As primarily a Hulk collector, I am aware of several collectors (many who are now friends) who have similar tastes (some, VERY similar tastes). Early on there was a somewhat uneasy tension going down the wire on an auction wondering who would bid, how much, etc. If you don't talk about it, it's easy as you don't know for sure if they are bidding so you throw your best bid down and see what happens. You win some, you lose some, and along the way you might make a friend pay up a little more for a piece unintentionally - that's how it goes. I have a few friends that I converse with now about auctions and we can actually talk it out and see who wants it most and how hard they will go for it and pretty much always defer to one another on an item. So, I guess you can say that some friendships made in the hobby do suppress that "barracuda instinct" ... sometimes.