Really? What is the justification for that?
You may want to read this carefully
http://texasauctioneer.blogspot.co.uk/2010/10/auction-shills-cappers-puffers-reserves.html
and then this,
http://www.originalprop.com/blog/2009/10/27/heritage-auction-galleries-lawsuit-in-the-news-claims-of-fake-bidder-n-p-gresham-auction-manipulation/
it's certainly food for thought.
Of course my argument to my States Attorney General would be that if we are saying that Heritage is also based in NY hence various auctions that they run here in NY and the fact that all purchases through Heritage are subject to NYS Sales tax then why am I being subjected (victim) to Texas auction rules that place NY's at an unfair position?
I am not a fan of shill bidding. If you have a reserve then simply start the auction at the minimum that you are willing to let it go for from the beginning. As I said though. Heritage is more miss than hit and my bidding through them is becoming more and more rare these days as I go after pricier books.
I am the auctioneer that runs the texasauctioneer.blogspot.com blog, although I don't know why it has "co.uk" (shown in the post) on the tail-end, as I'm definitely in Texas. This may be futile, but I'll try to throw a little light on a couple of the comments made.
First, the same laws apply in almost every state (even NY), as the U.C.C. was adopted by 49 states (LA adopted most of it). The U.C.C. was drafted in the 1940's as a guide and states started adopting it into their laws, with the last state doing so in the 1960's.
There is a DIFFERENCE between "shill" bidding and bidding on behalf of a minimum reserve. If notice is not given to the bidders that the "right to bid" by the seller or other authorized agent (the agent may be the auctioneer or a staff member), then it is illegal and that is the definition of Shilling.
Now, it's apparent that you may not have read Heritage's Terms & Conditions, as they Do Disclose the right for such bidding in those Terms. Therefore, it is NOT shilling.
Concerning the comment about "starting at the minimum"... there's just one little problem. It's called Human Nature.
Most of the time, when an auctioneer discloses the minimum and asks for bids, everyone "sits on their hands" (won't bid). I've even seen those that will call out a lower bid, after I've told them what the MINIMUM bid is... now, one might wonder, do they think you'll sell it to them anyway?
Yes, auctioneers utilize Human Nature (just like all other sales people) in an effort to get people to to start the bidding, wherever they want to start it... then allow the bidding to go from that point. In most cases, if it's a reasonable reserve, the item will meet or exceed it.
However, there are times when there may only be one individual interested in a particular item (or other bidders drop out before it meets the minimum). So, the auctioneer may allow the individual to start the bidding where-ever they wish and (if properly DISCLOSED) bid on behalf of the minimum reserve price.
Keep in mind, you must be an adult of legal age to bid at auction, as you are agreeing to the Terms, which is a legal contract. As a legal adult, you have responsibility for reading and/or understanding the terms of the contract that you are agreeing to. It is not the Seller's responsibility to make you read or understand. If you're not sure of the terms, one should ask questions prior to bidding or get the advice of an attorney.
There ya have it, folks. I hope this helps open a few eyes.
Jim