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Dan S
·There is a lot of speculation here about whether promoting an obscure auction on OF can potentially increase the hammer price, and some people are demanding proof. In most cases, we are not in a position to prove the point one way or another, and people who like to post obscure active auction listings (actually, only a very small number of OF members do this) are deflecting criticism by claiming that everyone has seen every auction, so their threads have no effect. However, it takes a lot of time and effort to scour the internet for obscure local auctions and to look through all the listings of each auction catalog. Sometimes I do it, sometimes I don't. But if someone makes a deliberate effort to call my attention to a particular lot on OF, then I am very likely to pay attention, and bid if the watch interests me. To me, it is simple logic that promoting an obscure auction can potentially bring new bidders, which can influence the hammer price. It seems overwhelmingly likely to me that this has happened on some occasions, whether or not it was the case in this particular auction. You are free to disagree. And obviously some people posting in this thread feel that this is a good thing, increasing prices and making the market "flatter." Apparently I empathize more with collectors/bidders who are putting in the hard work trying to get a bargain, and less with the sellers and auctioneers, who are free to market their listings to the best of their abilities.
Like @gatorcpa, I would not promote an obscure auction in which I am planning to bid, and I think most people would agree with this, which suggests an intuitive belief that calling attention to the auction could influence the final price. For the same reason, I would also not be pleased if someone else promoted that auction for no real purpose. In return, I would not promote an obscure auction in which I don't plan to bid; it is a simple courtesy to other OF members who may be planning to bid. In my view, there is little value to posting the auction while it is still active. I would rather be courteous to other collectors, and wait until the auction has ended. In fact, I wonder what motivates this very small number of OF members who like to post these obscure auctions while they are still active, when they could just wait until the auction ends.
I appreciate that OF allows discussion of active auctions (as @dsio noted). It's fun to discuss Phillips/Antiquorum auctions and there's no harm done, and posting eBay listings of common models for newbies serves a real purpose. But I think people should weigh the pros and cons of promoting highly collectible lots in obscure active auctions. Obviously, people don't like the fact that I've criticized the OP and another member for doing this. They are free to continue to make these threads, but I think they (and others) should know that some OF members are bothered by the practice.
Like @gatorcpa, I would not promote an obscure auction in which I am planning to bid, and I think most people would agree with this, which suggests an intuitive belief that calling attention to the auction could influence the final price. For the same reason, I would also not be pleased if someone else promoted that auction for no real purpose. In return, I would not promote an obscure auction in which I don't plan to bid; it is a simple courtesy to other OF members who may be planning to bid. In my view, there is little value to posting the auction while it is still active. I would rather be courteous to other collectors, and wait until the auction has ended. In fact, I wonder what motivates this very small number of OF members who like to post these obscure auctions while they are still active, when they could just wait until the auction ends.
I appreciate that OF allows discussion of active auctions (as @dsio noted). It's fun to discuss Phillips/Antiquorum auctions and there's no harm done, and posting eBay listings of common models for newbies serves a real purpose. But I think people should weigh the pros and cons of promoting highly collectible lots in obscure active auctions. Obviously, people don't like the fact that I've criticized the OP and another member for doing this. They are free to continue to make these threads, but I think they (and others) should know that some OF members are bothered by the practice.
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