Gaston, It does happen, that the item we see at sale, is not for sale, and is only listed to gather high bids.The very same one as i posted on 19 august 2013 (see previous page) was auctioned recently again (!?) at Zeige, this time for a wopping 3800 euro's (opening price was only 800)!
The reasons for this, are to push prices of the same item for other dealers later on.
Example:
Gaston has 5 rare badges to sell, i tell Gaston WAIT, i will list one on my auction site for 1 euro, you and others will bid to 1500.- so we will SHOW others watching, it sold for 1500.-
NO SALE, just for showing.
THEN, Gaston you wait a few weeks, then YOU list the same item on your site for 800.- and it will SELL overnight, because a semi-accepted "market value" of ×××has already be shown on auction a few weeks ago. Anyone who buys from you for 800.- will be happy! and believe he made a good deal!
Do not forget, if we know smaller auctions are BS, and dealers are also full of BS, then why would it be different the higher up you go? No, it is worse the higher you go!