++ B. J. AUCTION REMARKS ++

[sYc]

There one thing I have yet to figure out. I realize it is possible to manipulate a auction, with shill bidders, buy backs, etc, I see it on Ebay all the time, but, if bidders are only willing to pay what they feel is a fair price, then it really does not matter what else is happening. If a bidder pays more then they had originally planned, whether it be they are drunk, they like being on TV, whatever, is that really the auction house's fault? Not IMO.

As per believing the experts, on one TV network, all 8 of their NFL experts picked the Saints over Da Bears.

[Hank Williams Jr]

I agree. lots of smoke. But I am not so sure there isnt some substance there.

True. What the crowd pays is what the crowd pays. But I agree with the authors stance that BJ does have a tremendous ability to 'set the tone for the market' - and that will impact the next ten similar cars.

________

Lets just hope Grossman can pull it off against Manning. I am really pulling for the Bears on this one.

[nuch_ss396]

If you haven't read the entire link, I would highly recommend doing so.
Further down the page, read the part on Fords problems.
Looks like they are in deep doo-doo here.

I am somewhat concerned if even part of this turns out to be true.
B-J putting their own cars in the mix, coupled with shill
bids, buy backs, etc. in an effort to feed the perception
of prices going higher and higher. If true, the buyers
become the fools here.

Charley, since you've been there many times, what would you
suggest be done to investigate this and get to the bottom
of it? For B-J, I think it's put up or shut up time.

Steve

[Charley Lillard]

If you have never been there you need to go and you will understand how silly the notion is of them bringing a few of their cars to run up prices. It is alot different when you are in that room as opposed to watching it on TV. The energy and excitement is like a living thing as it gets toward prime time. The pace is amazing and at some point it peaks at a high doller car and then you can just feel the energy leave the room and prices drop for awhile.
As for the Futureliner if you watched the auction there was confusion at the end but I don't think anything was intentional or underhanded. It was high rollers in a competition. Right after it closed Craig came down front to talk to the guy in the t shirt and shaved head and the guy was ranting. There was a camera crew taping the whole thing standing right behind Craig. The auction house tapes everything so when a gripe comes up they can replay it to see exactly just what happened. I wonder how many guys came to the auction office saying thay got cheated and produced bidders that they say were trying to bid but when the tape is replayed they are nowhere to be seen. There is big money here and just like Ebay the scum will also try to find a way to get some of it.
As for shill bidding it has been the standard for auctions since before we were born. Nobody is making you bid. I don't condone it but it has been the norm in the auction industry. I also have heard all the rumors of the feds investigating all the auctions. I don't think Barrett-Jackson was shill bidding things up this year. You might have individuals having their buddies bid things up but I don't think the house was. When you actually go to Barrett-Jackson and see how successful it is you will understand why it would be silly for them to risk what they have in order to generate excitement for something that is already excited. When you saw them stop the bidding and sort the bids out I think that is them trying to remain on the straight and narrow. Great event.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

TC nailed it, only bid what you are willing to pay - the shills may get you there faster, but they can't make you pay more than want.