Live Auctioneers Listings - Anomally - I'm Confused

[gonefishin]

As I'm sure everyone knows, Live Auctioneers is an auction platform that hosts various types of auctions for auction houses throughout the United States and abroad. I've participated in their auctions many times in the past and have been satisfied with the process.

Recently while surfing listings, I came across something that struck me as very odd. I noticed that 3 different auction houses were using the Live Auctioneers platform and had several of the exact graded cards listed. They had different starting price points and ended on different days, etc. I have attached a photo of a graded Mantle that was listed with Mynt auctions, the auction ended in 16 hours, and the same card listed by 3 Kings with a $16,500 BIN price that ended several days later. There were 3 auction houses that offered a few of the same card (different start dates, ending dates, bids, BIN, etc.), Mynt, 3 Kings and Pacific Global.

I know nothing about the 3 auction houses, and I'm not accusing them of anything illegal; I'm just trying to figure out how this process has a fair playing field for bidders.

I contacted both Live Auctioneers and 3 Kings asking them to explain how this is happening.

I received the following reply from 3 Kings:

"Hello,

Oftentimes consignors can list in multiple locations"

I just received the following reply from Live Auctioneers:

"I hope you're doing well.

Upon further review, we found that the auction houses in question have agreements in place that allow them to list items on behalf of third-party sellers. In this case, the consignor authorized multiple sellers to relist the same item on LiveAuctioneers.

Please let us know if you have any further questions or need additional clarification."

Am I the only one that sees an issue with this? Does that mean a consignor can simultaneously list a card with 30 different auction houses and then select the highest amount bid?

What happens to the poor bidder that thinks he has won an auction because he was the high bidder, but finds out he didn't as another auction house had sold the item in question?

I have about 30 different questions, but I think everyone gets the drift.

Maybe it's just me and if I'm off track, I apologize to everyone for taking their time.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

This is why an auctioneer should never sell something they don't have possession of.

[effe]

Originally Posted by gonefishin

"In this case, the consignor authorized multiple sellers to relist the same item on Live Auctioneers."

That's crap, I've seen my Ebay listings up for auction on Live Auctioneers and I guarantee you I never gave consent. The only way you'll actually "win" the auction is if the auction house can make money flipping it. This "auctioneer" is notorious for listing iems in the manner you describe "https://www.liveauctioneers.com/auctioneer/7804/mynt-auctions/?srsltid=AfmBOooIWrDaZ9URW5ho5XWuRBY0EnHHBi4jsuzRD 4Td0RFxwkCO8-oC"

Take a look here (this one isn't mine)
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item...th-psa-dna-coa
https://www.ebay.com/itm/11374131488...Bk9SR56Dy5joZQ

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by effe

That's crap, I've seen my Ebay listings up for auction on Live Auctioneers and I guarantee you I never gave consent. The only way you'll actually "win" the auction is if the auction house can make money flipping it. This "auctioneer" is notorious for listing iems in the manner you describe "https://www.liveauctioneers.com/auctioneer/7804/mynt-auctions/?srsltid=AfmBOooIWrDaZ9URW5ho5XWuRBY0EnHHBi4jsuzRD 4Td0RFxwkCO8-oC"

Take a look here (this one isn't mine)
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item...th-psa-dna-coa
https://www.ebay.com/itm/11374131488...Bk9SR56Dy5joZQ

Didn't think of that. We actually caught a guy doing that with our auctions and if he couldn't make a profit he didn't pay. Obviously he's banned. He's tried to re-register with tweaks to his account information 4 or 5 times.

[Republicaninmass]

those 3 are always listing the same items which "never sell"

Also, there is ZERO liability if you purchase through live auctioneers.


Just ask the guys who got taken for 10s of thousands by Frank Prisco

[gonefishin]

I know you have to take "feedback" for what it is, but I looked through recent feedback for the auction houses I'm speaking of. Attached is what I would picture could happen if more than one auction house is selling a card - not a cheap card either.

This person was trying to recoup 10K for a card. Thats a lot of money for an auto charge on your credit card.

In addition, that seemed to be a theme with a lot the feedback I sorted through. A person was registered for the auction, maybe placed a bid but didn't win, and then their on-file credit card was automatically billed for an amount. The person then was left scrambling to get their money back for an item them didn't win but was charged.

The attached screenshot is small print but was the best I could do.

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by gonefishin

I know you have to take "feedback" for what it is, but I looked through recent feedback for the auction houses I'm speaking of. Attached is what I would picture could happen if more than one auction house is selling a card - not a cheap card either.

This person was trying to recoup 10K for a card. Thats a lot of money for an auto charge on your credit card.

In addition, that seemed to be a theme with a lot the feedback I sorted through. A person was registered for the auction, maybe placed a bid but didn't win, and then their on-file credit card was automatically billed for an amount. The person then was left scrambling to get their money back for an item them didn't win but was charged.

The attached screenshot is small print but was the best I could do.

The screenshot you posted says they didn't want the card but isn't clear as to why. I would think that means they did win it which would explain the auto billing.

[frankbmd]

Collectors flip cards.

Perhaps Auction Houses flip as well.

[doug.goodman]

My thread from last year about the same issue...

https://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=347771


Three Kings Auction, 1732 Aviation Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA 90278, (323) 510-6312
Pacific Global Auction, 46 Peninsula Center, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274, (323) 510-6312
Golden Gate Auctioneer, 1732 Aviation Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA 90278, (323) 510-6312

Doug "cough, scammers, cough" Goodman

[gonefishin]

Amazing Doug. I had no idea your previous thread existed. I guess the same things are still happening today.

Stupid me, I thought when you purchased something from an auction house they either had it hand or had direct access to it (vault, etc.). I know that everything I have sold through a reputable auction house I turned possession over to them at the time of signing the agreement.

[swarmee]

Sometimes it's even accessible behind the desk of a Best Western... ;-)

But yes, there are many auctioneers/resellers who will drop ship items because not everyone looks everywhere for the same items. They assume if you see theirs first and decide to buy it, they'll be able to purchase from the real owner (on eBay or elsewhere) and then send it to the buyer in time.

[Yoda]

Right now, there is via LA, a nice autographed Chuck Klein photo up for auction. This has been Chuck's 4th or 5th trip around the auction mill without a buyer, which only exemplifies the practices already described. I only wonder if there some some sort of contract LA holds with the other auction houses so that everybody gets a cut and the buyer gets a hyped-up card that he probably paid more than he should have.