I certainly agree with you gentlemen, that auctioneers and ringmen should be held to the same high standards of honesty and integrity that everyone else is expected to live by. The local sale barn personnel know my cheapskate ways, and know better than to bump me. They also have heard my vocal opinions on the subject.
Quite a few years ago, a bull sale was in progress. The auctioneer tried to start a bull at $1500, then dropped to $1250. When he said, "A thousand dollars, who will give ten and a quarter," I raised my hand. Right away he had another bid of "ten-fifty," and he sure thought I'd give "ten-seventy-five." I didn't, and he was hung with the bull. I bought the bull after the sale from the owner for a thousand dollars. The owner lost $25. The auctioneer had egg on his face, and the reputation of the sale barn wasn't enhanced. Why does human nature many times try to "cheat the system"? If everyone displayed more honesty and integrity, the world would sure be a better place.