Missed Out

Well, it's that time of the year again, when some yahoo puts up sketchy signs all around the local area, advertising an auction of high-end items for sale. Generally speaking, the items are either unavailable by the time the auction rolls around or are reproductions. The reproductions aren't explicitly claimed to be the real thing, it's just that one has to actual buy the item before the paperwork explaining it is handed over.

What's interesting about these is that the supposed auctioneer has been moving around the country now for several years, hosting these things. Boston, Washington D.C., Tulsa, Chicago; the list goes on. The signs change every so often, but the method of operation remains the same. The dishonest preying on the hopeful is nothing new; there is a long list of shady dealings that depend to one degree or another on people's hopes that someone will part with something valuable for a fraction of it's value, and offer a stepping stone to a more affluent appearance or a quick buck via arbitrage.

I find these signs interesting when they appear, but I had better things to do today than go and investigate what the supposed auction was actually selling this time. I suppose, however, that I'll have other opportunities. I suspect the signs will be back next year.