"To Out" or "Not to Out"

[MVSNYC]

I've been around here a long time, well before the 2009 site change. Historically people do get bent out of shape when auctions are outed.

I think there's some times it's not frowned upon...like when there's something very special being auctioned that transcends the hobby, and makes for great discussions, like Heritage's upcoming PSA 9 52 Mantle, (which will already have tons of eyes on it)...and then also when there's a specific concern over something being real, in which case the poster is trying to warn fellow collectors of a possible fraud (like the Cobb/BL460).

But, in the case of middle of the road (legitimate) items, most bidders are hoping they stay under the radar.

[Fballguy]

Oh...That kind of outing. My policy is, if I'm interested in the item, mums the word.

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by Fballguy

Oh...That kind of outing. My policy is, if I'm interested in the item, mums the word.

Haha...this!!!!! Like most topics on this board...there is no 1 answer. When should a post be allowed in the wrong section? Seems there are exceptions abound. Same as "outing" an auction.

[Snapolit1]

I see no problem "outing" an auction. I am careful not to crap on something a board member may be trying sell. However "does that look right" kind of posts are fine with me.

I've seen instances where someone simply posts "wow, did you see that Cobb on Heritage. . ." and people get their panties in a twist. Like it's a big secret or something. Never understood that at all, like we are supposed to be quiet and not draw attention to someone that some dude is looking at. On the internet. All poppycock if you ask me.

Long winded. . . I have no problem "outing an auction" and for the life of me just don't get it.

I've been accused of outing entire auctions. "Hey, is anyone watching Hunt" kind of stuff. Evan a deeper level of absurdity.

[Fballguy]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

I see no problem "outing" an auction. I am careful not to crap on something a board member may be trying sell. However "does that look right" kind of posts are fine with me.

I've seen instances where someone simply posts "wow, did you see that Cobb on Heritage. . ." and people get their panties in a twist. Like it's a big secret or something. Never understood that at all, like we are supposed to be quiet and not draw attention to someone that some dude is looking at. On the internet. All poppycock if you ask me.

Long winded. . . I have no problem "outing an auction" and for the life of me just don't get it.

I've been accused of outing entire auctions. "Hey, is anyone watching Hunt" kind of stuff. Evan a deeper level of absurdity.

It's hard to believe that consignors haven't come on here and outed their own auction items unbeknownst to everyone else. Why wouldn't you do that.

[drcy]

Not posting an ongoing auction is one of those 'unwritten rules,' as in baseball. Some people are strongly for this rule and insist everyone should follow it, but it is not a codified rule except in their minds. At the latest broken MLB unwritten rule brewhaha, some baseball people will respond "There's a reason it's unwritten. Because it ain't a rule."

I'm not against the rule and follow it (except in private conversations), but nowhere is it a law and, as in baseball, it gets comical when someone gets bent out of shape about unwritten rules that "have to be followed by everyone."

Certainly, if the public comments are about authenticity, identity, dating or important details concerning a current auction lot, those are talked about on this board with regularity and don't break that "unwritten rule."

[Buythatcard]

I personally don't like when someone outs an auction.

What bothers me the most is when a seller outs his own auction to beef up interest. If that's okay to do, then I will out all my auctions.