its not the auction houses fault its the bidders

[barrysloate]

Jeff- I can answer your question since Bob did my software: yes, I had access to bidders' passwords. Now that doesn't mean it is impossible to implement a different system, but I can't speak for Bob.

[benjulmag]

It's not that simple to simply refrain from leaving a max bid. In the case of many whales/recognized collectors, certain auctions houses simply know that these collectors have a way to go before they have reached their max. In some cases, these auction houses have over the years been asked to be on the lookout for certain cards/memorabilia items in the hopes of doing a private transaction. In other cases, these auction houses simply know the collecting habits of their well-healed collectors so well that they know with a high degree of confidence what these collectors will spend. So when such an item finally should appear in an auction, all the auction house needs to do is call up a friend or two (or maybe a silent minority owner of the auction house), "suggest" that this is a good investment item up to a certain level (just below the level the auction house knows that the whale/recognized collector will bid), and bingo, the item will almost always reach that stratospheric level. I have reason to believe the FBI has been tipped off to this practice, as well as the risk that certain auction houses will out of desperation seek ways to alter their bidding records in ways undetectable to law enforcement. It is my understanding the FBI has tremendous expertise/experience in computer-record-alteration, and feels highly qualified to detect it should it occur.

[sflayank]

very good point
that is why i have 3 different accounts with most auction houses
different names and addresses so they dont know its me who is bidding

[Mr. Mitt]

Do you consign as well, sflayank?

[sb1]

might as well address this now. We have no way to view your password or max bid. We cannot place bids for you placed via phone, email or fax.

The system is totally automated on a secure server only accessible by the administrator which is neither Leon nor I. Once the auction starts it's on autopilot til the the 15 minute period ends.

Scott

[Matt]

Jeff - good question on having bidders passwords. Here is another one - Bob said the house can't see the max bids - can they see who the high bidder is before the auction ends?

[sflayank]

i very rarely consign anything
im a collector once in awhile ill have an upgrade of something then ill consign my doubles

[barrysloate]

I had many old time collectors on my mailing list who did not use computers at all, and they would call and ask me to bid for them. They would even leave ceiling bids and ask me to place them on their behalf. I don't believe Scott and Leon take telephone bids so they are able to lock certain parts of their software that I couldn't.

I would be less concerned with the capabilities of the software and more concerned with the integrity of the auction house.

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Jeff- I can answer your question since Bob did my software: yes, I had access to bidders' passwords. Now that doesn't mean it is impossible to implement a different system, but I can't speak for Bob.

Barry, give Bob a break. I'm sure the software has changed since then because what would be the point of locking out viewing max bids of bidders if the auction house could access the bidders' passwords -- and check themselves? As noted by Corey, such a possibility would be a bit unnerving. I'm sure Bob will acknowledge shortly that the software has been improved since your last auction.