Although my motives have been made quite clear in previous messages once more we shall enter the world of online strike auctions.

Many strikes are listed inmproperly by title and or by category. Remaining hidden to most collectors they sell at a very low price. So low in fact that such auctions attract those that resell the same strike properly listed at a profit. One can certainly say these people are costing the collector more money than if they bid directly with the original seller. These auctions usually start well below market value so even with fair competition the maximum price achieved should be a fair one. Ignoring the price issue totaly what chance does Joe average collector have to obtain one of these strikes if he or she is never aware of the auction in the first place?

Back to the cost to the average collector it can certainly be said the resellers of hidden auctions many times start their auctions at some sort of current market value. A profit seems their only objective. Should these folks also not be open for criticism for bringing about a higher price?

Every ad placed on this board seeks to bring buyers to the item. More buyers mean a higher price in the auction format. This simple fact does not seem to deter dealers from placing large number of ads for newly released strikes. If one would strive to keep the costs low as possible for strike enthusiasts advertising would not be permitted on this message base. The sad part would be large number of collectors would never be aware of strikes they desire to own.

A perfect example of the hidden auction is listed below. Only three buyers obtained a total of ten strikes. I deliberately did not mention this auction to see what would happen. The cost per strike was $7.76 each. One was resold at once for $95. I'm positive many more collectors would have obtained one for far less money if this auction had been brought to the attention of the larger audience.

In closing I fail to understand while personal profit seems a perfectly legitimate reason to advertise yet doing so for good of the hobby seems to bring about the ire of the those whose primary motive is making a buck be it dealer or reselling collector. View the auction View the link below. How many of you would have liked to bid on this auction? How many of you would have prefered paying $20-$40 due to increased exposure rather than the single relist of $95? Judging from the email I've received in support of my postings it's safe to say the vast majority. The few complaints I've received are from those few who feel they have been deprived of the ability to profit from the collecting public.

Tom