Posted By:
Jim VBMe too. Although I have begun to notice a new wrinkle. I have seen one of the board's longtime "favorite" sellers list some pretty high end, pricey cards (nothing too exotic, but stuff that would sell for the $5000 and up range). He usually lists one at a time, WITHOUT ANY SCAN! He states in the listing that he will be unavailable to answer any questions until 24 hours before the auction ends, but will post scans and answer all questions at that time. Then the auction runs for 5-6 days and he suddenly takes it down (Item is no longer available.)
In the last month I've seen him do this with a high grade T206 Cobb red back (PSA 6 or 7, maybe), a 52 Topps Mantle (PSA 7) and a 52 Bowman Mantle (PSA 9).
I think he's using it to draw searches to his other cards. I don't think he has ever owned one of these items. It's "marketing" at the cost of a listing fee.