I recently opened a thread for a general discussion of a watch that was coming up for auction at a small auction house. My intentions were honourable and the discussion was by way of general interest with no substantive objective I.e not to discuss authenticity or provenance etc. and I had no involvement in either buying or selling

Anyway to cut a long story short the subject of the thread inadvertently got widened to question the validity of the discussion itself and whether it was right in general to discuss items appearing at auction before they are sold and thus increase awareness and/or possibly affect the price. Especially if it was a smaller auction house and may have otherwise gone unnoticed or less noticed.

Before the thread was deleted there were several conflicting opinions stated both ways and I also had various private messages. It became clear to me and others who commented that the discussion was a valuable debate that ought to be available to forum members for there consideration and maybe reference in the future.

So hence I have opened this thread with no ulterior motive other than an interest in opinions and some possible guidance.

There may be other questions that this raises but my own questions to start the ball rolling are below

1. Do you think it is ok generally to discuss auction pieces pre-sale?

2. Is your answer to Q1 conditional on the size or location of the auction or selling site. I.e a small auction compared to a major international event?

3. Is your answer to Q1 conditional on the reason for the discussion I.e maybe it is ok if it is questioning provenance or authenticity but not just for idle chatter?

4. Do you believe auction discussions greatly affect the final price? Either way

5. Is it unfair to highlight an auction lot to the forum community that may have otherwise gone relatively unnoticed by the majority...but not all?

Please let me know your thoughts

 

My guess is the thread was removed for a different reason. There is no prohibition against discussing any auction.

Did you get accused of being the owner of the watch by chance?

 

Auctions have been discussed numerous times in the few years I’ve been here. I think it’s a perfectly valid thing to do.
Someone might get upset that it called attention to something they were hoping would go under the radar, but I think people who are in the hunt will know where to look anyway.

 

Not at all. The thread was removed for a different reason you are right but not what you think and not really very relevant to the larger discussion. as I said I would just like peoples thoughts in general

 

It's perfectly fine to discuss any watch offered for sale anywhere. I've had people discuss ones I've offered for sale ... which, genuinely, was fun to read. I have also asked advice on watches that were coming to auction, in the full knowledge that I would increase the chances of others seeing the watch and bidding against me.

When people have posted about forthcoming auctions that I know I will view, I have offered to take photos and give a condition report. Again, even where I have an interest in the piece. I've been lucky enough to have OF members return the courtesy.

As I said to an auctioneer before Christmas, all someone has to do to buy a watch is pay more than I will (in that case, some b****** on the Internet did).

 

Thanks for the feedback but I know some people feel may feel differently hence the thread. It will be interesting to hear all the different opinions.

 

Many thanks for the feedback and taking time to respond. I know not all will agree but to have all the various opinions in one place may prove useful

 

!. Absolutely, its one of the benefits of this forum
2. No
3.No
4. I hope so
5. Unfair to whom?

 

Some feel that calling attn to an auction attracts more bidders and drives up the price. I would argue that with the things like Watch Recon, Instagram etc ...this is a pointless concern. If you want to avoid angst, just post pics of the piece, provide your pov and solicit opinions as to its +/- conditions.

 

Hi and thanks for responding

5. - to someone who may have spotted it and hoped no-one else had I guess

 

Thanks for the feedback Larry, good advice

 

Then your original question is moot. The forum allows it, if not condones discussions like that. Maybe it’s my bias as to how this forum works but I don’t see anyone here having any issue about any watch for sale. Granted thier is some etiquette on watches posted here for sale...

Now I’m curious what deemed removal instead of locking.

 

I believe a seller has a natural right to receive the best price possible price for any item they sell.

As long as all parties behave in an ethical manner, I don’t see how this could possibly be a debatable issue.

 

Thanks for the feedback

 

Interesting point of view Rich which I know some will share but not all.
Thanks for taking the time

 

1. Do you think it is ok generally to discuss auction pieces pre-sale? Yes, that's why we come to OF. To share and the learn. Members should be respectful of course.

2. Is your answer to Q1 conditional on the size or location of the auction or selling site. I.e a small auction compared to a major international event? No

3. Is your answer to Q1 conditional on the reason for the discussion I.e maybe it is ok if it is questioning provenance or authenticity but not just for idle chatter? No.

4. Do you believe auction discussions greatly affect the final price? Either way
It's possible. I've seen pieces get pulled because knowledgeable members highlighted issues (not reported by the auctioneer). I seen pieces get a lot of bidding attention.

5. Is it unfair to highlight an auction lot to the forum community that may have otherwise gone relatively unnoticed by the majority...but not all?
No, same response as #1. Speaking for myself - I would prefer a piece i'm bidding on go under the radar. Not unfair if someone brings it up though.

My two cents.

 

Great feedback E-diddy and certainly among the consensus so far. I’m sure there will be some contrary view points

 

I think the OP is asking a valid question. Personally, I am conflicted about drawing attention to items that may have otherwise flown under the radar. I will admit to having posted links on Recommended Vintage Omegas on ebay and subsequently wondered if I've helped drive up the price. Not always though - if watches are listed with clear descriptions and good photos and have already obviously been "seen", or if it's a BIN that's been around for a couple of days, I have no qualms about that. Now, however, if something's got poor photos, is misdescribed, obscurely listed or has merits which might not be obvious at first, I won't comment.

As I've previously pointed out on this forum, a LOT of non-members are always looking in - just look at the proportion of guests to members online and you'll see what I mean. I did the same myself before I joined. Why should those viewers, who've contributed nothing, piggyback off forum knowledge at the expense of folks who've done years of painstaking research?

Others can do whatever they want. That's my position.

 

mmmm....

Do you really believe that in all cases ? It’s a pretty obvious position regarding private sellers who have made an effort, but at the other end of the spectrum how about resellers. Does the pawn shop owner who bought a 2915 for $1000 deserve $100,000 if he sells it without researching at all ? I’d absolutely say no.

 

Thanks Edward and interesting to hear from someone viewing from a slightly different angle. Certainly adds to the discussion. cheers