Pete; This is one of the reasons why SOME folks bid mid-way through an auction ... days in advance of the auction ending ... to make it well known that they are interested in this item, and heaven help someone who bids against them.

I wasn't referring to any specific person ... but we've all read the posts in the past about some folks not bidding against a friend. I'm like you. I don't care who is bidding. If I'm interested in a particular piece, friendships are put aside. If someone is going to get mad because I'm bidding against them, then they weren't a friend to begin with.