Hi,
I have a couple of cards for sale in Goodwin's current auction (not Novelty Cutlery). I let Bill set the opening bids and I believe they are very fair, well below what they will fetch, and intended to encourage folks to actively participate in the bidding. In scanning the other inventory of the current auction, the large bulk of opening bids are well within reason (at least that's my perception). I've found this to be true in previous Goodwin auctions as well, both as a bidder and consignor.
One can only assume that certain consignors do have leverage in terms of their ability to establish unreasonably high opening bids, and that is likely to occur across many, if not all of the auction houses. It's an unavoidable reality, especially as competition for consignment items grows. I'm not supporting or justifying this reality, just giving an honest opinion.
Nobody on the bidding side (including myself) favors auctions turning into retail sales channels, that's obvious. At this point, I don't see any evidence that Bill's auctions are in any way out of the mainstream, regardless of how the NC cards are perceived in the current auction.
My own 2 cents, not intended to raise hackles, but rather to add to the conversation.
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