I don't think the point of this is that the seller is not responsible, HE IS, and it should bite him regardless of what he claims he know and when.
The point should be a proactive approach to solving the problem of a growing perception that the auction is not a place where one can buy with confidence. Look at ebay for example, look at like items one sold by a seller with 1000 positives and no negatives vs a seller with no history or a large percentage of negatives and see who captures the bids and the higher sale price. The problem IMHO moving into the future is perception and the steps which could be taken to stop the erosion of public confidence in the process. Lets not forget that from strictly a business standpoint in order for the car hobby/business to continue to flourish the client base needs to expand at a certain rate. In order to do this new less experienced people will need to come on board. So these new clients need to have confidence that the hobby/industry has credibility, especially at the dollars prime examples demand.
So where do we go form here? How does the auction house keep business and gain business is the ultimate question. The one way IMO that they will loose business is if the perception, REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE REAL TRUTH IS, continues to follow the path which I feel it is heading down. As more stories surface with buyers trying to throw blame ever where but on them selves the water gets pretty muddy and negative perception, right or wrong, comes a long with it.
It is a tough job to put all the things together and pull off a great event. I give the auction guys a ton of credit and with the liability issues in our all to sue happy society I can surely relate to the concerns stated above.
Being proactive may pay a larger dividend in the long run.
Just my opinion.
