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here is a direct copy and paste from the message center:

(note that all the bid changes stopped once I asked why it was happening)

I'm not one for usually assuming bidding conspiracies... but something had to be going on with these.

I wondered what was going on with the bidding also. Happened numerous times where (as an example) I'd see an item bid from 175 to 200....then sell for 175.

good for the seller, not the bidders...

Some time ago there was a discussion about how Morphy's instituted some policy that allowed them, as the auctioneer, to bid on items. Or something like that. Of course people were all upset about the idea. Could this be that??

This is perfect example why you shouldn't pre-bid on items especially if you are going to follow the live auction. Some guy pre-bid on almost every globe and he was also bidding during the live auction via proxibid. I just wonder if this person got screwed over in the bidding process. As much as he bought it probably didnt make a difference to him. If you do pre-bid and provide a max, you should expect the auction to start at your max bid - right or wrong. I think it is wrong but it is the world we live in now!!!

Greg... you are exactly right. Whoever the B****e user ID person was that was bidding on all the globes, they just got cheated out of several hundred, if not thousands, of dollars. I can't think of one reasonable excuse the auction company would have for the bidding behavior that went on at the end of that auction.

In this case it was obvious that the bidding was being ran up maliciously.

I have no knowledge of what happened or didn't happen here.

Just as a personal lesson learned. I will relate my opinion on absentee bids. When, I was new and naive; I use to leave absentee bids and then I started to notice a pattern. It seemed like even at a slow auction with a poor turn out, that failed to realize strong prices on other items. The items with absentee bids always seem to fetch a strong price. For this reason; I now, never leave absentee bids anywhere (even local auction houses) simply because in my opinion most auction houses will run up your absentee bids to within one of two bids of you absentee bid.

A lot of times even when I'm in attendance, I feel like some auctioneers run up their bidders using the guise of internet bidders. I don't trust very many auctioneers.

Dave, Bryce and I noticed the same behaviour (driving up the bids) with another auction house in an earlier thread.
http://www.oldgas.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Main=64905&Number=406450#Post406450

I watched the auction also and started to notice the bidding patterns. When an auction house can see the maximum pre-bid amount on an item and can bid on the items themselves it really makes things seem shady. I would like to know why so many bids got removed and the reason behind it myself.

I am sick and tried of people on here complaining about how I run a auction. I you people do not trust me don't bid it is as simple as that. I have said it before and and will say it again.

And if you do not bid then you have nothing to complain about.

Also do not ask me to deliver your items to you or ask me the value of an item you are wanting to purchase.

Dan Matthews my phone is 217-259-7059 complain to me in person, I am part of Morphy Auction.

I am tried of this *****

I'm not complaining - but based on the observations in this thread, I'll never place another online bid at one of these auctions.

Not too worry about the complainers Dan, most aren't buyers anyway.. just complainers.. I for one think you do a GREAT job.. and APPRECIATE what you do for me.. Your success speaks for itself.
Thanks,, Wes....
ps. missed you in Hershey,

Let me see if i understand this correctly... if you see someone taking money from your pocket then why not change pockets or watch whats going on?

If you think shill bidding is going on then just put a number in your head of what you want to pay and stop there!
Do a phone bid versus leaving an absentee bid. Phone bid you don't have to worry about the internet locking up which is why i phone bidded.
If you don't like buyers premium then subtract the BP from your top dollar you willing to pay for that item.

Take what you see and hear and make your own judgement of how to handle how your going to bid or just walk away or call Dan if your dealing with him and one of his items and talk to him.

Everyone has stories of crazy stuff that goes on at auctions but airing out on here when your not for sure isn't right.

Just my thoughts...

I agree 100% John, well said.. there is away too much lip service on this site.. It's always easy to sit and type on a laptop or whatever and complain,, be a man,if your not happy call Dan or whoever is involved in what your disgruntled about.

I appreciate Bryce posting what actually happened with the bids. In my opinion, pointing this out (without accusing anyone) is helpful to other collectors and allows us to make our own educated buying decisions.

Ray