Auction lot opinions, is the sum worth more than the whole

[FrankWakefield]

I've seen this process more times when small farms are sold, than I have with other stuff. And having read Jay's post above, I agree with that, there's a flaw in the process, especially for computer program auctions which would include eBay. Seems to me the quickest way to deal with that, using Jay's example, would be for me to get a friend to underbid the that card he was after with a $190 bid (if that fit the increments) so that Jay's $200 bid activates.

Still, the problem remains that if 2 dozen of the cards only draw bids of $70 or so, then the higher 'set bid' would win. It would definitely be frustrating. Realistically, the frustrating part is you think you've won with your bid when you haven't. You have to win in whichever auction of the two brings the higher price.

[Peter_Spaeth]

I have a vague memory of bidding on and winning both the Mize and Rickey cards in the 1941 St. Louis team set, at very good prices, but winning neither because the set went for more. Many of the commons had pretty much zero interest as singles as I recall.