It is Sickening how badly PWCC Shill Bids!

[bensie]

Originally Posted by x2drich2000

I definitely put in large opening bids to reduce my competition on lots I really want with the AHs that allow you to put in a straight bid. To me it is simply a strategy to eliminate people who might be looking for a bargain or where it might not be their top priority.

As a side question, with the AHs that do not allow you to put in straight bids (Heritage, REA for instance), would you consider it unethical to have a friend (not the consignor!) who has no desire to win the lot, bid you up on purpose to in essence make your bid a straight bid?

DJ

So in essence, you'd be shilling your own bid to a price that you're willing to pay? IE bidding against yourself in an auction? LOL. I think that's perfectly fine.

[Peter_Spaeth]

I can understand as a practical matter wanting to lock up a bid level given the way AH increments work. I am not understanding the psychology of thinking you're scaring someone off a card, like a dog marking his territory. I could see the opposite effect -- someone interested in a card sees high early prices and thinks he's underestimated the value and becomes willing to bid more.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I can understand as a practical matter wanting to lock up a bid level given the way AH increments work. I am not understanding the psychology of thinking you're scaring someone off a card, like a dog marking his territory. I could see the opposite effect -- someone interested in a card sees high early prices and thinks he's underestimated the value and becomes willing to bid more.

Told before but, a long time ago, in a public/private auction I bid 8k straight as the first bid (*or the 2nd I forget) and the opening bid was 1k. That was about the first or second day of the auction as I recall. I won this lot for my 8k plus juice and was happy. They were sold with my first collection sale.

[JollyElm]

"You're."

[rats60]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I can understand as a practical matter wanting to lock up a bid level given the way AH increments work. I am not understanding the psychology of thinking you're scaring someone off a card, like a dog marking his territory. I could see the opposite effect -- someone interested in a card sees high early prices and thinks he's underestimated the value and becomes willing to bid more.

It might work for a card that is auctioned off frequently such as 50s-60s Topps. Say a card sells in the 400-500 range. Place a bid that would have to be topped by a bid over 500 and hope people will just wait until the next one shows up in a couple weeks.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by rats60

It might work for a card that is auctioned off frequently such as 50s-60s Topps. Say a card sells in the 400-500 range. Place a bid that would have to be topped by a bid over 500 and hope people will just wait until the next one shows up in a couple weeks.

Yes, but to me that's just locking up the level above which it's not practical to go higher, psychology has nothing to do with it.

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Yes, but to me that's just locking up the level above which it's not practical to go higher, psychology has nothing to do with it.

Funny. I would argue psychology has everything to do with it. As a marketer, though, I believe most non-essential purchases are driven by emotion, not practicality.

That said, I don't think we disagree on the principle, but our semantics seem to be driven by our respective professions.