Obviously people are better off if they’re able to sell without using an auction house. Stack’s Bowers takes a huge commission and sellers aren’t really protected from low sales. I think you’d be hard pressed to find someone who chose to sell via an auction house and doesn’t regret it. People sell via auction houses because it’s easier and less risky, not because it’s more profitable. More hands in the pot = less profit for everyone. It isn’t rocket science.