It shouldn't make any difference as to how many
shills are involved in any auction if one knows
exactly how much they're willing to pay for an item
they decide to bid on; reserve auction or not.

If one knows the market and/or sets their limit as
to how much they will pay, a reserve auction should
not be a concern, either.

Auctions are nothing more than buyers telling
sellers how much they're willing to pay for their
item. Nothing else should enter the picture.

A seller is not expected to provide any benefits to
a buyer in the exact same manner a
buyer isn't expected to provide any benefits to any
seller where total strangers are are involved.
Though this may not be the case between ourselves,
as each being a collector knowing each other's
passion, but out in the real world each auction is
nothing more than a small business.

JB