Analysis of current AH's rules regarding shill/internal/sketchy bidding practices

[ullmandds]

I don't want to hijack the mile high thread...but I've been concerned for quite a while about hammer prices for many cards in the hobby in the past 10 or so years.

Shill bidding on ebay.

final sales but item never really sells scenario.

hidden reserves.

AH's written rules which allow them to shill/bid items up to a reserve/desired outcome.

All of these things concern me and make me think that a lot of valuations in the hobby are artificially inflated.

I'd like this thread to discuss the various AH's and their practices regarding these issues.

I just went to HERITAGE'S site to see what their stance is on this...just because I had to start somewhere!!!!

It is not outlined in the terms of bidding but is buried in a pdf file under terms and conditions:

I found this: