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I signed up for Vics auction and Bidspotter. Unfortunately, Im going out of town so cant watch via webcast which I really was curious about, so I went to put in an absentee bid and was surprised to see that they list the high absentee bid for the item.
I guess this could be helpful, but that does not seem like an auction to me. Isnt it unfair to whoever made that bid that I know what he already bid before the auction begins? It didnt say reserve, so am wondering if this is the norm. Never tried this before. If this is the usual way of doing things and it didnt mean reserve, Im not placing any absentee bids.
Anyone know if that meant "reserve" rather than high bid?

The same the happened to me,I put in a bid on seveal signs and when I went back to check on the signs my high bid was the current bid. I called Seth and he told me he would talk to the auction co. about it. He said it is NOT suppose to work like that. Daniel

GUYS: I talked to the people at bidspotter and they stated that this WAS their norm. The post the high absentee bid PRIOR to the sale so the next guy won't waste his time or their time leaving a lower absentee bid. When the auction goes live, the absentee bids turn into proxy bids that only move up incrementally with the bids onsite. I thought it funny that they posted the high absentee bids, but they stated that a lot of people will place ridiculously low absentee bids such as $15 for a $500 sign, and by posting the highest absentee bid, it discourages that practice.

REST ASSURED, ONCE THE AUCTION GOES LIVE, THE ACTUAL BIDDING WILL BE DRIVEN BY THE LIVE BIDDING BOTH ONLINE & ONSITE.

Yeah, I gotta say I don't care for the whole world to see my high bid either. I wasn't aware it would be done like that. Now an unscrupulous individual who doesn't really want an item can run the price up just below the posted max bid and "walk" away. Just doesn't seem quite as sporting.

If anyone is concerned with this enough to have their absentee bids executed by us instead of Bidspotter, call 405.282.3403 (the auction building) and we will take your bid over the phone. You can also be on the phone when that item sells (if you are the first to call for that item) as well. There are lots of ways to bid.

ALSO NOTE: When the auction goes live, the high absentee bid is hidden once again to avoid the kind of circumstance archer described.

Seth, you mentioned lots of ways to bid. What are all the different ways other than bidspotter?
Thanks.

Seth, great autcion!! Watched it live for about an hour or so. You were right, there were deals to be had and I wish I was there.
Robert