Hope this is the right forum..game related I guess. In the last couple of weeks I have had 2 people ask me not to bid on certain auctions, in one instance as the person knew I was interested in the item (we discussed it you see - in the event it sold for way more than I would have wanted to pay), in the other as the person thinks I might bid on some due to that person having a little knowledge of my collecting tastes etc. Now my view has always been, and still is, that this is exceptionally unfair and underhand. Sure, we all like to get a bargain (or try to get one) but agreeing not to bid is going too far in my book. It is very unfair to the sellers of such auctions, and ultimately I would not want that situation to happen on my auctions. Furthermore it negates the open market, chance for all nature of an auction. In my eyes it doesn't matter whether the auction is for a one of kind £10k item, or a common as muck £1 item, the principle is the same. So what do people think? Is this merely me trying to adopt some pathetic moral highground (given that I find such situations one of the most depressing aspects of the collector mentality)? Or do you have similar views? Just curious really.
Of course. I mean my policy is to say no (to agreeing not to bid )regardless of whether I will actually bid or not. More just curious what other people think.....I personally think such requests are shameful and a very sad aspect of the passion we all share.
If a mate wants something then I'll be generous, but anyone else who says "please don't bid on this" gets ignored. I mean, that's not how auctions work. Imagine sitting in a real auction and asking the guy next to you with his hand in the air if he minds putting it down, as you would actually quite like the item. Saying "I'm going to bid on this" with an ebay link is a better way of doing things, as if anyone else is interested in the item they can say so, and it becomes mutually beneficial for both parties to agree not to get into a costly bidding war over an item if it'll crop up again soon anyway. It's also a lot less frustrating to read than reading "please don't bid on this desirable item that I'm giving you the auction link to".
Agreed, unless it is a favour for a friend then bid. You have no obligation to acquaintances in this respect and they are wrong to expect you not to bid, unless they asked you prior to showing you the item and you agreed not to bid. They can ask, and you can politely refuse. If they are not considered a friend already then no loss if they are the type to get angry over something so trivial.
The last time I had anything similar to this was when I knew someone that would outbid me by at least 50%. Turns out, he had computer issues and never put in his bid. Form then on, I decided: I bid on what I want. Tough shit if it gets in your way. All is fair in love & war.
