA again made very clear that it believes that its practices are polar from those employed at Mastro:
"It would be hard to communicate exactly how disturbing we find this
particular error. Robert Edward Auctions has absolutely no affiliation
with Mastro Auctions whatsoever. We are very different companies with
very different policies. Robert Edward Auctions would hate to have
anyone be confused about this."
This statement follows REA's note at the beginning of its catalogue in which it clearly notes that unlike other auction houses it does: not have its employees bid on items; not allow consignors to bid on their own items; not purchase items to be sold at its auctions; it does not alter cards in any manner; it has never broken a card out of a holder for resubmission purposes.
Clearly, at least to me, some of this directly refers to Mastro and Doug Allen's comments on this board about what Mastro does to some cards it receives for sale at auction.
At leat to me, I'm impressed with REA's practices. I think that REA's "Honest Auto Bid" combined with its stated lack of conficts, refusal to alter or crack cards, and lower Buyer's Premium really does indicate that it is doing things the right way. Will Mastro at least agree to stop altering cards in any way and adopt the same bidding system? Or does it not make a difference? Is REA going to be rewarded in any way for its honesty and (in my opinion) better business practices? Or does whoever gets the better consignments get the most business, period?
I can tell you that I've stopped bidding at all auction houses but 4 at this point.