Ethics question regarding buying at auctions...

[atx840]

Originally Posted by tbob

The goal was not to depress or "fix" the final price, the goal was to secure cards.
Apples and oranges....

+1

[barrysloate]

I also agree that if a large lot of cards is too expensive for any number of collectors to afford, but by pooling their resources they are at least able to competitively bid on it, then they have done absolutely nothing wrong. Their goal was to get the cards, and this may have been their only opportunity to do so.

That is much different than collusion. That is done for the sole purpose of depressing the final price on the lot.

[Texxxx]

This is a question that everyone has to answer for them self. Everyone has to decide what is and what is not ethical to them. Legal or not. Way back in the dark ages I had a graduate business ethics class. It was probably the best class I ever took. It was not about tell us what was ethical but for us to figure out exactly what our ethics where and sticking with them through out our life. People will respect others that are not sitting on a fence. Everyone here will have different ethics, which makes for a lot of disagreements. LOL and fun reading.

[Wymers Auction]

Tbob I agree pooling resources namely finances hurts no one and brings another bidder to the table. That is not collusion. Collusion begins when a group gets together and agrees that I will only bid on these and you will only bid on those.

[Wymers Auction]

Murcerfan nobody is preying on you. You are a grownup and you can spend your money any way you like. You are not forced to bid at auction. Many people still buy face to face or trade. I do not think every auction house is ethical, but by no means will I ever believe that they are all crooked. Let's face it we can operate totally within the law and be totally transparent and someone based on their own individual beliefs now perceives us as being crooked and the mindless mob follows along. Next thing you know a reputable house can get a bad name. I know 2 auction houses in my neighborhood that sell hundreds of fake autographs at time. I vote with my feet and stay totally clear of their buildings. I do not even want to be seen in association with them. As far as making you laugh I am glad that I was able to bring you some entertainment.

[murcerfan]

OK, thanks for setting me straight.

I'm pretty new to all this.