REAs " Honest Auto Bid (TM) "

[bobfreedman]

Originally Posted by REA

Bob, while you cannot speak for REA as our software service provider/host, because we do not currently use the Simple Auctions platform, we would actually be very happy to have our software/service provider (Create Auction) speak for REA or answer any questions regarding max bid and password security at any time.

I am extremely confused by the wording of your response as there are TWO essential elements to max bid security: that the auction administration software does not display the max bids, AND that the auction house cannot access bidder passwords. I am not sure if you are referring to one or both.

You have said that the vast majority of all auction houses that use the Simple Auction platform employ the feature of “not being able to see max bids.” But it is not clear if you are referring just to the display of max bids in the auction house administration page, or BOTH the administration display and the access to bidder passwords. Because if the auction house has access to bidder passwords, then they ALSO have access to all maximum bids if desired. They are only a couple of clicks away.

When I recently participated in an auction that uses the Simple Auctions platform, and I had misplaced my password, the auction representative (who I happened to be speaking with on the phone when I realized I forgot my password and I happened to mention this in passing) was able, in just a few seconds, to tell me my password. This was very recent. And this was not the first time an auction house hosted by Simple Auctions has made me aware with certainty they had my password (and this was well within the past five years).

So to make sure I understand: Are you saying that most of the auction houses using the Simple Auctions platform do not display the max bids in the administration system AND do not have access to passwords? Or are you just saying that most of the auction houses using the Simple Auctions platform do not display the max bids in the administration system, but many of these same auction houses actually do have access to bidder passwords? (and hence still have access to max bids if desired).

By the way, I am not suggesting that any given auction that has access to max bids is misusing this access. And even if Ken and Andy were the only Simple Auction-hosted auctions that utilized both features (that together and only together provide security of max bids), that would still be a big deal and huge step in the right direction in my opinion. But there is such a big difference between 1) a system where accessing max bids by the auction house is impossible, and 2) a system where an impression that this is the case could be misinterpreted, and the max bids can actually be accessed by the auction house at will if desired. So I am taking the time to ask for clarity regarding this if it is possible to provide.

Sincerely,


Rob L


Robert Lifson
President
Robert Edward Auctions, LLC
P.O. Box 7256
Watchung, NJ 07069
908-226-9900
908-226-9920 fax
www.RobertEdwardAuctions.com

Rob, if a specific AH asks me to speak for them, I will, as I did with Goldin and my original point was that I am sure you would not want Seth (CreateAuction) to speak for you on your behalf without your knowledge nor permission.

When I stated that they "cannot see max bids", I am including that they cannot see Passwords, email addresses etc... We realize that not seeing the max bid is only half of the equation.

Auction Houses also do not have access to their database.

BST's "overlay" (True Bid)is a name that they came up with for a feature that we did not brand nor market ourselves. They chose to advertise the fact that they cannot see the max bids (and not see PW's etc....) while other AH's chose not to but they do indeed have employed this feature.