Perhaps a few clues about Howe's collection and when it hit the market

[h2oya311]

Originally Posted by Bpm0014

The only thing icky about this thread is that a grown man used the word icky. Cream puffs....

I love your collection as well Ed, and most of us knew that you weren't suggesting anything shady. Good luck with the purchase!

I know everyone has a hard-on for Ed's collection (I do as well), but any time auction prices are manipulated in any fashion, I don't like it. Hey, the next time anyone sees a Helmar Stamp or rookie card that I need at auction, please don't bid it up because I'm going after it. If I were the one selling these cards and I saw collusion like this I would be a bit ticked. I'm glad the seller seems cool with this (per his previous post).

And I know Ed isn't intentionally doing anything shady, but if even one person on Net54 chooses not to bid (and would have otherwise been the under-bidder), then pricing manipulation has occurred and the seller is out some change. Sorry, no way around it.

Obviously the sheer number of t206 collectors out there will likely make this a moot point and I'm sure market price + a small premium for the stamp will likely result (but not from the bid of a fellow Net54 board member). If this were a more thinly collected (niche) card issue or focus, then I think more would actually agree with me. I seem to recall someone arguing recently that Negro League item prices have come down considerably due to collusion among the Negro League collecting community - "I'll bid on that one and I promise not to bid on that one and we'll both come out ahead". It's a good strategy (for the buyers).

Anyway, just my opinion.

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by h2oya311

I know everyone has a hard-on for Ed's collection (I do as well), but any time auction prices are manipulated in any fashion, I don't like it. Hey, the next time anyone sees a Helmar Stamp or rookie card that I need at auction, please don't bid it up because I'm going after it. If I were the one selling these cards and I saw collusion like this I would be a bit ticked. I'm glad the seller seems cool with this (per his previous post).

And I know Ed isn't intentionally doing anything shady, but if even one person on Net54 chooses not to bid (and would have otherwise been the under-bidder), then pricing manipulation has occurred and the seller is out some change. Sorry, no way around it.

Obviously the sheer number of t206 collectors out there will likely make this a moot point and I'm sure market price + a small premium for the stamp will likely result (but not from the bid of a fellow Net54 board member). If this were a more thinly collected (niche) card issue or focus, then I think more would actually agree with me. I seem to recall someone arguing recently that Negro League item prices have come down considerably due to collusion among the Negro League collecting community - "I'll bid on that one and I promise not to bid on that one and we'll both come out ahead". It's a good strategy (for the buyers).

Anyway, just my opinion.

Price "manipulation" has become part of the hobby. Anything you want...that becomes known you want it...will be reflected in the price.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by h2oya311

I know everyone has a hard-on for Ed's collection (I do as well), but any time auction prices are manipulated in any fashion, I don't like it. Hey, the next time anyone sees a Helmar Stamp or rookie card that I need at auction, please don't bid it up because I'm going after it. If I were the one selling these cards and I saw collusion like this I would be a bit ticked. I'm glad the seller seems cool with this (per his previous post).

And I know Ed isn't intentionally doing anything shady, but if even one person on Net54 chooses not to bid (and would have otherwise been the under-bidder), then pricing manipulation has occurred and the seller is out some change. Sorry, no way around it.

Obviously the sheer number of t206 collectors out there will likely make this a moot point and I'm sure market price + a small premium for the stamp will likely result (but not from the bid of a fellow Net54 board member). If this were a more thinly collected (niche) card issue or focus, then I think more would actually agree with me. I seem to recall someone arguing recently that Negro League item prices have come down considerably due to collusion among the Negro League collecting community - "I'll bid on that one and I promise not to bid on that one and we'll both come out ahead". It's a good strategy (for the buyers).

Anyway, just my opinion.

I completely agree with everything you said. Now for full disclosure 2 other members, another nonmember friend and myself do this on a certain card we all collect. It does save us $ but it really does hurt the seller every time one of those cards is listed for sale because with out that agreement I can guarantee it would sell for much more.

[Bpm0014]

In this situation there is absolutely zero premium on a Howe McCormick stamp. If anything, the seller will probably get MORE than he originally would have. Other situations yes, but not here. I'll gladly sit this one out and I hope others do as well.

[h2oya311]

Originally Posted by Bpm0014

In this situation there is absolutely zero premium on a Howe McCormick stamp. If anything, the seller will probably get MORE than he originally would have. Other situations yes, but not here. I'll gladly sit this one out and I hope others do as well.

Fair enough. I expect anyone with a conscience to sit this one out. I guess I prefer the "unwritten rule" policy when it comes to this sort of stuff though.

Please clarify though...there's no premium for the Howe McCormick stamp but seller will get more because of it? Huh??? Sounds like a premium to me??

[h2oya311]

For what it's worth I hope Ed and his buddy win them all...

[Bpm0014]

The seller will get more for it because it's safe to assume that Ed will do whatever he can (within reason) to win it most, if not all, of them. Thus a $20-$25 card may sell for $30-$40...

[Angyale]

If so, how many did you end up with? Just curious.

Angyale