Did anyone participate in this last one? I've not heard how these work for the absentee bidders. Are there ever any bargains?

Mike

Mike, You simply register and then bid online for the irems of intrest. I was able to snag this one.
I bid on about 10. So 1 out of 10. Whatever that is.

That's nice, Phil. Thanks. Last time I followed it but it seemed it was quite pricey.

Mike, I believe it is a case of pick and choose, Some of the time you may get lucky and pick up a nice item reasonably priced. Their descriptions are accurate with no buyer fees or sales tax.

This is a keeper that will be headed to the master. Mr Chris Abell, to the uninformed.

Following is a series of emails between me and Jones & Horan about this watch. Make of lt what ever you wish.


Subject: Re: auction
------------------------

From: Phillip Sanchez <philbrooksville@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Oct 6, 2008 at 2:17 PM
To: sales@jones-horan.com


I entered $500.00 A printout from your records indicating that Is attached. Now what?

On Mon, Oct 6, 2008 at 10:18 AM, Jones and Horan Auction Team <sales@jones-horan.com> wrote:

Hello Mr. Sanchez,

Our computer records indicate you entered $300 +1 on lot 281. Please review your online bids to confirm. Daniel


Daniel Horan
General Manager
Jones & Horan Auction Team
453 Mast Rd
Goffstown, NH 03045
(603) 623-5314

-----Original Message-----
From: Phillip Sanchez [mailto:philbrooksville@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, October 02, 2008 5:37 PM
To: sales@jones-horan.com
Subject: auction

Hi, I don't understand I had a online bid of $500 +1 on lot #281. It sold for $400. I still have a print out with the bid accepted. Bid time was 2008-09 12 07:44:07 ID 50


From: Phillip Sanchez <philbrooksville@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 7:40 AM
To: sales@jones-horan.com


I would be extremely interested in your response to this previous email. I am not going away.

----------
From: Jones and Horan Auction Team <sales@jones-horan.com>
Date: Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 8:48 AM
To: Phillip Sanchez <philbrooksville@gmail.com>


Hello Mr. Sanchez,

That bid was cancelled because you entered another bid on the same lot 281 subsequent to your bid for $500.

You entered Bid ID 97 on 9/14/2008 at 9:33am Lot 281 for $300. We can only accept one bid per lot on items from an individual customer and we have to take the latest one entered as our final bid.

You're $300 bid was the last entered so that is the one we executed as ($300 +1).

In the future, you should change your old bid or delete it before bidding on the same piece to avoid confusion.

Thank you.

Subject: Re: auction


----------
From: Phillip Sanchez <philbrooksville@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 10:37 AM
To: sales@jones-horan.com


Just so you will know I am going to post these emails including this one on our IHC 185 website. I believe that you are in error. You will not have to be concerned of any bids in the future from me.

END



--

Update of the latest email.


On Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 11:14 AM, Jones and Horan Auction Team <sales@jones-horan.com> wrote:

Hello Mr. Sanchez,

I apologize for the computer mix-up, but that is how our system is structured. I have told you the facts. I have not intended to mislead you or misrepresented the facts of the situation. I am sorry that you fell slighted by this situation. I am essentially trying to explain the situation to you and am in no way trying to "cover-up" or misrepresent what happened in an attempt to shed responsibility.

Thank you.


Daniel Horan
General Manager
Jones & Horan Auction Team
453 Mast Rd
Goffstown, NH 03045
(603) 623-5314


My response this morning:

Daniel, I too am sorry for the confusion. I was bidding on multiple items and did not realize that I had bid twice on the same item. It is only that this was an auction and I would have thought the higher bid would have taken precedence. I know that you are honest and fair folks. It is your system that appears flawed not yourselves.

END

Sorry you missed it. It sure seems to me that your last bid should be the official bid. Sounds like a full knowledge of their system is required. Too bad as I know you were happy to have "won".

Phil,
Having been going to the Jones & Horan Auctions from their begining, I can vouch for their honesty. They are all great honest folks. If you've ever been to one of their auctions you would be amazed how they can take bids from the floor, left bids, and the live phone bidders, and make it all come together. However mistakes can always be made and in your case, this might be one of those times. I wish your high bid was taken, and I bet they do to.
Best,
Brian C.

Latest email from Danial Horan;

Mr. Sanchez,

I saw your last post on IHC 185 . I thank you for your willingness to see us in the best light. As a last note, our online bidding processes are being reviewed and refined constantly and in fact are a relatively new feature with our company. We appreciate the feedback you gave us.

Our assumption in a case like this is that whichever bid is received last is an attempt by our bidders to revise or place a more "final" bid, whether that bid be higher or lower. In your case the bid received last was lower, but if it was higher, say $600, we would have accepted your latest higher bid as well. Our system is based on last bid in, rather than on the amount of the bid. We try to keep it as simple as possible, but situations do arise and we are always looking to build the "better bread-box". Thanks again and we really appreciate you promoting us among the members of IHC 185.

Daniel

Please correct me if I misunderstand, but a malcontent could start a bidding war and back out with a lower bid? Just spin the numbers up and pull out with a lower bid after the other bidders have revealed their true intent? That sounds like shill bidding. Am I missing something?