... Steve. I am simply asking some questions and making some provocative comments. Of course, I am doing so for a reason, THE POINT of which I will get to shortly (perhaps tonight).

If there IS harm in shill bidding, then it follows without question that the level of harm will be greater with respect to higher value items than it is for lower value items.

I just don't see any harm at all for the simple reason that the bidder is in COMPLETE CONTROL of the auction (at least as far as HIS money is concerned). He can't be forced to spend more than he wants for any particular chip. JB says this better than I do, but that's the point. ----- jim o\-S