[DonVoigt]

It is "easy" to explain away as auction fever, no doubt some bidders get caught up- I have on occasion.

Then if you really "need" or want the item, and have $$- why not?

It is pretty much impossible to buy below market at an auction- unless you take a chance on a poor description or poor pictures and roll the dice- JMHO.

I bid on about 20 items at Morphy's, bought two; paid more that I wanted to for each but will be in them "at the market" when delivered.

The two or three dealers present on the floor make sure no one will buy a good item at below "wholesale".

I watched some of the bidding on the web cast- pretty entertaining and educational. I would not have "won" the two I did if I had not been watching them and bidding "live".

By the way, a floor bidder will win the auction if there is a tie bid with a previously submitted online bid- unfair but them's the rules.