Pre-Auction Protocol: A Question Unrelated to Pants

Singapore

So there is a coin in an upcoming auction that I am interested in buying. I suspect another collector that I know and who collects similar coins will also be interested. He is loaded. I am not. If he wants it, I'm pretty sure he won't be outbid.

Do I call him and ask if hes planning to bid on it so that if he is I can save myself the trouble of inventing some huge lie to my wife explaining why I'm going to Chicago and where the heII that $10K in the savings account went?

airplanenut

Bid over the phone

rays

I don't think you should call the other collector. It would not be fair to the seller. If the other collector and you routinely discuss coins coming up that each might have relevant info on (pedigree, saw it in person before, etc) it might be different.

ElectricEye

disable his car the night before the show or just show up and see what happens

Bear

Steal his pants before the auction.

longtimecollector

My ruse would be to tell him you found 2 of them at about 30% of market........ Then tell him you wont be able to show him until the week after the auction.......... when that time comes, you'll have bought the coin, but you will sadly have to inform him that there ultimately was only one available........ Old age and treachery will overcome youth and skill everytime !!!! At least thats what I've been telling myself for the last 40 years !!!!!

Julian

I would not tip my hand. Examine the coin and make sure that you want it. If you do not want to go, you can have an agent bid (I'm available) or as was said earlier, you can bid by phone. It is not fair to the consignor to discuss limits with other bidders. You are as entitled to the coin as he is. Good luck.

You're in charge of the situation with your wife, however. I have no counsel on that.