Disturbing.......

[steve B]

Since I'm usually chasing cheap stuff I'm ok with an auction knowing my max bid. It's no different than leaving a left bid for a live auction or bidding in a mail auction.

I have seen a few odd things with live auctions. One antique auction the auctioneer really disliked left bids. He'd start at the starting price,announcing that there was a left bid if the bidder left instructions, and would announce the left bid limit during bidding if the bidding was falling short. If there were no instructions he'd often start at the max of the left bid. (After a few visits I never considered leaving a bid)

I also had one live auction respond to the question"How close was I on X" with the info that I'd been right at the limit of the left bid and I could have the item for one increment more. I declined as this happened during checkout, and I didn't want to cause them problems if the winning bidder had friends in the audience. Plus I'd already spent the ammount I'd budgeted on some later items.

Steve B