I didnt start this

We seem to be trying to establish whether 'shill bidding' or bidding on ones own goods is ethical, and whether perhaps the club has any stance on this and how we should treat it 'between members'

Mr Follis kindly pointed out this with regard to the club auction
"Auction is only between Club members (who are to abide by a Code of Ethics)"

Seems to me you are saying the club feels shill bidding is acceptable, or are we ONLY saying that for the club auction? That I can agree with, but I will point out that whilst someone winning their own lot pays out 20%, he also gets 80% on the lots he doesnt win whilst the club only gets 20%.

No need to discuss the club auction any further as you said. How do you feel about shill bidding on ebay or any other auction?

BTW - I didnt quite understand what you meant by
"Another difference between the Bruce Landau Memorial Auction and many others (particularly on eBay), is that for lots valued at less than $1,000, the seller is unable to protect himself (or herself) with a minimum bid"

Do you mean the minimum reserve you can set is $1,000? If thats the case then I suggest a whole bunch of people that were bidding in the club auction did not know that