These are all listed fairly close to 3k with best offer. I am almost sure that one of them would immediately accept a 3k offer. Also, the last mewtwo wasn’t just “slightly” higher than average when you compare it to the range of mewtwo’s sold in the past. If you tally the 9 legitimate sales in the past that we can see, they come out to an average of $2087. So a sale of 3100 is a near 50% increase, breaking out of a consistent range. Coupled with the suspect bidding it just seems like something is off. I could be completely wrong and it is an actual sale as these things happen when bidding wars happen, I just wanted to clarify why I said what I did.
Fair enough, those listings don’t show up for me for whatever reason.
And string bidding is pretty controversial - i see both sides… sure makes sense for an auction house … but if you’re legitimately trying to buy a card it’s not really manipulation. I do get however, that it’s trying to prevent manipulation… it does have a net-wide scope tho. I don’t think its unethical/immoral, unless you’re intending to manipulate an auction… obviously PWCC doesn’t know that and has to ban the whole practice all together
and to counter argue to @mojotbone … the auction listing ending below all of those - sure we can say, they might accept 3k. Which would be great, because that shows the 3k is the market value then… that is what the sellers are looking for. They had these listed at 3,500 when they were selling for 2k. Might just be that the card is getting to their price point finally… and thats the point - can’t just call shill on everything, unless theres wide set of evidence.
I’m sure theres shilling going on for a category of cards or whatever, but I just don’t think its right to cry wolf on every higher than “normal” auction … high values is healthy for the hobby… eventually those buyers that buy everything for 2k, will want to sell them higher than 2k … resulting in the floor increasing over time.
That’s all I’ve got on the topic - we’ll see how they rise in the future
PS. everything I’ve said was not to argue or say anyone is wrong / legit just confused - and trying to understand the market better. Pokemon is very different from what I’m use to, to say the least
There’s no way to 100% determine whether or not the auction was shilled. People bid in increments for a couple of reasons.
Keep in mind that the previous 1st Ed. Mewtwo sales took place at auction during a time when there was at least 1 BIN copy advertised at or around $2k. The last BIN listing in that range sold 2 months ago for $2000. At the time of the recent $3k auction, the only cheaper alternative was a $3.1k copy with sub par pics. Meaning, even if the auction was shilled the buyer didn’t necessarily overpay based on what’s available.
Incremental bidding is discouraged to simply protect all bidders. Put yourself in the shoe as the highest bidder. If someone incrementally bid up the card till it’s near your bid, how do you feel? Do you know their motives? Yes, you may have no malicious intent, but it’s a petty move that breeds bad business ethics if left unchecked. I am not cutting you slack because you know better.