Agree, don't do it! A much better idea would be to just have a regular auction, so people know where the bidding stands! You'll probably get a higher price this way too (no guarantee, but chances are...). If someone wants to be an anonymous bidder for some reason, they could PM you and you could post their bid as an anonymous bid (this is weird, but OK).
You can run your "auction" however you want. But I think this format is a big enough turn off that some people won't participate when they otherwise would (just a guess).
On a lighter note, these are very cool chips, beautiful in fact. GLWA
I know you said there is no reason to respond, so Im not directing this at you, but to the broader audience, while addressing your quote specifically.
I would think it would seem Real shady, if the person selling the chips kept bumping the price through an "anonymous bidder". I set this up as a blind auction to accomplish two goals
1. Allow the sale to run for a week in order to reach the biggest audience, and give equal opportunity for someone to purchase these chips
2. get a true market value (which I have no idea what that currently is) Its entirely possible that my list price is above market.
I really don't care if its called an auction, Best Offer Sale, etc., but some people may have a different opinion, and appear to be turned off by the way I am running things. Granted, I can't know for sure if they would really be willing to pay what they are saying they would pay, or if they are just saying that because they know they won't bid with this structure.
Truth be told, there are currently no bids on the chips, so I don't feel like I am doing a disservice to anyone by discussing things openly. I have received a few generous offers for a portion of the set, but I am not looking to break it up.
I would be happy to run this as a regular auction if people are more comfortable with that format. I am happy to close this thread and open a WTS best offer. You guys know what my base price is, so there is no secrecy there. If you want me to be able to close the sale at any time if I get a high enough offer, then I am more than happy to have that luxury as well. I really thought I was structuring this in the most straightforward way possible, and doing it blind puts a little more emphasis on making the right offer, as opposed to just having the deepest pocket. Until someone makes a bid I am open to discussing all options. If a bid is placed, then I feel compelled to let things run its course.
good news/bad news depending on your where you sit - I just locked up a NFL playoff elimination pool, so I now have the cash to fund my other purchase. If these don't sell by Sunday, they are probably going back in the vault.