While I can no longer view the results of the official non-offical poll that Todd put up (and thanks by the way Todd), the last time I saw them, they were overwhelmingly in favor of NO OUTING of ebay auctions until complete. Since we all live in what is (for the moment) a representative democracy, and we all seem to want to be bound to those results, we will from here on out live under the NO OUTING of ebay auctions until complete rule.....

As gentlemen, we'll have to abide by this rule as there is no real mechanism for me to ban anyone from this site for such a transgression as outing an auction. If I'm quick enough, I can delete threads but although I spend much of my waking hours of the day dropping in, I sometimes have to really do some work or have other commitments.

So.....Thanks to Ralph Perry for bringing this yet again to the forefront so we could all participate in this final decision. I will, at some point, add this maxim to the forum FAQ's so it can be in writing as there is a contingent of people who would want it in writing--likely the lawyers of the bunch. They have to be able to set precedent of course.....

We will continue to adhere to the fact that major auctions like Legendary, REA, Hunts, and the like are fair game for discussion before, during and after as they are out there for all to see and a much more controlled environment.

So.....that settled, we can get back to the discussions at hand.......

If you want to out, or more appropriately TOUT, your own auctions, that remains okay but it must be done in the B/S/T threads under the eBay auctions board.....

Actually it should be no outing an auction until the buyer receives the card and leaves feedback for the seller. Imagine you're the winner of the auction. A minute thirty after the auction ends a loser outs the auction. A half dozen sharks who missed the auction will now contact the seller with offers significantly over the ending price. Many sellers will find the new offers too good to turn down and the original winner will not get the card.

Red, I can see your point but I do not see myself as a "loser" if I don't win an auction and I like to think that the fellow who collect cards like me are not sharks, there are may be some more motivated than others but sharks I hope not, and as far as waiting for feedback being left I don't think that is going to work, since I paid what I won within minutes of the end of the auction most of the time I expect the sellers to leave a feedback for me ASAP if he doesn't than I don't leave one either.

I'm glad we're not going to "out" any more. What people do in their private lives should remain private-- unless of course, it helps sell some papers. (Go Tiger!) And as far as being called "sharks", I think "lamp rays" would be a more appropriate term. (Leeches was also good, but they lack the raspy tongue that allows lamp rays to actually eat into their host before sucking them dry.)

I'd request one exception - that members be allowed to continue to "out" the ridiculous eBay postings that sometimes come up like the $10,000 minimum bid on a Honus Wagner reprint card or some of the other silly things that some folks come up with. I always enjoy the humor in them!

I second that motion.

But aside from venue, what's the difference between discussing auction houses offerings when they're open, and discussing an eBay listing during open bidding? Personally, I've missed many more "I wish I woulda known" cards from the auction houses than eBay. Like I said, I have no opinion either way ... setting eBay off limits but auction houses as ok just seems like an inconsistent distinction.

Hi Robert - IMHO the distinction is simply in the emotional reaction outing Ebay auctions bring. It's too controversial, unlike outing well publicized and categorized auction house items.
Unfortunately common ground rules usually tend to favor one side more than the other but they can purposefully guide us through our divisive nature.

Tom, thanks for the clear ground rules, once and for all.
The majority has spoken and you, as our CEO, have executed the decision.

(And while I'm at it, thanks, of course, for this Board! Brightens everyone's day.)