John; My "misrepresentation" post was made in referrence to "shill bidding". Since you have elected not to consign to the club auction.... which is your privilege .... I guess that would not apply to you.

The annual club convention auction each year fills up with consignors whom are confident that their material will bring a fair price without minimums or reserves. Evidently you do not feel that way ... and that's o.k.

I've tried to submit chips to this year's auction (after two pieces submitted were returned because there were already examples submitted by another consignor) and was told that it the auction limit has been filled up. So evidently there are lots of consignors who don't share the viewpoint you have expressed.

If folks want to buy at retail, they can do so on the convention floor at the more than 100 dealer tables being offered this year at Tropicana. If potential bidders think that a desireable piece they would like to add to their collection (or for resale) is being offered in the club auction.... they may choose to forgo purchasing at the retail piece (if one is being offered on the convention floor) and participate in the auction in the hopes of getting it for less. Because a particular item may go for less money at auction than the retail price being asked on the floor, does not mean that the piece at auction went too cheap. Perhaps the piece being offered on the floor is overpriced.

No one is forcing club members to consign material to the club auction... nor is anyone forcing members to bid at the club auction.... so I don't see the purpose in your continued posts about not consigning. The only way one would pay back-to-back 10% commissions, as you have described, is by being both the consignor and the high bidder on the same lot.